Northstar Generators---- Beware!!!

[crazyal]

yup, thats a problem. i have installed large generators capable of powering up an entire 200 amp service on some of the large lake houses here in Idaho. they all run on large diesel tanks, and you have to keep a path clear for them. these do empty a tank full of gas pretty fast. Some people put in 500 gal diesel tanks, but I'm not sure how long they would run on that size tank. never did the calcs.

If I do get a diesel genset it would probably be either 10k or 13k. A 10k gen running at half load will only use about .4 gallons an hour. My loading is not that great. A few lights and tv at night, I have a wood stove for heat and oil fired furnace that heats the DW, a well pump, and if summer a small room AC unit.

 

[Lightnsound]

ok... but dont complain to me when it burns all that fuel ...hehe. It depends on the size of the unit your getting also. To run wells and electric heat/waterheaters...your looking at a large unit.

I need the well. Water heater and furnace are propane fired, but both need power for blowers.

I like the idea of water jugs in the freezer.

 

[nue2farm]

In 1977, I visited my Dad, I noticed both his freezers had quite a bit of open space in them. I filled a bunch of soda bottles with water and put in them. A little later, he asked if I had done this and why. I told him about a full freezer being better etc. He like the idea so much he told everyone he knew about it. Side benefit of always having ice and water was great too. Have fun and stay safe.....

 

[MtHam]

Freezers stay cold a long time, particularly if you throw a blanket or 2 over them. Even without the blanket, my chest freezer stays frozen 24 hours or more. I run my Kubota 9kw diesel generator about 4 hours in the evening, and then again in the morning if I am trying to conserve fuel, but at less than .4 gal/hour and 50 gallons in a drum, I really don't need to worry about prolonged outages. Here is a link to info on the unit:

Kubota 9,875 Watt Diesel Generator

Remote start from the house and a manual transfer switch is all the convenience I need.

Why fool around with Northern junk?

 

[Jay4200]

After I got it home, and tried to power my small welder, the same issue arose. It would rev up and down and voltage fluctuated wildly.

Not uncommon. I bought a Powermate (also rebranded as Husky) w/ Subaru engine 5kW generator last year and had a similar RPM hunting issue when the generator was under light load. Most of my friends' generators hunt during some period in the load curve. Governor "hunting" is often caused by a lean condition - a lean condition creates a motor response lag, time, effectively introducing a second pole in the closed-loop frequency response, creating instability. Blame the effin' EPA for mandating too-low emission standards so that the manufacturers have to jet their engines too lean for proper throttle response.

I richened up the jetting in my generator, which uses standard carb jets (via dirtbike shop) and eliminated the hunting problem.

JayC

 

[Soundguy]

my chest freezer remains cold long after my upright.. and the chest freezer is older.. say.. 1993 era.. whereas the upright is a 2000 model.

soundguy

 

[fuseboxer]

You are tractor owners and as such at this time you should at least consider the possibility of a three point PTO tractor generator. I do not have much of a need, my generator is "fired up" only twice in five years. Diesel idleing of your tractor is probably the cheepest for low amp/watt power.

I do not have automatic generator start and "fudge" on issues that may involve safety. I have a very, very small diaode light with very thin wires above the main disconnect, cover fuse panel removed then put back. This is not safe but I do it because I believe I understand how to do it safe. You may not do it safe so do not do it. The very thin wires are stripped about 4" then curled and pushed on in a recess of the lock bolt on one leg above the dissconnect. This allowes me to know when the power company turns back on the power. The very tiny dioade light, ultra thin plastic wires give me a heads up.

I wish all main circuit box pannels had the dioade light as standard on the front of all new electricial boxes.

Who ammoung you want's to get a patient and sell this idea to the fuse box mfg? The idea is yours for free.----Fuseboxer

 

[Soundguy]

You are tractor owners and as such at this time you should at least consider the possibility of a three point PTO tractor generator.

I mentioned a pto generastor back on post # 6.

it's the only genny I have and works great. 12.5kw rated.

soundguy

 

[rswyan]

im confused, all i said was it didnt have to run for the 8 hours im at work. i can start it up when i get home. Ive been doing this for 15 years, and ive never lost any food yet.

Fair enough

 

[crazyal]

You are tractor owners and as such at this time you should at least consider the possibility of a three point PTO tractor generator. I do not have much of a need, my generator is "fired up" only twice in five years. Diesel idleing of your tractor is probably the cheepest for low amp/watt power.

