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Generator Recommendation

10K views 88 replies 33 participants last post by  Dand1l 
#1 ·
I am looking at purchasing a small home portable generator to power items such as electric heaters/freezers and refrigerators. We currently have a DeVilbiss 7000 watt gas generator we purchased in 2000 (Y2K). We've hardly ever used it and probably because of that we keep having issues with it so I'm in the market for a new one. We have a local reputable Husqvarna dealer who sells DR generators. I looked at a 6500 watt one yesterday that sells for $900.

I've also read good reviews about Harbor Freight Predator generators. My wife dislikes the noise our current generator makes - it is super noisy! We also discussed possibly purchasing a solar powered home generator such as a Titan. Issues with solar power are limited power output, high price (Titan is $3000) and if no sun you're screwed. Again I'm not wanting to purchase something that powers numerous items - just appliances and something that is fairly quiet.

I've searched this forum and did find some info however would appreciate any and all recommendations.

Thanks much!
 
#49 · (Edited)
@wccountryboy

I have an infant at home that I don’t want to cook in a heat wave with no AC :]

But you bring up all good points on real cost of LP. My better half is not at all averse to running a PTO powered generator and I’d get a tractor out of the deal.

I guess I could put my old window AC unit for the baby if need be.
 
#52 ·
The smart thing if using a portable generator without direct hook-up to breaker box is to have good supply of heavy duty extension cords. Since I will be using at least a couple cords into the house mine are 50’ 12 gauge cords. Once the crisis hits I imagine the local stores will be sold out.
 
#54 ·
After much research and talking with several generator gurus I've decided to purchase a Champion 3500/3200 watt dual fuel inverter generator. It will run much quieter that a standard generator, will operate what I want it to and I can run it on clean propane and not worry about having to worry about gas going bad. I have a remote storage shed where I can store several 40 pound tanks of propane (weighing 70 some pounds each). Thanks for all the comments!
 
#55 ·
Well tried to purchase a Champion 3500 watt dual fuel inverter generator yesterday and none to be found anywhere. Bass Pro/Cabela's had the best price and online showed they were available. Tried to buy one and at the very end of purchase online it said "none available" bummer! I then looked for the identical model however it was the 3400 watt version versus the 3500. Amazon had them so I jumped on it and bought one - should be here in a few days.
 
#56 ·
Just received my Champion dual fuel inverter 3400 watt generator and boy am I pleased with it! Picked up a propane tank yesterday, filled it with oil and it fired up immediately and is it ever quiet. I am super pleased with it and would highly recommend it.
 
#58 ·
Small gas generator......

When I wanted to be able to sleep with A/C on my 30' Sea Ray boat, I looked at a lot of options. A new 5kw Cummins/O-nan marine generator was $7K dollars.
If I lived on a boat full time at a marina, I would purchase one....but that was not my intent.

I purchased a small 5K BTU small room air conditioner, and looked at the amount of starting and running amps required for a 120 volt power. I then then purchased a small (60lbs.) 2K watt generator that would run the small window A/C unit. I fashioned a plywood hard cover like box to fit over my V-berth hatch that allowed the A/C unit to fit snugly, and tested the operation when the boat was on my trailer. It worked fine and put out very cold air in the small V-berth area of my boat. Unfortunately, the small generator didn't hold enough gas to sleep for 8 hours. I then fashioned a system using a large plastic 5 gallon gas jug, with a bronze gas hose fitting on the lower side of the 5 gallon gas jug, with a direct feed by hose to a fitting I placed on the generator gas cap. The generator and extra gas jug would sit on my large dive platform, and I ran a 25' long heavy duty extension cord from the generator to reach the window unit A/C at the front of the boat. This A/C system was only designed to be used when the boat was parked and not running. I used it for stopping at marinas or when boat camping off small islands in the Indian River Lagoon......it allowed cool comfort, and no mosquitoes or "no see'ms" to get inside the cabin.....:rock:

I am able to use the portable generator and the same A/C window unit for power outages when we have hurricanes or any bad weather......and am able to sleep in air conditioned comfort...... After I use my small generator, I always turn the gas flow valve to the off position, and let the generator run for a few minutes until there is no more gas .....which eliminates problems/ issue with the needle valve in the small carburetor.....
 
