After surviving Ike, I am interested in buying a generator. What features should I look for?
I think i'm looking for 5000 watts which should cover my fridges and a fan and light, maybe the TV too. I also think I want 120/220v, and one that uses unleaded. What about horsepower and rated output? Are those important? What's the difference between say a Cummins Onan 6500 at Costco (currently 0 off) and a 9 generator of the same wattage on sale at Home Depot for example?
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7 Responses to “After surviving Ike, I am interested in buying a generator. What features should I look for?”-
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Both Cummins and Generac make good systems.
Check on engine type as well as noise levels. Overhead valve engines are more efficient, last longer, and usually less noisy. Each horsepower will produce roughly 500 watts of electricity. A 5000 watt generator will typically use a 10HP engine.
Fuel type is important. Diesel stores longer than gasoline. Propane has an indefinite storage life, but may be more difficult to refill.
Brush type alternators will require replacement brushes every few years, but usually will offer better output voltage regulation compared to brushless types.
You should install a transfer panel to allow safe and easy connection and operation. Check whether the generator uses a floating or bonded neutral conductor before wiring the panel.
There are other items mentioned on my generator page. Read through the FAQ as well.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/genfaq.html
Congrats on serviving, your brave
I have my own business framing houses. We use a generator everyday and beat the hell out of it as far and pulling power from it. I have a 12.5 hp honda that is 18 yrs old and i have NEVER had a problem with it. We had a power outtage here in buffalo a few years ago for a week or so and I used it to run my furnace, fridge, chest freezer, some lights and the tv. Had no problem with power as a matter of fact i probably could have ran more off of it if i wanted to.
we have a 4,000 or 5,000 that we use at camp it has a honda engine and we run a 50 foot single wide trailer with lights that are from 60watt-100watt a small fridge furnace fan 50in tv water pump and sometimes a medium size microwave but lights will dim if everything is on we have had it for 4 years we keep in in a small 3 sided box with roof and stays outside all year we bought it at lowes
Be sure to look for "Continuous Watt Output". Generators are rated and advertised on their initial out put, which is more than they will produce when running steady. You will have to read the paper work that tells what the continuous wattage output is.
So a generator advertised as 5,000 watts will only produce around 4,000 watts continuous. You can not run as many appliances with only 4,000 watts.
The second thing you want is a fuel savings setting so the gas motor will increase or decrease RPM’s as the electric demand on the generator increases or decreases. It saves a lot of wear and tear as well as fuel when the motor doesn’t run at max. RPM’s when not needed.
As far as brands, I don’t think it makes much difference. I had an Onan and had to have it repaired occasionally. Currently I have a Generac and haven’t done anything but change the oil and put gas in it for 4 yrs.
We went whole hog before the year 2000 in preparation of Y2K.
We bought a 6500 KVA Coleman which at an 80% duty cycle should give 5200 continuous watts of power. This would service a refrigerator, an energy efficient small freezer, lights, maybe a TV. Enough to get you through 72 hours of whatever.
We only had to fire it up one time, when there was a big outage due to a big power pole being out. (We live out in the country, so we have a Franklin stove with pot hooks, grill, etc., so we can make coffee, cook, etc.) We also keep 75 individual gallons of pure water, enough supplies to handle two weeks, and a continous spring to handle bathrooms.
We got our generator from Northern Tool. Another good place is Harbor Freight.
Better to be prepared than to be sorry, tomorrow.
At the time of the dawning of this new century, we could accomodate all our family and friends for 90 days, and never leave the property.
Solar and/or wind energy generators. Don’t laugh, for under $200 you can make your own generator that will operate on wind and or solar power. And herre is the good part, all extra electric that is not stored by the generator returns to the utility company where they have to buy it from you. This will lower your utility bills!