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School Me On Generators

Riverfamlee

Riverfamlee

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Have had a honda for years . I know some members have had good luck with the HF Predator's. Both of them are very quiet.

That one from costo looks like one of those loud mofo's. Not ideal for residential .
 
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sintax

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yea, find the db value under full load and compare that to others. Something to remember about db's...

In decibel terms, a doubling in loudness corresponds to roughly an increase in 10 dB. It doesn’t matter whether that increase is from 40 dB to 50 dB or 70 dB to 80 dB
 
HCP3

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4Waters

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H20 Toie

H20 Toie

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I went and got the 2200i. Honda its small and quiet,. did the propane conversion ( that took all of 10 min)
that way I don't have to worry about having good fuel when I do need it . ( but you can still use regular gas )
its enough to run any thing that you would need in an emergency
 
mesquito_creek

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I would say with all the circuit boards and fancy do dads fridges have now a days, I agree with @4Waters not worth it. At this point basically open frame non inverter generators are "construction" generators and you can safety go nuts with them running skill saws and stuff. I would be careful with anything plugged in that has electronics or computer chips.

Having said that, much like @SoCalDave I have a HF predator 2000 and I have abused the heck out of it this summer and probably put 2-300 hours on it
 
Waffles

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Drop a couple hundred more and buy an inverter generator(yes they even make open frame inverters). Some solid deals have been popping up recently you just have to keep an eye out.
I have both the Predator 3500 and the Wen 2200i and theyve been pretty bullet proof so far.

slickdeals.net

Champion 4500/3500 Watt Inverter Generator, Gas Manual RV Ready $690

Starting Wattage: 4500W Running Wattage: 3500W Engine: 4-stroke 212cc OHV Fuel Tank: 2.3 Gallon Run Time: Up to 14 hr. Assembly Required: Yes Product Dimensions: 23.2" x 17.7" x 20.1&q ...
slickdeals.net slickdeals.net

slickdeals.net

All Power 4300 Watt Portable Inverter Generator, Quiet Gas w/ electric push start $600

seems like a good deal as I've been in the market for one with this power range for a while. Lowest price online and free shipping, just pulled the trigger. The All Power 4300 Watt Gas Power Inve ...
slickdeals.net slickdeals.net

www.homedepot.com

WEN RV-Ready 4000-Watt Gas-Powered Open Frame Inverter Generator, CARB Compliant GN400i

The WEN 4,000-Watt Inverter Generator provides clean energy, free of voltage spikes and drops for safe use with laptops, phones, and other sensitive electronics. Our 212cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces
www.homedepot.com

slickdeals.net

Champion Power Equipment 4250W Open Frame Inverter Generator $469 + Free Shipping

Walmart has Champion Power Equipment 4250W Open Frame Inverter Generator (200955) for $469. Shipping is free. Thanks to community member BigVic4 for finding this deal. Features (details):50 ...
slickdeals.net slickdeals.net
 
Havasu Rehab

Havasu Rehab

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I honestly thought you just turn the damn thing on and plug stuff in. Seems the inverter route is the way to go. [emoji1303]


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81Sprint

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I have the Firman 2900 inv/generator never had an issue with it. Can't beat the lifetime warranty Costco offers on these!
 
hallett21

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If it’s just the fridge get a small inverter generator like a Honda 2200.

Generators are like gun safes, can’t have a big enough one.

IMO I would find an inverter generator that is 240v. Costs more but you have much more capability.

Honda has never let us down but they are pricey. I have no experience with the predators.


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HB2Havasu

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Your probably going to want to run more than just refrigerators if the power grid shits the bed. That’s not a lot of wattage and you would need to run it thru an inverter before plugging into your house so it’s not a very good deal IMO. I would look for an Inverter/Generator something in the 7K-10K range at a minimum. When you start turning on lights, heater, televisions, microwaves, computers, etc… it adds up quick!
 
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JDKRXW

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  • Carbon Monoxide Alert & Auto-Shutoff Feature
Stay very far away from this 'feature' on any generator or inverter unless you're not smart enough to take it outside to run.
The wind blowing the wrong direction will shut it down and I understand it's very hard to defeat this switch.

I'm happy with this one, and its got a 30 amp plug to run a small a/c.
slickdeals.net

Champion 4500/3500 Watt Inverter Generator, Gas Manual RV Ready $690

Starting Wattage: 4500W Running Wattage: 3500W Engine: 4-stroke 212cc OHV Fuel Tank: 2.3 Gallon Run Time: Up to 14 hr. Assembly Required: Yes Product Dimensions: 23.2" x 17.7" x 20.1&q ...
slickdeals.net slickdeals.net
Don't even think about a generator for anything (even a construction site) other than for somewhere no one is around.
 
