Generators?

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jynx

jynx

Turd Herder
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So we just bought some property that we intend to build on in a year or so, but right now it is bare. I hope to get some power in to the potential home site later this year, but in the interim I am going to need power for misc chores such as running a saw, drill, etc for fencing and other misc construction projects. I also think I could use it for back-up power with a manual transfer switch once teh house is built. i am looking for something in the 5000W range.

I have been looking around and have found some good options, but like everything, budget comes into play. I know everyone just loves the Honda EUxxx series units, but I am not looking to pony up that kind of $$. I looked at a NorthStar unit that is powered by a Honda Motor at my local Northern Tool, and tonight I ran across a Westinghouse unit, same size for about 65% of the NS unit. So I know Honda motors are legendary, but Westinghouse is pretty big in the Electrical world, so I am looking for opinions.

My google searching is what led me to the Westinghouse, but I am having trouble with getting decent results. Get a lot of brands I have never heard of, but not a lot of what I am looking for.

I am open to suggestions, looking for 5000W and trying to stay under $1k. Must have low-oil shut off, at least 4 -110V and at least 1-110/220V outlet.

Anybody have any experience with the NorthStar or Westinghouse units? Or anything else?

Thanks, :cheers:

Matthew
 
I recomend you hit up the local pawn shops and craigs list for a used Honda. I bought an older construction grade version of the Honda EM5000s for $300. Runs perfect.

My neighbor bought a new Northstar. After the first year his 30amp breaker kep blowing. He has replaced it every 6 months and now just keeps a spare for it.
 
The Yamahas are pretty nice, if you can find one. Not quite the price point of the Honda, but I think pretty equal in quality.
 
I used a Yamaha in our recent power outage over Christmas. They work. And in Canada (at least locally) the equivalent Yamaha to Honda comparison usually sees Yamaha a little bit pricier.

Of course when its -20Celsius outside and you have no heat ANY generator that can power the gas furnace is a wonderful device - particularly when you are trying to keep your pipes from freezing and bursting. Since then been wondering how durable the Honda/Yamaha gensets are when run on NG ... during our power failure the Natural Gas kept flowing ... an NG genset would save a lot of trips to a gas station for fuel .. assuming the gas station even had power to pump fuel!
 
Very durable and a good idea. Winco and probably a few others make tri fuel generators ready to go. There are carb conversion kits for Honda and I am sure other brands.

I got a new Honda generator for my parents house with the intention of converting it to natural gas. We found the generator so fuel efficient that we decided not to convert but I would have been interested in seeing it work.

I know that natural gas doesnt have quite as much " oomph" compared to gasoline so you need a little larger generator to compensate. We solved that problem with a Honda 4000 that surges to 5000 watts. I think it is an EM model. Well worth the money.
 
We found the generator so fuel efficient that we decided not to convert but I would have been interested in seeing it work
Click to expand...
.. yes ... I had a borrowed Yamaha 3000 Inverter unit from my BIL .. and was surprised how quiet it was AND how fuel efficient it was ... unfortunately we were out of power for 5 days (pretty much blew Christmas) and we were fortunate as some folks were out for almost 3 weeks! But despite the excellent fuel economy .. after 3 days I noticed it was sucking back enough gas to make a replenishment plan a necessity.

Oh well ..no point complaining ... but either way I think a guy would be well served with a Honda or Yamaha from limited personal experience. At least they start easy, run fairly quiet and deliver the goods!
 
Another benefit of LP is, unlike gasoline, it doesn't go bad in short order.
 
Couldn't tell you the brand but several years ago we were out for a week and had a 10k watt generator sitting in my back yard that was powering 6 houses. I dont know what each house had plugged in but I will tell you we had enough plugged in to live comfortably. It burned through the gas though
 
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