Posted: 1/3/2008 6:29:29 PM EDT
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Lately there have been a lot of questions asking about the quality or usefulness of a particular generator. However, I have not seen a good generator comparison thread. I’m thinking about upgrading my generator, so I would be interested to see what kind of generators you have, why they were chosen and whether you’re happy with your choice. I’ll go first. I have the troy-bilt 5550 from Lowes. Troy Bilt 5550 I believe it is actually made by Briggs and Stratton and re-branded for Lowes. (The Craftsman 5600 also seems to be the same re-branded generator). My choice in wattage was primarily dictated by my 1hp well pump which requires quite a bit of juice to get started. This set generates 8550 surge watts which does the job for the well. Also, this model was highly rated by Consumer Reports. I’ve used the set during 3 power outages. The latest was for 3 ½ days during the great ice storm of ’07. I probably have about 120 total running hours on the unit. I’ve been very pleased with this generator. It starts easy every time and has had no problems. Fuel consumption was pretty good during the recent outage. I was burning about 10 gallons every 24 hours. I kept two furnaces running along with lights, TV, satellite, fridge, microwave and various appliances. I would run the well separately when needed to refill the pressure tank. My only complaint are that the user's manuals could have better written and there is no way to easily drain the fuel. The engine manual covered several models so keeping track of which instructions apply to my engine is unnecessarily confusing. The main reason I’m think about upgrading is simply wanting more power (what guy doesn’t want more power, more ammo, bigger guns, faster cars, etc.). The Black Max with the Honda engine at Sam's Club talks to me every time I'm there. However, concerns about additional fuel consumption are holding me back. |
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I went with the Chicago Industries CI-12-DE-55 (12KW Diesel), found it locally for $4,700. A lot of $$ yes, but not having to nurse maid the 10KW Generac anymore, priceless... 12KW @ 1/2 gallon per hour at full capacity. 55 gal tank = 110 hours of run time between fill ups  Runs like a champ after I got a few minor kinks worked out, and I do mean minor.. When it is running and powering the house the only flickers that we ever see is when both well pumps start at once   www.chicagoindustries.com/products_CI_12D.htm |
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For the house we use a Generac Guardian 15kw propane powered one. Since we live off grid it sees a bit of use, especially during the winter. The engine used is a 1.8L Mitsubishi car engine. It runs about 150 hours a month during the winter (practically zero sun), down to 50 hours or less during the rest of the year. It currently has just over 5000 hours on it and still working and starting good. Maintaining it is fairly easy, except for the spark plugs. Since the exhaust manifold goes up, it covers them. It uses about 1.5G of propane per hour of run time. I also have a Generac 4kw with a 7hp Honda engine (portable). It does double duty as a backup in case the big one goes down. Consumption is about 1G per hour running at full tilt. The unit has about 500 hours on it and I have had it for 10 years or so. I keep it stored with fuel stabilizer, but cutoff the fuel when I am done and let it run dry. When I want it again, I just turn the fuel back on, wait a minute, and then usually it will start with one pull, two max. -Corn |
Can you post pics of your off grid setup in a different thread? I think a lot of us would be really interested in seeing it. Thanks. |
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I have the same generator that Robby mentioned. I've had it ever since Hurricane Isabel decided she didn't like the Commonwealth of VA. Thing had run perfectly for better than three years but then just quit. The carb got gunked up, but after a good cleaning it runs fine. I run a little Seafeam with the gas and it seems to keep the carb and the rest of the fuel system happy. I would highly recommend it if you need a light duty generator. We are soon to be building a new house and will be installing a 17kw stand alone system. I'm not living in a $300k tent ever again when the juice goes by by.... |
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Well, I only have a Honda EB3000, it’s not a huge Genny, like others here. But it’s okay and does what I need it to do… Link to my post |
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I have one of these genny it has almosy 100 flawless hours on it. I have three of these floating around. small genny The little ones work great and are pretty quiet, just a larger fuel tank would be nice. But something can be rigged with an extra fuel cap. |
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I had a dayton (grainger) devilbiss unit with a 9hp briggs, manual start 5KW used it to run the house for a week without power with no problems as well as other construction uses I recently upgraded to a Briggs Pro 8kw v-twin briggs engine with electric start and full pressure lube and spin on oil filter After wiring around the gfi for the 30 amp twistlock it has about 20 hours on it with no problems I plan on ordering a tri-fuel kit to feed this thing Has anyone got any reviews of the $1000 diesel costco generator |
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Small gen; Honda EU2000. One of the best purchases I have made. It was my goto generator for small stuff during Rita. Sips fuel, would run at half idle speed all night on the gallon and keep small fans going for sleep. It will run 2 deep freezes with no problem. I ran one constantly and the TV, computer, and a few other small items in the house. I run synthetic oil and change it regularly....seems like it only holds about a half quart or so. VERY quiet, and if you put it behind the house, no one outside your back yard will really know it is running. Mid size; Yamaha 6600 gas genny. This was the workhorse for the 37 days. I could run the well pump and anything in the house except the central unit and the water heater. I didn't care to run the central heat/air, but kept the family happy by running the water heater for an hour, then turned it off, and turned the pump back on so every one could shower/ use toilets. Ran a couple of hrs AM & PM. Held up fine for said period of time. It can be a bit cranky to start if it has been sitting idle for a while, but has an electric start so that helps. Large; I picked up one similar to Ops unit after things returned to normal. I have a 15kw PTO genny with a 3 pt hitch and a 30 horse Kubota. I haven't seriously run it but I need to make a practice run to see how it does. I recently replaced my 50 gal water heater when it died with an 80 (soon to have 3 teenagers), so the 6600 won't pull it any more . I have no worries it will work, but I really need to put it through its paces.Doc |
