Generac Or Briggs & Stratton
- Thread starter Chamkila
- Start date
Burtonrider10022
Well-known member
B&S makes the motors for Generac last I heard. B&S makes a great little motor, but be prepared for it to be a little loud, lots of people add larger mufflers to them. Again, it may be loud, but a well maintained B&S motor will last a long time.
For quiet, fuel efficient, and also long lasting look at Yamaha and Honda.
What is your budget?
How frequent do you think you'll use it?
Have you considered tri-fuel systems?
Are you going to need to move it a lot, i.e. is weight or size an issue?
Is the noise level of the generator important to you?
Also, 6kW running or peak wattage?
For quiet, fuel efficient, and also long lasting look at Yamaha and Honda.
What is your budget?
How frequent do you think you'll use it?
Have you considered tri-fuel systems?
Are you going to need to move it a lot, i.e. is weight or size an issue?
Is the noise level of the generator important to you?
Also, 6kW running or peak wattage?
EvilWelder
Well-known member
Look at a Honda, I have no love for briggs and scrap iron.
What is your budget? around $1000
How frequent do you think you'll use it? only if or when power goes out i live in nyc
Have you considered tri-fuel systems? dont need i will have enough fuel, do not want to spend anothe 100-200 dollars on a conversion kit
Are you going to need to move it a lot, i.e. is weight or size an issue? most i will move it if from outside the garage to outside the garage i have a 100 ft extension cable
Is the noise level of the generator important to you? no worries as long as i have light and the neighbor dont bohahahahahah i`m evil
How frequent do you think you'll use it? only if or when power goes out i live in nyc
Have you considered tri-fuel systems? dont need i will have enough fuel, do not want to spend anothe 100-200 dollars on a conversion kit
Are you going to need to move it a lot, i.e. is weight or size an issue? most i will move it if from outside the garage to outside the garage i have a 100 ft extension cable
Is the noise level of the generator important to you? no worries as long as i have light and the neighbor dont bohahahahahah i`m evil
StaggeringGoat
Well-known member
Briggs owns Generac. Honda blows donkey balls...ask a commercial equipment user, you won't find any Honda love.
As far as I know, Briggs is the only USA made small engine you can buy.
As far as I know, Briggs is the only USA made small engine you can buy.
EvilWelder
Well-known member
The Honda gx motors will outlast an old b&s any day of the week. My old cast iron Kohler powered stuff is the most reliable and longest lasting. I will say that the Subaru/Onan on my Miller welding machine is a champ. I wanted a Kohler when I ordered it but it came through with the onan, so tar so good lots of hard hours on it. If you are just an occasional user the b&s should be ok.
Burtonrider10022
Well-known member
This won't be for commercial use, and also this is one of the first negative comments I've ever come across about a Honda generator.
StaggeringGoat
Well-known member
Sure, if your're comparing it to an old aluminum bore flathead Briggs lawnmower. Compared to a modern steel bore OHV Briggs, no, not at all.
Burtonrider10022
Well-known member
7kW running, 8.75kW peak. Keyed Electronic start, wheels, "Super Lo-Tone Muffler", 3yr Warranty, and it's in budget @ $949
http://www.briggsandstratton.com/ma...att Elite Series Portable Generator/030470-0/
That's a lot of generator for under $1k, but I realize it's probably more than you'll need. You didn't if the 6kW's was peak or running watts, but this might work better for you, and comes in decently under budget:
5.5kW/6.875kW peak, wheel kit, same super-lo-tone muffler as above. Pull start, smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient - 10 hrs @ 50% load, 2yr warranty, powerful motor for a small generator so it should last pretty long and not get bogged down too easily. Price from Briggs directly is $739
http://www.briggsandstratton.com/ma...att Elite Series Portable Generator/030470-0/
These are just from one site, and I'm not saying you should buy a B&S, just throwing out some good options. The Onan models mentioned above are also great options.
Check out a site called CPO Outlets @ www.tylertool.com click on the little link near the top that says "savings center" and they have new, open box, and factory reconditioned generators on the site. Shipping on items over $199 is free. Keep in mind due to the storms, now is probably not the best time to buy a generator. Your best bet is to keep a close eye on CraigsList over the next few weeks/months because 50% of the people who just bought a generator for Sandy will be selling them.
bob15
Well-known member
Check out the family owned Gillette Generators. They are US made. I am going to be buying their 12kW whole house generator next month.
http://www.gillettegenerators.com/categories/2/Portable
bob
http://www.gillettegenerators.com/categories/2/Portable
bob
True but they keep Generac quite independant. Many home owner grade generac units are powered by chinese honda clone engines.
