Generator

[schmism]

how often do you plan on running the generator?

how long does it need to run for a given period?

Put another way, if you live in FL and are subject to hurcanes you might use it once a year, but it will be for 2-3-4 days straight 24/7

or does the power go out with every major storm that rolls though but is only out for a couple of hrs at a time. (but 5-10 times a year)

From my reserch a key start, low rpm (1800 rpm) propane powered is by far the best generator for home use. low rpm = low noise and long service. Propane powered means you never have to worry about your gas siting for 4 months and going bad because you didnt use it. if in a rural area your likely to have a 500gal propane tank tha will run it virtually forever vs tring to have to find gas/diesel 2 days into a 4 day outage.

 

[slowrev]

Mine is a Briggs&Stratton from Home Depot. Around $600 two years ago. I had never seen the Briggs name on anything but engines, but the whole unit is branded Briggs. I have since seen some with higher surge ratings.

I think I have probably the same unit from Lowes, but it says Troy Built on it.
No complaints here either. Of course if I run the water heater it is all I can run except for some lights. Last winter during an outage I would shut everything off but the water heater and furnace for an hour or so each day and keep the water hot enough to use.

 

[Dusty]

I'll have to agree with schmism on this one. He has hit all the important features to look for. Buying an inexpensive generator makes sense if you rarely need it. If your power outages are long and frequent, then a higher priced better built unit will be the better choice. I have a 3600 RPM propane generator and it is the noisiest generator that I have ever come across. It is 25 years old and still works fine. If I buy another, it will be a 1800 RPM diesel, since I have a dedicated fuel tank to fuel my tractor that will also be used for the generator. I am looking for a used 1800 RPM Kubota 3 cylinder engine generator of about 12KW.
Dusty

 

[MrJimi]

We bought one of these two years ago and its broke in and runs great, living in Florida, theses are like having a plow up north. It has a 13 HP Honda engine and 30 amps 220 volts.




Jim

 

[Highbeam]

I own a gas powered 5500/6850 surge rated coleman generator with a gas 11HP tecumseh engine. It is loud at 3600 rpm and drinks a good bit of fuel even when lightly loaded BUT it works great to power anything I need to during our 4-30 hour power outages. I just run extension cords from it to power the entertainment center, lighting, refridgerator, and anything else that I just can't live without.

Living in a home with NG powered water heater, fireplace, and range plus public water that remains pressurized means I can flush toilets, take a shower, and cook macaroni without power. The only reason for a genny is keeping the fridge cold and staying entertained.

My coleman generator has at least 100 hours of use on it since I bought it 3 or four years ago for 500$ and has never missed a beat. I also use it to run my Lincoln AC225 stick welder in remote areas and have used it as site power to build a fancy outhouse.

 

[slowrev]

I own a gas powered 5500/6850 surge rated coleman generator with a gas 11HP tecumseh engine. It is loud at 3600 rpm and drinks a good bit of fuel even when lightly loaded BUT it works great to power anything I need to during our 4-30 hour power outages. I just run extension cords from it to power the entertainment center, lighting, refridgerator, and anything else that I just can't live without.

Living in a home with NG powered water heater, fireplace, and range plus public water that remains pressurized means I can flush toilets, take a shower, and cook macaroni without power. The only reason for a genny is keeping the fridge cold and staying entertained.

My coleman generator has at least 100 hours of use on it since I bought it 3 or four years ago for 500$ and has never missed a beat. I also use it to run my Lincoln AC225 stick welder in remote areas and have used it as site power to build a fancy outhouse.

Shh don't mention running your welder on it. Most seem to think it won't work. Works for me too though. Just load the genny and welder on a cart and haul it to wherever I need to weld.

 

[higgy]

I have a set up that is a low rpm diesel type, based on the old lister engines. This thing will last forever, it is easy to build and is very economical.

You can build it with a large gen head for about 1500.00.

Do a google search for listeroid it will get you to an idea anyway. Then go to utterpower.com for specifics and the good/bad of household generation.

All the parts are availble for these and will be for many years to come. Some of these engines have been running for decades with no problems.

Dane

 

[MadReferee]

I have a 5500 watt Coleman with a Briggs & Stratton engine. Got it at Home Depot back in the late 90's for about $800. Probably has 300 hours on it. Every tiime our power goes out it is for at least 3 hours and usually longer. I connect it to the transfer switch with a 60' cord so that the generator sits outside the garage.

 

[Egon]

I'd love to have one of those Higgy.

How are they on fuel? What about parts?

What do they weigh?

 

[PhilNH5]

I have a different slant on the "buy cheap if you rarely use it" school.

I am most likely to lose power in the winter. When I lose power I don't want to be fussing with a cheap generator. I want a reliable brand that I can trust. I don't want the front end savings to be negated with an expensive repair bill. My boiler is in a detached garage. The pipes run under a deck to enter the house. I don't want to risk the pipes bursting.

I brought a Makita 6800R in the fall of 1999. (that was fun - everyone kept trying to sell me guns and ammo with the generator. Thought I was a Y2K nut)
I had an electrician hook up the gentran switch. I run the generator every three months. I put a load on it with a hand drill. The auto idle is a neat feature.

Since I purchased it I have had to use it zero times. I went out and brought a snowblower hoping for the same effect but no such luck - it still snows here.

Phil