Dewalt generators ??

TOMLESCOEQUIP · May 9, 2005

My brother in Florida is looking into the purchase of a back-up generator. The model He's looking at is an 8hp honda powered unit of around 4000 watts.total, with outlets for both 110/220 volts. Does anyone know who makes the generators for dewalt?? Anybody used a dewalt extensively on the job to give an insight as to their reliability ?? a site on the net has one for $1399. with free shipping, a free 4 1/2 " grinder, & a $40 coupon (instant discount) for a net of $1359. delivered. Thanks in advance............Tom http://www.toolking.com/dewalt/view.asp?id=6015

_RaT_ · May 9, 2005

The Dewalt generator is fine. It's well made, I have no clue if Dewalt simply has them made or designs and builds theirs. It's a clue to me that it is a decent quality generator when it uses a commercial quality Honda. The Dewalt, unlike a similar HP Honda uses a brushless design. The benefit is higher current ability, the drawback is as it was explained is a higher idle down speed. I would certainly consider it myself if I was in the market. I almost had a 4500 watt Dewalt from Amazon.

Tevi · May 9, 2005

If he's using it as a backup then look into a inverter type.I use nothing but Honda's.The db rating sur makes it more tolerable to listen to for a long time.Tell him to check Mayberry's

_RaT_ · May 9, 2005

I had the 3000i. Super quiet. I did not care for its inability to start heavy loads like Skillsaws without having to be in full throttle mode. Even at full throttle it is quiet.

Tevi · May 10, 2005

If your talking about the EU3000i.I run all sorts of saws/hammerdrills/impacts/metal hole punchers/magdrill off of mine with no problem.They are so quiet that it almost takes getting use to.

_RaT_ · May 10, 2005

It (EU3000i)will run low amperage devices no problem from the idle position but high current stuff it has an issue with. The manual even mentions this and suggest you flip idle down to off with high current devices like a skill saw. It just won't get up to full power otherwise.

techman · May 10, 2005

The brushless does not offer any advantage in output current, since the brushes are only carrying the DC excitation current. Brushless designs offer the advantage of...no brushes. Brushes are , of course, a wear item. The downside to brushless is only an increased complexity (diodes mounted on the rotor and an additional stator winding on better designs), and depending on how it was designed it could have a lower output at lower speeds, which is normally not a consideration.

paul

_RaT_ · May 10, 2005

Thanks Paul for that info. I asked about this from a generator person who sold generators with no brushes, in other words, no Hondas. Here is a place one can go for more info. Generator FAQ's

Highbeam · May 10, 2005

If he's going to buy a contractor grade portable generator for emergency backup power then there is no need to spend 1400$ for a 4000 watt generator. My trusty coleman powermate is powered by an 11 HP tecumseh engine and throws 6850 peak watts and 5500 continuous. It is loud, but so are all construction generators, and we are talking about emergency backup so it doesn't matter. He can't run a home central A/C unit with these generators, he will need mucho wattage for that. The coleman has a 5 gallon fuel tank and runs along just fine. It has been very dependable.

Generac makes the famous 4000XL that has been around a long time with pressure lubrication and an oil filter.

Time to shop around. Go to the home depot or even Costco. Has the discussion about wattage been had? Do you know you need 4000 watts. Are we lighting lights and running a fridge or trying to run the A/C?

Unless you spend the big bucks for a super quiet generator like a Honda, you may as well go the cheap route for a loud generator. Anything in the middle is a waste of money.

_RaT_ · May 10, 2005

I agree Joe. If your using a generator on a jobsite though, I would argue that the many hundreds if not well over $1000 you spend on a quiet generator is well worth it. Drawing from my many years of experience in construction, nothing is more intrusive into your many hours of construction work then the continuous roar of a loud generator. I wonder what detrimental effects it has had on folks frame of mind since when lunch time hits, the first thing we do is kill the generator and all comment how incredible it is to have the stinkin thing off!