household generators

[cookiedough]

been thinking of buying one for limited use around house and camping where electrical is not around.

been thinking in the 3500 to 5000 watt size tops,  probably not good to go any smaller, just in case right?  Would run at most the freezer or 3/4hp sump pump to keep food from spoiling or basement from flooding just in case the power goes out for more than 1 day before coming back on. 

What good brands are to be considered do you think?

Generac,  Champion, and Coleman come to mind, as well as the more expensive Honda brand which just like our Valks,  probably has a better designed and LONGER lasting engine made by Honda.

[_Sheffjs_]

Bought a small Honda and brought it home, fired it up on the porch and the wife says "wow that is so quiet!! It is so quiet why don't you leave it in the house."     Again it is just a small one but it is, well, a Honda!     it is also my understanding that the Honda gen produces the cleanest power out there especially good for electronic devices.

[Rams]

Well, step right up, have I got a deal for you.

I purchased a 7800 8750 max load gas generator last year to use with my RV toy hauler.   Purchased a set of wheels/axles and installed them so now, it can be moved by one person.

My problem is, it's too damn big to store/handle easily around, up and down the RV ramp.

I paid $450 for it, you bring the cash and come get it.   It will power everything in your house but, the HVAC.  

[Aries]

You pretty much answered your own question....Honda for sound buffering and longevity. Especially if you plan on car camping. They all will generate power and if you find yourself only using it a couple times a year than go with the most cost effective route.

Being in the construction industry as long as I have been, all....and I mean ALL of the subs that have been on my jobs agree that if its getting used almost everyday, buy a Honda. But again, if cost is an issue and you may only use it a couple times a year, most of the others will work.

[Rams]

But again, if cost is an issue and you may only use it a couple times a year, most of the others will work.

What he said..........

BTW, never, never ever operate an internal combustion engine inside of your home or garage,   I assure you, you won't like the results.    Contrary to popular muslim belief, there ain't 72 virgins waiting for you but, there may be one cranky wife...........

[Hook#3287]

You pretty much answered your own question....Honda for sound buffering and longevity. Especially if you plan on car camping. They all will generate power and if you find yourself only using it a couple times a year than go with the most cost effective route.

Being in the construction industry as long as I have been, all....and I mean ALL of the subs that have been on my jobs agree that if its getting used almost everyday, buy a Honda. But again, if cost is an issue and you may only use it a couple times a year, most of the others will work.

What he said

If you can do the cost, buy a Honda and you'll never regret it.

[Firefighter]

I bought a clone of a Honda at Pep Boys, 5500 watt about 7 years ago for hurricanes or what ever. Probably Chinese (blue). Pretty big and heavy, very loud, but works good. I have run 2 refrigerators, two tv's, several fans, several lamps and computer all at the same time with power to spare. Has 2 circuits and I have heavy extention cords that I break down to smaller cords.

I take care of it so it is always ready, fresh treated gas and I run it once a month.

[art]

I have a 5000 watt gen I bought online from walmart. I use it if the power goes out and will take camping only if needed (too loud). I filled up with non ethanol gas ans stabul over a year ago and it still runs great. Must say get electric start and a small Mc battery. I don't like pull starting. I also have a smaller gen that got messed up from ethanol gas and had to replace the carb. If available get racing gas I use that in my pressure washer,no problems it ten years.

[pais]

    The place where I work just bought a 5000 watt gen. from Northern Tool and Equipment catalog. It's a Honda. after the mechanics got done giving it a once over. I had to start it just to see how quiet. Purrrs like a kitten and was one pull. Also relatively light to pick up and carry. Hell, I swear it was lighter than my wife's purse sometimes.
     Generators and pumps with small engines all we buy are the Hondas. They tolerate the abuse, harsh conditions. They may go for sometime without being used and all they do is start right up and run/work. Huh, sounds familiar!

[cookiedough]

Yep,  sounds like Honda is quieter and will run longer without major or minor issues on average.