Only certain models. About a year ago they started to put stickers on their engines if they were made here. Many of their better (commercial) engines have quite a bit of Japanese in them. They also have factories in China.
I wouldn't run a single extension cord to power everything you have lsited. Using a 100' cord can cause a drop in the amount of amperage. Most generators in that 7.5K range will have at least two 120v plugs that provide 15 and maybe even 20A. Keep it close to the house and run something like a pair of 50' 12 gauge power cords.
When you say enough fuel, how much gasoline is that? If power goes out over a wide area, you may not find a gas station that is open so that you could refill your gas cans (they need electrical power to run the pumps). Look at what Sandy did yesterday even within New York City; wide spread outages and the outages were wide spread over the Northeast.
Ft.ValloniaStreaker
Well-known member
i'm not going to argue over your math, but if the list you gave is all you want to run 7K is twice what your going to need....you can get a Honda that size well under a grand. By the way, my Briggs has to be the loudest little motor on the planet....if i lived in town someone would steal it in the night just so they could sleep....check Northern Tool
andywander
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 359
I think your math may be costing you too much money. Right now I am running my entire house on a Coleman 4000W(500W peak) generator with a B & S 8hp engine.
I have a refrigerator, a full-size freezer, my oil burner, the water pump, and my computers running.
I have a refrigerator, a full-size freezer, my oil burner, the water pump, and my computers running.
Burtonrider10022
Well-known member
And that load is fine for that generator unless multiple of those pumps kick on at the same time on accident.
The Frisco Kid
Well-known member
There is so much misinformation in this post, I feel the need to reply to a few of them. While some of these are “industry misconception” they are NOT accurate.
Briggs does NOT own Generac. Generac sold their portable products division to a private equity firm, who then sold to Briggs. Briggs kept the Generac name on the products that biz made. In 2008 (I believe) the non-compete expired, and Generac started private labeling portable products again.
The Honda engines are VERY highly regarded (depending on which line and what equipment they are going in) Which units have you had problems with?
Briggs is one of many US made small engines. Honestly, there are a TON of great small aircooled engines coming in from overseas as well. But if I can keep my $ in the US, I always try to!
This isn’t true – Briggs doesn’t own Generac in any capacity. Generac Guardian and Corepower series units are powered by US manufactured Generac aircooled engines. (made in Whitewater, WI). In the last year, they may have farmed some of this out on the GP/XP ****, AFAIK my information is correct on their portables, but 20kW and up are US made for sure.
Generac sources engines for their industrial units from all over the place (read cheapest option) They used to be Mitsubishi, Volvo, and Doosan. Now they are Iveco (marketing calls this FPT or Fiat Powertrain Technologies), Volvo, and Doosan (marketing tries to label these DHI).
FWIW, I think Generac ***** and I would never consider buying one for myself no matter the cost, nor would I let friends or family buy one if I could help it. This comes from years of working with the product and seeing it fail in a lot of applications but it is my opinion, of course. But for the price, it can be competitive to other cheap options. I just wanted to get a bunch of the misinformation out there straightened out. I come to GJ to learn a LOT and rarely do I get to contribute but I do what I can when I can.
Briggs does not make the engines for Generac units.
Briggs does NOT own Generac. Generac sold their portable products division to a private equity firm, who then sold to Briggs. Briggs kept the Generac name on the products that biz made. In 2008 (I believe) the non-compete expired, and Generac started private labeling portable products again.
The Honda engines are VERY highly regarded (depending on which line and what equipment they are going in) Which units have you had problems with?
Briggs is one of many US made small engines. Honestly, there are a TON of great small aircooled engines coming in from overseas as well. But if I can keep my $ in the US, I always try to!
This is actually pretty close but Gillette generators are assembled in the US at their facilities in Elkhart, Indiana. Their engines are both foreign and domestic, their alternators are mixed but pretty good. Some are their own manufactured units (on the portable line), the larger units are Marathon. I believe that they do make their own enclosures, but they farm out their sub base fuel tanks (which says a LOT about their manufacturing capabilities). Pretty good units and good people here.
