Posted: 2/24/2013 7:33:01 PM EDT
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Found a Husky 5000W (6250W peak) generator locally I'm thinking about buying. It has the Subuaru engine, which from my research, is very well regarded.
Just wondering if anyone here had this model, or at least had a generator with a Subaru engine that could provide input. I believe this to be the model. "Lightly used". Linky |
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The engine will be great iirc subaru doesn't make two different grades like Honda.
The generator head will be fine for homeowner use, but don't push it with long hours. for long term high use you want a brushless head. I have found that the Makita units usually go cheap on CL (they are a re-badged Subaru industrial units) |
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Quoted:
It has the Subuaru engine, which from my research, is very well regarded. Many manufacturers like to slap a Honda/Yamaha/Subaru engine on a no-name Chinese-made alternator head, knowing that most most prospective customers will look no further than the engine brand in judging the product's quality. Typically, the engine isn't the weak link - It's the alternator head. 7 years from now, if the voltage regulator or the brushes in the alternator head crap out, will you be able to get replacements? Quoted:
for long term high use you want a brushless head. No, you don't. Alternator heads with brushes tend to produce better-quality power than their "brushless" counterparts. The brushes are paired with slip rings (like on a car alternator), so they only carry small amounts of DC current - which makes them last a long, long time. |
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It'd rarely get used aside from regular maintenance startups....except for some sort of winter storm event or tornado or something. More of an insurance policy for a few days of power outage.
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Typically, the engine isn't the weak link - It's the alternator head. 7 years from now, if the voltage regulator or the brushes in the alternator head crap out, will you be able to get replacements? I dunno...hence the question  There's a couple options at Costco I've been looking at but they're a little more money.
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I dunno...hence the question There's a couple options at Costco I've been looking at but they're a little more money.If you can't afford a genuine Honda or Yamaha, you might also take a look at Champion Power Equipment's stuff - They're Chinese-made, but they have exceptional build quality and customer service. They're American-owned, manufacture their own stuff in their own factory in China, and have a very good customer support office in California - All the techs are knowledgeable, and speak English as a first language. You can find their products at Tractor Supply, Lowe's, Cabellas, and on the Home Depot website. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
It has the Subuaru engine, which from my research, is very well regarded. Many manufacturers like to slap a Honda/Yamaha/Subaru engine on a no-name Chinese-made alternator head, knowing that most most prospective customers will look no further than the engine brand in judging the product's quality. Typically, the engine isn't the weak link - It's the alternator head. 7 years from now, if the voltage regulator or the brushes in the alternator head crap out, will you be able to get replacements? Quoted:
for long term high use you want a brushless head. No, you don't. Alternator heads with brushes tend to produce better-quality power than their "brushless" counterparts. The brushes are paired with slip rings (like on a car alternator), so they only carry small amounts of DC current - which makes them last a long, long time. Subaru and Yamaha both use brushless heads, you don't have to drink the Honda kool aid. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
It has the Subuaru engine, which from my research, is very well regarded. Many manufacturers like to slap a Honda/Yamaha/Subaru engine on a no-name Chinese-made alternator head, knowing that most most prospective customers will look no further than the engine brand in judging the product's quality. Typically, the engine isn't the weak link - It's the alternator head. 7 years from now, if the voltage regulator or the brushes in the alternator head crap out, will you be able to get replacements? Quoted:
for long term high use you want a brushless head. No, you don't. Alternator heads with brushes tend to produce better-quality power than their "brushless" counterparts. The brushes are paired with slip rings (like on a car alternator), so they only carry small amounts of DC current - which makes them last a long, long time. Subaru and Yamaha both use brushless heads, you don't have to drink the Honda kool aid. Subaru heads use brushes and an AVR circuit - no different from any other non-inverter brand. 
Yamaha and Honda have pretty much abandoned the non-inverter generator market entirely - but back when they still made synchronous generators, their premium models used AVR circuits with brushes. |
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I used a brand new Power mate bought from Menards this past
summer. The whole unit was made in china and it ran for two hundred hours during our week long power outage while the temps were over 100 degrees everyday. I wired it into our breaker panel and ran our whole house with it. Ran our AC, TV, lights, water heater, washer, water pump. freezer, fridge computer. The only thing it would not run even turning other things off was our dryer. I would run the water heater until it shut off then flip the breaker and take a shower. Unless you are willing to spend huge money most everything out there is made in China. |
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I used a brand new Power mate bought from Menards this past summer. The whole unit was made in china and it ran for two hundred hours during our week long power outage while the temps were over 100 degrees everyday. I wired it into our breaker panel and ran our whole house with it. Ran our AC, TV, lights, water heater, washer, water pump. freezer, fridge computer. The only thing it would not run even turning other things off was our dryer. I would run the water heater until it shut off then flip the breaker and take a shower. Unless you are willing to spend huge money most everything out there is made in China. How big was the Gen? That sounds pretty good |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I used a brand new Power mate bought from Menards this past summer. The whole unit was made in china and it ran for two hundred hours during our week long power outage while the temps were over 100 degrees everyday. I wired it into our breaker panel and ran our whole house with it. Ran our AC, TV, lights, water heater, washer, water pump. freezer, fridge computer. The only thing it would not run even turning other things off was our dryer. I would run the water heater until it shut off then flip the breaker and take a shower. Unless you are willing to spend huge money most everything out there is made in China. How big was the Gen? That sounds pretty good 6500 watt peak |