Posted by Rick - IN 4 (rfox@comteck.com) on Sun, Aug 16, 98 at 21:38 I'm looking for feedback as to which aux. home generator to purchase!!! We are not without power for too long, but you never know... I am not wanting to spend the big bucks for a Honda 5000 watt unit, but I have looked at the DeVilbiss 5000 watt [6250 watt surge]that is available from Lowes. Does anybody have any experience with this unit... or any recommendations for another unit. Also how about types of transfer switches??? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!!!! Thanks, Rick
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Matt Cauthorn - NY 4 (matthew.cauthorn@alcoa.com) on Mon, Aug 17, 98 at 13:01 Well, I suggest you determine just exactly what you will need to run, how much power is required for each application and if you can run just a few things at time. It would be very expensive to size a generator large enough to run the whole house, but you can be very comfortable and prevent damage with a 5-10 KW unit and some planning. An electrician will be required to patch in a transfer switch to your circuit panel and the local power company may need to inspect the work. A generator can "back feed" the power company's lines creating a hazard for linemen who think the lines are de-energized. During "The Ice Storm of 98" I connected 13 generators (everything from 240KW 480V 3Ph down to 5KW 240V 1Ph) as well as fought to get or keep Sub Stations energized and 115 KV transmission lines up. At home we were without power for 11 days and I found by running just a few things like the sump pump, well pump and oil furnace, a 5KW generator worked very well. Some engines were not set up for winter use and were blown in just a few hours. I'll look around for sites on the web about sizing and using generators as back-up power. E-mail me with what you might want to run and I'll help you decide the best way to do it. Matt RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: CV (cv@ulvac.COM) on Tue, Aug 18, 98 at 14:00 GENERAC makes excellent home and industrial generators. GenTran makes switch boxes. Look at NH catalog or @ Home D Here is a link that might be useful: GENERAC RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Bradley (bradnett@rconnect.com) on Wed, Aug 19, 98 at 18:32 March '98 of Popular Mechanics, page 79....Installing a backup generator using a manuel transfer switch. For information sake only, they used a Craftsman 4200 watt. Recommended as the minimum size for household backup. You might want to check to see if they have it on their web site. RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: W.Nicholas (ctochardware@arl.com) on Sat, Aug 22, 98 at 21:11 If you are going to spend the money, time and effort to install a transfer switch. For heavens sake get a proper genset. Spend the money!! Kohler, T&J, Echo, Yamaha, Honda, Robin, all use excellent engines. And make or buy good generators. Get at least a 5500 watt or higher, unless your needs don't include a well pump or any motors or pumps > 1.5 hp. Don't plan on using the hot water tank, stove, electric furnace, baseboard heaters, heat pump, clothes dryer or anything over 2K watts. Refrig, micro, small appliances, lighting, home entertainment, clothes washer, freezer all are okay, but not all together. Make sure it has electric start, it is at least a 10 hp engine, consider propane if readily available, (it stores better). And TAKE CARE OF IT!! good luck, WN. RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Mark (Mark1950@pacbell.net) on Tue, Aug 25, 98 at 2:05 I have a Generac 4000. Plenty of juice if you calculate your load and switch appliances etc. as necessary. I also have a Honda 1000. THis is for lights only. I live in CA and heating needs are minimal. Don't know about colder climates..... .. Mark RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Al Fernandez (afernandez@leasenet-inc.com) on Thu, Sep 24, 98 at 22:34 Any considerations for a generator down south. I live in Florida. I would like to run one, maybe two of my A/C units, they are water to air which run off well pump. Fridge, Freezer, lights. What are your recommendations. Thanks, Al RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Greg (greg_mips@dlr.disney.com) on Fri, Sep 25, 98 at 18:52 Look into Young Generators, Ingersoll-Rand, and Onan. All make little household-size generators to large trailer mounted generators. They are extremely reputable! Honda does make very good units too! Greg RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Bill (Ozmin@Worldnet.att.net) on Sat, Sep 26, 98 at 0:20 Rick, Make a list of what you need to power (add up the wattage each appliance needs) and then select a generator based on the 'Wattage" (Total wattage) needed for every piece. You'll be surprised on what and how much you need. Most average sizes (4000-6000w) can hardly power a refrigerator (standard homesize) and microwave oven at the same time. I lived in Oregon and had a 15Kw unit that ran on diesel fuel. 200 gallons lasted 2-3 weeks (worst case scenario-happened once), depending on use. It was enough to supply basic lighting/heat/water heater/refrigerator, a small TV, and a few minor appliances also. Al..... A/C needs alot, and therefore requires a larger generator in addition to one needed for the 'bare-requirements'. I'm no expert, but have had a few encounters with no public utilities for a bit. A standby generator is great to have, but must be maintained and periodically run to make sure it supplies powerwhen you need it. Hope this helps..... .Bill RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Andy (andy@false.com) on Mon, Sep 28, 98 at 15:47 Try this one >Link RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: W.Nicholas (ctochardware@arl.com) on Wed, Sep 30, 98 at 10:29 Found a nice WEbSite for Robin USA, they have anice quality generator line-up. Unfortunately they do not have the gen-sets on it right now. But if you E.Mail them they respond quickly, there is a dealer locator there! good luck,WN. RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Ed (birdsong@neosoft.com) on Thu, Oct 1, 98 at 2:27 We have a middle aged Robin 4KW (about 10 yrs old). Amazingly, this gen set was flooded while in storage some 5 years ago. Water was almost to the gas tank. We drained the oil, pulled plugs and blew out cyls, serviced carb, generally cleaned it up and let generator dry out naturally. The volt meter is only thing that didn't work after all that. Just put it back in storage after hurricane Georges-y Porges-y caused its use for a couple of days continuous during which time it performed perfectly keeping our fridge/freezer and TV and some lights going. Even the volt meter kicked in this time! Solid