Posted: 11/17/2012 6:25:16 AM EDT
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I reviewed some past threads on generators and I think I've narrowed it down to a few models that I can get locally. Looking in the 3000W range. Initially would not be hardwired to the house as we're hoping to sell this house and buy another in the near future. I'll probably have a transfer panel put in the new house. This would serve in case of power loss (ice storms and thunderstorms, most likely) for our house. Expecting to only power the 'fridge/freezer, enough lights to see, tv/internet possibly. Here's what I'm looking at. Give me your picks! Generac 3250 Powermate 3000 http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Powermate-PM0103007-Portable-Generator/p7199.html Champion 4000/3500 I was at a Tractor Supply location yesterday and, IIRC, they had the Champion for about $299 and $45 wheel kits as well. I've read reviews on these three and all seem to be decent. I'd love to have a Honda, but I don't have $1000+ to spend. Will also have to buy some extension cords, so that will bump the price. Trying to come out in the $500 range would be my guess. ETA: Oops, forgot to add a "Results" selection in the poll.  |
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All 3 of the models you're considering are Chinese-made.
I'm a Champion fan-boy (I own 3 of 'em), so you can probably guess which one I would recommend... 
At around $330, the #40026 is another good prospect, if you can live without 240 VAC outputs. It includes the wheel kit at no extra cost, has a nifty "Intelligauge" that keeps a tally of engine running hours, and also measures AC voltage and frequency. |
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I have 2 Colemans...a small 1800 watt and a 6500 watt that I also put a propane kit on.
Based on the fact that our gasoline supply was disrupted for 2 weeks because of Sandy, I'm ordering a 6500/W DIESEL, when I finish typing this. There was plenty of diesel available. (My truck is also diesel with a 75 gal. transfer tank in the bed) I'm going to build an insulated / sound proofed shed with a nice, 3-4 ft. comcrete anchor beneath. 
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I have 2 Colemans...a small 1800 watt and a 6500 watt that I also put a propane kit on. Based on the fact that our gasoline supply was disrupted for 2 weeks because of Sandy, I'm ordering a 6500/W DIESEL, when I finish typing this. There was plenty of diesel available. (My truck is also diesel with a 75 gal. transfer tank in the bed) I'm going to build an insulated / sound proofed shed with a nice, 3-4 ft. comcrete anchor beneath.
Which diesel? |
I just chickened out on the diesel.  I'm going to shop around and pay cash.
I was going to get this one. Diesel Gen from Home Depot |
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I just chickened out on the diesel. I'm going to shop around and pay cash.
I was going to get this one. Diesel Gen from Home Depot I wouldn't buy a noname brand diesel. On of the big reasons for a disel is longevity, and I'll be good money that'll be redesigned/renamed/forgotten in 5 years Look at the rv diesels. They have good support. |
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I just chickened out on the diesel. I'm going to shop around and pay cash.
I was going to get this one. Diesel Gen from Home Depot I wouldn't buy a noname brand diesel. On of the big reasons for a disel is longevity, and I'll be good money that'll be redesigned/renamed/forgotten in 5 years Look at the rv diesels. They have good support. Good Idea! Might get the class A attached to it  There's some really good welding set-ups also, but usually $3000 and up
Glad I got that "impulse buy" curbed.... |
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Look at the rv diesels. They have good support. Also, there are some good deals to be had on used light towers. Most of them have name-brand diesel engines (Kubota, Yanmar, Mitsubishi or Isuzu typically), and repair parts are easy to come by. Also, it's nice being able to easily tow your generator wherever it's needed. |
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http://www.baldor.com/products/generators/pt.asp
The best but expensive |
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Look at the rv diesels. They have good support. Also, there are some good deals to be had on used light towers. Most of them have name-brand diesel engines (Kubota, Yanmar, Mitsubishi or Isuzu typically), and repair parts are easy to come by. Also, it's nice being able to easily tow your generator wherever it's needed. Most light towers that I deal with (Magnum, Amida, IR/Doosan) only have 1 or 2 30amp outlets and wouldn't be well suited to powering a home without some alteration. I would suggest looking at a used towable generator or welder if you insist on diesel. Miller offers a Kubota diesel engine in their 11kw bobcat model, but it ain't cheap unless you look for something used. Another thing to consider when buying a diesel generator is that servicing a diesel engine may be beyond the average homeowner's mechanical skill. Troubleshooting in the middle of an ice storm won't be as simple as with a gas engine either. It's not impossible, but there is a learning curve. |
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Look at the rv diesels. They have good support. Also, there are some good deals to be had on used light towers. Most of them have name-brand diesel engines (Kubota, Yanmar, Mitsubishi or Isuzu typically), and repair parts are easy to come by. Also, it's nice being able to easily tow your generator wherever it's needed. Most light towers that I deal with (Magnum, Amida, IR/Doosan) only have 1 or 2 30amp outlets and wouldn't be well suited to powering a home without some alteration. 30 amps at 240 volts is 7.2 KW - More than some dedicated home standby generators produce. |
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All 3 of the models you're considering are Chinese-made. I'm a Champion fan-boy (I own 3 of 'em), so you can probably guess which one I would recommend...
At around $330, the #40026 is another good prospect, if you can live without 240 VAC outputs. It includes the wheel kit at no extra cost, has a nifty "Intelligauge" that keeps a tally of engine running hours, and also measures AC voltage and frequency. 
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I've got an old 80's coleman powermate with a briggs engine that just won't die. Starts on first pull every time. I picked it up 3 years ago for $80 off of craigslist from a guy who was replacing it from his RV - might want to look online for used ones - the new ones are shit to me. |
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I picked up a Champion from TSC a couple of days ago. Test-fired it yesterday. Voltage measured ok, but didn't hook up anything for wattage. I don't have any cords yet, so I'll need to pick up / make up some of those. I went with the TSC version over the Cabela's deal, due to the 240 output on the TSC version. |
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three here
A EU2000 for my wood boiler, powers a single 15 amp circuit and runs around 20 hours on a tank of gas. A Honda EB5000, currently is the household gen set. Runs all I need just not all at once. And finally a free score of a Kohler 15Kw stationary unit with a 32 hp Wisconsin air cooled engine set up on LPG. I need to build an enclosure for this. |