School me on portable generators.

[DodgeZ]

School me on portable generators. I need something to run a small travel trailer or a house during an emergency (snow storm or something).

Lowes has this marked down to 490

http://www.lowes.com/pd_255887-2421...br|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&stop_mobi=yes

Not sure if it is a good deal or not. I think being about to get parts down the road would also be a good thing. Some of these no name brands kind of worry me.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Generac is a big name in the generator business, I wouldn't worry about getting parts for their products.

However I have no experience with that particular unit so I can't give you a valid opinion on it.

 

[chris142]

I'm coming up on 200hrs on a 800w hf 2 stroke generator. It works great for a few lights and a tv. I run good oil in it and I assume that has a lot to do with it.

 

[klhitman]

i have always heard that Honda generators are quiet and run for ever. i bought a 2000w one from HD and used it one year and the next year it wouldn't start. but the year i did use it i always had to use a starting fluid to get it running. buy a good named one and you shouldn't have a problem. my dad has a B&S and as been running for like 20 years with no issues. i think he still has the original oil in it as well.

 

[olytdi]

I was in Lowe's tonight and was looking at that very generator. My Lowe's also had it marked-down but only to $540 so your pricer is pretty good. The one I was looking at came with a cord as well. Two year warranty -- manual start only.

Hard to go wrong for that price. A Honda of that wattage would cost 6 times as much.

 

[Zelatore]

Yes, the Hondas cost more but.....let me put this in terms this board might understand: It's sort of like buying the SO instead of the HF ratchet. Both might work, but one will be a whole lot nicer.

For an RV application, the major benefit of the Honda will be how quite they are. I've not seen another portable that can match them, and it's much nicer to not drive the whole camp ground nuts with a loud old genny.

Another point in the Honda's favor would be resale. Everybody knows their reputation and generally they'll bring a few bucks more on the back end than a generic unit.

At some boat shows I've seen Yamaha's gennys on offer, but I've never actually heard them running. They do look nice though.

 

[flintsghost]

I agree about Honda generators and have two. My 3800 is similar to what you're looking at in size and weight. My EU1000 is truly portable at 25 lbs but it lacks the power to run an RV. For RV use, unless you have a lot of help 180 lbs is a big heavy and ungainly piece to move around. At home it will work fine. However if in the garage like mine, you either have to leave the Garage door open or work up an exhaust system you can hook up. My 3800 runs my home heating unit just fine with a heavy extension cord. For RV use Honda sells a smaller 3000 watt Inverter unit that weighs about 80 lbs that will do most everything you need or yoiu can run 2 EU2000's in series and get all the power you want. they have a special EU2000 that is made to hook up to another for that purpose and give you 4000 watts. Either can be carried around by one man and that's more portable than a 180lb gen on wheels. But because of internal wiring and no neutral bond grounding on inverters, it will not work to power your home heating unit. As an RV generator it's hard to beat. This unit you are looking at is right for everything except that it may be harder to start than you want. That's one thing I like about Honda's. They start first time, every time. I use Stabil in my fuel and never have to worry about fuel. However, on larger than 1000 watt portable units I like to have a fuel shut off switch and turn it off while running and let it run the carb dry to stop. Make sure it has one or even with Stabil you could be having the carburetor rebuilt every year or so. Honda's smaller units in the 1000, 2000, and 2500 range don't have a fuel shutoff, just an off switch. I'm waiting to see if stabil will preserve the integrity of the fuel system in storage on the one I have.

