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Posted: 10/29/2001 8:03:57 AM EDT
[#1]
The Hondas ARE good, but when there`s a problem.they are basically throw-aways.....look at the local supply houses or home depot places and get the component type...where you will have some useable pieces when one component quits...........save $ also.....check out...northern hydraulics...ww graingers.....local industrial houses......
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Posted: 10/29/2001 12:31:57 PM EDT
[#2]
btt ^^
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Posted: 10/29/2001 2:22:30 PM EDT
[#3]
I have two generators, both Honda's, a 1400 watt and a 5000 watt. I was a electrician for many years installed dozens of generators, Winco, Generac, ect. The best portable Honda, the best installed Onan or Kohler. Why? Honda is quiet, has a oil alert, auto idler - saves fuel, AC / DC power, built in GFI, built in circuit breaker, will start appliance 10% above wattage rating (locked rotor). The 1400 watt is 17 years old and has run for days at a time during ice storm's and hurricane's. The 5000 is new, bought for 2000, never used. Honda makes small camping generators 500 - 1000 watt, so quiet you don't know they are on. MIKE.
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Posted: 10/29/2001 2:58:59 PM EDT
[#4]
Being a Californian, I was all set to buy a generator last Spring as I did not want to suffer through extended outages. As we can all see, it didn't happen that way (yet), but it may occur due to terrorist activity.
I had decided on the Generac 4000XL (model 9777-2) for: Long running time (13 hours) 2 year warranty OHV engine (relatively quiet and reliable) Spin on pleated oil filter unit (some have only a screen filter) While larger than your parameters, it is not an overly large unit, and you would be surprised at how little a 1000 watt unit can power. Forget a circular saw or a fridge. Can be had at Lowes for under $700, last I checked. Just my .02 worth. (edited for relevance) |
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Posted: 10/29/2001 3:32:01 PM EDT
[#5]
The small Hondas are great for camping. Like others have said, 1000 watts won't do much for you other than light bulbs. It would have a hard time running a Mr Coffee. Make sure you use the proper weight oil for the weather in your Honda. (They will keep shutting off in cold weather use with summer weight oil in them, at least until they get warm, and that takes a while.) Homelite used to make a small quiet 2 stroke unit that had 12V taps besides 110. For home use I suggest cleaning the power through a large APC type UPS ahead of any electronic devices (TV, computer, microwave, ect) These things can do a lot of damage in a hurry when they go bad and you'll never know it until it's too late. If it's for an emergency back up, try and find or build a "field flasher". Murphy is always hanging around and when you need it the most it may not want to load. Also, for home use, get the largest gas tank you can find. It sucks having to go and refill those little gas tanks every half hour. We have two units, the little camper type and a 6500 watt for home. My power goes out way too often, bastards ;) |
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Posted: 10/29/2001 4:15:14 PM EDT
[#6]
HONDA!!!!! We have a 1500 watt model that's 20 years old, never done anything to it except change the oil and the spark plug occasionally. I have a friend with a Coleman 4000 watt we work on it every time it comes out. My Uncle got a great deal from Northern Tool and Supply on a 5000 watt Honda back in the spring, I think he only gave around $650 for it.
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Posted: 10/29/2001 6:01:20 PM EDT
[#7]
Madkiwi , I have a Generac 4000XL (2) that I use around the house during power outages. I love this model for this type use. Starts first pull , super quiet , many hours per tank full. The only thing I find wrong is if I was buying over again I would get a 6000 - 7000 watt model for home use. You can do so much more with the extra watts. I need a smaller generator to take camping and tailgating. This is why I in the market for one in the 1000- 2000 watt range.
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Posted: 10/29/2001 6:35:46 PM EDT
[#8]
For a compact unit, Honda is the best, but you have to have the right budget to support the purchase. A few years ago I picked up a Homlite 5000 watt model for under $600 (w/cart) and it's a real work horse, but not quiet at all. It needs to set a good distance away from where you are if you want to keep your hearing, but it powers all of my major appliances and I didn't pay a fortune for the capacity either. It can be repaired using common lawn mower parts, so getting replacements doesn't take a shipment from Japan.
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Posted: 10/29/2001 6:36:57 PM EDT
[#9]
For a compact unit, Honda is the best, but you have to have the right budget to support the purchase. A few years ago I picked up a Homelite 5000 watt model for under $600 (w/cart) and it's a real work horse, but not quiet at all. It needs to set a good distance away from where you are if you want to keep your hearing, but it powers all of my major appliances and I didn't pay a fortune for the capacity either. It can be repaired using common lawn mower parts, so getting replacements doesn't take a shipment from Japan.
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Posted: 10/29/2001 7:02:41 PM EDT
[#10]
The OHV Hondas tend to have excellent engine life — many thousands of hours before a major overhaul is required. This contrasts with the low-end Briggs and Tecumseh engines found on the cheapest generators that only last a few hundred hours. Unless you're only planning on running it for just a few hours every year, the Honda is probably well worth the extra money.
Generac also uses a nice Nagano(sp?) OHV engine in some models that has pressurized lubrication (and a spin-on oil filter on some larger models). Also, some brands are now installing a Japanese-made Briggs-branded OHV engine that seems to be pretty high quality. Robyn engines (made by Fuji Heavy Industries) also have a good reputation among commercial users. One other consideration is that some generators split the total power output between two electrical outlets — You can't pull the generator's full rated power by plugging into just one. |
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Posted: 10/29/2001 8:47:41 PM EDT
[#11]
I own a Honda, unit has been working since 1984 with no problems. Had a friend who bought a Generac from Nothern, it would not run his gas furnace as there was too much trash on the AC line output, and it would not let the micro processor function to turn on the furnace. He took it back and bought a Honda-it worked without a flaw. AMOS
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