Looking to buy a generator!

[Sage55]

I live in an area where the winter is typically more ice and slush then lots of snow. Seems like every 2-3 years we get a decent amount of ice to known down trees and take out the power for a day or two. About 10 years ago it was bad enough to keep power out for over a week.

I'm looking for a generator I can use to power my refrigerator, a couple lights and radio/tv. I am looking for suggestions more than anything but have looked at a Gravely 7,500 watt generator as well as a Honda EU3000 generator.

What are your thoughts on the two generators and suggestions on any other generator? I see very little use out of the generator overall and would only be used in the event of a power outage.

 

[Askme42]

If you're really not using it often I would recommend a HF one. Had mine for 4 tailgate seasons now. Gets used 8-12 hours for ever home football game then winterized. Never had a problem with it.

 

[devoncoolman]

Dont buy a $3-4000 generator for a maybe once or twice a year use. Buy a 3500-4000 watt cheap generator. Or buy a used honda. I have a honda that 20+ years old 3000 watt. Always been good. If u drain the carb and but stabil in the fuel it starts whenever i need it. Always start it at somepoint in the summer. Also if your expecting a big storm. Drag her out before and make sure it starts.

 

[jakemac]

I have a Generac GP3250 and have been very happy with it. I don't use it very often, but it always starts on the first or second pull. When in use, it runs 2 full refrigerators, an upright freezer and a small lamp or two. I might be able to power more, but I don't like to push it if its running for long. In the fall, it has been used to power an electric log splitter. My only complaint is that it only has 14watt breakers. The one I have is VERY quiet, so I'm not disturbing the neighbors or advertising that I have a generator to steal.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Generac-GP-3-250-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Portable-Generator-with-CARB-Compliant-5789/202322585

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Here's mine. 6500 watt diesel in a hush box. 10hp yanmar clone. Weighs about 350lbs. Has wheels and rolls great. Around 75 hrs on the meter now. Got it with under 1hr. Starts no matter how cold. It's a great unit. It ran for 3.5 hrs straight during the blizzard last year. We had heat, tv, lights, etc...just like normal. I could barely hear the unit running in the house.

On top of this I have a 3500 watt craftsman (generac) as a back up.

 

[Chamkila]

i have a briggs and stratton 7000w great generator

 

[GreenLBZ]

Run a search for the Champion 3500 watt model. There was a whole section on it at rv.net . Usually around $300 at Tractor Supply. Not the quietest, but decent for the money.

 

[805gregg]

Look at government auctions, you can pick up a lightly used diesel unit for pennies on the dollar. I traded a 10 year old Honda 1000 for a near new Yanmar 5500 watt, cheapest I could find the Yanmar was $3900

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'm looking for a generator I can use to power my refrigerator, a couple lights and radio/tv.

If that is all you are going to run (no well pump, no sump pump, no deep freezer) than 2000 watts is more than enough.

Best on the market is the Honda Eu2000i. Expensive, but it IS the best !

Get at least 1 - 12 gauge extension cord that is long enough to reach from where the generator will be running (NOT inside an attached garage; best sheltered from rain and snow) to inside the house (50-100') and a HD 3-way tap (or 2 or 3) and several 25-50' 16 gauge cords to hook up your appliances.

Not the most convenient, but for once every couple of years, how much do you really want to spend ?


Last, either plan on pulling your generator out every 2-3 months and running it for 10-15 with a load (several light bulbs, old heater, etc) or drain the gas tank and run the crab dry. With that Honda, a 5 gallon gas can will last you a couple of days. After about 6 months, dump what is in the can into your car and get it refilled fresh. Use a fuel stabilizer.

 

[whyNick?]

Buy a cheap one, once you have it the power will never go out again.

I live in a rural area where the power used to go out all the time- until I bought a nice 5500 watt generator nearly 10 years ago. Since then the power has gone out once. For 4 hours. During the daytime.

I also have two cheap HF generators that I use regularly at a remote piece of property I own. They both work great. They probably wouldn't hold up long under daily use but they are fine for camping and would be adequate in a power outage as well. Assuming the power ever goes out around here again .

 

[bob from indiana]

I have a 5000 watt coleman. Five gallons of gas last around eight hours. It has 240 volt so I can power my water heater or air compressor if needed. This was nice in the 2009 ice storm after several days we all need a shower. I have used it to power my air compressor in the field to repair farm machinery. A friend has a Honda EU 3000. I borrowed it once and was VERY impressed as it was very quiet and fuel efficient.

I have thought about getting a 3000 watt class generator as my 5000 watt is a 1996 model and a bit thirsty on gas. It is also heavy to get into the truck if needed. I have read good things on the Tractor Supply Champion 3500 watt and would consider them a good compromise of power output, cost and fuel consumption. If cost was less of a factor I would get a Honda but it costs about five times more.

