which portable generators do people have

[brokenknee]

That's the one I bought in Dec. plus bought the extended warranty because the 90 day will be up before I take it camping. It runs super quiet (less than 56db at 24'.
Per instructions I ran mine for 6 hours with about a 70% load to break it in then changed the oil. Very happy with the easy electric start but it is heavier than expected. Mine weighs about 110 lb with a full tank of gas. I made a lifting bracket to use my garage electric winch to lift it high enough to get in the truck bed and its short enough to fit under the tonneau cover.

I think I will leave mine right on the deck and locate the plug-in for the transfer switch on the deck also. I want it convenient when the power goes out at 2 in the morning when it is 30 below.

The transfer switch is going to run another $300.00. I know there are cheaper options, but I am looking for ease of use just in-case I am not home and the wife has to set it up. This is the switch I plan on getting. I like the idea of replaceable breakers. Reliance Controls 3 Amp 25-Volt 75-Watt Non-Fuse 6-Circuit Transfer Switch Kit-36HDK - The Home Depot

I already have the wire for the remote plug left over from another project.

 

[George2615]

I think I will leave mine right on the deck and locate the plug-in for the transfer switch on the deck also. I want it convenient when the power goes out at 2 in the morning when it is 30 below.

The transfer switch is going to run another $300.00. I know there are cheaper options, but I am looking for ease of use just in-case I am not home and the wife has to set it up. This is the switch I plan on getting. I like the idea of replaceable breakers. Reliance Controls 3 Amp 25-Volt 75-Watt Non-Fuse 6-Circuit Transfer Switch Kit-36HDK - The Home Depot

I already have the wire for the remote plug left over from another project.

What household circuits are you planning on tying in to the transfer switch. 3500W isn't a lot to run a house.

 

[PILOON]

Around here many stores will not a refund on generators as folks purchase for a storm event 'in case' and return it as it is no longer needed.
That is especially true if there is any signs of usage.
I was able to purchase a manual Square D manual transfer panel for a mere $100. ish that serves me just fine. It gives me 1 220 circuit and 5 110's which covers all my emergency needs.

 

[Soundguy]

Well, I was there when she brought it back. I heard her conversation with the manager and I saw the genset... The generator did have a wheel kid, not sure about the batt...

She wanted to return it, NOT a replacement.

It looked like smoke came out of it, other than that, it looked new.

She talked like a knowledgeable lady about mechanical things and said it crapped out on first use.

The only thing I heard about a pump was, what the manager told me after she left...

From what "I" gathered, it was a "buy once cry once" deal...

SR

No problem.. you hate HF.. we get that.

For the past quite a few years now.. HF is turning out quality that makes large box stores a bit frightened... you see virtually EVERYTHING is being made in china, and for a while now, china has had the industrial technology to make as good or as bad a tool as you want to pay for... some of the highest end electronic tablets come out of china.

Everybody puts out a lemon now and then.. and that could possibly be one.. however... if it 'looks' like it let the smoke out.. then I bet it had help.

If you don't know how to hookup a generator, a well, or isolate your loads , or loads from line.. then you can have problems.

If it was a simple overload issue.. the breaker would have popped... even a bad wire job that made a short would have made the breaker pop.

I helped an old guy hookup his well to his genny after he tried it once and burnt up his pressure switch during the last hurricane. I isolated the well from the house and put a new pressure switch on for him and wired directly to his portable genny.. he started it when he wanted water.. etc.

I'm betting that genny was used to backfeed, and somebody forgot it was hooked up and running and when the power came back on they flipped the breaker and it got hit with line 240 and it wasn't matching it's 240, and the breaker just wasn't a fast enough protection device.

 

[Soundguy]

When I was at Northern I asked if they work on the predator I was told by the salesman they do. Which tells me I would be able to purchase parts through them if needed.

Back in 04 I got a northern tool PTo generator ( northstar ). it is of course chinese in origin. it works perfectly fine.. I used it during irma.

 

[Travelover]

............
For the past quite a few years now.. HF is turning out quality that makes large box stores a bit frightened... you see virtually EVERYTHING is being made in china, and for a while now, china has had the industrial technology to make as good or as bad a tool as you want to pay for... some of the highest end electronic tablets come out of china...........

The China quality perception is evolving just like the Japan quality perception evolved - from laughable junk to best in class for many products. As it evolves, I can see being cautious on a product by product basis.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

No problem.. you hate HF.. we get that.

Because I came here and told the truth, THAT means I hate HF??

IF" I hated HF I wouldn't have been there in the first place! DOH!!

SR

 

[tjkubota93]

I too was going to mention peoples choices and priorities. But an Escalade or Granite Counter top really does quite little to enhance the quality of life. Having some serious back up power, on the other hand, mostly for a hobby, can really pay off and put quite a smile on ones face when things go dark.

Maybe kind of like asking what's a better buy? Some Fine Italian Gucci (sp?) loafers or a sturdy high quality pair of work boots?

Granite can help your re-sale value, but is useless as far as utility.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

There's a guy on YouTube who tears down tools and evaluates the guts. His language is suitable for a shop, with some Canadian slang. Lots of fun and very informative.

AvE
- YouTube

 

[brokenknee]

What household circuits are you planning on tying in to the transfer switch. 3500W isn't a lot to run a house.

The furnace would be number one, then the refrigerator, hopefully there would be enough left to run the internet and or tv. I want to get the six circuit transfer switch that way I can cycle things if I need to. I also like the option that I can purchase a second generator and parallel it to run more circuits. We have a gas stove, so would not worry about the microwave.

I know my well would not be an option as it runs on 240 volts and the generator I am purchasing only puts out 120 volts. Since we moved here a little over a year ago the power has been out 3 times; once for about 3 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours. The 8 hour outage it was 35* below and the house got down to about 48* before the power came back on.

Talking to a co-worker that lives in the area, he said they were without power for a week after a storm two years ago.

I have a food grade 55 gallon drum for water storage that I could use for flushing the toilet, washing dishes etc. We also keep some bottled water on hand.