Generator Advice

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm in the market for a new generator (as soon as I can sell the pickup box trailer that was thrown into the deal when I bought my old camp trailer).

I'm comparing a few "Off Brand" generators and wanted some first hand experience or advice from the group here.

There are two at harbor freight that look pretty good:
1) Harbor Freight Tools - 9 Hp 4500 Watt
2) Harbor Freight Tools - 11 hp 5700 Watt

The third option is from Max Tool, a guy that sells generators on E-bay:
3)Max Tool 6.5 Hp 4400 Watt

I'm particularly interested in any feedback or experience with these max-tool generators. I'm familiar with Harbor Freight and their quality. I know what I'm giving up there for the lower price. I don't really know what kind of quality this max tool guy has got.

This generator will be used for back-up power for my house and shop and as a camping generator.

 

[BTDT]

Hardy Diesel

These folks have a lot of choices. Good luck with your search.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

I see one of the uses is for camping. If you camp anywhere close to others, be a good neighbor and buy one of the inverter quiet gensets.

Of the 3 genset you gave links to, the 11HP one from HF with the Subaru/Robin engine, these are TOP notch engines. All ball bearing, no plastic internal like a lot of other engines and an OHC design. Both the other 2 models appear to have the Chinese copies of the Honda GX engines.

One of the lower cost inverter gensets is Kipor. They have a decent reputation. They're made in china but I've read there is some connection with them and Phillips. I have one of their 1kw models and I'm please with it. They have models to compete with almost every Honda inverter model.

 

[RonMar]

The inverter gensets are also WAY more fuel efficient compared to other conventional gasoline types, as they reduce throttle and RPM drastically with lower loads. The Honda's also leave you room for future expansion as you can interconnect 2 of them and they will automatically sync and operate in parallel for double the output capacity. But with any portable gasoline powered appliance, probably the biggest killer of these is lack of use.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I just realized that I switched the links with the titles. Sorry. The one that says 11 hp actually links to the one that is 9 hp and visa versa.

I see one of the uses is for camping. If you camp anywhere close to others, be a good neighbor and buy one of the inverter quiet gensets.

You're beyond me. Are any of these that I linked to inverter gensets?

I had another question...

HF gets 4500 watts out of a 9 HP engine. The Power Max guy gets almost the same peak out of a much smaller 6.5 hp engine. Why?

Also, Does it mean anything that the peak and the rated output are closer together on some generators than on others? Once again, the 4500 watt subaru/Robin is rated at 4000 watts continuous, whereas the 4400 watt power max is rated only at 3500 watts continuous.

Is this some indication of quality, longevity, etc.?

 

[mopacman]

4500 watts is 6 horse power at 100% effience. So 6.5 hp won't generate that much power with out overloading the engine.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

I just realized that I switched the links with the titles. Sorry. The one that says 11 hp actually links to the one that is 9 hp and visa versa.



You're beyond me. Are any of these that I linked to inverter gensets?

I had another question...

HF gets 4500 watts out of a 9 HP engine. The Power Max guy gets almost the same peak out of a much smaller 6.5 hp engine. Why?

Also, Does it mean anything that the peak and the rated output are closer together on some generators than on others? Once again, the 4500 watt subaru/Robin is rated at 4000 watts continuous, whereas the 4400 watt power max is rated only at 3500 watts continuous.

Is this some indication of quality, longevity, etc.?

No on the genset you posted. All the gensets you posted run at full speed, 3600 rpm, all the time, little noise abatement, noisy. Inverter genset have variable engine speed based on load. All are designed to min noise.

As for different sized engines, could be one is running engine harder and may not be as honest with power rating. Design and qlty of the generator head plays a big part on how hard one can be pushed and for how long. I also suspect none of these low cost gensets have a generators designed for LONG term consistant usage.

 

[schmism]

4500 watts is 6 horse power at 100% effience. So 6.5 hp won't generate that much power with out overloading the engine.

1 hp is 745(n change) Watts

6hp i would expect to get a max of 3800w out of.

if your on the tractor forum.... why not a pto version

NorthStar PTO Generator — 7200 Watt, 14 HP Required | PTO Generators | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[saltman]

I bought a Troy Built generator from Lowe's about two years ago. It has a 10hp Briggs and Stratton engine and puts out 5,550 watts with 8,550 starting watts. I need at least 6,500 to get my well pump to work so I think these ratings are fairly accurate.

The price is a little more than what you were quoted but I noticed a while ago they were on sale and much less than what they had been listed at.
I use the generator a few times a week, it always starts first pull and seems to be very well built.

 

[schmism]

I bought a Troy Built generator from Lowe's about two years ago. It has a 10hp Briggs and Stratton engine and puts out 5,550 watts with 8,550 starting watts. I need at least 6,500 to get my well pump to work so I think these ratings are fairly accurate. .

if the 10hp motor is puting out 10hp at full throttle, then its impossible to pull 8550 watts off of it... max theoritical output would be 7450.

15% loss (good balpark) = 6332 so the continous rating of 5550 would be accurate.