Generator Testing

[nate379]

I am going to go look at a couple used generators today and I was wondering what would be a good way to test output? Units I'm looking at are 5-6KW

I was thinking of bring something like a heat gun to plug in. Going to bring multimeter as well to check voltages.

 

[scott37300]

I don't know much about generators or how many amps 5-6K Watts are. But I would bring something that draws more than a heat gun, like a high amp circular saw or something. I would want to test it out with the biggest thing I would be using it for to make sure it will work for what I wanted.

 

[oldgoaly]

Do you have a newer type of inverter Tig welder? they have a voltage monitoring, also can be used to pull some amps! With the cheapy generator we have, I had to put a box fan online 1st to stabilize voltage for the Tig to work. Welder is Thermodyne 185xxx tt

 

[nate379]

20-25amps at 240v. Going to use to power house when power goes out. Fridge, boiler, few lights.

Heat gun pulls close to 15amps, none of my easy to transport power tools pull that kind of juice.

No TIG, don't need anything welded that I can't do on MIG very often.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/tls/1955957902.html

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/for/1975554507.html

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/tls/1977206352.html

 

[truckdriver]

I'll add to the redneck ways to check. A hair drier will pull about 10a-15a on 120, most portable heaters will pull 15a on 120. If you can pull 30a it's likely good.

 

[mrholeshot]

Take a skilsaw and a 2X6. That way you can test it under load.

 

[A_Pmech]

Qualified generators, such as those that provide backup power to airports, power plants, etc. are tested with a resistive load bank. Basically a big air-cooled or water-cooled heater.

To load up a 6kw generator, a few 1.5kW portable heaters would be more than sufficient. You won't be able to load the generator to capacity with an inductive load, such as a motor because of the inrush requirements.

 

[porcupine73]

I have used those 500 watt halogen shop lights for these kinds of tests. Not the biggest load around but it's what I had at hand. Other good loads might be coffee maker or electric kettle, those things are often up around 1500 watts. Plus who doesn't enjoy a good cup of coffee while playing with generators. I would bring at least two loads, then on a 240VAC split phase generator you can load up both outlets somewhat anyway.

 

[bgott]

Probably kind of inconvenient, especially in Alaska. Hook up two electric heaters to get steady load and then try to start the largest portable A/C you can borrow. If it will still start the compressor it is probably OK.

 

[mrholeshot]

Something nobody has mentioned yet is I would never buy a small generator that didn't have a Honda engine. Nobody can match the durability and reliabiliy of a Honda powered small product. I would stay away from things like Titan Diesel Generators and such and those with Honda copy engines. I'm not real crazy about Briggs and Stratton engines on Generators. I have one I use in my race trailer it's a Honda 3800(8.5 hp). It's not the most powerful generator I own but it is the best. At the dragstrip I can run my camper air,Pit fans and charge the trailer batteries at the same time. Runs super quiet so running at night doesn't disturb others and small enough that fuel cosumption that I can get about 12 hours on 5 gallons of fuel. It has auto idle so at night when the air kicks off the compressor runs at idle.
This is my race generator

This is my backup generator for my house. 8750 watts, 13hp Honda engine, 10 gallon tank. I wish the generator was a Honda but it will run my home under normal load. Living in Hurricane central you better be ready. It's a good generator but I like the Honda brand better.

 

[sjt78]

Robin/Subaru also makes very good generator/OPE engines. They may not have the rep of Honda, but similar.

 

[Hmrhead]

Make sure you take the multi meter and check voltage. We have a Honda EB11000(10 Kw) generator. It was the top of the line portable gen. when new. Love that it starts easy everytime, but had a problem when we first started using it. Its voltage was high, we bought it new and never thought to check it. When we needed to use it. It was causing the clocks in the builtin microwave and oven to run about 7 minutes fast every hour. Didn't notice until the gen. had been on for 5-6 hours when the clocks were 30 minutes ahead of my watch. Luckily no damage to anything. Took it in and was a simple warranty fix. We've had it for 7-8 years, works great runs whole house, Furnace or AC even. We are on a well and have frequent power outages. Bought it when whole house units were crazy expensive $8-10,000. Paid for itself in spoiled food and keeping my fresh water and salt water reef tanks alive. It is a bit of a gas pig. Thinking about getting a bigger tank for it.

 

[mrholeshot]

Robin/Subaru also makes very good generator/OPE engines. They may not have the rep of Honda, but similar.

I know a few guys that have the Robin engines on their Generators. They seem OK but getting some parts can be brutal in my area. I had a small compressor with a 5hp Honda engine that spent it's life on the back of my wrecker out in the open. Flawless for 7 years, still working great when I sold the wrecker.

 

[nate379]

For as little as I will use it I'm not too worried about it being a top of the line runs forever unit.

I called and emailed 6-7 listings on C List yesterday and today and not one has responded or called me back?!

 

[Danglerb]

If your not going to use that much, I'd pick the smallest practical unit and buy a new one.

 

[nate379]

Why waste the $$ on a new one when I can buy used for 1/4 of the cost?

 

[Danglerb]

Why waste the $$ on a new one when I can buy used for 1/4 of the cost?

Warranty, how many hours it actually lasts after you buy it, assurance it actually will work when needed.

1/4 of new is tempting, but generally for good units I don't see them that cheap used, compared to sale prices etc. unless we are talking seriously old stuff or heavy used commercial.

Just checked CL here in SoCal, used Honda 1000, $750, not even half of list.

OTOH the smaller ones are super popular here, for families and contractors both.

 

[rockchucker]

Pops has a EU3000 then 2 smaller EU2000i's that he can link together for 4k. The 2 smaller ones is really a great idea. Very versatile, low running cost, don't have to run both of them at the same time unless you want to....


http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/models.aspx?page=models&section=P2GG&category=home


Either or...To answer your original question I would do what A Pmech said and take a bunch of space heaters with you to test for load on a generator.

A SkilSaw for ultimate load testing while Starting the Saw or Cutting under load. Just like most Generators you will have to slowly start the cut to keep the Gen from overloading if it does not pop the overload from the startup. You can run a SkilSaw with one of the Eu2000i's but you have to let the Gen catch up mid cut. With the 2 linked together you do not have to ease up at all.


Just for reference.

 

[nate379]

2k is not close to enough, 4k is getting close. Looking for at least 5k.