Portable gas generators?

brewerbob · Jul 26, 2001

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 · Jul 26, 2001

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 · Jul 26, 2001

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 · Jul 26, 2001

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

pdxman · Jul 26, 2001

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 · Jul 26, 2001

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 · Jul 26, 2001

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 · Jul 26, 2001

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 · Jul 26, 2001

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