I do not have automatic generator start and "fudge" on issues that may involve safety. I have a very, very small diaode light with very thin wires above the main disconnect, cover fuse panel removed then put back. This is not safe but I do it because I believe I understand how to do it safe. You may not do it safe so do not do it. The very thin wires are stripped about 4" then curled and pushed on in a recess of the lock bolt on one leg above the dissconnect. This allowes me to know when the power company turns back on the power. The very tiny dioade light, ultra thin plastic wires give me a heads up.

I wish all main circuit box pannels had the dioade light as standard on the front of all new electricial boxes.

Who ammoung you want's to get a patient and sell this idea to the fuse box mfg? The idea is your for free.----Fuseboxer

If I loose power during a bad snow storm I could need both the tractor for clearing snow and the generator for the house.

 

[fuseboxer]

If I loose power during a bad snow storm I could need both the tractor for clearing snow and the generator for the house.

This is a perfect excuse to purchase a second tractor! Your wife will never know that you have been bitten by the tractor bug and are only scratching.

 

[grsthegreat]

This is a perfect excuse to purchase a second tractor! Your wife will never know that you have been bitten by the tractor bug and are only scratching.

good idea...... but then again shed probibly use the second tractor to dig a hole and bury me.:laughing: :laughing:

 

[George2615]

Who makes the motor on a Miller Bobcat 250?

I didn't see a response to your question. I have a Miller Bobcat 250NT. Mine has the Onan 20.5HP motor.

 

[grsthegreat]

I didn't see a response to your question. I have a Miller Bobcat 250NT. Mine has the Onan 20.5HP motor.

Onan makes some nice units..thats why most the high end motor homes use them.

 

[RPW]

The new miller bobcat 250's are powered by Kohler and Subaru. Both 23HP. Rated at 11Kw. If you go with the EFI option it has a 12Kw power out with the same motors. Great machine. I just pick one up this last weekend. Have a 225nt with about 795hours but found that for running as a generator wouldn't hold speed close enough for my tastes. Besides it gave me a reason to upgrade and buy a new toy

 

[HCJtractor]

In response, mine has the Kohler, not EFI. Just could not justify the added cost of fuel injection. I have never heard any comparison of the Subaru vs. Kohler. I wonder why Miller offers both choices. I expect both are fine motors.

 

[LBrown59]

1*I keep toying with the idea of getting a Kubota diesel generator.
2*I have an oil fired furnace .
3*Propane trucks are not getting up my driveway in the winter.
4*If we loose power for more than a couple of days I'd have to be switching to portable tanks.

1*I don't blame you for going with a diesel .
2*Since you have the oil fired furnace.
Why go with 2 fuels when all you need to store is one fuel for your furnace A genertor and your tractor ??
3*How does the truck that delivers fuel/home heating oil get up your driveway ?
One would think that a propane delivery truck would travel your drive as easly as a diesal deliver truck :confused2:??
4*In that case wouldn't you have to be doing the same thing with gas diesal or Propane?

 

[Soundguy]

If I loose power during a bad snow storm I could need both the tractor for clearing snow and the generator for the house.

that's a great argument to get 2 (or more ) tractors.


soundguy

 

[pilot-werx]

Generac gardian house generators are nice units also, and i cant fault the Hondas. I have an Onan myself, and have had 15 years of carefree service with it.

I have an Onan for my home on the auto transfer and it has been flawless also. I have had to replace the starter but that is if...

Manual transfer was not an option. We are gone for weeks in the winter and the last thing I need is to freeze up my house if the power goes out...

 

[crazyal]

1*I don't blame you for going with a diesel .
2*Since you have the oil fired furnace.
Why go with 2 fuels when all you need to store is one fuel for your furnace A genertor and your tractor ??
3*How does the truck that delivers fuel/home heating oil get up your driveway ?
One would think that a propane delivery truck would travel your drive as easly as a diesal deliver truck :confused2:??
4*In that case wouldn't you have to be doing the same thing with gas diesal or Propane?

I have a pair of 275 gallon fuel tanks in the basement but it takes me over a year to use one tank so in the summer I try to time when I think the prices will be lowest and fill up the empty tank. I also fill up a 55 gallon drum with off road diesel for the tractor. If needed I bring an empty drum to the dealer and he'll fill it up.