| I'm a cheapskate. I just picked up a 4000W (5000W surge) Briggs and Stratton on sale at HD for $230 out the door. I bought a single circuit transfer switch for $50 (delivered) on ebay and I'm going to hook it up to the furnace. For less than $300, I'll have the ability to heat the house and use extension cords for lights (and to cycle the fridge/freezer occasionally). I thought long and hard about the costs and benefits of going to a more expensive setup with an automatic transfer switch and a bigger diesel or natural gas genset but I just can't justify spending the money. |
I think this is a big one. How often do you think you will need it? How much can you spend? How competent are you with your tinkering? How long will you have to run it at one time? What type of fuel do you have access to, or what kind of fuel can you reasonably store.....and in what volume? Where will you be able to run and/or store your genny? Just food for thought. Doc |
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As far as portables go I'm very pleased with my Generac Wheelhouse which is similar to the Troy-Bilt 5550, but its more compact and the large wheels allow one person to move it up and down stairs. In the winter months I store it in the basement and roll it up the basement stairs and roll it out onto the porch where it starts on the first pull. Initially I wanted something with an electric start but its been a non issue and I'm glad it doesn't have the extra weight of a starter and battery. The fuel tank is removable as well for easy fill ups and storing it outside in the detached garage. It runs all the the circuits I've thrown at it: Well pump, septic pump, boiler, fridge, some lights, etc. No need to drain the fuel tank with this model, just close the fuel tank disconnect valve while its running. In about half a minute the generator will sputter off dry. If you do want to drain the actual tank, detach the fuel line quick connects, remove the 4 twist-off tank screws and remove the tank. You can now drain the tank into another container or into your vehicle, etc. I've used the Wheelhouse for about 3 outages, the longest one running 4 days last year when all the surrounding roads and bridges were flooded and we literally couldn't bug out anywhere nor power crews come in. It was very nice to have, especially since we had guests that week. |
I like gennys! I own 4  First one: Colman Power mate 6250 powered by a brigs 10hp. Wife got it for me 5 years ago at HD for Fathers day (she rocks). It has probly 150 hrs on it. It has started and ran every time I have ever needed it, choke one pull vrommmmmm. We used it for a 5+2 day period last year during one of our ice storms. It now is my shop truck genny and back up power for our business office. Yamaha 6600 tri-fuel. www.yamaha-propane-natural-gas-generators.com/ef6600dec.htm Has replaced the Colman above at the house. I wanted electric start and to ditch the gas that I stored for it. It is a great genny, took a lot of tinkering to get the propane side just right (now that I know it's a 3 min job), Honda 2000i. Probly the best quality genny we own. It's back up power at out BOL. I can't say anything bad bought it. It is an awesome unit. Yamaha 2400is. www.yamaha-propane-natural-gas-generators.com/ef2400is.htm Also a tri-fuel genny, also quite a awesome unit. It's my 5th wheel genny for camping and back up at the house. Still small enough to be portable but big enough it will run the ac in my 5er and the furnace blower at the house. |
| i have an old winco 6000 i believe it is. my wife's uncle gave it to us, he'd had it for years and he got a new one so he passed it along. it has electric start and an 11 hp brigs. works well. since we got it, we haven't lost power for more than a minute or two and that was a couple years ago. |
| I own a Master 10KW, 20hp Honda and Leroysuma(sp) alternator that I converted to run on LP . Converting to Lp was the best thing I did as this size motor in gas under full load was using somewhere around 1-2 gallons per hr. I think the tank only held 5 gallons. This setup will run just about everything in the house. |
What generac 10KW did you have? What where your problems? |
| This has been interesting. I thought I would see some horror stories about a particular make or model, but so far everything has been positive. Part of it may that those on this forum are probably more likely to read owner's manuals and perform routine maintenance. |
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I'm using a coleman 4000watt, I got it several years ago on close out at the local hardware store. I only had to use it once, however that one time was four days long. Now I was thinking of upgrading to a larger tri-fuel generator, so I wouldn't have to dip into my reserve fuel supply when the power go's out. That brings me to the reason for this post, has any one ever heard of Shine generators from china? I found a good deal on one, but I don't know if there are any good. |
Small ones really. It is still perfectly serviceable if I choose to do the work, but mainly avoiding tune-ups and ignition components was one of the largest reasons I switched to diesel (not to mention the fuel economy). It is a RV model with a 1.2L 4cyl Nissan Industrial engine that drives it. So far I have had to rewire the electrical system to bypass the engine control computer to be able to stop it (all manual now, stop = cutting off the ignition systems power), replace the voltage regulator for the AC side, can be tough to start at times, governor buffer can be temperamental (causes rapid cycling in RPM up and down) and most recently blew the water pump seal. With the diesel I don't have to worry about the coil, points, cap rotor, etc. The new generator is a non-electric 3cyl diesel, the only way to stop it is to cut off the fuel I'm sure that the Generac will finish out its useful life after some minor repairs, just not until I feel like doing them... Did I mention how hard parts are to find? 
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I suppose I have a tiered selection of generators. The one I would have the most use for is an eu2000. Fuel consumption and low noise when running a light-moderate load are it's main benefits. If more power is needed, I have a Champion 3kw. This is a Chinese made generator, though the type is getting very favorable reviews at rv.net, where it has a fairly large following. Next, I have a 5.2kw U.S. General from Harbor Freight. I would use it in the rare circumstances that could not be covered by the Honda or Champion (like running my air compressor). Though I don't have 100 hours on any of them yet, all have proven quite reliable so far. |