March All Topic
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 856
Likes: 63
From: Los Angeles/Ventura, CA
Anyone out there able to recommend a make/model for a portable generator? ... also where to make the purchase. I've already looked at Costco & HF online.
In the short term, I need one to power two polishers in a location where electricity is not available. Longer term, it will likely sit in my garage until the next LADWP power outage. The small form factor ones (like the Honda EU3000) seem great because they would be easier to store and move when needed. However I'm not sure they will supply enough power.
I'm also not opposed to buying a used one if you happen to know someone that wants to sell one of theirs.
In the short term, I need one to power two polishers in a location where electricity is not available. Longer term, it will likely sit in my garage until the next LADWP power outage. The small form factor ones (like the Honda EU3000) seem great because they would be easier to store and move when needed. However I'm not sure they will supply enough power.
I'm also not opposed to buying a used one if you happen to know someone that wants to sell one of theirs.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
First thing is to determine how much power you'll need from the gen-set.
They come in a bunch of sizes, and of course, price ranges.
There are some other considerations, as well.
Is noise a concern? The typical units are kinda loud, and won't be suitable for use where the noise will bother others. That Honda unit you mentioned is much quieter, however, as is the comparable Yamaha unit.
If you need more power, and noise is not a concern, the options open up considerably.
I have a Coleman that has a 5500 watt output, and since I have no need for the 240-volt part of it, I have modified it to develop all of it's capability at 120 volts. That's a few refrigerators during a power failure.
Will you ever really need 240?
Have you considered multi-fuel operation? Propane "stores" far better than gasoline, and is usually easier to start, especially after sitting for a long time.
So first, what are the specifications of your polishers?
Pop
They come in a bunch of sizes, and of course, price ranges.
There are some other considerations, as well.
Is noise a concern? The typical units are kinda loud, and won't be suitable for use where the noise will bother others. That Honda unit you mentioned is much quieter, however, as is the comparable Yamaha unit.
If you need more power, and noise is not a concern, the options open up considerably.
I have a Coleman that has a 5500 watt output, and since I have no need for the 240-volt part of it, I have modified it to develop all of it's capability at 120 volts. That's a few refrigerators during a power failure.
Will you ever really need 240?Have you considered multi-fuel operation? Propane "stores" far better than gasoline, and is usually easier to start, especially after sitting for a long time.
So first, what are the specifications of your polishers?
Pop
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 856
Likes: 63
From: Los Angeles/Ventura, CA
Each Flex XC 3401 polisher requires 900 watts. May I then assume I would need 1,800 watts ... or is it not that simple?
The generator will be used in an area that is generally away from others but I wouldn't want an excessive amount of noise.
I did see a few references to propane generators but I think I like the concept of gasoline since I generally seem to already have a supply on hand for other power tools. Of course I could also raid the propane tank from my barbeque if needed.
The generator will be used in an area that is generally away from others but I wouldn't want an excessive amount of noise.
I did see a few references to propane generators but I think I like the concept of gasoline since I generally seem to already have a supply on hand for other power tools. Of course I could also raid the propane tank from my barbeque if needed.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
The simple answer is that you need 1800 watts, but there is a higher start-up current for just a few moments that would be nice to have available.
Strictly for your polisher needs, you can get by with either a Honda or Yamaha 2000 watt "alternator" unit. The upside is that they can be "paired" with a like unit to obtain double the poser. They are far quieter in operation, and weigh very little for the power they produce.
The downside is that they're pretty pricy for the amount of power that they produce.
If you want to go inexpensive, Harbor Freight currently is running a Chinese 3200 watt (4000 max) unit for $300. Louder and heavier (their ad reads "Super Quiet"), but more-than-enough capacity, and far cheaper.
So, is this anything you didn't already know??
Pop
Strictly for your polisher needs, you can get by with either a Honda or Yamaha 2000 watt "alternator" unit. The upside is that they can be "paired" with a like unit to obtain double the poser. They are far quieter in operation, and weigh very little for the power they produce.
The downside is that they're pretty pricy for the amount of power that they produce.
If you want to go inexpensive, Harbor Freight currently is running a Chinese 3200 watt (4000 max) unit for $300. Louder and heavier (their ad reads "Super Quiet"), but more-than-enough capacity, and far cheaper.
So, is this anything you didn't already know??
Pop
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 856
Likes: 63
From: Los Angeles/Ventura, CA
Would appreciate some real world opinions.
How do you like your Coleman? ... and is it a recent vintage that I would generally presume originates from China? Where did you purchase yours?
How do you like your Coleman? ... and is it a recent vintage that I would generally presume originates from China? Where did you purchase yours?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Recently bought it from my brother, who is "liquidating". I am currently modding it to add wheels, a real fuel filter, and 120-volt-only operation. Considering adding a propane option. It has not been started by me, and has not been run in over a year.
Though I do not know the country of origin, it has a Briggs and Stratton Vanguard OHV engine "assembled" in Japan. Not sure where the generator was made. It has about six hours of operation total., so looks quite new. It was purchased about seven years ago, so who knows where it's really from.
That all leaves me pretty unqualified to give you an opinion of it, but you can ask me again in a month or so....
Pop
Though I do not know the country of origin, it has a Briggs and Stratton Vanguard OHV engine "assembled" in Japan. Not sure where the generator was made. It has about six hours of operation total., so looks quite new. It was purchased about seven years ago, so who knows where it's really from.
That all leaves me pretty unqualified to give you an opinion of it, but you can ask me again in a month or so....
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I have the Honda 2000 inverter, and it has been very good. And very quiet around a campsite. The Honda 3000 would be excellent, but a lot more money and weight than you need for running small power tools. For the described jobsite work, I don't think you need to spend the money for a Honda or Yamaha.
The inexpensive units from Harbor Freight get good reviews. Pep Boys also sells a similar Chicom import. They all get decent reviews. Very good value for the money.
A nice mid-range unit, as in, middle range noise and middle range cost, are the Champion gensets. I suggest you take a look at those. Widely available, so shop around. Good aftermarket support, or so they say.
The inexpensive units from Harbor Freight get good reviews. Pep Boys also sells a similar Chicom import. They all get decent reviews. Very good value for the money.
A nice mid-range unit, as in, middle range noise and middle range cost, are the Champion gensets. I suggest you take a look at those. Widely available, so shop around. Good aftermarket support, or so they say.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Northern CA
I too, am the owner of a Honda 2KW unit. Picked it up slightly used from someone upgrading. Might be worth a look on your local craigslist for one. I find that generators are one of those things that you'll find more uses for, once you have one. Mine came in handy, powering a pitching machine at a baseball field a couple Saturdays ago.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Round Lake, IL
Uh oh gentlemen. Vegas has sucked me in for the night. This could get ugly. Yesterday we left amarillo, Texas for the Grand Canyon. We stayed the night in Williams, Arizona. We left there at about 8ish in the morning and made it to the Hoover Dam by 1030. I've been in Vegas since 1 and got a room at the hard rock for the night. S$@t is gonna get ugly. Pictures will follow all of this at the conclusion of my trip.