Ok, I'm going to be working on some buildings on the farms soon but need a generator to run a circular saw and drill. I may get a compressor and nail gun later. What size and brand do you recommend? I really can't go too expensive on the generator. Your thoughts?
generator advice
- Thread starter JustinE
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Bob Rooks
Elite Member
As a general rule of thumb, simply add up the wattage of all the tools and equipment you will be using and order a generator with a corresponding continuous rating. Assuming you are only going to have a small 1-1/2 HP pancake compressor, any 2.5 to 3.0 kW generator should have ample starting capacity for the saw and compressor and a few lights too, should be fine. Bear in mind that you won't get any heavy duty 1,800 r/m generators in that price range though.
When you are talking small throw-away generators like this, brand doesn't really matter a lot if buying new because they all have to meet NEC code minimum standards. Older used models may not meet current codes.
When you are talking small throw-away generators like this, brand doesn't really matter a lot if buying new because they all have to meet NEC code minimum standards. Older used models may not meet current codes.
daybreak1998
Silver Member
Howdy,
The only advice I can give is
The construction might take 2-12 months... the main idea is to think about what to do after the period. Look at what you might want to power during a full outage. Buy at least a 5500 running watt generator for best all around multi-purpose generator to have on a farm. The reason is, can run well pumps, or hot water heater, or other appliances.
With this in mind, your better off buying something for the long term, instead of buying something, using it, then realizing you need bigger 4 months later.
For a better product, I would suggest looking for anything which uses pressurized oil. They will be a little more expensive, but will have a better run time life. Oil Oil Oil is so important, wether topping off, checking, and changing. Splash oil generators work fine too. I just like having pressure and a filter.
The only advice I can give is
The construction might take 2-12 months... the main idea is to think about what to do after the period. Look at what you might want to power during a full outage. Buy at least a 5500 running watt generator for best all around multi-purpose generator to have on a farm. The reason is, can run well pumps, or hot water heater, or other appliances.
With this in mind, your better off buying something for the long term, instead of buying something, using it, then realizing you need bigger 4 months later.
For a better product, I would suggest looking for anything which uses pressurized oil. They will be a little more expensive, but will have a better run time life. Oil Oil Oil is so important, wether topping off, checking, and changing. Splash oil generators work fine too. I just like having pressure and a filter.
Thank you! I'm looking between 5500 and 7000. The big question is brand. There's Briggs, Generac and Centurion, Sportsman(Buffalo Tools), Troy-Bilt, Champion, Homelite, Subaru/Robin, and Duromax. I'm sure there's more. That's a lot of choices.
Bob Rooks
Elite Member
Keep in mind that these are all little air cooled light duty, throw-away, 3,600 r/m generators intended for intermittent duty, and are all pretty much the same. Stay away from cheap generators with aluminum conductors. Two very important brand names you didn't mention, Kohler and Cummins/Onan, tells me you're new to this.
You should not pay over $90.00/kW for those small generators. Another good source for inexpensive well built heavy duty generators is military surplus.
Bob Rooks
Elite Member
You're kidding, right? Sears sells Onan portable gen sets. Curious why you don't care for Kohler, they make a nice unit.
The local Sears doesn't have much.
I got burnt on a Command engine on a Cub Cadet once. It was nothing but headaches from the start. Burnt oil when new. Finally got to where it'd either dump all the oil or fill with gas while mowing. Spent close to $1500 on it to get it to run 5 minutes. Called Kohler. That was no help. I finally gave up on it.
I got burnt on a Command engine on a Cub Cadet once. It was nothing but headaches from the start. Burnt oil when new. Finally got to where it'd either dump all the oil or fill with gas while mowing. Spent close to $1500 on it to get it to run 5 minutes. Called Kohler. That was no help. I finally gave up on it.
newbury
Super Star Member
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If you can't go too expensive then plan on Craigslist, the danger of used, and throw away.
