Portable generator

[JATO_RaT]

The Yamaha is a nice generator and like you said really is a notch above the typical ones would see at the typical outlets. I decided to go with a Honda 3000is which uses inverter technology. It operates at only 54db. I have yet to find one as quiet. The second thing and perhaps most innovative is the invertor. It requires the engine to only run at the RPM needed for the tool. All other generators including most of Hondas require close to maximum engine RPM to develop the power at the appropriate cycle, which in the US is 60 Hz. On the 3000is, it does not work that way. It will run many items at close too idle. When the load increases, only then will it increase the engine RPM. It also means quite a savings in fuel. Going for as long as 22 hours to as little as 8.5 hours depending on load. The power is also rated for sensitive equipment. It holds about 3.5 gallons of fuel. Is light enough to pick up (barely), has electric start, and as mentioned, it is super quiet as all you see of it is a square sound deadening box. Very well built. Its not for everybody, but man its great for running our place when the power is out, especially the evaporative cooler, computer and lights. Rat

 

[RET]

I wanted one of those inverter types myself....but, as far as I know, there's nobody out there making them in the 6000 watt ballpark. I started out looking at the 2000-3000 watt inverter models, but after adding up my needs during a power outage (especially considering inrush for elect. motors), I had to go up in size.
If the 3000 watt range is what you're shopping for, RaT's model is the way to go!
RET

 

[Egon]

I beleive the Honda Eue generators can be run in parallel when the proper harness is used. This would get you up there with a lot of diversity but costly for two units.

Egon

 

[MossRoad]

I was looking at the spces on that. I didn't see a 220V outlet. Is it 110 only?

 

[JATO_RaT]

It is only 120 volt which can be a factor for folks running a 240V well pump. The EU 3000 is can be paralled for 7000 watts. A special harness ties the two together. Its got a set of parallel outlets on the front that you plug the harness into. It's a expensive generator, but it is so quiet and uses perhaps the least amount of fuel of any generator available because of the inverter technology. Rat...

 

[DavidD]

At the risk of exposing my "engineering ignorance"
I bought a Generac 4000XL, electric start, 6600 surge w generator at Home Depot for about $700. I didn't want to buy the switch, so I made a pigtail which plugs in to the 220v outlet on the generator. The other end of the pigtail {two 110v male plugs} plugs in to TWO side by side 110v outlets in my shop. {each on a different leg}
My shop has 220v service from my service panel in my house.

During an outage, I just switch my main house breaker to off.
Plug in the two color coded ends of the pigtail to the color coded outlets in the shop.
Hit the start button on the generator {can't hear it in the shop}
I can power almost everything in the house except electric range this way.{esp. gas furnace, coffee pot, microwave, and lights}
The only weakness I've found in my system is the fact that I cant tell when power is restored.

 

[Mrwurm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The only weakness I've found in my system is the fact that I cant tell when power is restored.
)</font>

David, I have encountered the same dilemma. I have a plan to solve this problem. My main panel is in my attached garage. I also have a mini-panel in the garage that is connected to it's own meter. This panel is independent of the main breaker on the main panel. The mini-panel is used to provide reduced rate power for my interuptable air-conditioner. I plan to install a small indicator light on the mini-panel that will be lit whenever there is power. Then, all I have to do is occassionaly open the garage door and look to see if the little light is on. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> The only weakness I've found in my system is the fact that I cant tell when power is restored </font>

When I see the neighbors blowing out their candles and turning on their lights, I figure my power has been restored, too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I had the same thing happen a week ago. Power went out during the day. Only way I could tell the power had come back on was one of the neighbor's porch lights was on in the middle of the afternoon. It would be nice to have an indicator light on the main to tell when the power is restored.

At our place, power comes down the line to the meter box, followed by a service disconnect, followed by a whole house transfer switch, followed by the main breaker box. If the indicator light was installed between the main disconnect and the transfer switch, it would be hot when power was restored.

Anyone have a schematic of how one would be hooked up? It would have to be both legs, so it would not light up until both legs were restored(wouldn't want to run on one leg).

 

[JATO_RaT]

Moss, I am not sure how the utility companies bring power to homes back there. It varies all over the country. In Rex Cauldwel's electrical book he brings it to the attention of the readers. In California, I have never had a situation where only one leg comes on line. In any case, even if only one leg was hot, the 240V devices simply would not work and suffer no damage. The other leg would continue to operate those devices on that side of the electrical panel or buss. You should be able to wire in a LED light circuit that would stay on whenever the power is on. It's about zero on the power consumption and can be seen a long ways off. We have a spa with a led and from our driveway about 1000' away we can easily see the light, at least at night. I too need to get a power on indicator as my neighbors are not always a reliable way to tell if the power is back on. Rat.....

 

[mwechtal]

Neon lamps are still available. Get one with a 240v rating and you can just hook it across both hot wires. (With appropriate insulation etc. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).

Mike