 

[trackwelder]

If you can afford it get a Honda. I have a 6500 watt, and a eu2000. I use the
little one every couple weeks. Its great for camping, ice fishing, running a salamander, charging batteries etc. Only problem I have with it is everyone wants to borrow it.

 

[Sage55]

No I wouldn't be using a sump pump, deep freezer, etc. I have electric heat for the whole house but also have a propane fireplace in the front room that's attached to a 100-200 gallon tank. It easily heats the room and then burns you out of it the way it is. So in the event of a disaster we'd just move into the front room.

One thing I didn't think of until now is our stove is electric too... would the Honda 3000 be enough to power that when it's time to eat?

As far as hook up goes. I have a 220 plug in the garage(under the panel). I would flip the breaker on the main switch then plug in the generator into that 220 back feeding it to the panel and back to the outlets. Also flipping the breakers for the rooms and outlets that don't want or need power to.

 

[jakemac]

As far as hook up goes. I have a 220 plug in the garage(under the panel). I would flip the breaker on the main switch then plug in the generator into that 220 back feeding it to the panel and back to the outlets. Also flipping the breakers for the rooms and outlets that don't want or need power to.

DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER !!

Here's the issue - what happens when your power unexpectedly turns on while the generator is plugged into the house wiring ?

SH!T GO BOOM ! that's what.

Very bad Ju Ju.

If you want to run the power through your house wiring, you need an automated cut-out switch (I can never remember what it's really called) to prevent burning your family to the ground. For the amount of time you'll be on generator power, it's not worth the expense to set it up. Just run 12/3 cables as extensions until the power comes back on. You can cook on your propane fireplace, just tell the kids you're indoor camping. Or, get a hot plate to use with the generator.

 

[Sage55]

How does poop go boom when I've already flipped the Main breaker off? When power comes back on it wouldn't matter... would it?

As for cooking, honestly I was thinking the same thing. Could cook off the fireplace if needed. The wife was the one asking for the stove.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I'm getting ready to purchase the generac gp7500e watt and a manual transfer switch with 10 circuits.
seems like our power is always going out and in the last year its been getting longer 2 or 3 days at a time.
i have a old honda maybe 3000 watt?, it runs great, but it doesn't have 220 and i need that to run my well........i'm tired of running all the extend cords and then switching them between the furnace sump and frig.........also getting water from the sump in 5 gal buckets to flush the toilets.
i figure with the generator, transfer switch and the needed wire its going to set me back about $1800, i know its a lot but it'll be worth it.

 

[jakemac]

How does poop go boom when I've already flipped the Main breaker off? When power comes back on it wouldn't matter... would it?

I may be wrong (I'm sure someone will correct me), but I thought that even with the main breaker turned off, the neutral bar (white wire) in the box is still live. I was under the impression that the breaker only interrupts one leg of the wiring. Much like a light switch only interrupts the Hot (black) wire in the circuit while the neutral (white) wire is un-interupted.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

i think he'd be ok as long as the main breaker is off, just as long as he doesn't turn it on with the generator still hooked up..........I just seen a video that the guy didn't turn off the main and when the power came back on it blew the generator all to hell and started a nasty fire.
you only have three wires coming into the main panel two 120volt hots and a bare ground. the main breaker shuts off both of the 120 hots just the bare ground is still connected.

 

[larry4406]

The generator "interlock" conversion kits you see advertised for the electric panels are a simple clever metal plate that forces the user to turn the main breaker off before the generator back feed breaker can be engaged. The interlock ensures that the main and back feed breakers are always opposite states.

If you have your wits about you, turning the main off before you engage the generator back feed breaker and vise versa accomplishes the same thing.

 

[sc105b]

As has been said, if you can afford it get a Honda.

If it's gonna sit for years with little use and you need it to start get a Honda...

If you want a quiet one don't just get Honda powered, get a Honda Generator.

I've had Homelite (oldies) Generacs, Onans (also good) and Honda. Still have 2 Hondas and one noisy Honda powered that came with the house..

 

[whyNick?]

One thing I didn't think of until now is our stove is electric too... would the Honda 3000 be enough to power that when it's time to eat?

I'm no expert on 'lectricity but I think you need a pretty big generator to run any kind of resistance heating element (such as an electric space heater, stove, water heater, etc). You might be able to operate one burner at a time if nothing else was plugged in. There are lots of charts online that estimate the wattage requirements for various appliances though.

