Generator Recommendations (1 Viewer)

[jamesw]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to buy a generator to run my fishroom (and maybe the house if I'm lucky) in case of a powercut. It seems like now is a pretty good time to buy.

Any recommendations? It doesn't have to be super quiet - just reliable and around 6kw. My fishroom has a "hotel style" thru-the-wall air-conditioner.

Cheers
James

 

[tmgrash]

I bought and ran the $500 5500w version from Walmart during Ike. Ran like a champ for about 10 days. Didnt stop running just didnt need it past then Thinking abbout getting another one, or ffor about $4500 more you can get one to run your whole house that automatically starts when the power goes out.

 

[tnguyen]

Honda generator are great! You might want to reconsider and get the quiet one.

 

[jdeveaux]

I went with a Makita 6101R from Home Depot and it has been rock solid... reminds me its probably about time for me to do a test run on it just to keep those parts oiled.

It ran my tank's, refrigerator, and portable AC unit and didn't break a sweat.

5800W with alternator and regulator along with DC output for charging batteries ect.

 

[lesd]

I got a new one this summer - ended up settling on this Briggs and Stratton Model:

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Briggs-&-Stratton-30242/p885.html

Haven't really had a chance to test it much yet, but I got it based on a nice balance between reliability, cost, features, and noise.

During IKE, I had a less expensive generator that worked fine, but it was LOUD. I'm pretty tolerant of noise, but I couldn't go near this thing without earplugs.

-- Les

 

[flexrac]

how about a whole house generator from hd.
$3000

 

[jamesw]

A natural gas standby generator starts at about $3,500 or so plus installation.

It's sorely tempting but man is that expensive for the amount of time you might use it.

You can buy a good diesel generator for 2-3K which is also a good alternative...

Thanks
James

 

[jdeveaux]

how about a whole house generator from hd.
$3000

As long as your installing it that's a good price but I started looking at adding one to our house and it got really expensive really quick once I started adding installation to it.

At a minimum you'll need to know how to run and connect a gas line as well as all of the electrical connections to tie it into your electrical panel.

We have it down as a must have when we ever we decide to finally have a house built.

 

[jamesw]

I have heard good things (the best) about the Honda EX series (like the EX4500) but they are VERY expensive too.

Cheers
James

 

[flexrac]

i bought the cheapest enerator i could find, unlike photography gear, most home appliance and our fish tanks do not require pure sinewave.

 

[reeftopia]

Last summer I lost electicity for 8 days. Even with 3000 gal of saltwater tanks I lost no fish or corals thanks to my generator. best investment that I made. You might want to consider a trifuel generator as once electricity goes so does gasoline, a generator is no good without fuel. Mine runs on nat gas, gas or propane. Besides running on gas I have a 500 gal propane tank, You probably have nat gas. also dont go too large the bigger the unit the more fuel you will need. You do need something large enough to run air as you are going to keep that tank cool. just advice from someone whos been there

 

[rishma]

I have a Honda Eu3000. That was the largest Eu they had when I bought it. I would have bought the larger one EU6500 that is available now. Really amazing generators. They are built for the home so the power is modulated to be smooth and acceptable for computers, microelectronics, etc. job site type generators are not a good idea for running electronics.

It is also very quiet, which I like.

 

[jamesw]

That's a nice one Rishma - how much did it cost if you don't mind asking? I'm hoping I can find an acceptable solution for under 1000 and maybe even around 500. What about generators that have Honda motors? There are many like that that are less $$$ than a Honda brand unit.

Cheers
James

 

[rishma]

Yikes, not cheap. I spent ~$2000. The 6500 is quite a bit more. Sorry, more than you were looking to spend.

I know you can get good jobsite type generators in the range you are looking. I am a fan of honda motors, so that is probably what I would look at. The honda brand named generators cost so much more because you are paying for bells and whistles. As long as you just plan to run only critical equipment I think they will work fine. I would not hook up a controller to a jobsite generator, but pumps, fans, etc I am sure are fine.

 

[tnguyen]

Good point rishma.

If you plan on getting a generator, you might as well save up and get one that you can use for communication purpose also. Once electric goes out in a disaster, your phone line and cell phone will most likely be out or bog down as well.

 

[jamesw]

What do you guys think about the Northstar generators w/ the Honda engine? There is one used in Houston for $800 that seems like a good deal. I think I could run my 2wire modem and phones if I run the power through my computer's UPS unit to get a good sinewave.

Cheers
James

 

[jamesw]

I think it's this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_597_597

Cheers
James

 

[ricpan]

Generators

James,
Things to think about is how much it cost to run and how long it runs on a tank of gas and for me the amount of noise. I have a Honda knock off (China) that ran for 8 days on 15 gal. of gas. I know people that used that much a day.\

Rick

 

[reeftopia]

I have the honda trifuel but tell me more on your china model

 

[jamesw]

Yeah - let's have some detail Ric!