All loads drop. (there will be no auto transfer or giant clutch/flywheel lashup - saw one of those once on a 25kw diesel, gauwd almighteeee)
Again, nothing - no connection to the genset until the load is dropped completely. Genset load is then pull-rope started and the load walked-in. When genset needs fuel it also goes completely down, load switched off and then walked back in again after a restart. This is a poor man's riggin'. All we need most of the time is lights and cold beer and the TV.
I calculated the total locked rotor requirement as a tad over 50A but these will not all be fired up at once so I'm thinking I should be able to bring it all online by walking it in load by load without stalling the genset. If there's an issue it might be how to address the possibility of all 3 refrigeration loads deciding to kick in their compressors concurrently. There's enough there to run 'em all concurrently, but starting them all at once is a whole other matter and something that may need to be dealt with. (ideas welcomed) I was actually thinking about the possibility of a timer on the freezer. The deep freeze can stay off for at least 6 hrs if we can stay out of it then let it have juice for a couple hours to recover, i.e., 2 hrs on/6 hrs off then repeat. - wife had another thought, drop all the refrigeration loads at bedtime and trade the load for a 10k btu window A/C in the master BR. It gets pretty sticky down here during hurricane season. Lotta load switching around I agree, but see my previous about "po' folks and po' ways"
You're blowin' smoke. No residence I've ever seen w/3 ph panel.
No auto xfr for (1) and read my remarx above to (3)
Know better than to even attempt to buck. This will be a manual disconnect. This isn't a hospital, it's my residence ;-) - we'll know when the commercial power is back because the AC will come on (wheee!!)
Daughter (and her thrice daily showers) is her husband's responsibility nowadays, thank goodness. You're right, a 5KW genset maxes out around 40A continuous (8300 KVA assuming PF of .6) *AND* assuming it really is 5 KW....... We all know about assumptions, which is why I'm looking for a 5KW and not 2½ - I'd love 7½ just don't want to have to feed it. Full load vs half load on 7½KW genset not much difference in fuel consumption compared to full vs ½ with a 5kw unit.