Generators

[davbell22602]

What do guys think about buying this for running power tools of it.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/...eg-3500-w-portable-gasoline-generator-4434023

reviews about the company

http://www.findgenerators.net/champion-generators-should-you-buy-a-champion-generator.html

 

[mrholeshot]

If you plan on making a living with it buy a Honda Generator. For occasional use it would be fine for small power tools like a circular saw and such. The Champion, UST, Chicago electric and a dozen or more other brands come with Generic Honda copy engines. Most are quite reliable. If I was going to be using it day in day out nothing but a real Honda or quality Honda powered generator would be my only choices.

 

[sk farmer]

if you have the time or energy to search out wich ones, some of those honda clones at 1/4 the price and a few minor modifications rival the hondas. do your homework and you should be able to find a good one. i know i have been on a sight that covers them but i do not recall it off the top of my head.

 

[Fast Orange]

I'll echo Mr.HS in regards to the Hondas-they are the Snap-On of the portable generators-properly used and maintained-you know it'll work when you need it.
As for the Champion you linked to-it appears to be a Honda clone-and at that price for that size generator,I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to buy 1 and give it a try.A simular Honda will run you about 4 times as much.
The biggest problem I've seen with any generator is not getting run enough-fuel in the tank degrades,dries up and turns to varnish in the carb.I have a Honda that I use solely for emergency power at my home.I keep it filled with premium fuel treated with Sta-Bil,run it with about 50% load about once a month for an hour or so,and drain out the old fuel a couple times a year and replace it with fresh-the old fuel is used in less critical power equipment-lawn mowers,etc,and is still good enough to run them with no problems.One very important step to take whenever the generator has been run-shut off the fuel valve at the tank and run the generator until the carb is dry and the engine quits.Following this program keep my generator ready to go at all times-it almost always starts on the first or second pull on the starting rope.

 

[davbell22602]

My choice is either going with a that champion generator for 279.99 or buying a XRP cordless dewalt tool set from that has the circular saw, hammer/drill,saw saw, and flashlight for 399.99 that has the 2 18v lithium batterys.

 

[sk farmer]

that throws a differant twist to your question.i t now depends on how long you want to operate these tools. i say go with cordless. if you need to do lots of work borrrow a couple batteries or invest in a 12 volt vehicle charger. you will be able to use the tools often and but generator will sit unused after your job is completed. i have a honda powered generator but they require upkeep and are not used often in most cases.

 

[davbell22602]

Well I have 2 houses now that have no electric and one with temporary service. The guy who owns them said he'll buy more houses that need restored. He just needs a go to guy to count on to get the work done for him. I know what gas can do to small engine that why I run the tanks dry or drain the tank when not being used. I been in small engine repair for over 14 years now.

 

[Danglerb]

If I was good at repairing the motors I would be buying up non working generators with a WTB ad on CL and the Pennysaver, and selling the fixed ones and keeping the best couple for myself.

I wouldn't put a lot of money into it on the first pay check, start with a good set of cordless, and once the money flow looks solid, then look at improvements.

What about an extra battery on your truck and using an inverter? Cheap source of high quality are old UPS systems with bad batteries.

 

[davbell22602]

I been using cordless tools for the past 2 years for this guy. Before my dewalt cordless drill and circular saw got stolen, the batteries held pretty good for cutting through plywood.

Now been using black and decker cordless and batteries aren't worth 2 cents. The batteries drain very easy. That being said has putting me behind on my work.

 

[davbell22602]

Plus there's a price difference between the cordless dewalt set and the generator.

Dewalt set is $399.99 and Generator is $279.99 with opt. for 4 year warrenty for 44.95. So it would be years and instead of one year.

 

[davbell22602]

Here's that dewalt set http://www.lowes.com/pd_23146-70-DC...d=10151&ddkey=http:SearchCatalog#BVRRWidgetID

 

[sk farmer]

i would love to offer up more advice, but you keep moving the question when we give you an answer. it seem like you have several questions and yous hould decide wich one you want answered first. the question started at generators and now we are on cordless tools.

 

[davbell22602]

Ok, I'll just buy the generator cause its cheaper and I work houses with no electric.

 

[Greatbear]

I prefer Generac XG series, the larger of the GP series and Honda generators. The various Chinese generators are a mixed bag, the engines seem to be fine except for the truly cheap versions, but the generator heads tend to be of really variable quality, and the regulation, if any, seems to be sub-par IMO.

 

[sjt78]

I been in small engine repair for over 14 years now.

Shouldn't you be telling *us* what generators to buy?

 

[davbell22602]

Shouldn't you be telling *us* what generators to buy?

Ha Ha very funny. The Tecumseh engines are junk. Better off with a briggs, kohlor, honda, or kawaski.

I know nothing on that china made stuff.

 

[mikebramel]

thats funny tecumsehs are junk but you dont know how to spell kohler or kawasaki