Portable generators

PersonaNonGrata · #1 05-03-2010, 02:30 AM

Hello all,

I'm thinking about a portable generator for household use. It is primarily intended to be my power outage/disaster power source and might see occasional duty on the road when we go somewhere we need standalone power. I don't have any plans or illusions about a transfer switch and powering my entire house. I just want something to be able to power up the refrigerator to keep food from spoiling, some lights, fans, and other small appliances. (I don't plan on running the refrigerator constantly. I would probably fire it up for about an hour here and there to keep it cool.) I am looking at something at least 1000W and around $400 or less. I know Honda generators are considered the best but they are priced accordingly and are out of my price range. There are many brands that I am unfamiliar with, such as Generac, ETQ, All Power America, and many others. I also need one that is CARB compliant since I am in California.

There are a bunch that meet my requirements but as usual, come here to see what the real poop is.

Any input appreciated.

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JCL · #2 05-03-2010, 02:51 AM

1000 watts is pretty small. They are good to throw in the car or boat for a party outdoors, but a motor load (like a fridge) can drag it down pretty quickly. 2000 - 2500 is pretty good for the use you are describing. Trouble is, once you have the fridge on, and the deep freeze, you tend to want the microwave on, and some lights, a TV, maybe a fan, and before you know it you have the outdoor Christmas lights on, so the neighbours all know you aren't suffering along with them. Ask me how I know.

You are right on the Honda. They are fantastic. A league ahead of the competition. The difference is so great, that you should think about selling one of your other expensive toys to allow you to get one. We had three or four Hondas in the family (2000 w - 3500 w), I've used Craftsman and similar, and I actually used to sell Generac many years ago (although they were larger units than this, starting at around 10 kW).

If you don't get a Honda unit, you can find some that use Honda engines with other generators and controls added on. I would be less confident about running electronics on some of those.

We usually put a welding outlet, or dryer outlet, in the garage. We built a male/male patch cord, turned off the main breaker, and powered up both sides of the house panel. I am sure that didn't meet any known code, but it worked very well. Alternatively, you can run an extension cord.

hayaku · #3 05-03-2010, 03:16 AM

ditto.. honda's are the best of the portables. and like jeff said, i think the 1000w is way too small. you need at least 4000w imo. i have a generac 4000 that was given to me when i got my trailer and have used it out at the track. with just the simple portable stuff we bring to the track, the 4000w was doing a great job. someone in the pit crew also had a smaller unit (can't remember which one) but it was having a hard time powering the 110v house lighting on the big 44' trailer (the onboard onan in the trailer wasn't working).

and if you use the male-male cable to reverse feed your house, be SURE to shut off the main breakers. you do not want to backfeed back to the grid and kill a lineman working to restore power. get a transfer switch installed... should be under 500 bucks installed with permits so you don't get sued either... and you don't want to backfeed when the grid comes back on line either...

motordavid · #4 05-03-2010, 09:24 AM

Ditto, Honda...

But, our whole house propane fueled Generac has run well for almost 9 years;
a friend down the mtn has a Generac "portable", I forget the model # and rating,
but it was considerably less than a comparable Honda.

Not pushing Gen, but here's a link:
Generac Power Systems - Portable Generators

I agree w/JCL: you will be addicted to wanting to turn "more things"
on, though if your need is very, very occasional, or if it is a disaster
only back up, you might just cop the watts you need via most sites'
load need tables. The other problem is having enough fresh gas on
hand to run the sumbitch...gas at the corner station is hard to come
by when the crap hits the fan.

Up here, ours is a necessity for keeping the juice going...
GL, mD

Quicksilver · #5 05-03-2010, 10:33 AM

I'm just going to provide a few links.
Study them carefully before you make
a $400.00 decision.

Having been in he trade for over 40 years
I can tell you that times have changed and
our needs for power have changed.
Make an informed choice don't try to just
get by

Honda Power Equipment - Honda Super Quiet Generators

Find a Generator | Portable Generators, Home Standby Generators, RV Generators, Industrial Generators, Gas Generators, Propane Generators

X5rolls · #6 05-03-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

I'm just going to provide a few links.
Study them carefully before you make
a $400.00 decision.

Having been in he trade for over 40 years
I can tell you that times have changed and
our needs for power have changed.
Make an informed choice don't try to just
get by

Honda Power Equipment - Honda Super Quiet Generators

Find a Generator | Portable Generators, Home Standby Generators, RV Generators, Industrial Generators, Gas Generators, Propane Generators

I too have been thinking of getting an emergency generator this year and have not started the homework on size, brands, features yet. The 2nd link you posted is good, it's useful to think about start up wattage and voltage vs. just running levels. My wife said, "we just need it for the fridge" and I immediately thought, if the power goes out and we have a generator we are going to want to power other things like the computer, TV...... I agree with the recommendations here and above, go for larger if you can afford one and ensure you buy enough capacity to handle the start up loads.

Also, I think these should be treated like snow blowers, run them every year to test them so you are not trying to make it work in the worst conditions and when you really need them to work.

Thunder22 · #7 05-03-2010, 10:52 AM

My parents have a Guardian/Generac 13Kw propane fueled generator, works great, tests itself every Saturday at 5p.m., never let them down yet. I'm sure they make portables too.

Dannyell · #8 05-03-2010, 11:59 AM

I have a Generac WheelHouse 5550w...mainly use it on trucks during winter time...had it for some years now and no problems

motordavid · #9 05-03-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunder22

My parents have a Guardian/Generac 13Kw propane fueled generator, works great, tests itself every Saturday at 5p.m., never let them down yet. ...

Hey, T/R...we have the same one;
you can't possibly be my kid, can you?!

PersonaNonGrata · #10 05-03-2010, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the words of advice. I know a 1000W would be too small for my purposes but would be nice to have for the portability for camping, tailgating, etc. I think that I want a 3500W or bigger and am willing to take a bit of risk for cost savings, as much as I'd love a Honda of that size. I'm zeroing in on Generac and am waiting to hear back from a guy who is selling a 5000W Generac. Of course it is used but I would check it out first since the seller is local. I open to some of the other brands sold at Sears and Walmart/Sam's. If I want to step up a little in price I can try Pramac that use Honda engines. They are a bit tough to find other than online.

The main issue is that many I see online are not CARB complaint and cannot be sold in California. We're quite limited by that. At this point, my search is still on but I'm hoping to get that 5000W Generac. The guy is asking $475 for it and supposedly it's got very few hours of use on it.

Any opinion of the little Generacs? Would they be the best of the size I'm looking for? (Excluding Honda.)

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