Generators

[mackwrench]

That is a very BIG portable generator. You had better actually test it to see if it will start your 5 ton AC unit.

Also, at full load, that thing drinks about 20 GALLONS A DAY ! Better buy a lot of gas can and have a safe place to store them. And don't forget to rotate your stock.

I know Honda says 5 gallons fuel at full load = 6 hours, and 1/4 load = 18 hours but That's not what my Honda eu7000 FI used during last week's hurricane, ran for 24 hours non stop on 7 gallons, running 3 refrigerator, 1 freezer, tv, direct TV, several lights and fans fans.....thing didn't bump off low speed very often....the VA meter stayed around 1700va...
But yes it was $4k

....don't flame me about the quick fab outlet box, I did what I had to, I'm better prepared now...

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[ticklechicken]

I don't like the idea of running both sides of the house off the same 120 volt, so that is why I am looking for more reviews on the Q6500 from people who have a year or so of real use on the units. Agreed with 7 days of generator power the noise gets old QUICK.

I don't like running both legs off the same 120 either. I also don't like spending $4k.

If you find anything good on the Q6500, please post it here. There are 7 reviews for it on amazon. Some highlights:

• And it is considerably louder than advertised. Think push mower loud with eco-off and small mower loud with eco on. And ladies, you'll most likely not be able to pull start the q6500. My wife and mother in law couldn't.
• not as quiet as i was hoping but will do and is alot better than alot of the others out there
• What it is not is quiet like most inverters. The unit itself is quieter than a standard generator
• I bought for my camper to run both a/c units and returned because it is entirely to loud for camping around others.
• I run a food truck with this and it is quiet enough to operate and sips gas.
• Excellent use it during the storm here in Florida super quiet

 

[theoldwizard1]

... ran for 24 hours non stop on 7 gallons, running 3 refrigerator, 1 freezer, tv, direct TV, several lights and fans ...

During the 2003 Northeast Blackout we ran pretty much the same loads (only 2 refrigerators) on a 3250 watt non-inverter generator. The funny thing was, it was my neighbors and it was being shared between 3 houses ! Each house got power for about 4 hours and then we switched. I think we went through about 10 gallons.

I have my own, but I also have a LOT of 12 gauge extension cords !

 

[American Locomotive]

If you're handy, old generators are tough to beat. Typically built very heavy, but do need some maintenance to stay happy.

My back up generator is a 1969 Dayton/Winco 3500 Watt (at least I'm pretty sure it's a Winco). It's got a 9HP 3600 RPM Briggs 23D, so it's loud but the engine is grossly oversized for the generator - even at full load there's still plenty of throttle left.

I've only done two things to it: I replaced the troublesome magneto with a battery powered ignition coil, and welded a giant muffler off a snowmobile on it, which helped quite a bit, thought not as much as I'd hoped. Even with the muffler, it's surprising how loud the machine is. The exhaust is quiet, but there is just an absolute ton of radiated mechanical noise from the engine.

The only problem is the Briggs up-draft flo-jet carb can be finicky. I always drain the carb after use, but every time I start the generator up (about every 6 months, just to make sure everything is okay), I always end up having to make slight tweaks to the main fuel screw to keep it from hunting on the governor. Not a big deal, and only takes about 20 seconds to adjust, but slightly annoying.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I replaced the troublesome magneto with a battery powered ignition coil, ...

I assume it does NOT use points, correct ?

The only problem is the Briggs up-draft flo-jet carb can be finicky.

Definitely NOT one of B&S "better" designs. Never understood the benefits of updraft.

 

[American Locomotive]

I assume it does NOT use points, correct ?

It uses points. I just tied the battery powered coil into the points, and disconnected the magneto all together. I would eventually like to convert it back to magneto ignition if I can find a NOS mag.

 

[slow]

I ended up going total opposite, picked up a 15,000 watt generac portable from a friend. I may still end up buying a Honda eu2000 as a quiet backup for fridge and night time operation. Not sure if the 15k will run the ac or not.

 

[finn]

I know Honda says 5 gallons fuel at full load = 6 hours, and 1/4 load = 18 hours but That's not what my Honda eu7000 FI used during last week's hurricane, ran for 24 hours non stop on 7 gallons, running 3 refrigerator, 1 freezer, tv, direct TV, several lights and fans fans.....thing didn't bump off low speed very often....the VA meter stayed around 1700va...
But yes it was $4k

....don't flame me about the quick fab outlet box, I did what I had to, I'm better prepared now...

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Where's the discrepancy?

Honda says ~.28 gal/hr at 1/4 load, and you used ~.29 gal/hr running at some unknown , low average power.

Your generator running at full load would use .83 gal/hr.

Looks like you were running at an average of a little more than 1/4 load.

The problem with large (oversized) gasoline engines is the poor part load fuel economy compared to a smaller engine running at the same speed but with the throttle plate farther open. Properly sized equipment uses less fuel because pumping losses are reduced.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I ended up going total opposite, picked up a 15,000 watt generac portable from a friend. I may still end up buying a Honda eu2000 as a quiet backup for fridge and night time operation. Not sure if the 15k will run the ac or not.

One of these?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Generac-...ble-Generator-with-OHVI-Engine-5734/100662532

Literally a home standby without the insulated case to keep the noise down.

Good generator outside of the noise. They come through the shop because the voltage regulator goes out. The VR is built with heat sink baffles on the back that are cooled by the air travel through the body on the home standby setup, but they're just in the open with no air travel on the portables. Keep the valves adjusted and oil clean and it should last a while.

 

[slow]

It is a 2004 model, it may have a VR issue, I haven't fired it up yet. It is huge. I was going to test it with resistive load before use to verify the output.