Replacing the generator - suggestions?

[Lawnranger]

My uncle bought one of those after the last FL hurricane. Hasn't had to use it yet...

But the advertising on that site is a bit suspect:




I agree, I don't put much stock in any marketing I read, but I like the generator for it's dual fuel option and the 50 amp plug for welding.

I only ran it once on 20lb tank for less than an hour. During the power outages I run it off my house tank. When I had to replace the boiler, I had the plumber install a tee with a regulator and port. I put a quick disconnect on it to run my propane grill. Then I bought a second hose to use when I run the generator, so I never really gave the fuel claim a lot of thought.

 

[bigtiller]

I gave up on generators and switched over to inverters for a cleaner power source. In fact, I have 2 of them. A 7000 watt Honda for the house transfer switch and a little 2000 watt Honda for projects too far away from an electrical outlet. The little one weighs less than 50 pounds and can be thrown into the Gator or truck with ease.

 

[grsthegreat]

I gave up on generators and switched over to inverters for a cleaner power source. In fact, I have 2 of them. A 7000 watt Honda for the house transfer switch and a little 2000 watt Honda for projects too far away from an electrical outlet. The little one weighs less than 50 pounds and can be thrown into the Gator or truck with ease.

Inverter units are nice...but personally ive been using my older style gensets on the job and on my property since the late 1980's and ive never had an issue with damaging anything. Then again the portable units only see skill saws and compressors. they dont need clean power. My whole house unit gives me pretty clean power. ive had no issues with any LED lighting, computers (i have ups installed) or TV sets. Ive had the big 22KW running for hours and the lights dont even flicker. Personally i love the Generac 22......

 

[coobie]

Honda. I wouldn't even consider any other brand.

THIS ^^^^^^

 

[Stimw]

I have a Honda EU 2000 for small outages and one of those 10,000 watt units that I bought when they were on sale for $699. last fall.
I was at Lowes today and saw Craftsman generators in the 2200 and a larger one (forget wattage) in a honda look-a-like red for $600. + and $800.+ . Don't know anything about them. ??
I ran a 5.6 kw for 12 days over 10 years ago after a close call with a hurricane so I know the drill.

 

[dnw64]

During the power outages I run it off my house tank. When I had to replace the boiler, I had the plumber install a tee with a regulator and port. I put a quick disconnect on it to run my propane grill. Then I bought a second hose to use when I run the generator, so I never really gave the fuel claim a lot of thought.

I was told that permanent propane sources could only be attached to "installed" appliances. So a built-in grill can be attached to your house propane, but not a portable grill. Ditto for generator, radiant heater, etc.

I thought it was part of the national code, but maybe not. Maybe it's a Vermont thing, or maybe it's true.

 

[Lawnranger]

I was told that permanent propane sources could only be attached to "installed" appliances. So a built-in grill can be attached to your house propane, but not a portable grill. Ditto for generator, radiant heater, etc.

I thought it was part of the national code, but maybe not. Maybe it's a Vermont thing, or maybe it's true.

Not sure about that, I never heard of the code requiring the unit to be 'installed'. I am sure there is a requirement to prevent an open hose running from the tank to the appliance. There would have to be a safeguard from someone moving the portable unit and creating a leak in the supply line. My connection port is mounted permanently and regulated down pressure. It has a shut off in place that will prevent the coupler from being manipulated. After you connect the line, the shut off is open and covers the connection. In theory the portable hose could become compromised if someone tried to move the grill or generator and was strong enough to overpower the disconnects. Then the disconnect should shut the line off. I suppose if you severed the line completely with the connection in place you could still develop a leak, but then you would have to manually shut if off. Each hose is about 15', so the distance from the shut off to the appliance is at least ten.

 

[caver]

I know Long Long Honeymoon (YT RV'ers) have reviewed a Champion Dual fuel. I have roughly the same unit but gasoline only. Limiting factors for you will be needing propane and 240V. I also notice many vendors are back-ordered on units.

 

[TheMan419]

To those of you reccomending Honda units did you see the part where he did not want to spend $1200 on a particular unit. Honda costs well more than that.....

 

[TBone]

Honda's are great generators but so overpriced I would never consider one. I've had 3 Champions and they have all been bulletproof. Their inverters provide clean power as well. In certain sizes you can buy 4 or 5 Champions for the price of one Honda.
Something you said in your original post: "Will backfeed via a welder plug". It will work but is neither safe nor legal. I would strongly advise you either get a transfer switch or (what I did) backfeed into your power panel AFTER you put an interlock on the panel that prevents the generator feed and the utility feed from being on at the same time.