Portable gas generators?

[fishman]

Anybody got some advice on good brands of portable gasoline generators? What brand do you consider to be the best and why? What brand is a good value for the money? I am particularly interested in the 3500-5000 watt sizes. Hey, we've already got our nail guns and air compressors picked out, now how about some more toys!/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I bought a Generac 5kw portable unit a few years back for about $180. when Builders Square went bankrupt...

Generac was bought out by the engine mfr. B&S. I start it up about twice a year and that's it... have never really used it... but it starts up.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

My choice was based solely on price {steal}...

 

[GlueGuy]

I also have a Generac (mines a 12KW (peak) 10KW (continuous)). We got it last year after the Y2K scare went away, and the local Home Depot was trying to unload a boatload of them. We got it for $1500, which is a steal.

We have used it several times, as the power in our area is less reliable, because we are considered "out in the boonies".
It has run fine every time.

That said, any units with a decent B&S or Honda engine should be fine. If you are using it for emergency backup, be sure to get one that has low-oil shut-off. Units that are "brushless" are considered better than "with" brushes.

Also, if you are using it for emergency puposes, consider getting one that runs on LPG or natural gas. You must de-rate the output on LPG 10% from gasoline, and natural gas must be de-rated 20% from gasoline.

The GlueGuy

 

[Vermonster]

I got a Generac 5KW unit prior to the Y2K turnover. Though I didn't use it then, I have used it since during power outages. It won't carry us through an extended outage, however, since I don't store more than 55 gallons of gasoline on the property at any one time.

I've since realized that a smaller generator capable of squeezing more running time out of each gallon of gas is preferable to a larger unit capable of running more of my house. I want to be able to outlast an extended outage--especially during the cold Vermont winters. A less-thirsty smaller 2KW unit capable of running my heating system, the fridge, and my well pump (not all at once, mind you) would be ideal. Now if I just had the money..

 

[Bird]

Fishman, most of my personal experience with generators has been a couple of Onan (gasoline powered) generators in motor homes and a Kohler (LPG powered) in a 5th wheel travel trailer. All were fine generators, but expensive. Of course, I've also used a little 3kw Genrac that my brother had and a 3kw Coleman that a neighbor has. So long as you get one that has the capacity you need and it's run under load frequently, you'll probably be happy with it. Both my brother, who used to be an RV service tech, and other service people have told me that most problems with generators are a result of lack of use. Manual in my last motorhome said to run it at least once a month (I thought once a week was better) and I'm not sure whether it said 50% or 75% load for an hour if I remember right. One of the neatest of the little generators I've seen used though was a Honda. On most of the little ones I've seen used, you had to set the throttle up to full speed and that's where it stayed until you were through with it. On that little Honda, it idled down (much quieter), but when you turned on a power tool (saws in this case), it automatically revved up. When you turned off the switch on the saw, it idled down again. Much nicer to use.

Bird

 

[GlueGuy]

Bird,

The Generac unit I've got has that feature. Generac calls it "idle control".

BTW - My Generac model is a 10000EXL.

The GlueGuy

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

I'll throw in with Vermonster. I have a 5KW Generac, it's noisy, it sucks up a lot of gas and I could get by with a lot fewer KW's, just enough to bump the freezer and the frig. from time to time.

Al

 

[gws]

Make up your mind, Portable or 5000watts. Its one or the other. You can get a portable 300watt to 1500watts unit that can be carried in one hand, but at 5kw your talking about a 8-12hp motor, cage to hold it all and a pretty good size genset. Portable in this class is 2 man portable or a heavy unit on wheels.

MY mom named me Gary.

 

[Kelvin]

When I was shopping a few years back (prior to the Y2K rush), I discovered that one of the main issues to consider is "occasional duty" versus "continuous duty". Some of the other experts on this board will have help define the difference. To me, 3-to-5 hours at a time is occasional use where 10-to-24 hours usage a day is continuous duty; I don't know where you would draw the line between the two.

I bought a 3500 watt "quiet" model from Sears to use with my motorhome and THEN found a good deal on a brand new 4000 Watt Onan generator (purchase price, installation labor [with required modifications to camper generator housing], and tax was less than the suggested retail price). The 3500 watt model has been great but supposedly wont last very long under continuous duty conditions whereas the more expensive Onan is a really good continuous duty model.