Havasu Rehab

Havasu Rehab

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hallett21 said:
If it’s just the fridge get a small inverter generator like a Honda 2200.

Generators are like gun safes, can’t have a big enough one.

IMO I would find an inverter generator that is 240v. Costs more but you have much more capability.

Honda has never let us down but they are pricey. I have no experience with the predators.


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Considering I quickly filled up the safe, I may search for a larger inverter generator. Good analogy. [emoji23]


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Havasu Rehab

Havasu Rehab

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HB2Havasu said:
Your probably going to want to run more that refrigerators if the power grid shuts the bed. That’s not a lot of wattage and you would need to run it thru an in error. Who’re plugging into your house so it’s not a very good deal IMO. I would look for an Inverter/Generator something in the 7K-10K range at a minimum. When you start turning on lights, heater, televisions, microwaves, computers, etc… it adds up quick!
Click to expand...

Good call… especially with two little ones at home, I’m sure there will be a slightly higher demand.


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hallett21

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3,000 running watts will let you keep the lights on (LEDS), fridge on, run the microwave, watch TV and run the FAU fan.

If you want AC then you gotta step it up to at least 7,000.


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4Waters

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Havasu Rehab said:
Good call… especially with two little ones at home, I’m sure there will be a slightly higher demand.


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We were off for 3 days in January when a wind storm hit. I ran 2 generators 1 big one (non inverter) to run the house (lights, ceiling fans....) but had to replace the LED bulbs with incandescent and unplug all TV's, receivers, fridges, freezers, microwave and stove turn the pool off and the HVAC. I used a predator 2000 to power the fridge and freezer, 1 TV/receiver and the stove (our stove has a shut off valve that won't allow gas to flow if there is no power) so we could cook. I am going to get 1 big inverter generator this season to power the house so I don't have to go through the trouble of unplugging everything and running ext. cords everywhere.
 
Waffles

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mesquito_creek

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As we speak I am off the grid with the potential to have the following running:

2 computer monitors
2 laptops
2 -15000 btu coleman airexcel AC units
1 residential fridge
... plus all the vanpires like a microwave, 2 tvs, and internet router etc...

I am using 3423 wattts....
 
Havasu Rehab

Havasu Rehab

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mesquito_creek said:
As we speak I am off the grid with the potential to have the following running:

2 computer monitors
2 laptops
2 -15000 btu coleman airexcel AC units
1 residential fridge
... plus all the vanpires like a microwave, 2 tvs, and internet router etc...

I am using 3423 wattts....
Click to expand...

That’s a good reference point. Thanks.


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Havasu Rehab

Havasu Rehab

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hallett21 said:
3,000 running watts will let you keep the lights on (LEDS), fridge on, run the microwave, watch TV and run the FAU fan.

If you want AC then you gotta step it up to at least 7,000.


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Click to expand...

Perfect [emoji1303]

Thank you!


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hallett21

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Havasu Rehab said:
Perfect [emoji1303]

Thank you!


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Click to expand...

Just a word of caution. If you’re using this to power an entire home you need 240v. Otherwise with 120v you can only run half of the panel.

The big pain is that the 240v generators usually start at 5,000 watts. I know it’s clear as mud lol


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mesquito_creek

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hallett21 said:
Just a word of caution. If you’re using this to power an entire home you need 240v. Otherwise with 120v you can only run half of the panel.

The big pain is that the 240v generators usually start at 5,000 watts. I know it’s clear as mud lol


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Click to expand...

Good Point!... I am running off a split phase inverter and L1 = 1543 watts and L2 = 1572 at the moment. But I cheat with my predator 2000 and just hook it to a 48v battery charger connected directly to my battery bus bar if I need a little extra watts for the day... Just to muddy the waters even more!
 
pronstar

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Just got my generator all hooked up to power my home in an emergency.

7500 running watts, 220v, 50 amp propane/gas generator. It’s loud as shit, but I’ve got a 40-foot cord so can put it a bit away from the house.

Sensitive electronics already run thru a Panamax line conditioner/UPS with three large lead-acid batteries.

It’ll power my entire first floor including HVAC. I did install a soft-start kit on my AC compressor.

Total cost:
$1000-ish for the generator
$650-ish for the power cord, panel/transfer switch
$475 for my electrician buddy to install…took him all day.

