generator

[Bigredball90]

Looking at buying a small portable generator for my house. I want a lister diesel but thats not in the cards right now. Looking for a low rpm gas powered one for now. Figuring around 5kw will be enough but am not afraid of going bigger. Ive been finding some 5kw + onans for a good price used but not sure of parts availability. Looking to spend around 500 but will go higher for a nice unit.

Any reviews on brands with good parts availability. Older is fine as long as I can find parts

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I've got a 5K Coleman that I built myself in a class. We were then able to keep it for 200 bucks, so hell yeah! It's been my only generator for over 10 years and still works famously, so this year I had the interlock put on the house so it would run the whole house. Getting it out just to plug a lamp in and cycle the refrigerators was getting to be a pain, not to mention the cords coming through the door. My fireplace is gas, so we won't freeze to death, but I'd rather the furnace would run, so this should be the ticket. I'm hearing pretty good things, believe it or not, about the ones at Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/engine...atts-13-hp-420cc-generator-epa-iii-68530.html

Other than that, seems Generac is the way to go, last I heard.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Generacs, Colemans, Yamaha's, I think are all good units...but any of them that have been poorly maintained or abused is subject to become junk. Buyer beware. Greenville S.C. Craigslist has a lot of 5KW gas gens for sale right now. Lot cheaper than here in KY. Yep, A 5 kw diesel is $$$$$$$$$$


I bought this 5KW Generac new in 2003 and tried to sell it on CL in 2015 for $250.00 and never got a offer on it. Ran great, only had 15 hrs test time on max, and was never used for an outage in 12 years. My neighbor took it for $200.00 as our moving van was pulling in the drive.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Looking for a low rpm, gas powered one for now.

Low RPM and gas ? Pretty much non-existent. Everything in that range will run at 3000-3600, except lightly loaded inverter generators. Of course when you put a load on an inverter generator, the RPM (and noise) will kick up !

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are willing to go down to about 3KW, check out the Champion Inverter.

Lot's of used stuff on CL in your price range. Stick with the name brands (Generac, B&S, etc). Many are identical (I think built by B&S) and just have different labels/paint. Stick with a B&S or Honda engine.

 

[petee_c]

I bought a HF 4000/3200W one 2 years ago when I was in the states... I added oil, ran it once to make sure it worked for 30 minutes, drained the tank, and added a splash of stabilizer to the carburetor.

We haven't had a blackout since I bought it.... dunno....

Peter

 

[Sal Bandini]

I bought a HF 4000/3200W one 2 years ago when I was in the states... I added oil, ran it once to make sure it worked for 30 minutes, drained the tank, and added a splash of stabilizer to the carburetor.

We haven't had a blackout since I bought it.... dunno....

Peter

Sell the generator. You will have a blackout the next weekend...guaranteed...

 

[FigureItOut]

Definitely consider getting a duel-fuel gas/propane model. They're available from all the manufacturers and will run just a few bucks more per watt.
I did a good amount of research looking for a backup gen and wouldn't even consider a gas only model. I never did buy one after my neighbor, who's lived here twenty-two years, told me he's never had an outage.

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[Hpozzuoli]

I bought one of those Yanmar L100 clones. It's a 10hp diesel that comes in an enclosure. I run my house off it minus the cooling systems. It's proven to be good and reliable. The oem Yanmar parts are interchangeable.

 

[simpler=better]

I like my MEP-002A. It's got weird electrical, 24v everything, but it's an Onan 5kw under the military junk.

Unglodly loud, but fires right up.

 

[east_tn_emc]

I like my MEP-002A. It's got weird electrical, 24v everything, but it's an Onan 5kw under the military junk.

Unglodly loud, but fires right up.

Buy once, cry once.....love my MEP-003A......loud, ugly, built like a WW2 tank and will run circles around most generators.

 

[vartz04]

Pair of inverter generators that can be run parallel. Champion Honda both have them. I think Yamaha too. Super quiet, sip fuel and if you only need one for something it's easily portable. I have the generac 2000 watt inverter generator and really like it. Will run the furnace or the fridge/upright freezer or any variety of smaller appliances.


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[theoldwizard1]

Definitely consider getting a duel-fuel gas/propane model.

While propane or NG have the advantage of not having a gummed up carburetor, I would never recommend either unless your home already have a large propane tank or a NG feed.

 

[Rookie2]

I doubt you'll find a 1800 rpm portable, they were mainly standby generators.

