Household Generators

[yooper]

I've been wanting to get a household backup generator for my lake house for a while. A recent storm knocked out our power for about 24 hours while we had guests visiting us there, and we almost bailed and headed for town. Katrina has brought this to the surface of my brain once again. I'm thinking I need at least 3000 watts, probably would be safer with about 5000, to run the refrigerator, well pump, and all the lights. Would be nice to run my 220V air compressor too and the laundry appliances, but these are less important.

Any recommendations? Should I go with a Honda EU3000i (reliable, very clean power, easy to use, lightweight) or should I go bigger and do something like a permanently installed diesel of some kind?

[Cruiser_Nerd]

My own rule of thumb.... the inexpensive ones with Briggs/Tecumseh/Kohler engines will do just fine but are very thirsty. Honda will run about 1.5x as long on same amount of fuel, diesel about 2x as long (+ if you heat with oil you have a huge reserve). I run a Yanmar 3700 diesel, does everything you listed, but on a staggered start. Air compressor with lights only. Forget the dryer, washing machine is probably around 1/2 hp.


Make sure you have enough generator to handle the STARTING load combined with the running load of any other items that are on. You don't want to burn out a submersible pump because of low voltage.
http://www.genexusa.com/wattage.html

[Capt. Jim]

3000 watts won't get you much, especially with a well pump. I currently have a 6000 watt that will run my well pump, refrigerator, freezer and lights/ceiling fans. Forget about laundry equipment. With my neighbor's borrowed 15 KW last hurricane season, I could run all the above plus one of my central AC units.

The Honda units are very good, and seem to me to be the quietest. My honda-powered pressure washer always starts on the first pull, even after sitting for months. I would go with at least a 5 or 6K.

They're well worth their cost when you are out of juice......

[informationjunky]

Honda I think is quiter than most. I ran across a EB3500 at a pawn shop and have been real pleased with it.

[bigndn]

Originally Posted by Capt. Jim

3000 watts won't get you much, especially with a well pump. I currently have a 6000 watt that will run my well pump, refrigerator, freezer and lights/ceiling fans. Forget about laundry equipment. With my neighbor's borrowed 15 KW last hurricane season, I could run all the above plus one of my central AC units.

The Honda units are very good, and seem to me to be the quietest. My honda-powered pressure washer always starts on the first pull, even after sitting for months. I would go with at least a 5 or 6K.

They're well worth their cost when you are out of juice......

I agree..........minimum of 6000 watt to run the appliances Capt. Jim mentioned. If you don't have enough clean clothes to last a week, run down to the local thrift shop and pick up something nice. I've been thinking about installing an instant-on propane generator.

[bigndn]

The propane generator would be a fixed unit, but it sure is nice to have a smaller portable unit. I'm taking my 3000 watt to elk camp this year. That should liven up the neighborhood.

[Zimm]

if you have the money get a honda.

[yooper]

Thanks guys! Yeah, the more I think about it the more I realize that I need more power. If the refrigerator and the well pump cycle at the same time, they will draw about 4000W to start up. I think I'll shoot for 6000W.

Maybe I'll build a 3FE powered one! Yeah, that's it!

I like the propane idea - the cabin has an LP furnace so I already have a 500 gallon tank. Any recommendations on specific propane generators or conversion kits?

[Koffer]

Heres a link for propane conversion carbs
http://www.propane-generators.com/
I bought a 10kw surplus unit for the house and I will using the company to convert a new surplus carb for it . Thats if I ever get the permit for my new garage

[Capt. Jim]

Originally Posted by Koffer

Heres a link for propane conversion carbs
http://www.propane-generators.com/
I bought a 10kw surplus unit for the house and I will using the company to convert a new surplus carb for it . Thats if I ever get the permit for my new garage

Thanks for this link. I have a 500 gal propane tank now that I use for other stuff. This will sure beat refueling every 10.5 hours.

[yooper]

OK, after some research and thought I'm definitely going propane. Prolly shop for a Honda EM7000is (6500W) and get a propane conversion kit. I'm tempted by the pre-converted Yamaha's they have, though - plug and play is always kewl.This one sounds pretty nice.

[Capt. Jim]

Originally Posted by yooper

OK, after some research and thought I'm definitely going propane. Prolly shop for a Honda EM7000is (6500W) and get a propane conversion kit. I'm tempted by the pre-converted Yamaha's they have, though - plug and play is always kewl.This one sounds pretty nice.

Yamaha also makes good stuff. I have 2 on one boat and a single on the other. They're flawless!!

[DieselROCKS]

Guy I work with has a 4kW Honda with a single cylinder diesel....the guy just loves it

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by yooper

OK, after some research and thought I'm definitely going propane. Prolly shop for a Honda EM7000is (6500W) and get a propane conversion kit. I'm tempted by the pre-converted Yamaha's they have, though - plug and play is always kewl.This one sounds pretty nice.

Northern Hydraulics has an 8000 watt unit that uses a Honda 13 hp engine. It is also "Tri-Fuel" so it can run off of Gas, Propane, or Natural Gas.

Costs about 2 grand. Item # 165938-1601 on page 6 of the 2005 fall/winter catalog.

Pretty good deal!

8kw surge...6.6kw continuous.
Low oil shut down, circuit breakers, switches from gasoline to dry fuel without powering down. Electric start with recoil back up. 6.5 gallon tank. All the good stuff.

[yooper]

Originally Posted by flintknapper

Northern Hydraulics has an 8000 watt unit ....

Huh? Do you mean Northern Tool?I assume you mean this one. Sounds pretty good...

[tabraha]

Whatever you do make sure to get one that has the damn wheels on it! I can't believe they acutually sell some without. You can also buy the wheel kit, just make sure you've got that part covered. It's a *!@^% to move one around by yourself without the wheels.

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by yooper

Huh? Do you mean Northern Tool?I assume you mean this one. Sounds pretty good...

Yup, thats it. Sorry for the misleading name, they were Northern Hydraulics for a bizillion years and then changed the name. I still call them NH sometimes. Sorry for the confusion.

[semlin]

be very careful with propane conversion on a generator. had a from new conversion on an onan that went bad, and have heard other stories.

the hondas are superb. a 3500 outperformed said onan yet cost half as much and was only 1/4 as noisy.

I would consider a small generator and an LPG fridge. they are not pricey and if you get a small one in onjunction with an electric ytou can move essentials into the lpg and then your power demands are very low.

[White Shark]

EB6500 commercial Honda here. It rules. I also have a Northern 8500 watt unit which is great, but is only half the machine that the Honda is.