This isn’t true – Briggs doesn’t own Generac in any capacity. Generac Guardian and Corepower series units are powered by US manufactured Generac aircooled engines. (made in Whitewater, WI). In the last year, they may have farmed some of this out on the GP/XP ****, AFAIK my information is correct on their portables, but 20kW and up are US made for sure.
Generac doesn’t have factories anywhere but WI. They do buy a lot of parts from overseas, of course but they don’t make those.
Generac sources engines for their industrial units from all over the place (read cheapest option) They used to be Mitsubishi, Volvo, and Doosan. Now they are Iveco (marketing calls this FPT or Fiat Powertrain Technologies), Volvo, and Doosan (marketing tries to label these DHI).
FWIW, I think Generac ***** and I would never consider buying one for myself no matter the cost, nor would I let friends or family buy one if I could help it. This comes from years of working with the product and seeing it fail in a lot of applications but it is my opinion, of course. But for the price, it can be competitive to other cheap options. I just wanted to get a bunch of the misinformation out there straightened out. I come to GJ to learn a LOT and rarely do I get to contribute but I do what I can when I can.
Orangestang
Well-known member
I own a Black Max that I bought at Sams Club about 5yrs ago, its 5520 watts 6260 max its powered by a Robin/Subaru ohv engine its not quiet like Hondas but way quieter than the old B&S engines. So far its been a good unit.
Den69rs96
Well-known member
I'd be less concerned about the engine make ie honda, briggs, subaru etc, but more concerned about the options on the generator. Things like copper wound generator, electric start, idle control, circuit breakers, automation voltage regulation so you can run electronics like a tv or computer. I know your saying the tv etc isn't important, but if you have the thing running why not watch the news or provide a bit of entertainment during any otherwise pita power outage.
I bought a Briggs 10W from http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/. I opted for the lift gate service. Even if you don't buy one from there, research the different options etc and find out whats important to you.
I bought a Briggs 10W from http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/. I opted for the lift gate service. Even if you don't buy one from there, research the different options etc and find out whats important to you.
Interesting info. To your second paragraph, check what you quoted, i was talking about Briggs engine production, not generac.
I saw this one at Sam's as well and was curious as to the quality/longevity of the Honda GX 390 motor.
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justanengineer
Well-known member
Call me crazy, but for home use I would be looking at used commercial quality units, not the homeowner or portable contractor special. Not sure how much room you have available in NYC (roof mount maybe?), but if you can spare twice the size, you can buy something that will run your whole house for days, weeks, or months at a time if necessary. If you read closely, you will notice those lil Generacs are rated at 50% load for up to 9 hours. Meaning, 3.5 kW (a relatively tiny house) for 9 hours, then 15 hours of nothing.
In his side business among other equipment and tools, my father sold many used industrial generators, mainly sourced govt surplus. Not sure how the used market is now, but ~10 years ago you could get a 5 kW continuous duty diesel gen set with a baby Cummins in it for ~$1500, that would run everything in your house 24/7/365 for years on end if necessary. Overkill? Maybe, but in an emergency I want to push the button and relax, not worry about burning up a cheap generator.
In his side business among other equipment and tools, my father sold many used industrial generators, mainly sourced govt surplus. Not sure how the used market is now, but ~10 years ago you could get a 5 kW continuous duty diesel gen set with a baby Cummins in it for ~$1500, that would run everything in your house 24/7/365 for years on end if necessary. Overkill? Maybe, but in an emergency I want to push the button and relax, not worry about burning up a cheap generator.
Burtonrider10022
Well-known member
Lol those hours @ 50% are the fuel efficiency rating, not the duty cycle. It's just like a car motor, generators are rated for short-term (a few Weeks at most) continuous duty as long as they are cooled properly, not over loaded, and the oil and air filter are maintained.
StaggeringGoat
Well-known member
You are reading that incorrectly. They are only talking about how big the gas tank is. You can run it as long as you want at 100% load, as long as you keep it full of fuel.
Huh? Such as? The only other possibility I can think of is Kohler, but I don't know where those are made...
Yes...the Vanguards are Japanese made - by Daihatsu. As far as I know there are no Chinese Briggs engines in this country, they do have a factory there, but last I heard it was strictly for foreign market engines.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Please recommend a generator...... dont need more then 7000w i have done my math. All i need to power is the
~fridge
~oil furnace motor (1/4 HP)
~4-5 lights
Please recommend. Thanks
Actually, if this all you plan on running, 3000 watts (continuous) is more than enough power.
