Been fortunate enough to be building off temp. /perm. power for awhile…..Now have two homes out in the sticks.(One up on the mountain, then off to the island.) Need some advice on a purchase of a good generator. Been lookin’ at the Honda 6500w (gas) for $2600. Needs to run 120V wheelbarrow comp.–(startup draw around 15A), few wormdrives, 12″ mitersaw, and 14″ beamsaw once and a while (damn thing came with a 10/3 cord…hmmmmm.) Anyways, need to be able to transport the thing somewhat easily, either in the bed of truck or in trailer, and run off gas. (unless there are some small diesel ones out there; which would be a hit since the truck is diesel too.) Any advice would be great. Trying to keep the $$$ down and split it in the two bids between the homeowners. TIA.
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Northern Tool http://www.northerntool.com has a wide variety of generators, from carry in one hand to mount on a stout trailer size, and a wide range of $/KW. I know they have some diesel generators, but I can't find my catalog, so I can't tell you what sizes they have.
I'd be just a little careful with NorthernTool. Both my partner and I received new catalogs last week...but with different catalog codes. Several of the items (generators particularly, since we're looking at a Generac), had vastly different listed prices. I'm thinking of sending them an Email on Monday to ask why...but there was something like a $400 price difference between their two catalogs for the same 7.5KW generator.
I just checked them out too. Thanks for the link...but seems like they are located over on the other side of the country..MeThinks shipping would be an issue?? ($$) But I'll watch for the catalog.
I you can swing the Honda in your budget, go for it. You'll have no regrets. When a fleet of generators are available, our techs also took the Hondas first because they start easy even in cold weather, run quieter, and use less fuel.
4000 watts would an absolute minimium to run one of your tools at a time. 5000 would be a lot safer. At 6500 watts, you should be able to run two tools at once, as long as the don't start at the same time.
Remember, run long air hoses, NOT long extension cords. And if you need extension cords, keep them as short as possible and of the largest size you can find. 10 gauge is great. 12 gauge is okay for 50 feet. Don't go any smaller.
Stop by a rental yard to confirm your biggest tool(s) will work on the compressor you are considering. In the context of testing which of theirs you'll rent next weekend, it's probably free.
I just attended our annual home show and one of the companies there had a contractor grade 15KW Generac for about the same money that I paid for my 10KW. ($2400) Now it would be nice to have a Honda or Yamaha, but 15KW... What a beast! It's heavy of course but has the wheel kit and can be moved fairly easily.
Look to your local small engine shop, they usually sell Mowers and Chain Saws Weedeaters etc. They usually have generators there. Besides they are local and they might be the ones servicing your generator.
Are you mechanically handy?
Northern has a 10 kW generator for $500 (exact same thing at Harborfreight for $300, talk about differences)
Bought one of these a few years back, cut the front end off an old Datsun I got for $100, added 2:1 chain drive and used speed control to keep engine at 1800 RPM.
Now, for <$500 total outlay and a few hours assembly, I've a 120/240 10 kW generator on a trailer, starts like a car, runs quiet as a car and will run all day, powers most anything. If I did anything different wit would be to use 3:1 or even 4:1 gearing.
Yeah, I've heard alot of good about the Hondas/Yamahas. Just thought I'd ask around and not do the trial-n-error deal. (Ain't that the story of life though.) Has anyone used a Generac with good success?? They seem to be a price point rig.
As far as cords go..I am pretty anal with the guys about using the right one. All of ours are 12/3or10/3. Even have a 125' 8/4 to bring 220V from temp to house with splitter and GFI's. I agree on wire size...Saw the heating boys with a brand new right angle drill going to town on joists with 250' of that 16 gauge christmas light cord..he wondered what was smelling wierd at lunch....
I have an old Willys flat head four banger in the garage and thought about that too...but space is a little issue on these two homes..let alone portability..but would be fun to try....
How about any other brands, or should I suck it up and $$$. I guess I don't give much thought to buying good tools, probably should do the same, but for only two houses........
I'd rank Honda's at the top ......... they usually are the most expensive,too. Spent some time working in a small engine shop while attending college ......... only saw one Honda in for anything other than routine maintenance ............. engine knock which turned out to be just carbon ......... cleaned the head and all was well. This generator was over 15 years old. Another customer had a Northern generator w/ 13hp Honda engine and the wheel kit and was/is pleased with it. With Northern you have to watch out for shipping costs ........ they can add significant $. Occasionally they offer free shipping. If it were me, I'd make sure any generator I bought had a Honda engine (the GX series is the one you want), low oil shut off, and copper windings in the generator (some use aluminum). If price is an issue, you might consider the Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engines. Northern's generators with this engine are usually less money. We have one on a wood splitter and are well pleased with it. Made in Japan, its quiet and very fuel efficient, and has been very reliable.
I recommend a diesel generator if you want a long term, reliable and in the long run economical solution. A little reading on the subject:
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/thomsen43.html
I agree with most of his conclusions. As to make and models? I think his choices are very good but pricey. There are some decent makers at cheaper prices but selecting a good but inexpensive make, while possible, is a hit or miss proposition that would take more information and experience than I have.
Thanks for all of the input/links...now to go shopping...Thanks again..
Two good sources for Honda generators are:
http://www.mayberrys.com/ This is where I bought mine. 5000 watt industrial model. I had them ship it to me in CT.
Tool crib of the North sells Honda generators with free shipping.
In our business, downtime can cost in the thousands of dollars per hour. The only portable generators to be found here are Honda.
-- J.S.