Generator Recommendations???

[WildBill]

I faired pretty well throughout Ike, but now is the time to plan ahead. I am looking for recommendations on different brands of gasoline-powered generators. I have heard that Honda is one of the better brands. Also what are the brands to avoid? One of my friends got one after Rita, but never checked it out. When he filled in for Ike, he found he had a leak! I don't know the brand, but it was a low-end manufacturer that he bought from one of the big box stores.

I haven't figured out the size yet, but I am looking for one that would keep the refrigerator going, a couple of lights, and optionally a TV, computer, window AC unit.

[MoJo]

I have a 5500 watt Coleman with a Subaru engine it will run some lights, fans, the fridge, microwave or coffee pot, a small window unit and, if you turn off everything else, even the water heater.

I am an electrician and I installed a receptacle wired to a breaker in my box so I could back feed my house. It works very well but, unless you really know what you are doing, have a qualified licensed electrician install it for you. You have to turn off your main and then turn on the generator it's better with a transfer switch or interlocked breakers.

[mrvmax]

I would buy a propane converted generator if I had to do it again. I got pretty tired of having to buy gas and fill the generator twice per day. I always smelled like gasoline. You can even get tri fuel generators to run what you have available.
http://www.yamaha-propane-natural-gas-generators.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Better yet, if you have some extra cash to spend, get a whole house gen wired into your system. It will be 4-6 grand, but they run off of natural gas (which we rarely lose) or propane and start up automatically.

[carlson1]

I have a quite Honda Generator. It works like a charm. I can run my full RV for about 6 hours before filling up with gas again.

[dlcrouch]

i ended up with 5500 watt Briggs and Straton i found at the last minute. I was able to run the frig, tv, lights and a window unit with no problem. i'll second the suggestion on a breaker bypass switch - otherwise be sure you have several extension cords and power strips.
Also - get enough gas cans to store at least 30 gallons. You'll burn 10 - 15 gallons a day and gas will hard to get for a while.

[bdickens]

I'll bet you'll be able to get a really great deal on a used generator in a few months.

[longtooth]

We are starting to see them now for sale in our area.

[sbb]

I purchased a 13 hp Honda. It generates 8000 watts and powers 2 fridges, 1 window unit, two HD tv's, two satellite boxes, two computers and related accessories. I have only been limited by the number of extension cords I can find to plug into the unit. It will run 15 hours on 6.4 gallons of gas.

[casingpoint]

The newest thing in generators is inverters. Lighter, quieter, much more fuel efficient. Yamaha is state-of-the-art, big and small. Honda and John Deere are good sources. Other manufacturers have been slow to catch on. Inverters are more expensive, and worth every penny.

[flintknapper]

I purchased a 13 hp Honda. It generates 8000 watts and powers 2 fridges, 1 window unit, two HD tv's, two satellite boxes, two computers and related accessories. I have only been limited by the number of extension cords I can find to plug into the unit. It will run 15 hours on 6.4 gallons of gas.

That is excellent fuel economy!

My generator has an 18hp Briggs, it is something less than “miserly”.

I have a smaller gen-set as well, but this one will run pretty much the entire house.



I am going to modify it soon to be “tri-fuel”, then I can use Propane or Natural gas when gasoline gets scarce.

http://www.propane-generators.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sbb]

Flint, thanks for that link. I had not thought of a conversion to other fuel sources. Since natural gas service is usually not interrupted during power outages, this makes great sense. I would assume that using natural gas the cost of operation would be less. Thanks again for opening my eyes.

[Lumberjack98]

Any idea on the cost of running a whole house (say 15k) unit on nat gas for a day? Just wondering if it's cost prohibitive for an extended period of power outage.

[flintknapper]

Any idea on the cost of running a whole house (say 15k) unit on nat gas for a day? Just wondering if it's cost prohibitive for an extended period of power outage.

Depending on several factors (generator size, efficiency, total load, run time, etc..) you can figure on 75-100 dollars a day!

It can get expensive.

[Lumberjack98]

Depending on several factors (generator size, efficiency, total load, run time, etc..) you can figure on 75-100 dollars a day!

It can get expensive.

Wow! That is really surprising to me.

I just figured the running my house on electricity cost about $12 / day in August. I guess if you had a gasoline one that would handle a house, and you ran it 24 hours, it would probably use ~ 20 gal. At $3.50 / gal that would be $70 / day.

[anygunanywhere]

Depending on several factors (generator size, efficiency, total load, run time, etc..) you can figure on 75-100 dollars a day!

It can get expensive.

Wow! That is really surprising to me.

I just figured the running my house on electricity cost about $12 / day in August. I guess if you had a gasoline one that would handle a house, and you ran it 24 hours, it would probably use ~ 20 gal. At $3.50 / gal that would be $70 / day.

Small generators are very inefficient.

Large scale gas turbine power plants in combined cycle seldom achieve 60% efficiency. Internal combustion engines in cars do not even approach 50% efficiency.

Anygunanywhere