check
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What??!! Drain all fuel after each use? Do all the Generac generators require that?
Portable Generators
- Thread starter Pettrix
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What??!! Drain all fuel after each use? Do all the Generac generators require that?
Garandman
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Briggs & Stratton is a major generator manufacturer.
BHD
Veteran Member
I would consider a generator welder,
back in 1977, we had a power outage, (30 days) and bought a small 4000 watt generator,two small for normal living, worked but could only run one thing at a time,
a number of years later, I bought a (20,000 watt single phase, 30,000 watt three phase generator), and built a shed and have a 1000 gallon propane tank for it,
beside test runs and a few hours on it hardly ever used it, (wanted it large enough to run my shop welder),
a few years later, I bought Lincoln ranger used, (was a mistake as when the project I bought it for the Onan engine craped out) so I replaced it with a new unit, 10,000 watt generator and 250 amps AC/DC welder, and can run a wire feed head, and with a high frequency unit Tig,
yes I am building some new corrals out of pipe and sucker rod,
but if I had it to do again I would just buy the welder, and use it for a back generator when needed, and never have messed with the other generators, that is my opinion,
back in 1977, we had a power outage, (30 days) and bought a small 4000 watt generator,two small for normal living, worked but could only run one thing at a time,
a number of years later, I bought a (20,000 watt single phase, 30,000 watt three phase generator), and built a shed and have a 1000 gallon propane tank for it,
beside test runs and a few hours on it hardly ever used it, (wanted it large enough to run my shop welder),
a few years later, I bought Lincoln ranger used, (was a mistake as when the project I bought it for the Onan engine craped out) so I replaced it with a new unit, 10,000 watt generator and 250 amps AC/DC welder, and can run a wire feed head, and with a high frequency unit Tig,
yes I am building some new corrals out of pipe and sucker rod,
but if I had it to do again I would just buy the welder, and use it for a back generator when needed, and never have messed with the other generators, that is my opinion,
Last edited:
OP
Pettrix
Platinum Member
From my research it appears the Northern Tool with the Honda Generator is a quality generator. They offer a 4-year warranty.
Midniteoyl
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buickanddeere
Super Member
I just shut the tank valve off and empty the fuel from the carb. When the engine begins to sputter the choke is applied to keep the engine running longer and draw more fuel out of the carb.
OP
Pettrix
Platinum Member
Is it typically 2000 watts of power needed per HP of a well pump? If one has a 3HP well pump, then 6,000 watts should suffice, right?
I am leaning towards the NorthStar 6,600 WATT generator with the Honda motor and it has the Northstar Genset with brushless copper windings and copper head generator. Most of the generators out there have aluminum windings and aluminum head, which are not as good.
I am leaning towards the NorthStar 6,600 WATT generator with the Honda motor and it has the Northstar Genset with brushless copper windings and copper head generator. Most of the generators out there have aluminum windings and aluminum head, which are not as good.
Midniteoyl
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750w per HP for running.. Surge is an entirely different matter. My 5000w stalls trying to start a 1/2hp deep well..
reb
Veteran Member
I believe 1000 watts/hp running is more realistic, considering the power factor.
If the generator is going to be used for normal household purposes while starting the pump, something larger might be in order.
buickanddeere
Super Member
As previously stated . If the pump draws 20 amps while running. The starting inrush will be 100amps peak and 70-80 amps as the motor whirls up to speed. A small portable generator maybe able to momentary produce double it's nameplate current if it has a proper voltage regulator however the voltage will have dropped to approx 2/3 of it's nameplate rating.
That pump will require a 15,000watt portable gen set.
How about a 12.5KW or 15KW Pto generator?
If the pump was three phase and was operated through a constant pressure controller with soft start . A 10KW genset would do the job.
OP
Pettrix
Platinum Member
Yes, it is a three phase with a soft start. Gould's 3 HP
The Honda generator is 8,000 peak with 6,600 rated watts
Is pull start OK or is it worth the upgrade to do a switch start ($400 upgrade)?
buickanddeere
Super Member
Is a "switch start" an "electric start" ?
The Honda will likely do the job if the pump is the only load on generator while starting.
OP
Pettrix
Platinum Member
I went with the pull start Honda with 8,000 surge WATTS and 6,600 run WATTS. It was actually a $600 difference between the pull vs electric start. I read the Honda generators are easy to start anyways. It was $1,500 for the generator from NorthStar.
Yes, the Honda generator will only do the well pump.
From my research the Honda generator is top notch. Copper brushless windings and copper heads in the genset is the way to go. The 4 year warranty shows its a great product. The cheaper generators only had a 1 year or 2 year warranty. They have aluminum windings and brushes, which run hot and wear out faster.
Garandman
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Sawyer Rob
Super Member
I'm confused. Is this a Honda mfg. generator, or a generator with a Honda motor on it??
Lots of folks sell generators with Honda motors, but that doesn't make them a Honda generator.
SR
It sounds like he bought a Northstar, not a Honda. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200467366_200467366
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
Agreed, but he keeps calling it a "Honda generator" and I'm betting it's not up to the quality of a REAL Honda generator.
SR
Garandman
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I posted the two Honda models above. They are $3-800 more though I believe the more expensive model has electric start. A GX390 is easy to pull start but a lot of women can't start them.
buickanddeere
Super Member
Once the wellpump is up to speed the generator will be able to power other loads. Only adding watts can lead to a situation where a 6000watt generator can not carry a 5000watt load because there are 2000 VARs of "reactive power". Safer to add up amps instead.
As the others have pointed out, you have bought a Northstar , not a Honda. It doesn't take much to order some China Clone 6000Watt gensets, slap on a coat of red paint and a Honda decal.
Caveat emptor, that is Latin not a spelling error.
CADplans
Elite Member
My SIL has a generator with electric start, and rope start.
It is about 8HP.
He is glad it has electric start even though it has no battery.
He can pull start it, but, his wife can jump start it off the garden tractor.
So, everybody is happy!!
It is about 8HP.
He is glad it has electric start even though it has no battery.
He can pull start it, but, his wife can jump start it off the garden tractor.
So, everybody is happy!!
