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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Which Generator to buy????

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davpal

10-12-2006 22:10:07




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I have been contemplating buying a new generator and I was wondering what insight anybody could give me on the two types I am considering. I Have it narrowed down to either a 6000-7500 watt diesel portable or a 7500-10000 watt pto driven for my 9n ford. The cost will be similar on both of them. I know the ford will use more fuel but it is pretty thrifty to run. The problem with the small diesel is that my choices are somewhat limited to a Yanmar or a Kubota. I know both are kind of pricey but I will not buy a chinese ripoff. It is just to power the house in rural Michigan. We have had about 5 power failures this summer alone due to weather. I had one last winter too when it was 5 below zero outside. Maybe just need enough power to stay warm, refrigerator cold, and the basement dry, with a few amenities like lights and tv. I have fuel oil furnace so the barrel of diesel will be available in any time of the year too if I buy the portable diesel. Does anybody make an affordable diesel that is good quality besides Yanmar, Yamaha, or Kubota? Don't really want a gas powered one. From what I have seen it appears most people settle for a gas powered unit and put up with the noise. I know some are much less noisey than others but it seems like the gas ones really beller. Thanks.

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oldcraneguy

10-14-2006 06:33:01




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 Re: Which Generator to buy???? in reply to davpal, 10-12-2006 22:10:07  
I got very lucky a cpl years ago my boss aquired 6 reefer trailers that were almost new, he pulled the gens out and resold the trailers and GAVE me one of the gens for my house, its a 12kw Hawkpower with a Lister-Petter diesel, it had 32 hrs on it and its been great! I can get 24 hrs out of 10.7 gals if we dont load it up but it will use just over 13 with a heavy (40amps) load on it..Here in south florida its had a good workout with all the hurricanes and never skipped a beat. We're planning a move to no. fla. nrxt yr and that gens going with us!

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Jim West TN

10-13-2006 05:40:23




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 Re: Which Generator to buy???? in reply to davpal, 10-12-2006 22:10:07  
Another vote for the Generiac, got ours in 2003. Available through most Lowes or Home Depots, also other dealers. Jim



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jdemaris

10-13-2006 05:35:41




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 Re: Which Generator to buy???? in reply to davpal, 10-12-2006 22:10:07  
I've got two rural places with diesel-backup generators. At my home I use a 13KW PTO generator so I've got my choice of tractors to stick on it. One issue though - is a power failure on a cold day. Last year the power went out and it was 10 below zero. No way I'd get a diesel started - unless it had been stored inside - and it was not. So, I wound up using a small gasoline powered generator to power the block-heater in my larger diesel. I've just about always got a 1000 gallons of diesel on hand - and the fuel stores well. Not so with gas. At my other place - there is never grid electricity availble - I've got a solar/battery system. Generator is used for times when I need high-amperage - e.g. welding. Also to charge battery banks after cloudy days and lack of sunshine. I've also got diesel there - a 13KW Detroit Diesel powered rig. They are for sale all over the place. Probably the heaviest built generator you'll ever see, and also the slowest running at 1200 RPM. They were commonly used in railroad refrigeration cars. A used - but good running unit can usually be bought for less than $2000 - and a fully rebuilt unit around $3000-$4000. Part's availablity will never be an issue with these things. The Chinese DO make some pretty good units - but the problem is finding one that parts will be available for later. ?? Lister/Petter also makes some heavy and simple air-cooled diesel units with a great reputation all over the world - and again - very slow running units. Also - with US built older stuff - there are several generators with Cummins four-cylinder diesels - such as the older Onans. There are also gensets in the 5K to 20K range with Isuzu, Deere, and Perkins diesels. Most of the modern US Home-Depot style stuff now is fast-running - often 3600 RPM - which wears out faster and makes more noise. It's a cheap way to build. I've seen many of the Generacs stand-by units fail early on - and warrantees often are not honored (read the small print). They bank on the idea that most people that buy these things never use them.

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3010JD

10-13-2006 05:13:33




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 Re: Which Generator to buy???? in reply to davpal, 10-12-2006 22:10:07  
I was at the same point a few years ago. PTO generator take some HP to run and you have to get the tractor out and hookup. Just too much messin around for me. Tried the portable generator for a few years and it worked OK. Finally bought a Generac 15kw. I would highly reccomend that setup. The unit does a self test once a week and only thing to do it change the oil once a year. If the power goes out the generator fires up. You don't need to be home or get up at 2am. Don't even have to baby sit.

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Midwest redneck

10-13-2006 02:25:12




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 Re: Which Generator to buy???? in reply to davpal, 10-12-2006 22:10:07  
My neighbor bought a Generac house generator 15KW cost him $3,000 2 years ago or so. As far as noise goes with it every Sunday the generator turns on automatically for 15 minutes to warm up and run the generator is 180 feet or so from my house and it sounds like a motor to a jet-ski to me. Not too irritating but If it was me I would frame in a wood enclosure with sound proof foam. I would think that the PTO driven generators may be the way to go because it is one less engine to take care of, as long as the tractor is reliable.

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