Portable Generator

[coobie]

I would bite the bullet and buy a Honda Generator.I would search local craigslist for a good used model..I am speaking from experience as a retired electric lineman.I cannot tell you how many homes I went to during a power outage and home owners with cheap generators that would not run.The hondas that I came across were always running and with low noise.

 

[Threepoint]

Do you want generator advice or do you just want to tell us what you are going to do ?
Danger signs all over this when you are balking at a proper transfer switch system.

+1 on this. I'll assume you're planning to install one, rather than try to backfeed.

Among the Asian-made portables, the Champion line gets high marks for reliability, as well as customer service and parts availability. Our local Costco sells them cheap (3500/4000w and 7500/9500w), as does TSC. BTW, on Dec. 7, from 6 - 9 pm, TSC is having their annual friends and family/customer appreciation sale, with 15% off everything, up to a total savings of $100 (that's about $665 in purchases). You'll need a coupon for that, so if you want to take advantage of the sale, stop by sometime this week and ask for one.

 

[PILOON]

I had occasion to work on a Champion that had just short of 900 hours on the meter.
It had led a rugged life on construction sites.
The engine was as pristine as the day it was assembled. Very impressed. Only problem I found was that the valves badly needed adjustment which I discovered after pulling the head as compression was down to nil.
Once adjusted it started first pull.
Load tested and it put out full wattage.
I certainly give Champion thumbs up.
\
Cosco often has them on sale.

 

[GaryLock]

Looks like Sams Club is going to have one on sale this week. A 6000/7500 for $479. That seems like a pretty good deal and should run just about whatever I need.

Gentron 6,000W / 7,500W Portable Gas Powered Generator w/ Electric Start - Sam's Club

geez, at 1/2 load, that thing uses 18 gallons of gas a day. I use three to five max a day. Better have big gas storage.

 

[Travelover]

I bought a Coleman cheapie 4000 watt generator at Home Depot 24 years ago. I have used it for numerous outages, some as long as 4 days. I use Stabil in it while stored and it still starts on the first pull. Hondas are great, but you will never wear out a cheapie if only used for power backup, so I don't see the value there unless you go for the inverter technology.

Best bang for the buck I've seen is the Champion line at Costco. Can't beat the Costco infinite warranty.

 

[kcflhrc]

Do you want generator advice or do you just want to tell us what you are going to do ?
Danger signs all over this when you are balking at a proper transfer switch system.

Who the **** said I was balking at a transfer switch. I just asked for generator advice. These posts always turn into this. Everyone always has to offer more advice than was asked for. It's pretty simple actually. All I have to do is put a secondary outlet in off the generator at the furnace and move the cord. Run an extension cord to the frig or whatever else I need to power temporarily. No need to over complicate it.

 

[kcflhrc]

geez, at 1/2 load, that thing uses 18 gallons of gas a day. I use three to five max a day. Better have big gas storage.

So can you offer any advice on make or model or just have the need to put down this generator?

 

[newbury]

I bought a Coleman cheapie 4000 watt generator at Home Depot 24 years ago. I have used it for numerous outages, some as long as 4 days. I use Stabil in it while stored and it still starts on the first pull. Hondas are great, but you will never wear out a cheapie if only used for power backup, so I don't see the value there unless you go for the inverter technology.

Best bang for the buck I've seen in the Champion line at Costco. Can't beat the Costco infinite warranty.

Like I wrote before - I too have a HD "cheapie" from about 2003, it's a Coleman w/ a Honda motor. But mine normally takes about 3 pulls after sitting for several months.

Who the **** said I was balking at a transfer switch. I just asked for generator advice. These posts always turn into this. Everyone always has to offer more advice than was asked for. It's pretty simple actually. All I have to do is put a secondary outlet in off the generator at the furnace and move the cord. Run an extension cord to the frig or whatever else I need to power temporarily. No need to over complicate it.

Chill, you can't start a thread on here without people giving advice that you specifically did not ask for. Many of the "generator is vital" people on here would have you rewiring the house when a couple of 10 gauge extension cords would suffice.

At least they didn't start writing about pallets

We need a summary and pics of whatever you get.

 

[buickanddeere]

Who the **** said I was balking at a transfer switch. I just asked for generator advice. These posts always turn into this. Everyone always has to offer more advice than was asked for. It's pretty simple actually. All I have to do is put a secondary outlet in off the generator at the furnace and move the cord. Run an extension cord to the frig or whatever else I need to power temporarily. No need to over complicate it.

Myself and family are or have been on the fire department and EMS. Are you aware how often a family is gassed with CO through a door or window that an extension cord has been run through ?
Any idea how many injuries from falls , trips on cords and slips because the lights are not on?
The cost and bother is minimal to install an aftermarket slider interlock on the breaker panel.
The power draw from lighting circuits and hard wired 120V smoke/CO defectors is minimal .

 

[MacLawn]

newbury, you said you bought an el cheapo generator, but it had a Honda engine. Case closed.

For me, I'm wanting a Yamaha generator for travel trailer and home use when needed. I like them a bit better than Honda.