and get one of these...includes 2 cylinder conservatively rated 5KW generator
or a larger one at 10KW:
or on a trailer
Posted on 01/25/2015 9:11:33 AM PST by Rebelbase
and get one of these...includes 2 cylinder conservatively rated 5KW generator
or a larger one at 10KW:
or on a trailer
I purchased a Generac XG7000E that had to have the motor replaced during the second year of warranty (73 hours at that point). Customer service was horrible and their distributor told my repair shop twice the motor was ‘in transit’ when it hadn’t even been ordered. Took two months to get it back. Now I know why most shops won’t do warranty work on this brand.
If you’re in an area where the entire electric system is in danger of being down (gas pumps included) consider a solar generator
Last time the guy noted technically he's not supposed to fill it given the code on the tank [but he did anyway]. Still better than storing gas, but technically the tanks are supposed to also have a shelf life. Then again if a refill station turned me down I'd just head to the next; I'll bet 75% dont look...
Although Honda makes excellent products, they are pricey. I have had ongoing experience with a Generac unit for over ten years. As long as you do regular maintenance and use good fuel, it won’t fail you. I suggest that you be sure the model you purchase has a fuel cutoff valve. This is important in keeping it easy to start in the long run. Use a good gasoline, mixed with a good additive to keep the gas from breaking down. My preference is Pri-G. Start the generator and run it for a few minutes every month, turn off the fuel valve and let it run dry and stop. While it’s running plug in something and give it a little load to meet. Change the oil every six month if it is not being used much. When it is used for an extended run, as in a power outage overnight, etc, change the oil after the event, so the next one will find you ready with fresh oil, if it has to run a long time. Keep the fuel tank mostly full to avoid condensation. When not in use, cover the unit to keep it from gathering dust and dirt from grass mowing and other activity around it. Each year examine the air filter, fuel and oil filter to change as necessary. The worst thing is sitting and not being used for a year. It needs to run to keep the engine loose, and lubricated, to keep the magnetic field active and to avoid stagnant fuel gelling in the lines and carb. Follow these suggestions and it will give years of service and crank on less than three pulls every time.
There are several good ones. Generac is big and others.
The generator’s Sine Wave is of great importance if you are running electronics. Almost everything now is electronic or has a computer in it.
An Inverter is the best but cost’s 50-70% more. Some generators can be tested and adjusted to produce the cycle’s necessary. Just be sure you unplug everything prior to putting your house on the generator. Turning off isn’t good enough. I had a honda 3000w and it worked out in winter because I had GAS heat and only the fan was required. Your average hair dryer takes 2000w and the garbage disposer caused a brief brownout. You really have to take charge and follow the rules. The ladies of the house were somewhat non-plussed.
Honda Inverters are the pricy ones. But they are safest for electronics. Burning out a $1000 flat screen to save $500 on a generator is not very good math.
What was the cause of the breakdown, the motor or the generator?
Another thing, if you car constantly pulling close to max capacity you are certainly over stressing it. It should just run at half power 90% of the time if you want it to last.
If you don’t mind spending the extra money, like others have said, Honda.
All the others including Generac are essentially made in China out of the same basic parts, assembled in a few different places, with different paint jobs and stickers on them for the different brands.
I have four of the cheaper and much maligned Harbor Freight generators Two 6500 (surge) watt ones, and two 3500 watt ones, and they have done me well for 5+ years. Have had to replace two parts on one of them; the voltage regulator inside the generator head burned out, and a carburetor got full of rust beyond cleaning out, due to the dang ethanol in the gas absorbing water.
(Now I make the effort to get ethanol free gasoline, and all of my various small gasoline powered pieces of equipment are happier.)
Diesel or propane is a good idea; Especially if your generator will sit for years, but be kept ready to go, due to the better shelf-life of the fuels. Unfortunately diesel generators come at a much higher price, and you have to get into the high end industrial ones to be fairly sure of quality. Diesels tend to be noisier, and propane carries less energy per pound/gallon than diesel or gasoline, so it will use more fuel per KWH.
What about the pure gas that they sell at Phillips 66 and QuikTrip and others?
Never heard of it. None of those stations within 100 miles of here.
I have had a Generac for many years(Vermont),and it has served me well.
Those mil generators are literally bullet proof. Had one that was made by Onan, and equipped with a Lister-Petter diesel engine. Change the oil and filters on a regular basis, and 10,000 hr. run times are not uncommon.
Ethanol free gas is available nearly everywhere.
Many stations are listed here. http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp
If you don’t find one locally on this web page contact your local gasoline distributors and ask. If they handle it they will be happy to tell you, if they don’t handle it they may lie about its availability.
I keep 30 gal on hand all the time to use in my chain saws and for other gasoline powered tools. I rotate it in my car about every six months. Gas mileages increases while using it.
If you have an permanently installed propane tank on an RV, they don't expire, and you can run a "T" off of them to external equipment.
You will never regret the expense.
Here is an interesting model I would seriously consider. Somewhere between the Honda and the Cheap models.
http://www.generac.com/all-products/generators/portable-generators/xp-series/xp6500e
Your “grammatical correction” resulted in TWO sentences lacking both a subject and a verb, instead of just one.
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