Posted: 10/10/2013 8:15:42 AM EDT
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Anybody have any experience with this model. Seems like a great deal for the money. I'm thinking of using it for powering the house during an outage & the occasional camping/hunting trip. http://www.harborfreight.com/engines-generators/gas-engine-generators/8750-watts-peak7000-running-watts-13-hp-420cc-gas-generator-68530.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link |
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That's a great price for a generator that large - particularly since it includes electric start.
Several disadvantages: 1. HF only has a 90 day warranty - And has a reputation for not having replacement parts available after the warranty expires. On some other brands, the warranty is 2 years. OTOH, HF offers an extended warranty for cheap. 2. That bad boy weighs 104 pounds - which makes a wheel kit almost a necessity. You'll pay extra for that. Also, the battery is not included. 3. At 76 dB rated noise level, it's gonna be a loud sucker! 4. A 13 HP engine is going to need a pretty sizable electrical load to be fuel-efficient. If you're running it with just a couple hundred watts of load, it'll use more gas than a 1-4 KW model. Do you really need 7 KW? |
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I'm thinking I would need that if I want to power the house during a power outage. I have a generator transfer switch installed by the power company. I was thinking that if I was conservative inside the house I would just hook it up and go. I had planned on getting the wheel kit for it. The warranty and getting replacement parts down the road is my biggest concern. |
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a portable generator and a house generator are not the same thing.
Portable, camping, get the Honda EU series. quiet, light weight, portable and it's a honda. A house needs a good solid 50amp's out (its all the motors starting up, not just keeping them running), you'll need a transfer switch and and them big gennies are heavy The wheel kits suck, you need solid wheels, big heavy things sitting on tiny little tires that go flat kill the tire. Get some solid wheelbarrow tires For a house "portable" generator, I strongly recommend diesel. diesel stores better, doesn't clog up, survives floods better and is much less of a bomb (figure on storing at least 20 gallons of fuel all the time which you have to keep cycling thru) Minus is that they cost a whole lot more. I have a big gas generator, it's loud, heavy and you forget to run it every so often and you end up pulling it down to clean the carbs. You have to start it with a battery (just jump it off your car, same thing works with a diesel) it's simply too big to pull start and I wish I had bought diesel. But, it still works and powers the house. |
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Quoted:
Anybody have any experience with this model. Seems like a great deal for the money. I'm thinking of using it for the occasional camping/hunting trip and power outages. http://www.harborfreight.com/engines-generators/gas-engine-generators/8750-watts-peak7000-running-watts-13-hp-420cc-gas-generator-68530.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link That is exactly what I used mine for. It is both heavy and loud, but very reliable. I bought the extended warranty just in case. I now have a honda for camping, but I still have my hf 7k for emergencies. With probably 200+ hours on it it always starts first time and has only needed regular oil changes. For those of us on a budget, it was (and still is) a good choice for me. YMMV |
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That is exactly what I used mine for. It is both heavy and loud, but very reliable. I bought the extended warranty just in case. I now have a honda for camping, but I still have my hf 7k for emergencies. With probably 200+ hours on it it always starts first time and has only needed regular oil changes. For those of us on a budget, it was (and still is) a good choice for me. YMMV Quoted:
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Anybody have any experience with this model. Seems like a great deal for the money. I'm thinking of using it for the occasional camping/hunting trip and power outages. http://www.harborfreight.com/engines-generators/gas-engine-generators/8750-watts-peak7000-running-watts-13-hp-420cc-gas-generator-68530.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link That is exactly what I used mine for. It is both heavy and loud, but very reliable. I bought the extended warranty just in case. I now have a honda for camping, but I still have my hf 7k for emergencies. With probably 200+ hours on it it always starts first time and has only needed regular oil changes. For those of us on a budget, it was (and still is) a good choice for me. YMMV That genny looks very similar to the Honda motored Black Max generator I have. The numbers are pretty close too. Mine came with batteries and wheels already and has been an excellent generator. Contrary to what what some folk say, I easily run my whole house with mine. I have gas heat, gas hot water, and a gas stove, so I have less load. Mine runs everything. I even ran the central AC in my house during the Derecho outage. I figured there was no way in hell it'd run that load, but it did. I love the hell out of my Black Max! Starts easy and zero problems! ETA: I see the other folks logic about using smaller gennies, but sometimes you just want to say "fuck this" and run whatever in the hell you want. I didn't need a giant ($$$$) standby genny to do it either. ETA2: I have pull started mine just to check, and it started up just fine.... Wasn't that hard either. |
