Choosing a generator...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I loaned out my decibel meter, but I'm curious as to what my 4K Onan sounds like. It's in a diamond plate box with dynamat around it. It has air cooling just like it did with the original motorhome installation, but the air intake is in the rear(under the truck) instead of out front like a motorhome. Parking on grass surely quiets the noise compared to parking on asphalt where it can reverberate off the solid ground.
I've joked to a buddy about when he starts his 1000Ei Honda. I tell him "I hope I don't have to listen to that stupid thing run all day?!!".
(you have to put your hand on it to know if it is running)
I've joked to a buddy about when he starts his 1000Ei Honda. I tell him "I hope I don't have to listen to that stupid thing run all day?!!".
(you have to put your hand on it to know if it is running)
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
I meant to put a hobbs meter on my eu2000i but never got a round tuit. It has less than 100 hours as an estimate. But I read something somewhere, that these Hondas already have one, sort of. A neon will glow green when all the electrons are happy once the engine spools up, Supposedly it will blink for each increment of 100 hours. Anybody heard that? Haven't looked in the owners manual in a while, but I don't recall reading that.
dB meter: Make sure it's under a good load. I used an electric frying pan to help seat the rings when it was new, they are rated at 1500 watts.
dB meter: Make sure it's under a good load. I used an electric frying pan to help seat the rings when it was new, they are rated at 1500 watts.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
I don't know the answer to that 
i want a generator for $300-$500 MAX that will work nicely for my race trailer, and serve me at home in case of power outage. Including and especially my home A/C. I want a reliable generator that will last for many years of usage, and will be quiet. Bonus points if it is bright yellow or chrome.
Impossible?
My thoughts are: I have to get a generator. Therefore: I might as well get something GOOD, not just cheap and barely meet minimum needs.
And since I'm getting something good, I should make sure it won't disappoint me in case of a nasty Florida hurricane.
i want a generator for $300-$500 MAX that will work nicely for my race trailer, and serve me at home in case of power outage. Including and especially my home A/C. I want a reliable generator that will last for many years of usage, and will be quiet. Bonus points if it is bright yellow or chrome.
Impossible?
My thoughts are: I have to get a generator. Therefore: I might as well get something GOOD, not just cheap and barely meet minimum needs.
And since I'm getting something good, I should make sure it won't disappoint me in case of a nasty Florida hurricane.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,711
Likes: 12,853
From: Wyoming
I suspect there are plenty of generators out there on Craig's List or whatever that didn't get started regularly so they just won't start. A few minutes maintenance would bring it back up to snuff. With a $500 budget, that's what I would do.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
a couple of years ago.. I got a 2 year old Generac GP7000E... with 89 hours...
had not ran in 20 months.. old gas...
owner took it to his local dealer.. clean,repair,new battery was going to be $500.00.. on a almost new 900 dollar generator..
I got it for $400.. a 30 dollar battery and 10 minutes to clean carb and fuel tank...
I did have to drive 60 miles to get it..
had not ran in 20 months.. old gas...
owner took it to his local dealer.. clean,repair,new battery was going to be $500.00.. on a almost new 900 dollar generator..
I got it for $400.. a 30 dollar battery and 10 minutes to clean carb and fuel tank...
I did have to drive 60 miles to get it..
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
a couple of years ago.. I got a 2 year old Generac GP7000E... with 89 hours...
had not ran in 20 months.. old gas...
owner took it to his local dealer.. clean,repair,new battery was going to be $500.00.. on a almost new 900 dollar generator..
I got it for $400.. a 30 dollar battery and 10 minutes to clean carb and fuel tank...
I did have to drive 60 miles to get it..
had not ran in 20 months.. old gas...
owner took it to his local dealer.. clean,repair,new battery was going to be $500.00.. on a almost new 900 dollar generator..
I got it for $400.. a 30 dollar battery and 10 minutes to clean carb and fuel tank...
I did have to drive 60 miles to get it..
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 466
Likes: 5
Bigger is better if you are expecting it to be able to run your home A/C unit. I've got a Yamaha 6300 Watt Inverter style generator that will not start the A/C at Home, even with everything else turned off.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 29
Seeing as we in the community only know that the goal is a generator to do home and race trailer duty but do not know what size loads the house uses, we can only guess on how to go about this for your needs. So back to the point, Yes this is *possible* (key word), But going through the list of requirements is necessary to determine if it is *do*able.
At the risk of insulting, will re-state that when looking for a generator to do home and trailer duty, expect to sacrifice some things in the home as a portable generator that you are able lift into the truck or roll into the trailer will only do but so much.
If the goal is to run everything in the house during any point in the year, it is time to consider two generators with appropriate sizing. One for the house and one for the trailer.
Actually, I am sensing it is time to engage an electrician. Just say-in
Last edited by JayTheCPA; Jul 27, 2017 at 12:10 PM. Reason: Revized RV statements to race trailer
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: NKY
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
I checked my local Craigslist and I'm very surprised how many good deals I'm finding on there.
Its almost too good to be true. Do you guys know of any particular scams to watch for? Or key words/phrases?
I dont want to buy stolen stuff. And I don't want to learn some hard lesson here if I could instead learn it from FTE members.
Its almost too good to be true. Do you guys know of any particular scams to watch for? Or key words/phrases?
I dont want to buy stolen stuff. And I don't want to learn some hard lesson here if I could instead learn it from FTE members.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 793
Likes: 29
Find a company electrician that does work on the side. This way the rates are reasonable, you get good advice / service, the installation is solid / safe / compliant with code, and pointers to good repair shops in case the new-to-you unit needs service. Bonus is that the electrician might have knowledge of the misc units for sale in Craigs (or know somebody that does) and help guide the decision.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 96
Likes: 6
If I might add my 2 cents. look for a used low hour mep802 military generator. if your truck is a diesel you can hook it right up to the fuel system, without too much trouble. the 5 kw puts out single phase or 3 phase. they run forever, and nobody builds stuff like our military. they are under rated, and can put out up to 7.5 kw. very quiet, parts are available. Hondas are good by all means but nothing beats military surplus.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 466
Likes: 5
If I might add my 2 cents. look for a used low hour mep802 military generator. if your truck is a diesel you can hook it right up to the fuel system, without too much trouble. the 5 kw puts out single phase or 3 phase. they run forever, and nobody builds stuff like our military. they are under rated, and can put out up to 7.5 kw. very quiet, parts are available. Hondas are good by all means but nothing beats military surplus.