Looking for a decent generator.. 5000 watts

Garandman · Jan 12, 2016

We refer to them as "Power Conditioners."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_conditioner

Industrial Toys · Jan 12, 2016

Don't forget the "Temperature Rise" spec and find out if the unit is even designed for continuous use.

I kick myself today. A few years ago, I could have bought a used Rail Reefer Service Generator. About 15-20 KW, Detoit 2 stroke Diesel and get this, 1200RPM! Weighed a ton, but reasonably priced. Now, that's a generator! Those things would just purr along, maybe for months, criss-crossing the continent. They got outlawed because they could not meet emmisions.

EDIT I just see, an outfit call "Hardy Diesel" sells these reconditioned rail units. Five and a half grand for an autostart unit. 2oKW. 20 quart oil pan! I don't for the life of me understand why anyone would buy some over priced, screaming at 3600RPM, consumer garbage unit over one of these?

Garandman · Jan 12, 2016

There are lots of good Milsurp gensets for sale. You can but them at auction or there are outfits that specialize in refurbishing and installing them. Big and heavy but run forever and power output is very conservative.

A friend of mine lives in NH and I copied his twin EU2000i setup because he's used it for up to 11 days straight. An hour meter is optional but I'll see if I can find out the hours on them. He runs both during the day and one at night.

liberty2701 · Jan 12, 2016

Not sure who you spoke with but the only portable Generac units with a thd of less than 5 % are the Xp line and the inverter style.

liberty2701 · Jan 12, 2016

kenmac said:
I called Generac about the THD.. They said that all of their generators are between 3-6 %..Said they still recommend the use of a line cleaner / surge protector for any generator

Not sure who you spoke with but the only Generac portable with a thd of less than 5% are the Xp and inverter lines. I think you should do a follow up call to them and clarify.

PILOON · Jan 12, 2016

I know that I have posted this info before, (maybe even here)

I did a partial teardown on a COSCO Champion that had 800+* hrs on it and very abused by a contractor.
The engine inners were just like new and it only wanted a valve adjustment.
It is still in use and powers all the electronics with no problems.
I adjusted it to run at 60 cycles as that is the most damaging to electronics.
Since acceptable voltage from hydro is +/- 10% electronics are designed to withstand that.
Cycles become more important.(many can accept from 50-60 as most Europe runs on 50)

*it had a built in hour meter.

Purchase bigger than you think you need as motor start ups demand that extra reserve.
Also that extra reserve power means that you engine will last much longer as it is loafing.
Use synthetic oil and change it often with a monthly exercising under a load.
(A 1000 watt heater makes a nice exercise load.)

3930dave · Jan 12, 2016

Garandman said:
In this thread a gent bought a lower-cost [than Honda] inverter generator and burned out a board in the furnace he was trying to run. I was willing to pay the extra money for a Honda for an emergency backup after seeing what people went through during Hurricane Sandy.

Been reading that thread too. Hondas are decent gens, but I'm not convinced an equivalent Honda would guarantee different results. He had at least 3 factors going against him - he went from 5k down to a 1.7kw gen, may have had a ground issue, and was doing fine until he turned on Autothrottle.

I'd also venture that the furnace board design was marginal, or it was a defective unit - you should be able to expect something critical like a furnace to survive brown-out conditions, IMO.

Rgds, D.

dragoneggs · Jan 13, 2016

3930dave said:
Been reading that thread too. Hondas are decent gens, but I'm not convinced an equivalent Honda would guarantee different results. He had at least 3 factors going against him - he went from 5k down to a 1.7kw gen, may have had a ground issue, and was doing fine until he turned on Autothrottle.

I'd also venture that the furnace board design was marginal, or it was a defective unit - you should be able to expect something critical like a furnace to survive brown-out conditions, IMO.

Rgds, D.

Nope no guarantees that a Honda would have saved him. But it is proven fact that low noise, proper sine wave input is less likely to 'fry' electronics. I wouldn't blame the furnace board... it apparently was running fine on 'normal' power. Sure, it would be nice to expect the furnace board to be highly tolerant. But I see the converse... I expect the generator output to be 'clean'.

Again.. "you get what you pay for"... maybe not always but when it comes to generators (and Kraft Mac n Cheese :laughing

... I can't argue that base on my experience and a lot of others.

houstonscott · Jan 13, 2016

BrianDT said:
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. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTICEVH1JDQ

Only two choices, Honda or Yamaha. HS

3930dave · Jan 13, 2016

dragoneggs said:
Nope no guarantees that a Honda would have saved him. But it is proven fact that low noise, proper sine wave input is less likely to 'fry' electronics. I wouldn't blame the furnace board... it apparently was running fine on 'normal' power. Sure, it would be nice to expect the furnace board to be highly tolerant. But I see the converse... I expect the generator output to be 'clean'.

Again.. "you get what you pay for"... maybe not always but when it comes to generators (and Kraft Mac n Cheese :laughing... I can't argue that base on my experience and a lot of others.

As you know DE, I like Hondas just fine. :thumbsup: Their quality designs and low-noise mufflers go back decades.

My comment was mostly a general reminder.... regardless of the brand you buy, or the size of the cheque you write, you don't get to violate the laws of Physics.

What I took away from that thread was that if I ever get a gen that has Autothrottle, I'll be doing a pile of research and testing before turning that feature on while supporting critical loads. Saving gas is attractive, but that post was a great example of getting clobbered by unintended consequences.

Rgds, D.