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I'm thinking of using it for the occasional camping/hunting trip and power outages. 1) you are going to get thrown out of most any campground. 2) it is more power than you will ever need for camping. 3) it's not exactly easily portable at that weight. 4) it will suck down gas so you will have to bring plenty. other than that, it's chinese-made-cheap and perfectly suited. ar-jedi |
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Champion generators have a much better reputation Here's one at TSC
Champion has US service and parts available. Except for the small, 2 stroke 800w unit (I have one), HF has a rep of mostly crap equipment. Also that unit is way to big for camping unless you are powering the whole campgrounds. |
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It is pretty inexpensive but here's my two cents.
During Irene, I learned that my Kawasaki 5KW gasoline powered generator is very loud, almost to the point you'd rather not run it. During Sandy, I learned that if there is no power for an extended period of time, propane is more likely to remain available than gasoline. I was VERY happy that I had a Honda EU2000 running on propane. Unless you are doing a whole house generator that is plumbed to natural gas and kicks on automatically, I think you are better off with a small generator running the essentials and being able to do that longer (and quieter). |
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Champion generators have a much better reputation Here's one at TSC Champion has US service and parts available. Except for the small, 2 stroke 800w unit (I have one), HF has a rep of mostly crap equipment. Also that unit is way to big for camping unless you are powering the whole campgrounds. Can this genny be set up for propane as well? |
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1) you are going to get thrown out of most any campground. 2) it is more power than you will ever need for camping. 3) it's not exactly easily portable at that weight. 4) it will suck down gas so you will have to bring plenty. other than that, it's chinese-made-cheap and perfectly suited. ar-jedi Quoted:
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I'm thinking of using it for the occasional camping/hunting trip and power outages. 1) you are going to get thrown out of most any campground. 2) it is more power than you will ever need for camping. 3) it's not exactly easily portable at that weight. 4) it will suck down gas so you will have to bring plenty. other than that, it's chinese-made-cheap and perfectly suited. ar-jedi I gotta agree there. Mine is pretty loud. I use it on the opposite end if the house, so I can barely hear it. But if I were camping I sure wouldn't want to hear it. It's WAY overkill for camping.... It's better suited for when you want to run your house, and then lock it up when you are done. Too heavy for just carting around for little stuff. I forget how much gas mine burns, I didn't think it was too bad for what I was asking of it, but I'll try to gauge how much it burns next time I actually use it. I'll have to compare the photos, but I'd almost swear the genny in the link is a clone of the Honda motored "Black Max" that I bought at Sam's club. Here is the one I have: 
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I'll have to compare the photos, but I'd almost swear the genny in the link is a clone of the Honda motored "Black Max" that I bought at Sam's club. http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_20236.jpg Looking at the bottom of the block and also at the location of the air filter etc, maybe it is a Chinese Honda clone? They do make a bunch of Honda parts there don't they? I'm no gear head though. Somebody else who knows a lot more about Hondas ought to actually look at one up close I guess. If it was a Honda clone, I guess he shouldn't have too much trouble getting parts for the motor at least. I know that's only half of it though. ETA: One things certain--- Without really good wheels and handles I sure wouldn't want to even bother screwing with it. Looking at it and the Champion linked above, I'd probably just go for the Champion between the two. If a genny that size is what fits his needs. The Champion says 50 amps? Shouldn't that be 30 amps? 50 seems awful high... Mine is only 30 amp for whatever that's worth. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/black-max-7-000-watt-portable-gas-generator-with-electric-start-powered-by-honda/prod3550002.ip?mobileredirect=false The 5k watt Subaru (Robin motor) I have for backup is only 20 amp. |