#59 ·
Oxygenated gasoline, particularly when 10% ethanol as is common today, does absorb and fully solubilize significant water, about 0.5%:

Since ethanol and water readily dissolve in each other, when
ethanol is used as an additive in gasoline, water will actually
dissolve in the blended fuel to a much greater extent than in
conventional gasoline. When the water reaches the maximum amount
that the gasoline blend can dissolve, any additional water will
separate from the gasoline. The amount of water required (in
percent of the total volume) for this phase separation to take
place varies with temperature, as shown in Figure 1. As an
example, at 60 degrees F, water can be absorbed by a blend of 90%
gasoline and 10% ethanol up to a content of 0.5 volume percent
before it will phase separate.
Additionally, as the solubility is very temperature dependent, E90 that looks perfectly fine in nice weather may phase separate when weather cools. In such a case, the engine starts sucking ethanol/water instead of gasoline/ethanol.
 
#60 ·
Got a Honda 2000 for the house (Love this!) and a Detroit 2-71 20 KW 3 phase for the shop, which is bulletproof, but I wish I could sell someone some of the excess noise it makes.
I try to give the extra to my neighbors but they don't seem to want it, even for free!

It will start/run all but three larger machines in the shop, well, I haven't tried it, but they are all around 20 HP and starting power should exceed 20 KW.
 
#61 · (Edited)
Any generator is better than no generator.
Honda portable units are the very best for small needs, and the quietest.
Most folks under buy, then get a bigger unit next time.
I can run my house with AC but I do not have a permanent/auto start system....YET!
I still want a light weight Honda for go play uses. They are twice the price.
Permanent auto start systems with dual fuel capabilities are great.
Generators are like compressors, once you own one, you cannot go without.
One more thing, all generators need routine running and periodic maintenance regardless of which fuel you use.
It is very seldom you need a generator when the weather is user friendly.
Mother Nature has a warped sense of humor.
 
#64 · (Edited)
Since my backup heat is oil. We mainly heat with wood. I have one new 275 gallon oil tank and going to add another 275 gallon tank with a diesel 8,000/10,000 watt generator? Also thinking about a 12 v solar system, lights, inverter. The oil may run out.
I’m thinking a diesel tractor for tilling.
 
#66 ·
Generac has a quality generator , and a great support/service network.

Many smaller , cheaper generators are made for 3-5 yrs (in China!) and then they're discontinued or obsolete , and you're lucky to find parts/service.
 
#70 ·
From what I've heard about the predator motors, they're close copies of Honda motors....
Assuming this is true, the design is probably pretty solid. The components may not be Honda quality, but for occasional, emergency use shouldn't be a problem....
Drain the carburetor when not in use, stabilize the fuel (and splurge on e-free if available), maybe change the oil every once in a while.... and one of these HF units should serve well.
 
#71 · (Edited)
I managed to pickup a couple of lightly used Champion Dual fuel 9500 generators for about $375 each. Found them on Craigs List using SearchTempest. Less than 150 hours on them. Once I get everything wired up, one should run most of what I use in the house easy. Except for the A/C. But I can deal with that. I also have a smaller 4000 Champion that will probably get most of the use. It will power the coffee maker, TV/computer, fridge, and possibly the freezer without a problem.
 
#74 ·
Generators produce power that varies in frequency from the normal 60hz. In theory, that can cause some problems with electronics.
In practical application, I've never had an issue with tv, phone, radios, kitchen appliances , etc.... I DON'T run power directly from the generator to such equipment. I run through a good quality, fused surge protector. Maybe this helps, maybe not....

The smaller, inverter-generators produce "clean", tech friendly power. They they're actually an alternator that charges a battery, which in turn flows through an inverter (at a constant 60hz) and priduces 120v power. The down side- they're usually <3000w and expensive relative to output....
 
#85 ·
It's not only frequency that is being managed by a line conditioner or UPS. The voltage from a common generator is often not within normal utility paprameters with frequent excursions beyond the allowable voltages. It is those voltage excursions that are the hardest on electronics. A line conditioner or UPS will fix that, so that the RMS voltages that we actually use are correct.
 
#88 ·
Looks like a pretty nice unit.



I have never had an issue, but it might be good to have just for the backup power.
 
#89 · (Edited)
I also have a small generator as we need the electricity to be permanent while in our house there was a time when it got disconnected, so we had to install a generator. Even though it is not right to install it by yourself, I couldn't find a specialist that would be able to help me. Thankfully I had a talk with my neighbor, and he recommended checking this site. thetoolscout.com. After checking it, and following the guide, I could install the generator myself. Anyway, I wouldn't recommend doing such stuff in case you have not knowledge in this area.
 
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