A Honda of that size is about $1400 new and you can get a deal at the right dealership. Sadly a lot of motorcycle dealers sell them but only 1 in 50 has a descent salesperson for their power equipment section. If you have to deal with a motorcycle saleman expect that they don't know anything about them and won't give you a deal. But dealing with someone like Generac is OK. They've been in generators a long time.
Good luck

 

[Bdawg750]

Hondas are great but pricey. U gotta understand what u need n what ur buying. U might buy cheapo generator that says 5000w on it somewhere, but it may not run true 5000w, more than likely @ 2800-3500w. Big difference there!! Also what are ur power needs?? To run house or Rv, u have to manage power. U have to turn off air conditioner if ur gonna use microwave or coffee pot. U need to kno what power ur stuff uses at start-up and what the need for continuous run. Read fine print, do ur homework, understand ur power needs , then u need to Overbuy on ur needs. If u need 2500w, buy 3000.

 

[Danglerb]

First decide how much power you "really" need, then decide how frequently you might need it, how much space you are willing to give to storing it, and how much you want to spend.

I know people who want no interruption in normal life, so they have a monster generator that runs the whole house with AC.

I also know people that get by with 800w or so cheap model, but have to do some extension cords and plug and unplug fridge, small wall AC, and lights etc.

For myself, we don't own a generator of any kind, but I have a nice 400 watt inverter and good batteries in 4 cars. Something small and cheap like the $80 HF 800w though is very tempting as a longer term source of not just emergency, but portable power.

 

[PrecisionTools]

I would suggest an inverter generator if you plan to run sensitive electronics off it which is in just about everything these days. Yamaha & Honda are the best to buy over in this part of the world.

 

[Camtwo69]

We use the Honda 6500is generator in our race car trailer it will run the A/C heat , all the lights and air compressor anything we throw at it and it is quite as hell. We bought large just in case we ever lost power at the house .

 

[briggsguy17]

A 5000 watt generator will not run much more than your lights and maybe a microwave. Appliances like refridgerators and freezers often require start up watts 3 or 4 time in excess of running wattage. Figure out what your needs are and go from there. Here is a Kohler worksheet that will give you some insight. http://www.kohlerpower.com/resident...TC|16177|+generator++sizing||S|b|14488536450#
Her is a Generac link too: http://thinkevergreenhome.com/?page_id=2060

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Keep in mind that a big generator will **** lots of fuel, which can be an issue if snowed in or during a natural disaster. The gas station being out of power itself so no fuel pumps, etc. So, I really like my 110-volt 2500W unit. Will run for @ 13 hours on a tank. That's enough power to run some lamps, the TV/Sat, and refrigerator. The smaller units are also easier to transport and move.

If you need to run a well pump, you need 220V. To run a heat pump or a whole house "like normal", you will need @ 10,000W unit.

I second the Honda recommendation. Mine is an older John Deere with a Kawasaki engine.

 

[ecally]

My EU2000 powers up and runs my gas furnace with 1/3 hp blower (I think) with no problems. It handles the startup load on the motor without a problem at all.

One thing I dont see mentioned yet is fuel consumption. Very important when you're trying to make it through a couple days of power outage at your home, and the gas stations are not up and running. Honda's are very stingy using fuel, and extremely quiet. Parts are readily available in some area, and via the internet, but are pricey. EDIT - just saw the response above about fuel consumption.

But because of internal wiring and no neutral bond grounding on inverters, it will not work to power your home heating unit.

 

[Camtwo69]

That's one good thing about Honda generators they only use the amount of fuel needed for the amount of load placed on the generator . My eu6500is will run 14 to 16 hours on a 5 gallon tank of fuel .

 

[Larwyn]

I have had an old 4kw Generac for over 10 years. It just keeps on going and does what it is supposed to do. I used it to power my 5th wheel travel trailer and to run power tools when needed at the RV storage yard. I keep it around but I have never had to actually use it during a power outage. An occasional break from running electrical devices is not really a bad thing.

 

[RKA]

However, on larger than 1000 watt portable units I like to have a fuel shut off switch and turn it off while running and let it run the carb dry to stop. Make sure it has one or even with Stabil you could be having the carburetor rebuilt every year or so. Honda's smaller units in the 1000, 2000, and 2500 range don't have a fuel shutoff, just an off switch.