On amazon.com I read some reviews on a Generac model one which I was thinking was next in line to a Honda for quality and 1 review said ran fine for the 1-2 times he used it within the first few months but 4-5th time tried starting it and wouldn't start.  Since under 1 year warranty,  he took it in to an authorized Generac repair shop and they blamed HIM on bad gas since stated had rust particles in the carb had to get cleaned and repair bill was 300 dollars for a 700 dollar unit that Generac would NOT cover due to neglect/improper maintenance.    Wanna bet it was not bad gas causing rust but from factory had rust in the engine to begin with being only 3-4 months old.  He also commented he should have bought a HOnda since some of the internals of the engine/carb are better quality.  

I had a similar issue with a new Can Am 90cc  youth ATV after I changed oil on it during that first year,  we took it out for ONLY the 4-5th time since new and it blew a seal in the crankcase dripping oil right after the oil change.  Took it in under warranty and they blamed ME for OVERfilling which is B.S. since engine stated 1.2 quarts of oil and I only put in 1 full quart (no filter on these small engines) and the oil level was right on the mark FULL on the dipstick.  Can Am would NOT stand behind it stated overfilled crankcase but I fought it and since only 100 bucks total with 75 of that 1 hour labor, Can am ONLY paid for the parts me shelling out a bogus 75 bucks in labor for repair. 

[CaribouHunter]

I've got a 12 KW, and put in a bypass through my main breaker box to handle the current and runs the whole house, lights, two air conditioners, fridge, two freezers, and all lights, plus I run a line to my next door neighbor for his fridge, freezer and TV. Keep Miracle Oil in the gas, and always top it off. Run it for 10 min ever other month. Cut the gas valve off to kill it, then turn the key off. Have been doing this for 20 years, still runs perfect.  Use it about twice/year, longest has been for about 4 days straight.  It's an off brand, and heavy.  Built my log cabin in the woods with it about 15 years ago, and ran it about 15 hours/day for 29 days straight. 

[solo1]

Our family went together and bought a Generac type. 5,000 watt. It has been uses a number of times, in power outages, no problem.  Loud tho.

Generators, like Honda, use an inverter system, much cleaner sine wave for computers and better regulation.  Honda is the best bet but expensive.

Keep in mind, none are waterproof ,but don't even think about running them inside tho.  Some buy a Coleman dog tent to cover them in bad weather.

[Jack]

Generac, Honeywell, and Honda rock.

[Black Dog]

Got a 5000 Generac for my folks when their town (Eau Claire WI) was almost leveled by 'Wind Shear', probably 30 years ago.  After the crises, dad had it wired to the house, and built a wooden shelter over it.  It never failed them over the many years they lived in the boonies.

Now, my brother and I share custody of that generator, and use it in many ways.  I loaned it to Daryl, of XF6 Customs, to run his booth for the last InZane in Johnson City, and she ran, non stop, 12 hours a day for the whole week.

Hondas are good machines, and quiet, but for the money, a Generac can't be beat    And, as an added bonus, they are made right here in Wisconsin 

Black Dog

[Marinakorp]

If used for Camping - get the quietest one possible for your needs.

Not sure what your camping needs are. if running an RV...like the A/c and a Refrige...might need a fairly large one...or two tied together. The Hondas are great for this.

If just running the occasional blender and a radio, or a small Window A/C unit - possibly 2-3000w would work as the camping model... you are camping after all.

They are fairly expensive.


If running as a backup to house power, and can move a bit away from the house, mufflers, etc... get one sized for your needs (and properly installed switches so that they don't back feeds the system and Fry a line worker... ok rant off) you may not be as concerned with the noise levels.

Can get a huge one for a few hundred to under a few K...portable models.

Do you want to run off of Natural Gas, Propane, Deisel, Gas...what fuels are available to you?

If it were me... I'd get somewhere between an 8-13Kw for the house (pick a brand and price point), and see if I can get it switched to Tri fuel (NG / Propane / Gas) and a 2K (Honda) for when camping. My House has NG (and I have more than a few Propane tanks for the Grill and Deck Heater, etc...).


My camping needs are not huge...if REALLY hot, and no electric is avail...

I have a 5K BTU Ac that can be run off of the 2K Honda with a little capacity to spare and charge my CPAP Deep Cycle Battery (assuming the solar did not charge it enough during the day).