In generators, bigger is not necessarily better. For sure, bigger means it will consume more fuel per hour.
All air cooled engines are loud. Bigger mufflers do not help much. If you have a detached garage, run your generator inside. NEVER RUN A GENERATOR INSIDE OF AN ATTACHED GARAGE !
If you plan on using extension cords, get some good ones.
- 2 - 100' 12 gauge
- 2 - 50' 14 gauge
- 4 - 10-25' 16 gauge
- 2 -4 HD 3 way taps
Stick with a common brand name. One that you know you can get parts for 5-10 years from now.
There are Chinese Briggs. They just came out with a modular design (replacing the 100000 series) that i believe is being made in China. The 2 cycl R-teks are made in both China and the USA although nobody is using them anymore (emissions). Chinese made Carbs and electric starter motors have also become standard on many of the smaller (>10HP) engines.
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cj7365
Well-known member
I have bought a few things from this site, there are plenty of generators
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/search?cmd=results&fromsearch=true&words=generators
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/search?cmd=results&fromsearch=true&words=generators
I still like the L-Head engine for its simplicity. I have one on my mower and one on my edger.
The Firsco Kid is correct that there is no current business relationship between Briggs & Stratton and Generac. (I thought I was going to have to post something based on the first few posts.)
There are a lot of good import engines out there now but it is hard to tell what you are getting when you buy a generator.
I would stick with a B&S generator but if you are in New York, you may need to drive out here to Chicago to get one.
There are a lot of good import engines out there now but it is hard to tell what you are getting when you buy a generator.
I would stick with a B&S generator but if you are in New York, you may need to drive out here to Chicago to get one.
Orangestang
Well-known member
I'm sure the Hondas engine is better then my Robin/Subaru. My gen does not have electric start and less HP and watts,but it has 120/240 plugs it does the job at the dragstrip with my charger and lights.It gets used about twice a month during racing season in about one hour intervals 6-7 times that day. I've only had to use it one time(so far) at my house for about 10 hours during a power outage for the fridge,sump pump and for my neighbors. I never store it with gas in the tank in winter. The one in your pic is fine except for the handles I don't like them.
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have Honda, Robin, Craftsman labeled, Cummins Onan and a China made Universal Tools labeled generators working in my and family member houses. The Honda and Cummins Onan are both very quite inverter types, just really nice units, the Robins are alittle louder but ultra reliable units that just don't give me any trouble. The Craftsman labeled unit ran a good part of our auto service store when a under ground cable went bad and yes they are alittle loud. The china made unit was cheap and when brand new I had to take apart the carb and clean it as the china company tested it with gas and left it in the carb and fuel line causing me to clean out the varnish goo in the system. I used to work for a gas pipe company and most B&S or Techumseh engine generators we had would not last very long before a valve job then the next time it was rod failure. The Robins would run about four times as long then a valve job and continue on until the valve job but the bottom end held up fine. Being construction workers I would have to fix broken parts on electric panels and broken motor mounts or even generator cases because of droping them off trucks but the Robin frames even held up better than the B&S or Techumseh units.
Please recommend a generator...... dont need more then 7000w i have done my math. All i need to power is the
~fridge
~oil furnace motor (1/4 HP)
~4-5 lights
Please recommend. Than ks
Generac is the worst on the market...saters go out in about 6 months or 300 hours...I have 5 this year in the shop alone all broken all new...I have one going to the swap meet this weekend for $150...they **** they are junk and they are the PRC ****..but for $700...they work for the little bit we need them to. We have to buy gensets on site for a few weeks...then ship them back to the shop...they all break before or right at the end of a job...they run wobble lights that is it.....and they are the worst. At the shop we have Honda's and they work great..but we do not ship them out...our Hondas have over 3k hours on them...and we have had them for over 7 years...
its a great site, but most of those are wayyyyyyyyyyy to big for my use, they are on a trailer type setup. I live in nyc suburb, and having one of those would be amazing but i dont have the space to store it and maintain it.
thanks a ton anyway.
kc-steve
Well-known member
I have a Briggs & Stratton "KingCraft" 6k-peak, 5k normal operation, purchased for $400 on sale. I run it every 3-months just to keep it tip-top shape. And I've had it for 6 years. No problems.
Steve
Steve