At 50 lbs the 2000 is still small enough to be turned upside down to drain the tank. I do that because I don't think fuel stabilizers are a good solution and because mine is used for backup purposes only, so it's rarely started. I'll run it dry after draining it and it'll run for a good 15-20 mins before it peters out. Next time it comes out, it takes half a dozen pulls to prime the line, then it fires right up! For anything bigger they really should have put a fuel shut off, but for the 2000 it's fine (should anyone else be considering it).

 

[theoldwizard1]

A 5000 watt generator will not run much more than your lights and maybe a microwave. Appliances like refridgerators and freezers often require start up watts 3 or 4 time in excess of running wattage.

Excuse me, but B*LL SH!T !!

During the "great" east cost black out several years ago, I ran a side by side refrigerator, an "apartment size" refrigerator and upright freezer (about the size of a typical refrigerator) at the end of a 100' 12 gauge extension cord on a 3650 watt generator.

 

[briggsguy17]

Excuse me, but B*LL SH!T !!

During the "great" east cost black out several years ago, I ran a side by side refrigerator, an "apartment size" refrigerator and upright freezer (about the size of a typical refrigerator) at the end of a 100' 12 gauge extension cord on a 3650 watt generator.

That doesn't mean it was a good idea!! You got lucky!

When I was younger I use to car surf on the roof of a buddys car at 60 mph, never got hurt, does that mean I should let my kid do it???

 

[theoldwizard1]

First decide how much power you "really" need, then decide how frequently you might need it, how much space you are willing to give to storing it, and how much you want to spend.

Absolutely !

Until you define your load, you will never get a valid answer.

You say you want to use it on a small RV. Does that RV have Air Conditioning ? While the Honda Eu2000 is a great (but pricey) generator many people find that it will not start their RV A/C.

No A/C in your RV, but you want to use the microwave/toaster oven/electric coffee maker ? Those 800/1000 watt HF units won't cut it.


Weight, noise, fuel consumption and cost will pull you in opposite direction. I have a 5kw (running) unit that I bought used at a good price a few years ago. Way over kill for my needs, but the price was right. Now I know that if we have another ********* out, I will run out of fuel, even draining all my vehicles, in about 24-48 hours.

Not knowing what your needs really are, I will go out on a limb anyway ! The "average" person probably needs a 3kw (running) inverter generator. Yes, they are expensive. But they are quiet, sip fuel, will start just about any 120V A/C unit or run multiple refrigerators (simultaneously) or run a microwave/toaster oven/electric coffee maker. They will run your sump pump. They will run your well pump, if it is not 240V. They will run your TV/DVD player, computer flawlessly.

Below are some examples.

Honda EU3000is
Yamaha EF3000is
Boliy Pro3600SI

 

[Jagmandave]

I have a 10 year old Generac with a B&S engine, it starts easily (mine has an electric start but since the battery just died I tried it with the pull handle, it took 3 pulls after setting for two years!) it's 12,500 watts surge, 7,500 watts constant.

It has a 5 gallon tank and if it was running at full capacity it will burn 1/2 gallon/hour, so 10 hours run time max.

However, I can't imagine a time when I'd need it running full out that long, as the load will come and go. My thinking is that if I get snowed in I have three cars too, all with full tanks of gas, and a siphon hose so I have backup, I also keep a 5 gallon can full of fresh gas in the winter, and rotate it into the cars to keep it fresh.

My only complaint is that it's pretty loud, I'm thinking of adapting a car muffler to it to quiet it down some. However, if you need heat and lights, well the neighbors will just have to put up with it...besides, I wouldn't run it all night, jsut long enough to get the place warmed up, then start it again in the morning.

I don't know why, but every year there's a story about some family dying from CO2 poisoning because they let their genset run in the garage - so just in case anyone here doesn't know bettter - don't do that! Put it outside....and point the exhaust away from your house.