Your last generator Maintenance Run
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downsizingnow48
Elite Member
I am planning to replace my old Craftsman 3500w generator with a modern electric start generator of similar power. The table below gives the results of my research so far. I do not really need a 5000-6000w generator for this purpose, but I did not find lower power generators with both electric start and 240 outlets. I also excluded a large number of low end generators that are much cheaper and much lighter in weight. My question is, are there other similar generators I should also be looking at.
Generator
Yamaha EF7200DE, 6000w, 234 lbs, $1834 , MZ 360 engine, 75 db
Honda EM5000S, 5000w, 232 lbs, $2549, CX 390 engine, 66 db
Multiquip GA6HRS, 5000w, 259 lbs, $2684, GX 340 engine, 75 db
Winco W6000HE, 5500w, 226 lbs, $2210, GX 340 engine, 70 db
Generator
Yamaha EF7200DE, 6000w, 234 lbs, $1834 , MZ 360 engine, 75 db
Honda EM5000S, 5000w, 232 lbs, $2549, CX 390 engine, 66 db
Multiquip GA6HRS, 5000w, 259 lbs, $2684, GX 340 engine, 75 db
Winco W6000HE, 5500w, 226 lbs, $2210, GX 340 engine, 70 db
RoyKing
Platinum Member
Don't buy a 3600 rpm screamer, buy the EU 3000, quiet and cheap to run.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
People sure hate 3600 rpm units. I have 2 of them that are over 20 years old...and still run great.
According to the specifications, the EU3000is runs at 3,500–3,800 rpm with a decent load (and all the time when ECO-throttle is turned off). It is very quiet though.
I was going to suggest one of the new line from Briggs....
Q65 QuietPower™ Series Inverter Generator
....for quiet, but it doesn't appear to have E start. Keeping weight/cost down I guess....
I have a 7kw Briggs Elite. Not light, but does have 220 and a big tank, good wheels and handle. It does have Estart, but what I will say about the recoil start on it is - very well designed - much easier (mechanical effort/advantage) to pull than my ancient 2kw Briggs. Possibly due to decompression on the 7kw, lacking on the the 2kw..... just guessing, not verified by me yet. Not what I'd call quiet, but I knew that when I bought it (OK for it's class/category).
Yamaha has a true 2600 rpm (I have no issue with a good quality 3600 for non-prime power) gas inverter gen, but it's 120 only. EF4500iSE. The EU3000 is a great gen, but no 220.
More overkill for you, but this recent Generac caught my eye....
Generac Power Systems - Best Portable and Inverter Generators
XT8000EFI if link doesn't work. Don't see many efi units at that price-point.
Happy Hunting........let us know what you decide on.....
Rgds, D.
downsizingnow48
Elite Member
I studied the Generac website a bit. I thought they were just whole house generators but they have a lot of smaller machines. They have a heavy duty series and a light duty series. For instance the XC6500 costs $2180, weighs 243 lbs, and has THD under 5%. Similar to the 4 generators I listed above. Then the GP6500 which has the same specs costs $949, weighs 186 lbs, and THD not listed.
What I am finding is for $2000-$2500 you get a real heavy duty machine with good power quality. Then there are a lot of $1000 or less machines which appear identical but are built much lighter. I did some digging on Champion, Duromax, Wen and Firman. They all have THD ranging from 12% to 25% depending on model and load.
The models that are twice as expensive have THD in the 5-6% range. This includes for instance the Northern Tools Northstar generators, but they do not have a small unit with electric start and 240 power.
These days even the dishwasher has a computer in it so power quality has to be considered.
Anyway I am adding the Generac XC6500 to my list. Thanks for the clue. Now I am going to look up local availability and support. I know already there is an excellent Honda dealership in town but need to look up Multiquip, Yamaha, Winco, Generac.
What I am finding is for $2000-$2500 you get a real heavy duty machine with good power quality. Then there are a lot of $1000 or less machines which appear identical but are built much lighter. I did some digging on Champion, Duromax, Wen and Firman. They all have THD ranging from 12% to 25% depending on model and load.
The models that are twice as expensive have THD in the 5-6% range. This includes for instance the Northern Tools Northstar generators, but they do not have a small unit with electric start and 240 power.
These days even the dishwasher has a computer in it so power quality has to be considered.
Anyway I am adding the Generac XC6500 to my list. Thanks for the clue. Now I am going to look up local availability and support. I know already there is an excellent Honda dealership in town but need to look up Multiquip, Yamaha, Winco, Generac.
HarryVanderpool
Gold Member
I think you are smart for not buying any larger than necessary.
You may find that some, like the Honda sip fuel better than the older ones once did.
Also MUCH QUIETER!!!
You're not going to be replacing generators very often; I'd spend the extra dollars for the Honda.
My $0.02
shaeff
Veteran Member
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- Tractor
- MF Utility 35 Gasser, JLG LJ500
I ran my 20hp Honda powered Porter Cable unit for an hour yesterday. It's a bit of a screamer, 10k continuous, 20k surge, electric start. Fired right up, I usually run it every other week for a bit while I'm out and about. Ethanol free fuel along with some stabilizer for good measure. I always keep it topped off on fuel just in case. Still haven't gotten around to building a doghouse for it, though I'll get to it one day. For now, I've built a small cover for it and it's wrapped in a tarp, set on a pallet with a heavy corrugated plastic slip sheet under it to keep ground moisture away from it.
It's far too heavy to think about moving, even if it had a wheel kit. So, it'll just hang out where it is until I need it. When the time arises, I plug it in, fire it up, wait a few minutes, click my interlock and turn on the whole house. Runs everything just fine.
It's far too heavy to think about moving, even if it had a wheel kit. So, it'll just hang out where it is until I need it. When the time arises, I plug it in, fire it up, wait a few minutes, click my interlock and turn on the whole house. Runs everything just fine.