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Quoted: 1) you are going to get thrown out of most any campground. 2) it is more power than you will ever need for camping. 3) it's not exactly easily portable at that weight. 4) it will suck down gas so you will have to bring plenty. other than that, it's chinese-made-cheap and perfectly suited. ar-jedi Quoted: Quoted: I'm thinking of using it for the occasional camping/hunting trip and power outages. 1) you are going to get thrown out of most any campground. 2) it is more power than you will ever need for camping. 3) it's not exactly easily portable at that weight. 4) it will suck down gas so you will have to bring plenty. other than that, it's chinese-made-cheap and perfectly suited. ar-jedi I don't care about the noise. It will be at the meter behind a shed and some trees when powering the house. Which is about 100' from the house. As far as camping I'm not talking at Mom & Pop's RV lot. I'm talking private ground hunting trips where it would be used to run both a meat freezer and some lighting a few hours a day. I realize that it wont be very fuel efficient running just a few lights & a freezer but it would be better than having 2 generators. IMO I plan on getting the wheel kit or making my own with upgraded the wheels so it will be as portable as a 100+ pound machine can be. EDIT: for what it's worth The Black max by Honda is rated at 78 decibels. The HF model is rated at 76 decibels. The Chinese wouldn't lie to us would they?  |
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I don't care about the noise. It will be at the meter behind a shed and some trees when powering the house. Which is about 100' from the house. As far as camping I'm not talking at Mom & Pop's RV lot. I'm talking private ground hunting trips where it would be used to run both a meat freezer and some lighting a few hours a day. I realize that it wont be very fuel efficient running just a few lights & a freezer but it would be better than having 2 generators. IMO I plan on getting the wheel kit or making my own with upgraded the wheels so it will be as portable as a 100+ pound machine can be. EDIT: for what it's worth The Black max by Honda is rated at 78 decibels. The HF model is rated at 76 decibels. The Chinese wouldn't lie to us would they?
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I'm thinking of using it for the occasional camping/hunting trip and power outages. 1) you are going to get thrown out of most any campground. 2) it is more power than you will ever need for camping. 3) it's not exactly easily portable at that weight. 4) it will suck down gas so you will have to bring plenty. other than that, it's chinese-made-cheap and perfectly suited. ar-jedi I don't care about the noise. It will be at the meter behind a shed and some trees when powering the house. Which is about 100' from the house. As far as camping I'm not talking at Mom & Pop's RV lot. I'm talking private ground hunting trips where it would be used to run both a meat freezer and some lighting a few hours a day. I realize that it wont be very fuel efficient running just a few lights & a freezer but it would be better than having 2 generators. IMO I plan on getting the wheel kit or making my own with upgraded the wheels so it will be as portable as a 100+ pound machine can be. EDIT: for what it's worth The Black max by Honda is rated at 78 decibels. The HF model is rated at 76 decibels. The Chinese wouldn't lie to us would they?
If you don't mind the noise (nah, the chinese would never lie!) and the weight, I guess it would do okay. Before the Honda crowd gets ruffled, the Black Max isn't a true Honda. It's only a third party generator built using a Honda engine. The genny head and other stuff are made by unknowns (probably chinese). It's probably not as good as a true Honda, but I sure couldn't afford a real one that size! 
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I realize that it wont be very fuel efficient running just a few lights & a freezer but it would be better than having 2 generators. It's awful nice having two generators - 1. A small, quiet, high-quality fuel-sipper for powering the fridge, freezer, lights, entertainment electronics and communications gear, battery chargers, and other small- or medium-sized long-running loads, and 2. A big, cheap racket-maker for occasionally doing a load of laundry, running the well pump, welding, running big power tools, etc. Having two gives you one to loan out to relatives. It also ensures you've still got some AC power if one of them quits. |
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For those with those big, noisey gensets-consider this.