I don't count on my generator to run everything in my house as though the power never went out, instead it's just a way to survive in some degree of comfort until the grid power comes back on. It will run my well pump, the blower for my woodstove, and my fridge and chest freezer. My Coleman stove works fine for cooking, I have lots of flashlights, and a few cold showers would probably do me some good.

 

[Sage55]

Thanks Nick! Looks like the wife will just have to wait on baking that pie for me until after the power comes back on.

I'm perfectly fine cooking over the fireplace or using our coleman camping stove.

 

[Sage55]

The generator "interlock" conversion kits you see advertised for the electric panels are a simple clever metal plate that forces the user to turn the main breaker off before the generator back feed breaker can be engaged. The interlock ensures that the main and back feed breakers are always opposite states.

If you have your wits about you, turning the main off before you engage the generator back feed breaker and vise versa accomplishes the same thing.

Do you have a link to those "clever metal plates"?

 

[Provincial]

My two cents: Use only NON-ethanol gas! I had nothing but headaches when I used e10 gas in small engines. I have replaced several carburetors and repaired many others. Now I only use gas with no ethanol.

It seems that water from the atmosphere is absorbed by the ethanol. Over time enough water is absorbed to reach the maximum the ethanol can hold, and then the water/ethanol bond breaks and the water drops out of suspension, causing rust and corrosion in fuel system parts. I even had a fuel bowl in a Honda engine freeze and break. I understand that the ethanol also drops out of suspension when this happens, and forms a glop in the bottom of the fuel tank. I had to throw out a gas tank from my Grandfather's Jeep because of this.

Fresh fuel and NO ETHANOL!!!!!

 

[Provincial]

Another 2 cents: The reason they make (and legally require) interlock boxes on generators hooked into your house circuits is that if the main breaker ever got closed while the generator was working, it would backfeed into the Power Company system. Your little 120V generator would then energize through the transformers and step UP the voltage to 40,000V or more. You could easily kill a lineman who was working on a "dead" line!

Interlocks are cheap and there is no reason not to have one.

 

[Alchymist]

The generator "interlock" conversion kits you see advertised for the electric panels are a simple clever metal plate that forces the user to turn the main breaker off before the generator back feed breaker can be engaged. The interlock ensures that the main and back feed breakers are always opposite states.

If you have your wits about you, turning the main off before you engage the generator back feed breaker and vise versa accomplishes the same thing.

There have been cases of people not having their wits about them.....

Anyway, if you don't think a transfer switch is important, just call your local power co and ask them how they feel about it. You will get an ear full!.

 

[Mustang51js]

Do you have a link to those "clever metal plates"?

Go on interlockkit.com and you can order one for your panel type. You can also look on Home Depot website because the one they have is $40 compared to $150 but you have to see what your panel is.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do you have a link to those "clever metal plates"?

If you have a newer model panel, you can usually buy one from the manufacturer. (What is the make and model number of you box ? Usually on the outside or inside cover.)

Also check here : Interlockit

 

[theoldwizard1]

Thanks Nick! Looks like the wife will just have to wait on baking that pie for me until after the power comes back on.

I'm perfectly fine cooking over the fireplace or using our coleman camping stove.

Most microwaves, hot plates, toaster ovens or electric frying pan/roaster will run on even a little Honda EU2000i. You might have to unplug the refrigerator will using one of these.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Go on interlockkit.com and you can order one for your panel type. You can also look on Home Depot website because the one they have is $40 compared to $150 but you have to see what your panel is.

I use the interlock plate.

 

[Mustang51js]

Technically they are illegal because they lost their ul listing but they still work fine

 

[Alchymist]

If you live in an area with stringent code requirements, such as electrical inspection when buying/selling/upgrading, etc, be sure to check with the AHJ to see if they allow the interlock kits. Some jurisdictions allow only true transfer switches. Just sayin....

 

[KCTool]

You might consider a propane generator. I bought this one form home depot when it was on sale for $799. It has good reviews. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Smarter-...-Gas-Powered-Generator-STGP-7500DEB/203872361

I like that with propane you don't have to worry about your fuel going bad as much and propane is much easier to store. I haven't really used my generator yet but had a good experience with the company. Mine came with a damaged battery. I called them and they sent me another battery no questions asked.

 

[kd3pc]

You might consider a propane generator. I bought this one form home depot when it was on sale for $799. It has good reviews. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Smarter-...-Gas-Powered-Generator-STGP-7500DEB/203872361

I like that with propane you don't have to worry about your fuel going bad as much and propane is much easier to store. I haven't really used my generator yet but had a good experience with the company. Mine came with a damaged battery. I called them and they sent me another battery no questions asked.

not much cheaper than gasoline, the past several months, and difficult to store enough to get you through an outage....

