Backup generator - home use

[scheu]

I've been looking into getting a backup generator for the house (with a proper transfer switch). It seems that modern fridges, furnaces, etc... having computer controls and such, that a inverter generator would be the way to go. Has anyone had any expirence with Ransond? http://www.ramsond.com/sin4500/

scheu

 

[aandpdan]

This is just my opinion. I have never heard of RansomD products before. They look like all they do is rebadge and resell items.

Having to return an item, such as a generator, back to the distributor for repairs is insane. How much will it cost? What is the turn around time?

Go with a "popular" brand such as Honda, Yamaha, Generac, etc. You'll find local support if needed.

 

[Falcon67]

Yea, that web top banner just screams "non stocking merchant". We're going to get one of these next time I get a TSC coupon.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...oil-start-gasoline-powered-portable-generator

68dB, decent reviews, extension cords to critical systems are fine for us. And it aint $1500. Not like you're going to run it IN the house. And if 68 dB is too much, build a little pen for it out of Quiet Brace. That's our plan for both the house and the race track.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Ramsond is a generic Chinese brand. Most of these generators come out of electric city china and have a billion different names put on them. When I was looking for a diesel generator I did a great deal of research. I actually bought an apache brand diesel unit. Same as the ramsond, but different color and name. It has the yanmar l100 Diesel engine clone. My unit is great. I run my house, electronics etc. Here in lies the problem. If this thing breaks there is no help. Parts are available for the diesels, but the sine wave is a whole other beast. With the diesels all oem yanmar parts are interchangeable. I have a complete inventory to rebuild my gen from spare starter, piston, rods, to avr and injectors.

If you want something that is trouble free and has actual service go with Honda or generac for sine wave..not sure if generac has one. If you want to go the diesel route I would get one of the silent diesel types with the 10hp yanmar clone.

 

[scheu]

From what I have read they are Chinese (no kidding...) made. Not a Honda, but damn, it's 1/3 the price of a comp. inverter from Honda. I just don't think I can justify a $4k gen. for backup. But using a regular gen. and burning up some circuit boards is good either. Maybe the guys with Ransond mini-splits could chime in as far as service, parts, reliablity?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've been looking into getting a backup generator for the house (with a proper transfer switch). It seems that modern fridges, furnaces, etc... having computer controls and such, that a inverter generator would be the way to go.

The big win on inverter generators is the low fuel consumption when running lightly loaded. A "clean" sine wave is easy for any generator. A standard generator may have a bit more voltage fluctuation as loads com and go, but appliances and computers can handle that.

Remember, to you, this is another "appliance". Where are you going to get it serviced if/when it fails.

HF now sells an inverter generator. Buy the longest extended warranty go can with it and change the spark plug immediately,

 

[rbjenterprises]

Run fast! They make Harbor Freight look good. If you are determined to pay the cheapest price at least Harbor Freight has a store and people with policies. My dealings with anything Ransond were money thrown away with no recourse.

I have a gas boiler and gas water heater and stove. I use a Honda EU2000i to power the whole house. Turn off all 220 circuits, properly back feed panel thru an interlock and watch what you turn on. I found a cheap window AC and spent five days with out power two summers ago. You can use an extended run tank and run it about two days per five gallons of gas.

 

[scheu]

Let me ask you guys this. What size gen. would I be looking at, on average, for a sump pump, furnace fan, fridge, freezer, and some lights. Not all at the same time. But not running the A/C, dryer, oven, etc...
Would a Honda EU3000is do what I want?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Let me ask you guys this. What size gen. would I be looking at, on average, for a sump pump, furnace fan, fridge, freezer, and some lights. Not all at the same time. But not running the A/C, dryer, oven, etc...
Would a Honda EU3000is do what I want?

Easy !

 

[JerryC]

3000is doesn't have a 220 outlet if you need that for the sump pump.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

just wondering do you have some high tech computer stuff, like something out of the ordinary stuff most home owners would have?
I have the generac gp 7500e and it runs my furnace, sump pump, well (which is 240 volt) a couple of frigs, my computer and all the lights i need without any problems.
I do have a newer 96% furnace so it has the computer boards and works fine.
I probably could have went a little smaller unit but the main reason I got the generator was to run the well pump, its ***** being without power and having no water.
i also bought it on line but from homedepot, i can just return it to any of there stores if i have a problem. (within 90 days)

 

[scheu]

Nothing out of the ordinary, high effi. furnace, plasma tv (not that it would used), fridge with circuit boards. Just concerned with frying something. Too much internet hype?!?
My sump pump is 110 so no worries there. I thought all generators had those "locking" plugs. True?

 

[ishiboo]

I've been looking into getting a backup generator for the house (with a proper transfer switch). It seems that modern fridges, furnaces, etc... having computer controls and such, that a inverter generator would be the way to go. Has anyone had any expirence with Ransond? http://www.ramsond.com/sin4500/

scheu

Believe it or not, despite having cleaner power some inverter generators do not work with the flame sensors in modern furnaces.

The best value for home backup is going to be a Briggs-based regular generator. You can get a very nice, 6kw unit for 2/3 the price of that inverter. Parts are available, many even locally. Anyone can work on them. Modern fridges/furnaces/etc. will work perfectly fine on it - the computer parts you speak of are filtered, rectified and switched to produce a clean DC output, and they can typically take a wide variety of input variations.

That being said, both my Briggs and HF Predator generators produce perfect clean power. A HF Predator is another option as well, I really like mine, but parts/service availability in an emergency could be an issue. They both replaced an expensive, highly recommended Mitsubishi that was hard starting and had a host of problems.

 

[aandpdan]

Most do but that doesn't mean they'll supply 240 vac. You can still find a 120 vac only generator though.

If you want to hook up using a transfer switch do look for something that has a 4 pin locking plug and is capable of 120/240 vac.

A quality non-inverter generator can put out very clean power. Yes, there is a lot of "hype" out there.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I thought all generators had those "locking" plugs. True?

Not a generators have twist lock receptacles. Older generators had 240V output without twist lock receptacles.

It is possible (although uncommon) to have a 120V twist lock receptacle.


Most generators under 3,000 watts are 120V only.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Believe it or not, despite having cleaner power some inverter generators do not work with the flame sensors in modern furnaces.

This has nothing to do with inverter generators versus non-inverter generator. This has to do with bonded versus non-bonded (a.k.a. "floating ground") generator grounds a topic that was beat to death in another thread.

If you ar going to buy a 120V only generator, you are (IMHO) much better off using extension cords to run your appliances. Install a Reliance TF-151 furnace transfer switch.

If your generator is non-bonded you will need a bonding adapter so that your furnace will work.

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