 

[mike93lx]

While propane or NG have the advantage of not having a gummed up carburetor, I would never recommend either unless your home already have a large propane tank or a NG feed.

why? Small tanks can ice up, but I run my 13hp Honda off 40lb cylinders and it works great. I've only run into an issue in freezing weather when a tank got down to the bottom 1/3rd, and that was after 12 hours of running. If I expected to need to run it alot, I'd probably get a dual tank hookup or a 100lb cylinder.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Pair of inverter generators that can be run parallel. Champion Honda both have them. I think Yamaha too. Super quiet, sip fuel and if you only need one for something it's easily portable. I have the generac 2000 watt inverter generator and really like it. Will run the furnace or the fridge/upright freezer or any variety of smaller appliances.


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Be prepared to empty your wallet and then some!

 

[DieselPills]

Pair of inverter generators that can be run parallel. Champion Honda both have them. I think Yamaha too. Super quiet, sip fuel and if you only need one for something it's easily portable.

That's like calling the Snap On truck to make a rush delivery in the middle of the night because you need a flat head screwdriver to open a paint can.

For $500, you can barely get the cord that parallels those two generators together. For $500, the ONLY thing in the budget will be a 3600 RPM gas generator, a very old 1800 RPM gas model pulled from an old RV, or a very old worn out diesel generator.

Go to craigslist and put $500 max. Those are your choices. Pretty much all going to be the same unless you come across a killer deal on something. Heavy, noisy, and fuel guzzling. You can't get a "nice" generator without shelling out BIG bucks. Just like cars.

 

[vartz04]

These champions are good generators. My guys use them at work. Double what you want to spend but you can get quiet reliable or cheap. Pick two




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[theoldwizard1]

If I expected to need to run it alot, I'd probably get a dual tank hookup or a 100lb cylinder.

I would never buy a propane powered generator unless I already had a "whole house" sized tank or was willing to have a 100lb AND a couple of 20lb on hand.

 

[Bigredball90]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Only looking for gas right now not multi fuel. Ill dig into more B&S generators. Anyone have any experiance with onans? Found several in my price range and 5k+.
Thanks for the help and ideas!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Has anyone ever bought an Onan commercial 6500 like the ones ATT uses? I hear those are good generators but I was curious what RPM they run at!

 

[DieselPills]

The green Onan generators that they use on trucks and RVs are nice. They usually run at 1800 RPM. They also have full pressure lube and an oil filter so they last a while. They usually aren't meant to be portable though, so you either need to hook it up somewhere, or build a cart with some outlets and a fuel tank or something. They are very heavy.

Be warned - parts can be hard to find on the older ones.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Ive read that some are 3-phase delta so u gotta be careful!

 

[DieselPills]

Ive read that some are 3-phase delta so u gotta be careful!

Not anything that was ever part of a service truck or RV...the voltage will be clearly marked on the unit...if not...you likely do not want that generator anyway...

 

[ishiboo]

Has anyone ever bought an Onan commercial 6500 like the ones ATT uses? I hear those are good generators but I was curious what RPM they run at!

You can bet from a commercial backup site, that it's a 1800RPM generator.

I just bought a Katolight 20KW PTO head for my tractor, holy **** they are heavy!

 

[simpler=better]

Diesel diesel diesel diesel diesel diesel (or propane/NG if you have a way to store it easily) if you're depending on it for house backup.

If it's general use/occasional 'get-through-the-storm' gas is fine from any major brand-B&S, Kawasaki, Honda, etc.

x2 With any generator, the telltale sign of quality is a pressurized oil system-if it has a real oil filter, it's probably fine (gas or diesel). If it's splash lubed, forget it.

 

[DonPowers]

Diesel diesel diesel diesel diesel diesel (or propane/NG if you have a way to store it easily) if you're depending on it for house backup.

If it's general use/occasional 'get-through-the-storm' gas is fine from any major brand-B&S, Kawasaki, Honda, etc.

x2 With any generator, the telltale sign of quality is a pressurized oil system-if it has a real oil filter, it's probably fine (gas or diesel). If it's splash lubed, forget it.

I agree.

I found a Kubota Lowboy GL 6500 on CL a few years back. The person I bought it from had it for a few years and only started it up about once a year, only had a few hours on the engine. Its a two cylinder liquid cooled unit thats fully encased.

