Portable Generator

[coobie]

I would bite the bullet and buy a Honda Generator.I would search local craigslist for a good used model..I am speaking from experience as a retired electric lineman.I cannot tell you how many homes I went to during a power outage and home owners with cheap generators that would not run.The hondas that I came across were always running and with low noise.

 

[Threepoint]

Do you want generator advice or do you just want to tell us what you are going to do ?
Danger signs all over this when you are balking at a proper transfer switch system.

+1 on this. I'll assume you're planning to install one, rather than try to backfeed.

Among the Asian-made portables, the Champion line gets high marks for reliability, as well as customer service and parts availability. Our local Costco sells them cheap (3500/4000w and 7500/9500w), as does TSC. BTW, on Dec. 7, from 6 - 9 pm, TSC is having their annual friends and family/customer appreciation sale, with 15% off everything, up to a total savings of $100 (that's about $665 in purchases). You'll need a coupon for that, so if you want to take advantage of the sale, stop by sometime this week and ask for one.

 

[PILOON]

I had occasion to work on a Champion that had just short of 900 hours on the meter.
It had led a rugged life on construction sites.
The engine was as pristine as the day it was assembled. Very impressed. Only problem I found was that the valves badly needed adjustment which I discovered after pulling the head as compression was down to nil.
Once adjusted it started first pull.
Load tested and it put out full wattage.
I certainly give Champion thumbs up.
\
Cosco often has them on sale.

 

[GaryLock]

Looks like Sams Club is going to have one on sale this week. A 6000/7500 for $479. That seems like a pretty good deal and should run just about whatever I need.

Gentron 6,000W / 7,500W Portable Gas Powered Generator w/ Electric Start - Sam's Club

geez, at 1/2 load, that thing uses 18 gallons of gas a day. I use three to five max a day. Better have big gas storage.

 

[Travelover]

I bought a Coleman cheapie 4000 watt generator at Home Depot 24 years ago. I have used it for numerous outages, some as long as 4 days. I use Stabil in it while stored and it still starts on the first pull. Hondas are great, but you will never wear out a cheapie if only used for power backup, so I don't see the value there unless you go for the inverter technology.

Best bang for the buck I've seen is the Champion line at Costco. Can't beat the Costco infinite warranty.

 

[kcflhrc]

Do you want generator advice or do you just want to tell us what you are going to do ?
Danger signs all over this when you are balking at a proper transfer switch system.

Who the **** said I was balking at a transfer switch. I just asked for generator advice. These posts always turn into this. Everyone always has to offer more advice than was asked for. It's pretty simple actually. All I have to do is put a secondary outlet in off the generator at the furnace and move the cord. Run an extension cord to the frig or whatever else I need to power temporarily. No need to over complicate it.

 

[kcflhrc]

geez, at 1/2 load, that thing uses 18 gallons of gas a day. I use three to five max a day. Better have big gas storage.

So can you offer any advice on make or model or just have the need to put down this generator?

 

[newbury]

I bought a Coleman cheapie 4000 watt generator at Home Depot 24 years ago. I have used it for numerous outages, some as long as 4 days. I use Stabil in it while stored and it still starts on the first pull. Hondas are great, but you will never wear out a cheapie if only used for power backup, so I don't see the value there unless you go for the inverter technology.

Best bang for the buck I've seen in the Champion line at Costco. Can't beat the Costco infinite warranty.

Like I wrote before - I too have a HD "cheapie" from about 2003, it's a Coleman w/ a Honda motor. But mine normally takes about 3 pulls after sitting for several months.

Who the **** said I was balking at a transfer switch. I just asked for generator advice. These posts always turn into this. Everyone always has to offer more advice than was asked for. It's pretty simple actually. All I have to do is put a secondary outlet in off the generator at the furnace and move the cord. Run an extension cord to the frig or whatever else I need to power temporarily. No need to over complicate it.

Chill, you can't start a thread on here without people giving advice that you specifically did not ask for. Many of the "generator is vital" people on here would have you rewiring the house when a couple of 10 gauge extension cords would suffice.

At least they didn't start writing about pallets

We need a summary and pics of whatever you get.

 

[buickanddeere]

Who the **** said I was balking at a transfer switch. I just asked for generator advice. These posts always turn into this. Everyone always has to offer more advice than was asked for. It's pretty simple actually. All I have to do is put a secondary outlet in off the generator at the furnace and move the cord. Run an extension cord to the frig or whatever else I need to power temporarily. No need to over complicate it.

