Looking for a decent generator.. 5000 watts

[BrianDT]

I am looking for a good quality generator that will be close to 5,000 watts. I need it to run a refrigerator, open garage doors and maybe run a few tools if needed. This would not be to run a full home! Just our cabin that is pretty rustic.

I need one that will work when needed and will put out clean power as we have sensitive devices that we use once and a while and power is only working out there 75% of the time.

I am looking at this Subaru.... but question if it is better than others.... Here is the only review I can find on it.

 

[dfkrug]

How do you figure you need 5000W?

Motors do need a lot of power to start, and any kind of heater will take gobs of power.

But, if you don't run a lot of things at the same time, and you don't have any big motors,
you may be happier with something smaller.

I have a 5000W (6250) and I hate it. Noisy and thirsty. It is a flathead Generac, and it IS
much noisier than any OHV unit. I need 2000W to start my reefer, but it only needs 100W when
running. Something like a table saw will take more, but I don't use them in an outage.

So I am going to get a 2000W inverter genset, like the Honda EU2000, or the equivalent from
Yam or Kaw. I might even try one of the Chinese 2000W units, like the Ryobi or Coleman.

 

[dragoneggs]

Look at Honda 3000iS. Very very quiet. Electric start. Has Eco throttle mode so very conservative on fuel. Plenty of power for my occasional power outage needs and somewhat portable. A bit spendy though.

 

[4570Man]

Depending on what kind of power tools you have in mind you won't need 5,000 watts. Also electric heat will take loads of power. I would look at a 3000 watt Honda or piggy backing 2 2000 watt Hondas. Picky backing them is cheaper and provides more power.

 

[dragoneggs]

Depending on what kind of power tools you have in mind you won't need 5,000 watts. Also electric heat will take loads of power. I would look at a 3000 watt Honda or piggy backing 2 2000 watt Hondas. Picky backing them is cheaper and provides more power.

Not really cheaper for the two about the same I think ($2000) but you do get some more wattage. The 3000 is quieter than a 2000 and you have one machine vs. two to maintain... the two reasons I went with the 3000. One advantage going the 2 by 2K route is you can grab one of them and take with you much easier (weight) than a 3000.

 

[4570Man]

Not really cheaper for the two about the same I think ($2000) but you do get some more wattage. The 3000 is quieter than a 2000 and you have one machine vs. two to maintain... the two reasons I went with the 3000. One advantage going the 2 by 2K route is you can grab one of them and take with you much easier (weight) than a 3000.

Only if being portable isn't important to you. They make another 3,000 watt that weighs only 73 pounds vs 130 pounds, but it cost $2,500. I already have a whole house generator, so my little 2,000 watt generator must be easily portable.

 

[bigdeano]

Maybe the OP has a well pump and needs the 5kw. Sorry I haven't had personal experience except my 10kw diesel homemade.

 

[zzvyb6]

Honda EU6500IS. Quiet, efficient, electric start, uses the starting battery for the surge off of idle mode. Remote control start option. You get what you pay for.

 

[reb]

FWIW, my daughter works for a large equipment rental company. Their Subaru generators apparently hold up well. I would have bought one a few years ago, but I thought the price was a bit high for my application.

 

[newbury]

OP - How important is $$?
The one you are looking at seems to run about $1K

Depending on what kind of power tools you have in mind you won't need 5,000 watts. Also electric heat will take loads of power. I would look at a 3000 watt Honda or piggy backing 2 2000 watt Hondas. Picky backing them is cheaper and provides more power.

This is a $2K up solution, and if he REALLY needs 5KW at one time he'd need two of the 3KW for about 4 grand.

FWIW, my daughter works for a large equipment rental company. Their Subaru generators apparently hold up well. I would have bought one a few years ago, but I thought the price was a bit high for my application.

I had a small Robin/Subaru and it was great, until one of my son's "borrowed" it.

OP - Your choice looks good if you really need 5KW