Good used diesel units show up every now and again, just have to keep looking. Doubt that the OP will find one in his price range though.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not anything that was ever part of a service truck or RV...the voltage will be clearly marked on the unit...if not...you likely do not want that generator anyway...

not true if the unit came off a service truck with a bucket that wasnt hydraulically operated.

I saw a video on youtube of an Onan commercial 6500 that was 3-phase.

Also, while trying to search for the specs for the Onan units, i came across a thread where a guy accidently bought a 3-phase unit cause he didnt pay attention.

Theyre 3-phase delta 4-wire, so u could use it to power 120v/240v single phase stuff.

 

[mike93lx]

I would never buy a propane powered generator unless I already had a "whole house" sized tank or was willing to have a 100lb AND a couple of 20lb on hand.

Are you referring to a propane-only generator? If so, then I can see the reasoning.

My generator is a tri-fuel (propane, NG, and Gasoline). With that, I see no downside at all to running propane. If my tanks run out, I can just dump gasoline in and start it right back up.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Only looking for gas right now not multi fuel. Ill dig into more B&S generators. Anyone have any experiance with onans? Found several in my price range and 5k+.
Thanks for the help and ideas!

Keep your eyes peeled for a flathead Onan twin from an RV (Emeralds). They run forever and don't wear out. Only one we couldn't save was because some idiot ran a hone through the block and chewed it all up. They're 4 pole so they run at 1800. Parts are readily available.
Grease the end bearing, adjust the valves, rebuild the carb, plugs, points and leaking front cover gasket and seals and it'll go forever. Control boards and voltage regulators are available through Flight Systems cheaper than Cummins, and with a better warranty.

Or keep your eyes peeled for an older Generac (or the Craftsman labeled version) with a Briggs engine.

Avoid the Chinese big box store offerings flooding the market (Generac & Champion are leading the race to the bottom). Especially the portables with the 1 lung "OHV" Honda knock off engines, or Generac's current v-twin Chinese engines. They're lucky to last 500 hours without dropping a valve or blowing a hole in the side of the block (and that's only if they don't eat all of their oil and burn down first).

At $500 budget, buying new will lead to far more headache than reliability.

 

[simpler=better]

FYI, you *can* find diesel 5kw units for $500 (my 002 was that much). It weighs around 1,200lbs though, so I wouldn't call it portable.

 

[Norcal]

Years ago a auto dismantler had Onan units from the phone company that were 220Y/127 volts price was not bad from what I can recall.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Years ago a auto dismantler had Onan units from the phone company that were 220Y/127 volts price was not bad from what I can recall.

220Y/127v? Huh? :

Are u suffering from fat finger syndrome?

Did u mean 208Y/120v?

If not what can u use that for?

 

[Norcal]

Not a typo.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Ok so what would u power with that odd voltage?

 

[DieselPills]

I saw a video on youtube of an Onan commercial 6500 that was 3-phase.

Man you are paranoid about voltage! No, most 6kw and less generators you find will not be 3 phase. Just because you saw one in a youtube video doesn't mean they are all that way. A 3 phase truck mounted Onan is extremely rare. They are almost always 120/240 only. Even from a truck with hydraulics. You're more likely to find one from a motor home, which will be 120v.

But you are right. Don't blindly buy something you don't know what it is. It should have a voltage clearly marked on it.

Ok so what would u power with that odd voltage?

That would work fine with most, if not all "120 volt" items. AC voltage is not exact. Hz are more important than volts.

 

[slip knot]

I've got several older onans and wouldn't think of owning any other machine. The Emerald series were problematic, Look for the magniciter types, a lot less issues. To learn more about onans, check out smokstak.com some of those guys know more about onans than you would believe.

 

[Rookie2]

A lot of standby generators are 6 or 12 lead generators that can be reconnected to 120/240 single phase. If you find one that you can afford ,get the plate information and ask if its reconnectable .

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ok so what would u power with that odd voltage?

At one time (50s, 60s?) 117V was considered the "nominal" voltage although it certainly is not 1/2 of 220V. I'm betting the poster mistook a "V" as a "y".

 

[ishiboo]

FYI, you *can* find diesel 5kw units for $500 (my 002 was that much). It weighs around 1,200lbs though, so I wouldn't call it portable.

A $500 diesel 5k generator is either a fluke, or a cheap Chinese POS 3600rpm with horrible manufacturing tolerances and parts availability issues. I'm a huge fan of diesel but I'll take a Briggs or even a HF Predator generator any day over one of the China cheap diesels.