Myself and family are or have been on the fire department and EMS. Are you aware how often a family is gassed with CO through a door or window that an extension cord has been run through ?
Any idea how many injuries from falls , trips on cords and slips because the lights are not on?
The cost and bother is minimal to install an aftermarket slider interlock on the breaker panel.
The power draw from lighting circuits and hard wired 120V smoke/CO defectors is minimal .

 

[MacLawn]

newbury, you said you bought an el cheapo generator, but it had a Honda engine. Case closed.

For me, I'm wanting a Yamaha generator for travel trailer and home use when needed. I like them a bit better than Honda.

 

[kcflhrc]

Oh lord, never mind. All this over a simple generator question. Maybe I should have asked about pallets or what oil to use.

 

[Garandman]

Oh lord, never mind. All this over a simple generator question. Maybe I should have asked about pallets or what oil to use.

Grumpycat is grumpy.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I've found good prices on PowerMax and DuroMax generators. Bought mine on Ebay - 8500/7000. Runs great.

Yes, I backfeed the thing into a 220 outlet located outside on the rear porch. As seldom as I need this, I decided not to invest in the transfer switch. Don;t forget to kill your main breaker!

Although this is pretty simple, I printed a checklist and have it attached to the generator to always remind me not to skip the breaker. The last thing you ever want to do is push power out on the main lines. Since we are building a new home, I do plan to have a proper setup on the new construction.

 

[kcflhrc]

Tractor Supply has a Champion 3650/4500 on sale for $299. That seems like a good deal. No wheels though, just the generator.

 

[jwstewar]

I have one of the Champion 3500 generators. Bought it at TSC several years back. At that time it was $299 plus I got a $75 gift card back for TSC. I also have a Generac 5500 generator that I bought when that derecho went through back in 2012 I think. Both have been good generators and both have several hours on them. When the derecho went through, I ran that little Champion for 72 hours straight only shutting down about 15 minutes once a day to refuel. The Champion is much quieter and starts much easier than the Generac. Also the Champion is truly putting out 60 hz, the Generac is a little higher than that, not sure on the exact number but if you plug an analog clock into it, it will gain time. Obviously since it is smaller, the Champion uses less full. Both have been good, can't complain about either one. I'm guessing the Champion has about 200 hours and the Generac probably 30. I pull both of them out of the building every 2 or 3 months. Let them run with a light load on them (both poles) for 15 minutes or so. Neither have had any issues.

 

[Egon]

For the type of service the OP is looking at any one of the low cost generators on the market should do the job. He has to determine what size is required.

I have a 3500 watt Generac and a 1500 watt Champion. Both low cost. Both do what is required of them.

But I do gotta warn folks about Bath Tubs. They can be hazardous to ones well being. But If'n you don't use them then it's hazardous to the Social Life. What does one do?

 

[buickanddeere]

Loading continuously beyond 80% of rated current is not a good idea with any consumer grade generator . Loading continuously beyond 2/3 of rated current on the bargain consumer generators is not recommended .

 

[GaryLock]

So can you offer any advice on make or model or just have the need to put down this generator?

Wasn't meaning to put it down, just super-surprised at the fuel usage. If someone is looking for a storm-generator, then they should make sure they have enough gas to run the thing for a while. My neighbors all have generators after our 2008 12-day blackout from the ice storm we had. Not one of them has more than a single 5-gallon can. I have tried to explain to them that it will barely get them through a day, used sparingly. they think that will be fine, and they can get more at the gas station. The next city over had gasoline, but you couldn't get there for 3 days due to downed trees. No gas station in town had power for almost ten days. So, I would just point out that fuel economy is actually quite important. I have two Honda EU2000s hooked together to give 4000 watts (max). Running both during daytime, and one overnight, gets me heat, lights, fridge, freezer, etc., all on less than 4 gallons a day. With 54 gallons total, that is two weeks of use without worrying about running out for fuel. And in the good practice of preparedness, if one went bad, I would still have the other to power the essentials.

 

[kcflhrc]

I think we all seem to forget that we live in different parts of the country with waaaaay different ideas of power outages. I think the very worst I can remember in the Kansas City area was around 2 or 3 days after a major ice storm. I have never not been able to get to or find gas in a storm. I like the generator idea for those very rare occasions, but truthfully, I may never see one of those rare occasions again. I have only lived rural for 2 years and our power appears to be very reliable. But all bets are off in an ice storm. I really need to rewire my 200 amp panel anyway so I may go ahead and put in a real transfer switch then. But for now, something very temporary will work just fine.

 

[jymbee]

You may want to rethink the propane idea, especially since it's a dual fuel generator.

...

If you have a dual fuel genny, you can run gasoline when you have it and keep your LP stashed away for the bad times.

Do these dual fuel generators produce the same amount of noise with both fuels?