 

[mrtoolfool]

Like anything, you can buy cheap, good, best.

Everyone has an opinion and here is mine.

The Honda EU3000is is an awesome generator. It is QUIET and most importantly it's "clean" power.

The INVERTER in these allows you to use these on sensitive electronic equipment like computers, newer TVs, etc.

They also have what is called "Auto Throttle" that allows them to run at whatever speed they need as the situation calls for it.
If the fridge shuts off or furnace cycles off and you are only running a TV or something else not using a lot of power the unit will run at a slower RPM (using less gas) until it needs more power and ramps back up.

I have LOVE the Honda line of generators. I have a EU1000i, EU2000i, and a EU3000is. OK, I have a fetish I guess.

I have a EU3000is at my shop also.

I think of a generator as an "insurance policy".

You buy it "in case" you need it, hoping you don't.

I'm just not the type that like to "cheap" out and get "just" what I need.

I appreciate quality and Honda makes great gen sets.

Do a little reading on some of the camping websites and you will see the number one choice is a Honda.

 

[Sage55]

I use the interlock plate.

That's pretty simple. I like the link to home depot much better at $40-50 than the link to interlock directly at $150+.

I think of a generator as an "insurance policy".

You buy it "in case" you need it, hoping you don't.

I'm just not the type that like to "cheap" out and get "just" what I need.

I appreciate quality and Honda makes great gen sets.

Do a little reading on some of the camping websites and you will see the number one choice is a Honda.

I'm pretty much the same way. I'm not looking to buy the biggest for the cheapest but something that's going to work each time I need it and easily do the job I need it to to. If it happens to be a little more expensive or even a little cheaper than that fine, but performance is what I'm wanting.

That said I'm going to look at the Honda a little more closer and see what other models they offer. I already have a 220 outlet in the garage that I was going to use for the generator but it seems the Honda 3000 model doesn't offer 220 so I'll need to do something else or get a generator that does.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I already have a 220 outlet in the garage that I was going to use for the generator but it seems the Honda 3000 model doesn't offer 220 so I'll need to do something else or get a generator that does.

If it is a standard female receptacle, there is pretty much no safe way to feed your main panel using that outlet. The interlock will prevent the outlet from being used for any loads (compressor, welder, etc).

Buying bigger than you need has is issues. Nor only will it cost more to begin with, it will cost more to run.

You original said ...

I'm looking for a generator I can use to power my refrigerator, a couple lights and radio/tv.

Stick with that and a small Honda EU2000i and some extension cords. K.I.S.S. !

 

[mrtoolfool]

Glad to hear you are thinking of a Honda. I really don't think you can go wrong.

The EU2000i is also a great little unit. By itself you can run 16.7 amps from it. Plenty of power for a fridge, lights, TV, etc.

It has a really small footprint and is easy to move around. It is a lot lighter than a 3000.

Some people are actually buying a pair of these nowadays instead of a EU3000i and run them in parallel for double the power. Also a pretty neat option.

There are extended run kits out there also.

Here are a couple links. You can see by the reviews that people like them. I bet you won't find many, af any, negative reviews on the Hondas.

Regular EU200i

Champion EU2000i with built in 30amp plug for parallel operation

Combo package with a pair of EU200i

 

[mrtoolfool]

I know, I know that you are not supposed to "back Feed" with the main off, but I do.

I have done it many times and been fine. Don't get me wrong, If you don't know what you are doing. DON'T do it.

Worse case scenario, in a real emergency, you could pull your meter. (Again, not if you don't know what you are doing.

A friend lost his mast head when a tree fell across his line. It was going to be a week before the power company would hook him back up and that was "after" he had a new mast installed. We pulled the meter and wired the gen set directly into his meter box. Got his family by for almost a week till they hooked him back up.

Another friend lost power during a BIG storm and we opened up his breaker box and took the furnace off the breaker and ground bar and we cut the end off an extension cord and wire nutted it to the furnace line. He had heat and ran a couple other cords for lights, etc. That got him by for almost a week.

I installed a transfer switch for my Sister as she and my Brother in law are all thumbs when it comes to stuff like that. They have used it only once in 14 years but were glad they had it when they were off the grid for a few days one winter. They have a well, furnace, fridge outlets, and their water heater exhaust blower all on the transfer switch.

It's all about how much you know and how safe you can be.

In an emergency, you do what you have too. Being safe of course.

 

[Autorotica]

I bought a diesel genny. I have 275 gallons of potential fuel in my home. Why mess with anything else?

I will back feed the panel thru a welding outlet or drier circuit with the main tripped. Ill be warm and energized. I wont put a single lineman at risk, they are supposed to lockout and test before touching right?

True or false?

Chris