Just a thought. Redman |
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It's awful nice having two generators - 1. A small, quiet, high-quality fuel-sipper for powering the fridge, freezer, lights, entertainment electronics and communications gear, battery chargers, and other small- or medium-sized long-running loads, and 2. A big, cheap racket-maker for occasionally doing a load of laundry, running the well pump, welding, running big power tools, etc. Having two gives you one to loan out to relatives. It also ensures you've still got some AC power if one of them quits. Quoted:
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I realize that it wont be very fuel efficient running just a few lights & a freezer but it would be better than having 2 generators. It's awful nice having two generators - 1. A small, quiet, high-quality fuel-sipper for powering the fridge, freezer, lights, entertainment electronics and communications gear, battery chargers, and other small- or medium-sized long-running loads, and 2. A big, cheap racket-maker for occasionally doing a load of laundry, running the well pump, welding, running big power tools, etc. Having two gives you one to loan out to relatives. It also ensures you've still got some AC power if one of them quits. Skibane nails it again........ 
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that's a great idea, thanks. |
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I was actually thinking about rigging up something very similar if it was too loud. |
| Way overkil.......if this is primarily going to be used as a camp genny then get a honda eu1000/2000........actually champion sells a 2000 watt quiet inverter genny as well.....check your local sams they go for about $350/400........but if your going to just buy one from above I would do the champion......and yes its rated at 50 amps cause it has a 50 amp plug |
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but if your going to just buy one from above I would do the champion......and yes its rated at 50 amps cause it has a 50 amp plug this one? http://www.tractorsupply.com/product__10151_-1_10051_188367_20 you are not getting one feed of 50A at 120Vac from that generator, no matter what plug/receptacle combo you have. that is a split phase generator. it makes 120Vac/240Vac split phase power derived from a center-tapped alternator head. 7500W output means a total current of 62.5A at 120Vac, but this is divided by two by the center-tapped alternator. you get 31.25A of 120Vac on one leg (L1), and another 31.25A of 120Vac on the other leg (L2) the circular twist-lock, 4 prong NEMA L14-30 receptacle handles up to 30A split phase; for this reason the full capacity of the generator can not be realized via this connector. however, the NEMA L14-30 is one of the most common generator transfer switch/inlet box connector configurations. to allow for greater than 30A circuit capacity, this generator also has a NEMA 14-50 receptacle, which handles up to 50A split phase. this type of receptacle is commonly used in residential kitchens, behind an electric stove/oven. the most common usage of the split phase generator output is to simultaneously feed both "halves" of a residential circuit breaker panel. L1 powers the breakers on one side, and L2 powers the breakers on the other side. any double pole breakers get 240Vac with this configuration. however, the generator itself will not supply one feed of 50A at 120Vac; instead, there are two 120Vac feeds of 31.25A each. said another way, the biggest 120Vac load you can power is 31.25A. just because the receptacle is rated at 50A does not mean the generator will supply that. ar-jedi |
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this one? http://www.tractorsupply.com/product__10151_-1_10051_188367_20 you are not getting one feed of 50A at 120Vac from that generator, no matter what plug/receptacle combo you have. that is a split phase generator. it makes 120Vac/240Vac split phase power derived from a center-tapped alternator head. 7500W output means a total current of 62.5A at 120Vac, but this is divided by two by the center-tapped alternator. you get 31.25A of 120Vac on one leg (L1), and another 31.25A of 120Vac on the other leg (L2) the circular twist-lock, 4 prong NEMA L14-30 receptacle handles up to 30A split phase; for this reason the full capacity of the generator can not be realized via this connector. however, the NEMA L14-30 is one of the most common generator transfer switch/inlet box connector configurations. to allow for greater than 30A circuit capacity, this generator also has a NEMA 14-50 receptacle, which handles up to 50A split phase. this type of receptacle is commonly used in residential kitchens, behind an electric stove/oven. the most common usage of the split phase generator output is to simultaneously feed both "halves" of a residential circuit breaker panel. L1 powers the breakers on one side, and L2 powers the breakers on the other side. any double pole breakers get 240Vac with this configuration. however, the generator itself will not supply one feed of 50A at 120Vac; instead, there are two 120Vac feeds of 31.25A each. said another way, the biggest 120Vac load you can power is 31.25A. just because the receptacle is rated at 50A does not mean the generator will supply that. ar-jedi Quoted:
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but if your going to just buy one from above I would do the champion......and yes its rated at 50 amps cause it has a 50 amp plug this one? http://www.tractorsupply.com/product__10151_-1_10051_188367_20 you are not getting one feed of 50A at 120Vac from that generator, no matter what plug/receptacle combo you have. that is a split phase generator. it makes 120Vac/240Vac split phase power derived from a center-tapped alternator head. 7500W output means a total current of 62.5A at 120Vac, but this is divided by two by the center-tapped alternator. you get 31.25A of 120Vac on one leg (L1), and another 31.25A of 120Vac on the other leg (L2) the circular twist-lock, 4 prong NEMA L14-30 receptacle handles up to 30A split phase; for this reason the full capacity of the generator can not be realized via this connector. however, the NEMA L14-30 is one of the most common generator transfer switch/inlet box connector configurations. to allow for greater than 30A circuit capacity, this generator also has a NEMA 14-50 receptacle, which handles up to 50A split phase. this type of receptacle is commonly used in residential kitchens, behind an electric stove/oven. the most common usage of the split phase generator output is to simultaneously feed both "halves" of a residential circuit breaker panel. L1 powers the breakers on one side, and L2 powers the breakers on the other side. any double pole breakers get 240Vac with this configuration. however, the generator itself will not supply one feed of 50A at 120Vac; instead, there are two 120Vac feeds of 31.25A each. said another way, the biggest 120Vac load you can power is 31.25A. just because the receptacle is rated at 50A does not mean the generator will supply that. ar-jedi You just said the genny is rated for about 62 amps correct?........so if I am pluging into the NEMA 14-50 receptacle alone am i not getting the full 50 amps that the receptacle is rated for? I understand if you start pluging into other receptacles that the amps and load will be split between each.......but if your not? And only using the 50 amp plug? |
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I bought that exact generator. I've not had to use it in an emergency situation yet so I cannot comment on that. I do crank it up every week and slap a load on it, albeit a small one at 500W. I also converted it to run on propane, which it does.
It is heavy; you won't want to be lugging it around. I've not installed a battery and use the pull starter. No problems doing it that way. |
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You just said the genny is rated for about 62 amps correct?........so if I am pluging into the NEMA 14-50 receptacle alone am i not getting the full 50 amps that the receptacle is rated for? no. reread my post above. and clarify whether the load is 120Vac or 240Vac. ar-jedi |
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I was actually thinking about rigging up something very similar if it was too loud. Quoted:
As mentioned above, much of the noise a genny makes comes form the mechanical side of the moving/rattling parts. Not just the exhaust. JB welding a generic car muffler to it only treats one source of the noise. Also be aware of the back pressure that such a muffle might induce and the extra effort your engine now has to dedicate to overcoming he restriction. Another option: Supergen generator tent cover EDIT: Make an honest assessment of your electrical needs by making a list of the appliances/devices you plan to run and how much load they will draw. Also bear in mind, that you don;t need to run everything all at once around the clock. The fridge can get by on a limited schedule just to keep things cold, the furnace fan runs just to keep the house tolerable. The computer/TV might only be needed at night for entertainment/distraction for the kids, etc. I bought a Champion 3500w at Cabela's last year on a black Friday deal after making an honest list of my needs, and what I need to get buy and survive during an extended outage. The only thing it can't run is my 240v dryer and my central A/C. |
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I've got two portable generators because I lose power all the time and have to wait to get a whole house generator. I don't have to worry about heat when power is out because I have a wood stove (new one coming though) and a natural gas heater (looks like a wood stove) in my living room.
