Posted: 3/5/2013 4:23:21 AM EDT
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Hey guys, wanted to check on experiences with HF generators. I used to have an EU2000i and it was a great little unit, but ended up selling it a coupla summers ago. Now we're looking at getting another generator and the Honda's are a l'il pricey for the current budget. Then yesterday I got in a flyer from HF with some seemingly reasonable deals on a coupla different ones. Usually I don't like buying anything from HF that has much potential to break (no HF welders!), but I've heard good things about their generators.
3200 Rated/4000 MAX "Super Quiet" $300 Lot# 68528/69676/69727 7000 Rated/8750 MAX "Super Quiet" $550 Lot# 68530/69671 Also, they have a coupla solar panels in this same flyer. 1 Watt with adapters for $20 (what's it good for?) Lot#68691 45 Watt panel kit for $150? Lot#68751/90599 Thanks for any useful input..  d:^) Schneeks..
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I want in on this.
Not so much for the larger one, I have plans for that already. But those little 700 watt units I was thinking of stashing one behind the seat of my truck, a recent sub zero camping trip left us stranded in the morning because my truck wouldn't start. It would have been nice to be able to plug in the block heater for an hour while we built a small fire. |
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Quoted: I want in on this. Not so much for the larger one, I have plans for that already. But those little 700 watt units I was thinking of stashing one behind the seat of my truck, a recent sub zero camping trip left us stranded in the morning because my truck wouldn't start. It would have been nice to be able to plug in the block heater for an hour while we built a small fire. Remember, that gen runs a 50:1 gas oil mix. So plan for that as well. |
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Quoted:But those little 700 watt units I was thinking of stashing one behind the seat of my truck, a recent sub zero camping trip left us stranded in the morning because my truck wouldn't start. It would have been nice to be able to plug in the block heater for an hour while we built a small fire.
They get a lot of use around here on flounder gigging rigs. No sense takin a nice generator out in the salt. It'll just slap yer wallet cause salt water fuggs up everything but itself and fish.. 
Those are the guys who say they're decent little gensets for the job at hand. Wanted to check cause losin the contents of the freezer has harsher ramifications than screwin up a night out giggin.  d:^) Schneeks..
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I want in on this. Not so much for the larger one, I have plans for that already. But those little 700 watt units I was thinking of stashing one behind the seat of my truck, a recent sub zero camping trip left us stranded in the morning because my truck wouldn't start. It would have been nice to be able to plug in the block heater for an hour while we built a small fire. Remember, that gen runs a 50:1 gas oil mix. So plan for that as well. Not a problem, I usually have saw gas with me. Hell for 70 bucks on sale I would jsut mix up some motor oil in an emergency. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I want in on this. Not so much for the larger one, I have plans for that already. But those little 700 watt units I was thinking of stashing one behind the seat of my truck, a recent sub zero camping trip left us stranded in the morning because my truck wouldn't start. It would have been nice to be able to plug in the block heater for an hour while we built a small fire. Remember, that gen runs a 50:1 gas oil mix. So plan for that as well. Not a problem, I usually have saw gas with me. Hell for 70 bucks on sale I would jsut mix up some motor oil in an emergency. No argument from me there. I have one as well.  Just a FYI in case you or others didn't know.
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I want in on this. Not so much for the larger one, I have plans for that already. But those little 700 watt units I was thinking of stashing one behind the seat of my truck, a recent sub zero camping trip left us stranded in the morning because my truck wouldn't start. It would have been nice to be able to plug in the block heater for an hour while we built a small fire. Remember, that gen runs a 50:1 gas oil mix. So plan for that as well. Not a problem, I usually have saw gas with me. Hell for 70 bucks on sale I would jsut mix up some motor oil in an emergency. No argument from me there. I have one as well. Just a FYI in case you or others didn't know. The better alternative would probably be for me to just buy a small gasser for winter time. I love my diesel truck as a work truck, I would put it side by side with any gasser for towing and driving. Once you hit that magic zero mark on the thermometer though she just wants to sleep in. Batteries are getting weak and the starter is a little old, not a problem on a normal day, major crisis in arctic temps when the oil is thicker than honey. I did re learn a valuable lesson there though. When I was poor I made it a habit of parking my truck on hills when I could so if it didn't want to start i could just pop it, like an idiot I drove all the way to the bottom of the parking area, I could have easily left it a few hundred feet up on the side of the trail and probably popped it no problem (either that or flew through the traffic gate and over the embankment while screaming "I CANT STOP") |
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for the 3000-4000watt range, I'd look at the champion gennys. I picked up one at tract supply after reading several on here talk about them. It does 110 or 220v and runs great. Very pleased with my purchase and picked it up under $300 on sale.
The only HF genny I have experience with is the little blue 800 watt 2 stroke one but man I've put that genny thru heck and it just keeps on running. WOrth every penny I've spent on it and would recommend it to anyone who asks me. |
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for the 3000-4000watt range, I'd look at the champion gennys. +1. Most models have a 2 year warranty, and Champion has an excellent reputation for service after the sale. They're American-owned, they manufacture most of their parts themselves in their own factory, and and have their service center in California. All the techs are knowledgeable, and speak English as a first language. Aside from Tractor Supply, you can also find 'em in most Lowe's stores, on Home Depot's website, and on ebay. |
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3200 Rated/4000 MAX "Super Quiet" $300 Lot# 68528/69676/69727 i have one of these. Really like it. It really is quiet. Used it this weekend.I have one of these as well, sitting in the barn with a burned out rotor and no replacement parts available. If it breaks, it's a throwaway. I'd try Craigslist for a used genny that can be repaired over one of the Chinese boat anchors.. Ops |
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Pretty sure those solar panel kits go in sale for much less. I forget what I paid for mine but it wasn't $150. that's the normal sale price on those now. i have 2 of the solar kits. keep in mind 45watts = 3.5a output. thats not much if your wanting charge any real batteries or use with a small inverter. ie... to charge a 70ah battery your looking at 10 hours of peak sun for a 1/2 charge. you can expect peak output for 2-4 hours a day and then a percentage drop off as the sun moves. these are also not easy to move and adjust to keep at peak sun. the solar kits work, and work VERY well. i find a lot of guys get discouraged when they think big panels equals big output. |
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I would tend to stay away from their solar kits, even on sale they aren't the best deal around. Fairly low wattage for their size, and I've heard not the best quality construction. Of course the quality is more what I've read about them, so that may or may not be true. If all you want to do is give a test run for fun with solar, those might be a good idea. 45W at 12v would be 3.75 amps at full noonday sun, probably at the equator. Not going to recharge a dead car battery anytime soon, but it's more than the 1W float charger.
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I would tend to stay away from their solar kits, even on sale they aren't the best deal around. Fairly low wattage for their size, and I've heard not the best quality construction. Of course the quality is more what I've read about them, so that may or may not be true. If all you want to do is give a test run for fun with solar, those might be a good idea. 45W at 12v would be 3.75 amps at full noonday sun, probably at the equator. Not going to recharge a dead car battery anytime soon, but it's more than the 1W float charger.the quality for the cost is not bad. the frames for the panels SUCK! i actually wish i could find a few more of the 12v lights that come with them. those i have use the hell out of. |
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I have the small 700 watt generator, and the 5 watt solar panel, and the 1" water pump.
All work good. The water pump I use on my highbanker for gold prospecting and gets alot of use and other then a split gas line it has been flawless. And cost wise look for the 20% off coupon in the flyer and you can get them really cheap. |