Northstar Generators---- Beware!!!

[crazyal]

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

It's too bad that the diesel 250 is so expensive. I just can't justify an extra $2500 to have the option to weld.

 

[biggerten]

Ummm .... how about a freezer (or two) full of food ?

Yeah, getting up to the lake home after a few days without power can leave you with a stinking mess. And it takes weeks of treatment with activated charcoal to get the smell out of the fridge and freezer.

Ask me how I know.............

 

[grsthegreat]

if it was a cabin or weekend home than i can see it, the ones i install units on are all full time lived in homes for the most part. The summer rentals are empty and water off when owner not using them.

 

[RPW]

-crazyal- I agree with the pricing. The difference being a bit more conservative with the fuel (and not by much) and dealing with a bit more noise. What blew me away was when I told my wife I wanted to replace my 225 her response was "go get it". I think she was so ecstatic that I asked her instead of announcing "I'm going to go get it". Maybe after 32 years I'm getting the hang of marriage

 

[K5OIT]

After using smaller generators for years I finally got tired of them after Hurricane Ike. No power for 8-1/2 days. I looked around and finally settled on an INDUSTRIAL diesel 16 KW Isuzu. It will run my well, air conditioner, lights, TV and water heater. I do have to juggle a little as it won't run all at the same time but it's not inconvenient. Really nice to have a/c and water during the summer. Keep a 400 gallon tank of fuel full with biocide and Pri-D. Got fuel for the genny, tractor, pickup and motorhome. Now if the trees don't do me in life is good.

 

[Soundguy]

it won't run them all at once?

you must have a huge ac, HUGE well, and way too many lamps ( to be on during a power outtage ).

since most water heaters only will pull 5kw incandescent load.. that leaves 11kw for other stuff. well kick on my pull up to 6.5-8 to start.. but probably run at more like 2-3.. ditto on ac, and air handler shouldn't be too bad either.

as long as the well, ac and a ton of other stuff don't all hit on the same cycle.. it -should- carry it.

unless that 16kw is a surge rating, and it's steady statre is much lower.. like 12 or something.. ( or you got monster appliances and are trying to light up the entire neighborhood during the power outtage or something.. )

my 12.5kw genny does my well, ac, air handle, water heater and whatever lamp / radio we are in the room for. ac is 12 seer.. well is submersed.. doubt it is more than 1.5h.. etc also runs a chest refer and fridge.. which we don't continously open..

soundguy

 

[Canada_CT230]

I could care less about freezers...they are good for at least 24 hrs when not opening them. I care about my sump and sewage pumps running.

 

[ultrarunner]

it won't run them all at once?

you must have a huge ac, HUGE well, and way too many lamps ( to be on during a power outtage ).

since most water heaters only will pull 5kw incandescent load.. that leaves 11kw for other stuff. well kick on my pull up to 6.5-8 to start.. but probably run at more like 2-3.. ditto on ac, and air handler shouldn't be too bad either.

as long as the well, ac and a ton of other stuff don't all hit on the same cycle.. it -should- carry it.

unless that 16kw is a surge rating, and it's steady statre is much lower.. like 12 or something.. ( or you got monster appliances and are trying to light up the entire neighborhood during the power outtage or something.. )

my 12.5kw genny does my well, ac, air handle, water heater and whatever lamp / radio we are in the room for. ac is 12 seer.. well is submersed.. doubt it is more than 1.5h.. etc also runs a chest refer and fridge.. which we don't continously open..

soundguy

The first Hospital genset I worked on was at a small, 2 Operating Room facility that used a Winco 5 KW natural gas unit...

More typical today with smaller facilities of say 40,000 square feet and maybe 6 operating rooms are 125 KW prime rated/ 150 KW Standby rated Diesel sets and even then the normal loads tend to hover around 25 KW...

Seems like a costly and unnecessary proposition for homeowners to go with a big genset in terms of initial cost, fuel costs and maintenance.

 

[boggen]

bigger is better the American trend!

the little 3000 watt honda gen. works pretty good on a 21x24 foot cabin. granted A/C and microwave can not be ran at same time. and at moment there is no well yet, and eventually a larger gen will be installed with most likely a propane setup.

but using the little gen, has caused a large change in how things are done. once yet get use to it. it becomes pretty good doings.

==========
as far as auto transfer switch. for me, if placed on the house, i would need it. and would make more dollar sense. due to having fish, to other animals. that need pumps to keep them alive. at moment using battery backups used on computers to deal with power outages for animals.

but when you start getting into units with auto transfer switch. you can also get into better line conditioners / surge suppressors already built into whole house generators. and initial load demand vs running demand. perhaps automatic weekly turn on / turn off after 15 minutes of running to make sure all is good, for me, with the eletronics. making sure there is no large spike in the power or not having enough (brown outs) is a big problem, due to they can quickly kill electronic stuff. (computers, tvs, phones plugged in, internet, yes even microwaves, etc...)

on other hand, having a manual option to turn on a gen, does make good sense. *shrugs* it competely depends on needs.

as far as fridge and freezer. keeping them closed and not using them... while power is off. just does not happen. food and drinks are all there. the separate deep freezer on other hand. is a different story. once a day if that it might be open. so keeping it full so it stays colder long works without power.

 

[Soundguy]

Seems like a costly and unnecessary proposition for homeowners to go with a big genset in terms of initial cost, fuel costs and maintenance.

if I didn't have a farm.. I'd likely only have a 6.5kw genny.. but with the farm, the extra KW is nice.

soundguy