I use the generators for refrigerators and small chest freezer when I have food in it. Television/Dish and Viasat modem. Can't run my well pump of off them. I got the Champion Weekender from Cabelas last year with free shipping for about $329.00. I also have a UST generator I got from Walmart when I finagled a $200.00+ price drop from the store's manager  .
They run on gas which I store in jerry cans in a pole barn and rotate frequently by using gas in my vehicle, log splitter, law mowers etc. I fill these cans all the time anyway as I live in the middle of nowhere on an island with one road access and often get snowed in. I buy my gas with discounts from the grocery store receipts and get a discount that can be up to a dollar over the going price of gas. Champion also has propane fueled generators. I think about 4 gallons of gas runs my generators for over 10 hours non-stop. I don't find them that loud when I'm in the house or even across the yard. Champion Weekender is on sale $319.99. You might get free shipping or they are running a $5.00 shipping special now. Should come with cover and wheel kit. This place used to have good prices but they went up over the last year. |
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You just said the genny is rated for about 62 amps correct?........so if I am pluging into the NEMA 14-50 receptacle alone am i not getting the full 50 amps that the receptacle is rated for? I understand if you start pluging into other receptacles that the amps and load will be split between each.......but if your not? And only using the 50 amp plug? Quoted:
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but if your going to just buy one from above I would do the champion......and yes its rated at 50 amps cause it has a 50 amp plug this one? http://www.tractorsupply.com/product__10151_-1_10051_188367_20 you are not getting one feed of 50A at 120Vac from that generator, no matter what plug/receptacle combo you have. that is a split phase generator. it makes 120Vac/240Vac split phase power derived from a center-tapped alternator head. 7500W output means a total current of 62.5A at 120Vac, but this is divided by two by the center-tapped alternator. you get 31.25A of 120Vac on one leg (L1), and another 31.25A of 120Vac on the other leg (L2) the circular twist-lock, 4 prong NEMA L14-30 receptacle handles up to 30A split phase; for this reason the full capacity of the generator can not be realized via this connector. however, the NEMA L14-30 is one of the most common generator transfer switch/inlet box connector configurations. to allow for greater than 30A circuit capacity, this generator also has a NEMA 14-50 receptacle, which handles up to 50A split phase. this type of receptacle is commonly used in residential kitchens, behind an electric stove/oven. the most common usage of the split phase generator output is to simultaneously feed both "halves" of a residential circuit breaker panel. L1 powers the breakers on one side, and L2 powers the breakers on the other side. any double pole breakers get 240Vac with this configuration. however, the generator itself will not supply one feed of 50A at 120Vac; instead, there are two 120Vac feeds of 31.25A each. said another way, the biggest 120Vac load you can power is 31.25A. just because the receptacle is rated at 50A does not mean the generator will supply that. ar-jedi You just said the genny is rated for about 62 amps correct?........so if I am pluging into the NEMA 14-50 receptacle alone am i not getting the full 50 amps that the receptacle is rated for? I understand if you start pluging into other receptacles that the amps and load will be split between each.......but if your not? And only using the 50 amp plug? It's 30 amps of 120 on each 'phase', or 60 amps of 120 combined from both phases. For most folks the phases can't be 'paralleled'. However, to open a can of worms, if you look at the schematic for this genny, you will likely see that the 2 'phases' can easily be reconnected by 4 wires, into a single phase output of 60 amps. If that is important to have. For me it is, in the case of a light tower genny, that has a 6000 watt head split into two phases. Either 120 vac phase by itself won't start my air compressor, but the 2 phases reconnected in parallel, will. |
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However, to open a can of worms, if you look at the schematic for this genny, you will likely see that the 2 'phases' can easily be reconnected by 4 wires, into a single phase output of 60 amps. see the function of the mode selector switch, here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_17/668846_.html&page=1 ar-jedi |
| Here is a new link to the generator you posted with a substantial price drop. $529.99 with this special. |