Generator

[BowTrout]

I’m looking to get a generator that I can use for backup if the power goes out at my house and that I can use for my camper on trips. I’m not sure what to get. Any input is appreciated.

 

[*zap*]

Depends on how much you want to power @ the house and that will effect size/portability.

I have a 2000 Honda invertor and a 2000 MTM invertor(same as harbor freight, basically), the mtm is around 40 cc less than the honda and really sips gas compared to the Honda. I also have a 2500 Honda frame generator for backup but I prefer the invertors.

All have worked well for me if they were maintained and run every few months. My favorite is the MTM because I can run a 900 watt oil filled radiator heater from it for 10 hrs on a gallon of gas.

The bigger Honda invertor (I think 3500) would be very good but somewhat bulky, they come with wheels thou.

 

[Wellsdw]

I have a relative that owns a company which sells and services mostly big welders but also generators. He is a big fan of Koehler which he sold me. He opinion was they are a great bang for your buck, reliable and easy to work on and service. They Also have tri-fuel capability. Mine is a 6500 I believe. Ran the hell out of it through ice storms and hurricanes no issues

He also sells Yamaha and Honda which he says are great, but very pricey and can me tough to get parts for in the event you have an issue.

 

[boom]

I live in blackout central. Wildfire prevention.

I bought the new Honda EU2200. I run my fridge, my neighbors freezer, some lights and my tankless gas water heater (just the computer and the ignition). It’s quiet. I can run it nine hours. It’s just a bit over 1 gallon to fill it up. My neighbor got solar and batteries, so I am on my own now. It should go longer.

niw having said that: my old boss bought the 2000w yamaha unit from Costco. much Much cheaper than my Honda. It’s been flawless. And I honestly think it’s quieter.

my Honda is reliable. I can change the oil mid blackout. Our longest outage was 8 days. I think I changed the oil twice. It takes minutes, and I’m back and running. I only run it daytime. It’s cable locked in my yard.
if I had one complaint:it’s a pain to refill (fuel) neatly. You can see into the tank while your filling. A bigger hike would have been nice. I buy non-ethanol 93 octane when they announce a possible blackout event.

notable mention. Before I bought my Honda a friend loaned me his EU2000. He said it hasn’t been started in 6 years. I dumped the fuel, changed the oil and fired it up. It ran so bad it was walking across my garage floor. I took the carb out and hosed it with gun cleaner spray. Put it back and it started with one anemic pull and hummed smoothly. They are so robust and easy to attempt repairs.

 

[Brightwhite]

Went through this a while back and I went Honda. Do you want to run the ac on your camper with it?

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I used a 2000 watt Honda inverter generator for years (mostly to run lights on a gigging boat) then traded up to the 3000 watt version. The extra power might come in handy sometimes, but I wish I'd stayed with the 2000 watt version because of how much easier it is to get in and out of a truck bed (47 lbs vs. 131 lbs dry weight). Both of those Hondas run very quietly and have been very reliable for me, but at 2000-3000 watts and 120 volts, they can't run any major home appliances.

 

[KChunter71]

Honda Generators | Generator Wattage Estimation Guide

Our wattage estimation guide helps you determine your electrical power needs for home back up, recreation, construction, farming and emergency use.

powerequipment.honda.com

Start here. Depends on what you want to spend and how much power you need.

my Honda eu2000 does what I need. Runs my RV just need to make sure you don’t run everything. Backup power for home, furnace blower for heat (gas) and keep the freezer and refrigerator running. It’s can be carried by the average person and easy to work on

 

[Finch]

Don't dismiss Harbor Freight's Predator line of generators. I know I know...cheap tools at HF but their generators have a good reputation. I had to buy a replacement as my old Coleman generator's oil cap came unscrewed during use and sprayed oil all over my house and locked up the motor. That was a fun evening before I had to go to work! Evidently, the low oil sensor was no good.

Anyway, I bought this one and love it. Got it on sale for $599 and during a tax free weekend.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

Probably too big for hauling along camping but there are smaller ones. They even have one that gives the quiet Honda a real run for its money at half the price.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Desk Jockey]

briggs and Stratton fan here. I have a storm responder and smaller Honda. The storm responder is too big for camping trips and the Honda wasn’t big enough to work for the house.

have a plan for what you are going to do in a black out:

Isolate your house from the grid?
which circuits you want to power? Heater, fridge, lights?
go with extension cords?
oil, plugs, gas cans, gas and more gas***
where are you putting the generator (noise, exhaust and under cover)

*** if you are in a big natural disaster, there won’t be power to the gas stations (no deliveries, no power to pumps, pay cash) and you won’t be able to find a gas can with 200 miles.

 

[BowTrout]

Went through this a while back and I went Honda. Do you want to run the ac on your camper with it?

Running the ac on the camper is not a must

 

[elkguide]

Honda. I've used them for construction work for 30 years. Definitely isolate your main panel in the house and be sure and run your generator dry before storing and you'll be a "happy camper!"

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Honda...I have 2 of little ones..used to run them in parallel to push the camper AC if needed, when I used to have camper...Sold it but kept the gens.. If I didn't need AC I would just take one on the trip. Whatever you get use non ethanol fuel and run it dry before storage.

 

[Pn8hall]

If you really want to simplify hook up of things you should look into installing a generator interlok kit in your electric panel. Basically you have a plug on the outside of your house that you connect the generator to. Power is then fed into your main panel and you have device (interlok kit) that when you turn off the main breaker to your house you turn on the breaker that your genny is hooked up to. The interlok kit keeps your generator from backfeeding onto the power grid to protect the lineman. You will have to do trial and error to figure which circuits you can run without overloading your generator at that point. Turn off breakers that you dont need basically at that point. Have all your breakers marked ahead of outages and its a breeze from there. Fire up the generator and run one cord into your house and boom you are online.

 

[BowTrout]

Does anybody have any knowledge about the Generacs? Here is one that I was looking at today.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Generac-IQ3500-3500-Watt-Gasoline-Portable-Generator/1000615731

 

[HuntHarder]

Generacs are really popular for larger generators here in AZ. Not sure about the smaller 6500 and less cc versions, but their half home/ full home versions are solid.

 

[Fullfan]

I have two Honda eu2000’s. Used them camping and around the house. Recently bought two predator 3500’s. The predators have twice the amp’s as the Honda’s, larger gas tanks and electric start. I prefer the predators, and they 700.00.

 

[Whisky]

I know the standard answer is Honda. And they are nice. However, if 3500W is sufficient for you, I would suggest you read up on the Harbor Freight Predator. You can get them on sale at various times for around $680.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[DJB]

I use this extented run fuel system with my honda 2000. This gets me two to three days of run time between fills depending on what I am running. http://www.genxdirect.com/b-e-r-g-s...n-fuel-system-tank-included-part-hnd1-2000is/

 

[*zap*]

Predator 3500 for $650 would be a good option.

 

[danarnold]

If you want portable/suitcase it’s hard to beat a Honda 2000 or 2200 you, I have both and use them for exactly what you’re describing, either will run the AC on my RV as well. Someone stated that they are a pain to feel and I agree especially at night but there is a solution, there is a cap available which allows you to run a line to an external marine type tank, I’m gonna experiment with that.
A friend of mine that has a construction company bought the Honda for his RV but said the predators from HF as what the company has been using and has very good luck with them.
I have a hard line run about 100 feet from the house that I can plug into that goes to my main panel, like stated above you have to experiment with everything in a run but you must make sure you disconnect the main breaker at the meter to prevent back from eating and potentially hurting someone