Right now in my area CL has several generators for sale.
Typical ad:
If you limit your power needs to 3KW you'll find new generators from about $300 to $1,500, their main advantage over the common 5.5KW generators is size.
Quick Find has a bunch.
Will you have other uses later on?
How often does power go out in your area? If your subject to power outages I advise you put more $$ in a generator. If never get the minimum and hope it lasts.
Will you want to take it camping? I'd look to save weight.
PILOON
Super Star Member
I recently obtained a Champion 6500 watt for 'scrap of copper price', it had 0 compression suggesting holed piston, burnt valves or worst broken con rod.
Plans was to drive from PTO however B4 planning that I investigated the clonda engine.in depth.
Much to my surprise the guts were just like new, i.e. barely broken in!---and the clock showed over 800 hours of usage. Decals on the genset showed that a contractor was the former owner so I knew that it worked hard.
No ridge in cylinder, walls like a mirror all bearings tight.
It turned out that the exhaust valve was stuck open and that was all!
Cleaned it up, changed oil and lent it to a pal for a 4 day power outage.
My total cost to refurb was less than $40. (wheels,paint,oil & gaskets.)
Cosco currently carries that same set.
From web searches I learned that Champion is highly rated and that they seem to have an excellent control on quality. And I do believe that!
Over 800 hrs of construction site hard work! (you could tell, dinged, scratched wheels broken and rusty, no TLC there)
Plans was to drive from PTO however B4 planning that I investigated the clonda engine.in depth.
Much to my surprise the guts were just like new, i.e. barely broken in!---and the clock showed over 800 hours of usage. Decals on the genset showed that a contractor was the former owner so I knew that it worked hard.
No ridge in cylinder, walls like a mirror all bearings tight.
It turned out that the exhaust valve was stuck open and that was all!
Cleaned it up, changed oil and lent it to a pal for a 4 day power outage.
My total cost to refurb was less than $40. (wheels,paint,oil & gaskets.)
Cosco currently carries that same set.
From web searches I learned that Champion is highly rated and that they seem to have an excellent control on quality. And I do believe that!
Over 800 hrs of construction site hard work! (you could tell, dinged, scratched wheels broken and rusty, no TLC there)
Verticaltrx
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I have a 2500 watt Honda generator that I use for my construction and fencing business. It will run any of my power tools and is small/light enough I can pick it up by myself (about 120lbs). It's nice to be able to pick it up and carry it in the loader bucket, set it in the back of the truck, etc. With a Honda GX160 engine I imagine it will provide many, many hours of use. It was about $900 a couple years ago. It does not have 240v however, so it's use as backup power is pretty limited. On a big jobsite with multiple guys working I might want a 5000-6000 watt generator, but if it's only one of two people working a 2500-3000 watt unit is plenty.
JimRB
Veteran Member
I picked up a used and neglected Honda EM5000S from Craigslist. It appears the guy was a drywall contractor and it was a dusty mess. I fixed the dinged up air filter housing, installed a new air filter, changed the oil. That generator starts up first or second pull with the same gasoline that was in it when I bought it 2 years ago, or maybe it was three years ago. I have had no serious power outage since I got the generator. It does not appear to burn oil and does not smell like it is burning oil. My Stihl KM110 starts up easily and it is a Craigslist purchase. It runs better since I adjusted the valves. My Craigslist Stihl hedge trimmer starts up easily too but I had to do a carb kit. The hedge trimmer was not my best purchase as it needed the carb kit and an expensive (relatively) part. I guess I am saying sometimes you can do ok with Craigslist purchases. I also visit pawn shops but some have retail prices on their stuff.
Gale Hawkins
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You are on the right track it sounds like to me. You can pick up used ones but as a rule even if it only has 100 hours on it I never like to pay more than 50% of new price because of the risk involved. We still have the 7000 that we bought new over 20 years ago for like $1600 new from Sams or a place like Sam's in Memphis.