IMG_7430.jpg


IMG_7429.jpg



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D

Dr Rob

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Waffles said:
Drop a couple hundred more and buy an inverter generator(yes they even make open frame inverters). Some solid deals have been popping up recently you just have to keep an eye out.
I have both the Predator 3500 and the Wen 2200i and theyve been pretty bullet proof so far.

slickdeals.net

Champion 4500/3500 Watt Inverter Generator, Gas Manual RV Ready $690

Starting Wattage: 4500W Running Wattage: 3500W Engine: 4-stroke 212cc OHV Fuel Tank: 2.3 Gallon Run Time: Up to 14 hr. Assembly Required: Yes Product Dimensions: 23.2" x 17.7" x 20.1&q ...
slickdeals.net slickdeals.net

slickdeals.net

All Power 4300 Watt Portable Inverter Generator, Quiet Gas w/ electric push start $600

seems like a good deal as I've been in the market for one with this power range for a while. Lowest price online and free shipping, just pulled the trigger. The All Power 4300 Watt Gas Power Inve ...
slickdeals.net slickdeals.net

www.homedepot.com

WEN RV-Ready 4000-Watt Gas-Powered Open Frame Inverter Generator, CARB Compliant GN400i

The WEN 4,000-Watt Inverter Generator provides clean energy, free of voltage spikes and drops for safe use with laptops, phones, and other sensitive electronics. Our 212cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces
www.homedepot.com

slickdeals.net

Champion Power Equipment 4250W Open Frame Inverter Generator $469 + Free Shipping

Walmart has Champion Power Equipment 4250W Open Frame Inverter Generator (200955) for $469. Shipping is free. Thanks to community member BigVic4 for finding this deal. Features (details):50 ...
slickdeals.net slickdeals.net
Click to expand...
You can add the Westinghouse 4500 watt inverter generator to that list also. We now have four of them on the ranch. Quiet and trouble-free.
 
4Waters

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Have the same generator, I added electric start.
 
kurtis500

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Its the one and only time you really need it the cheapos may not work. Years ago when buying a generator I researched far and wide for reviews. I wanted to avoid the cost of the Honda or Yamaha but still get the ability to run like I had one. I almost bought a cheaper inverter generator for half the price. One day I stumbled upon a forum with some guys that camp in the Arizona desert in the heat.. Exactly what I planned to do at Apache Lake. One guy had a Yamaha and the other a new knock-off generator. In the middle of the day and in the 110+ heat the knock off generator would start to trip the breaker shutting off the AC. When you need your AC that is THE LAST TIME you want that problem happening. 110+ in the AZ heat and sun can get ugly real quick. The Yamaha guy never had an issue. These were side by side and I happened to read their comments on a forum. The knock-off worked flawlessly until that important moment. I bought a Yamaha 6 years ago and its the most reliable thing ever, including 8 hours in the 110+ heat at full throttle.

just an FYI
 
DarkHorseRacing

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I have a 10K startup, 8K running load Kohler generator that has (2) 220V outlets plus additional 110V outlets. I was thinking about getting an electrician to install two 220V plugs and tie that into the main panel, and a manual transfer switch to get off the mains to avoid backfeeding the grid. That way I can just run the majority of the house by plugging in both 220V from the generator to the house without running extension cords into the house to various things. What would this typically cost?
 
TPC

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Ya want under 3% harmonic distortion.
That sledge hammers of hell block shaking Firman is 30%.
 
mash on it

mash on it

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I'm on a dozen acres north of Williams, at ~6000' elevation.
5 or 6 days a week.
Totally off grid. I am the water, power, gas and guy at my place. Everything is imported.

Genny gets run from about 6:50 to 7:20 every am. Its a Wen 4500 unit, electric start, over a thousand hours. Purrs like a kitten. Can even runs the A/C on the hot days.

Dan'l
 
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Dr Rob

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mash on it said:
I'm on a dozen acres north of Williams, at ~6000' elevation.
5 or 6 days a week.
Totally off grid. I am the water, power, gas and guy at my place. Everything is imported.

Genny gets run from about 6:50 to 7:20 every am. Its a Wen 4500 unit, electric start, over a thousand hours. Purrs like a kitten. Can even runs the A/C on the hot days.

Dan'l
Click to expand...
I am pretty sure we are neighbors. Same situation LOL
 
Blackmagic94

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yz450mm said:
I have the same one sitting in the backyard, fire it up every weekend just to hear it purr. I got it from our very own @Blackmagic94 for quite a bit less than 28k [emoji1787]

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holy shit that guy is high on crack to think he is gonna get 30k
 
mash on it

mash on it

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Waffles said:
Everyone likes to talk shit on the cheap ones because they’re not overpriced Honda’s, but I’ve yet to see weekend warriors tacking on thousands of hours on their units.

View attachment 1043411
View attachment 1043412
Click to expand...

Gives me some hope.
Mine was a garage sale unit with 8xx hours.
Change the half a quart of oil every 60 days or so. Clean the air filter gas and go.

Dan'l
 
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