Generator Recommendations
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Generator Recommendations
I'm planning on starting a little side business endevour shortly and I need a generator. I will be running a vacuum cleaner, possibly a compressor, and eventually I will be using it for a travel trailer. Any recommendations? What should I look for and avoid when buying? I may buy a used one to save some money. Thanks
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mifflin, PA
Honda EU2000i. Hands down. Expensive, but oh, so quiet. 2000 watts max, if you need less power, EU1000i at 1KW and $200 or so dollars cheaper. There is also a 3kw model, but now they're getting heavy. (The 2kw weighs about 50 lbs). Only drawback to them is the idiot designed oil fill opening. Buy a funnel and a lenght of tubing! 
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Thanks alchymist. I'll keep an eye on ebay.
How does this one sound from Lowe's? I like the price a little better. They have a 3,550Watt model for $499.
Troy-Bilt®
5,550 Running Watts Portable Generator
Item #: 45428 Model: 1919
$699.00
10" pneumatic tires
30 amp Extenda-Panel power cord
2-year consumer warranty
Rated Watts Out: 5,550
Max Watts Out: 8,550
Horsepower: 10
Type of Engine: Briggs & Stratton OHV
Number of Outlets: 4-120 Volt Household & 1-120/240, 30Apm Locking Outlet
Fuel Tank Size: 5 gallon
Half Load Run Time: 12 hours
How does this one sound from Lowe's? I like the price a little better. They have a 3,550Watt model for $499.
Troy-Bilt®
5,550 Running Watts Portable Generator
Item #: 45428 Model: 1919
$699.00
10" pneumatic tires
30 amp Extenda-Panel power cord
2-year consumer warranty
Rated Watts Out: 5,550
Max Watts Out: 8,550
Horsepower: 10
Type of Engine: Briggs & Stratton OHV
Number of Outlets: 4-120 Volt Household & 1-120/240, 30Apm Locking Outlet
Fuel Tank Size: 5 gallon
Half Load Run Time: 12 hours
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 290
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From: South TX
That little Honda's a nice unit alright, Yamaha makes one too, but they won't run much of a motor load. A medium shop vac or (not and) a very small air compressure is max.
Figure out the largest load you need to power, then get a generator that is 20% larger in continuose (not peak) capacity.
Always look for the continuose power rating, not peak or surge.
How hard do you expect to use this power, and where?
Figure out the largest load you need to power, then get a generator that is 20% larger in continuose (not peak) capacity.
Always look for the continuose power rating, not peak or surge.
How hard do you expect to use this power, and where?
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by Ultraute
That little Honda's a nice unit alright, Yamaha makes one too, but they won't run much of a motor load. A medium shop vac or (not and) a very small air compressure is max.
Figure out the largest load you need to power, then get a generator that is 20% larger in continuose (not peak) capacity.
Always look for the continuose power rating, not peak or surge.
How hard do you expect to use this power, and where?
Figure out the largest load you need to power, then get a generator that is 20% larger in continuose (not peak) capacity.
Always look for the continuose power rating, not peak or surge.
How hard do you expect to use this power, and where?
3-400 dollar generators at the home depot/lowes, it all depends on if you can stand the noise. While shopping for the Honda, I ran across a Briggs& Stratton with the same style & specs. for $499, on sale at 449. Too good to be true? Yep. B&S didn't publish one important spec - dB rating. I emailed the seller, who replied that B&S wouldn't furnish a spec, but it was around 75 dB. The Honda is 57-59 light to full load. Normal conversation level is about 58. While 75 doesn't sound like a big increase, remember that for every 3dB increase, the apparent loudness doubles! A 15 dB increase will sound 5X louder!
Anyway, if the sound level is not an issue, go for the cheaper one. But the loud ones seem to get louder the longer you listen to them. Again, MHO.
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generators
I have one of the briggs 5.5KW generators and you are correct, it is LOUD. My soultion was to adapt an el-cheapo tractor muffler to it. Sure it adds about ten pounds or so with the custom bracketry, and makes it a little bit bigger but is is Oh so quiet now. Makes the little 1KW Honda seem noisy. BTW: mine doesnt get moved much, so it was no biggy to add the weight and size. Cost about $30 total to add muffler and do fab work.
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From: Goldsboro, NC
You need to make sure you know what your power requirements are before you buy your generator. A vacuum can easily pull 12 amps and even a small air compressor can pull 20 amps on startup. A 3500 watt generator isn't going to power that kind of load.
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"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by scole250
You need to make sure you know what your power requirements are before you buy your generator. A vacuum can easily pull 12 amps and even a small air compressor can pull 20 amps on startup. A 3500 watt generator isn't going to power that kind of load.
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From: Goldsboro, NC
It depends on what type of plugs are on the generator. A 3500 watt generator might only have 1 or 2 110v 15 amp plugs, but if it has a single 110v 30 amp plug it should work.
(edited because I just checked out a Honda EG3500 and it does have a 125v 30amp plug)
GotLift should still figure out how much power he needs. I was just throwing out examples with a 12 amp vacuum and 20amp compressor.
(edited because I just checked out a Honda EG3500 and it does have a 125v 30amp plug)
GotLift should still figure out how much power he needs. I was just throwing out examples with a 12 amp vacuum and 20amp compressor.
Last edited by scole250; Sep 13, 2005 at 03:50 PM.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by GotLift
The least I will be running is a regular house vacuum cleaner, the most I will be running is a travel trailer. What do you recommend? Is a 5500W generator enough?
Just remember tho, the higher the wattage, the heavier/bigger/bulkier the genset. Another advantage of the Honda/Yamaha gensets - the 2Kw Honda is only in the low 50# range, fueled & oiled.
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Weight is a consideration since I will be lugging it around and taking out of my truck by hand at the job site. It has to be under 500lbs. (JOKE). I could probably sling around 150lbs if I needed to.
I have a wife, so if I use it to run a travel trailer I would expect to run the A/C, microwave, TV, DVD player, possibly a satelite, and a hair dryer all at once.
I have a wife, so if I use it to run a travel trailer I would expect to run the A/C, microwave, TV, DVD player, possibly a satelite, and a hair dryer all at once.
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gen
I use mine on a 30ft travel trailer, and if the AC is on and a few other accesories and I turn the microwave on it will trip the circuit breaker. In order to use the micro, I have to turn off the AC. I have a 5.5KW gen.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by GotLift
Weight is a consideration since I will be lugging it around and taking out of my truck by hand at the job site. It has to be under 500lbs. (JOKE). I could probably sling around 150lbs if I needed to.
I have a wife, so if I use it to run a travel trailer I would expect to run the A/C, microwave, TV, DVD player, possibly a satelite, and a hair dryer all at once.
I have a wife, so if I use it to run a travel trailer I would expect to run the A/C, microwave, TV, DVD player, possibly a satelite, and a hair dryer all at once.