Bottom line: The more expensive "continuous-duty" models like Onan are much better; you'll have to decide if your usage can justify the extra $$$-per-watt for the better models.

Kelvin

 

[GlueGuy]

Absotutely. My 10KW Generac tips the scales at 375#. Took 3 1/2 of us to lift it off the truck. Even though it has wheels, and is called "portable", it is a struggle to move it anywhere.

The GlueGuy

 

[brewerbob]

I used to work for an Onan distributor, prior to their take over by Cummins. They are absolutely the best, and the authorized service is really good, but they are really pricey. We have a 7500 watt Coleman with a Briggs single cylinder ov erhead valve engine. Because we're so far out, we had a transfer switch installed when our house was wired, and we can run some lights, the furnace blower, freezers, refrigerators, computers (my wife works on line), and some kitchen outlets. I try to exercise it every month or six weeks. We used it one day for about two and a half hours, and it worked great. They should be exercised under load, at least once a month, and the oil changed quarterly.
Bob

 

[scruffy]

The differance between continuous and all else is the load that the generator is going to carry. Will it be required to put out at 50% or greater load 100% of the time, or will much of its use be very light with an occasional higher peak load?
For continuous use, I would suggest getting a diesel generator, especially if you would like it to run standby or to switch over and run your household.
Cost? Depends. A good Kubota diesel generator will run in the 7 to 8 grand range for one in the 5/6KW bracket. Many others are out there, my pa-in-law swore by the 2/3 grand chinese 10KW imports that he would run until major breakdown and chuck it and buy another. They lasted around ten years each with a daily usuage of around 10/12 hours per day.

 

[GlueGuy]

Likewise, we have a transfer switch installed. Makes it real easy for the missus to do the switch when we have one of our regular outages. She just cranks up the Generac (electric start), plugs it into the transfer inlet, and flips the big switch on the wall. Because it's a 10KW, we can run pretty much everything in the house without worrying about isolation breakers.

I wrote up a little "how to" sheet. She filed one copy in her filing cabinet, and the other gets posted on the door during the winter months (so it's real handy)...

Also, since ours is less than a year old, we are still running it on gasoline (has a 2 year warranty as long as we keep it on gasoline). When the warranty expires, I intend to convert it to LPG. Much simpler storage, even if the power output is a little less.

The GlueGuy

 

[cowboydoc]

What about a really quiet generator? The one that I have for my horse trailer is a generac but is super loud.

 

[pdxman]

Quietest generator I've seen so far is the Honda portable. Looking at a tool magazine in my desk rates this model (max 1000 watts) at 57 decibels. A friend brought one of these hunting once and was impressed by how quiet it was. The other nice thing about this model is you can link it together with another Honda to add additional wattage. Although not the most cost efficient way to get additional watts, it is beneficial if you can get by with the lesser watts and have friends or family link them together when needed. The Honda's 3000 watt model is at 58 dcb's and is about $1800 compared to $700 for the 1000 watt.

 

[TxBilly]

Richard
Look at a Honda. They make an Economy Series 5000 watt at 76dB and also a Super Quiet Series 5500 watt at 65dB.
Bill

 

[cowboydoc]

Bill,
any idea on where to get one of the Honda's? 5000w is what I need for the horse trailer. I've sometimes got the air, fridge, microwave, and lights on at the same time. Is there someplace that the db's of these are mentioned?

Thanks

 

[Bird]

Richard, I don't know a lot about their different models, but of the generators I've been around, it does seem that the Hondas were the quietest. And even Northern Tool has some of them. I see their item #165926-C160 is a 5500 watt (surge; 4500 continuous), 9hp, electric start, and says "super silent muffler."

Bird

 

[GlueGuy]

I know that some of the Honda's are pretty quiet. Mine is somewhat noisy, but it's all exhaust noise. I have toyed with the notion of adding a second (large) muffler to help this out a bit. Maybe I will anyway...

The GlueGuy

 

[cowboydoc]

Thanks Bird I'll check out their catalog.


Glue Guy,
Do they make aftermarket accessory mufflers for them? That would certainly be cheaper than new.