construction, simple design (although metric) that's easy to service because of access to key components, sips gas, effective governor. We've mounted it on oak dolly which makes it easier to roll around the barn concrete floor or wherever. Don't mind the pull start because it usually starts on first pull and one less battery to maintain. This Robin has single carb jet adjustment ... again essence of simplicity. Regardless of type, when finished and before storing remember to cut off gas at valve and run engine to use up fuel in carb bowl which will minimize laquer buildup on surfaces, ports, and jet(s) plus reduce risk of gasoline leak while in storage. RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Owen Wilson (owenwilson@aol.com) on Thu, Oct 1, 98 at 13:33 I am looking at a Craftsman 7500 watt unit # 32718 Any expierence with Craftsman units. Not interested in spending tons of dough for Honda. RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Brad (N IL/Z5) - 5a (bschmitt@tcindustries.com) on Thu, Oct 1, 98 at 13:59 Going way out on a limb with one of my brain farts again, but has anyone ever heard of a steam powered generator? If the $hit really hits the fan, and you can't get petro based fuel, a person may have plenty of wood to burn. I realize such a unit, if existant, would be awfully combersome, but given the right circumstances, it could be quite practical. How about it? - Brad RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Rick - IN 4 (rfox@comteck.com) on Sun, Oct 4, 98 at 8:59 Just to follow up on the generator subject... I bought a 5000 watt / 6250 watt surge DeVilbiss unit from Lowes. It cost $500 and has a Briggs & Stratton 10 hp engine with a large fuel tank for extended run time and low oil shut down. I have checked out many different brands and the DeVilbiss came out on top! Other units had some nice features, but if you compare the cost to the feature I am not so sure it is worth the extra cost. This unit has a 1 year complete warranty and Lowes are pretty good about taking care of any problems, so that should be another reason to buy one of these units. If anybody has more thoughts or tales to share on this keep them coming... it has "generated" a lot of good input. Thanks again... RICK RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Kevin Anderson - 8 (kevin@visiontechdesign.com) on Thu, Oct 22, 98 at 23:31 In all of my research on the web, I have found allot of information out there on just about every kind and type of generator in existance. My philosophy on a major purchase is this: Buy something once! If you buy junk - you did just that... If you buy quality - you only need to pay for it once and it will more than likely last you a lifetime relatively worry free. If you buy a name brand you are also more likely to be able to get parts if anything where ever to go wrong... I suggest you go with a true Honda Generator. Don't be fooled by a generator that only as a Honda engine. They have quite a few models to choose from. Check out the link at the bottom for a site that I found while surfing. They have allot of information on generators and the man I dealt with through email was very helpful. Kevin Here is a link that might be useful: Honda generator information link RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Jack (Jack@Jackssmallengines.com) on Sun, Oct 25, 98 at 13:22 We get a lot of email about how noisy $500.00 generators are. Most folks want them to be as quite as the Hondas and Onans go to the link below for the reason that they wont be. Here is a link that might be useful: Noisy Generators... RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: B D Moose (mad@znet.com) on Sun, Oct 25, 98 at 23:53 I found the Popular Mechanics article on installing a backup generator manual transfer switch. This link will take you to PM's search engine.Type in "installing a backup generator". It will come up with the March '98 article. Here is a link that might be useful: PopularMechanic's article RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Matt Cauthorn - NY 4 (matthew.cauthorn@alcoa.com) on Mon, Oct 26, 98 at 12:18 Congrads to PM, thats one of the best discriptions of connectioning an aux generator I've ever seen. Here is a link that might be useful: PM on the net RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: S White (white@gomontana.com) on Mon, Nov 16, 98 at 19:47 Good threads. I bought a Honda 8KW from Northern. A good price: $1399 The question I have is when I hook this up to the house, I don't think I will be able to use a transfer switch. My panel of breakers is in the house, and I want to hook up near the meter 100 feet away to keep the gen in a separate building. The only breaker in that box is the BIG one. Is this possible? Or do I have to figure some way to tie into the one in the house? S RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Matt Cauthorn - 4 (matthew.cauthorn@hotmail.com) on Tue, Nov 17, 98 at 20:28 I like the idea of locating the transfer switch away from the main panel. In my case it will allow me to transfer power without wading into a basement flooded with water. Your real problem would be the voltage loses due to the lenght of wire required to run to the out building and back. A sub feed from the main panel with the most important things you need to run to a conveant location on the outside of the house may be a good way to go. You realy need a local sparkchaser to help you design this system, but it can be very effective and safe. If intrerested Email me and I will explain how to calulate voltage drops in wire.Matt RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: WNicholas (ctochardware@arl.com) on Wed, Nov 18, 98 at 19:43 A Gen-Tran brand transfer switch must be 24" from the main panel and no further!! Most portable generators only supply at best a 30-240V outlet, so the 50Amp is out of the question. You can put the generator away from the house and run a line into the transfer switch. A 30 Amp circuit feed with #8 cable could be up to 200 feet long and be workable!! Except for the cost of the cable!! Other brands of transfer switches are available and may use different hook-ups. But I'm not familar with these. Excelent threads and postings keep it up folks. WN. RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Michael Hanlon (ekim1@together.net) on Sat, Nov 21, 98 at 23:19 During the ice storm A Lot of generators were freezing up , the valve cover breather tube frosted up pressurizing the crankcase blowing oil out . Either back to the breather plugging the element or out of the block through any hole the oil could find.Or the beathers were frosting while running full bore.Makes sense why snowblowers dont have air filters winteruse only ! People running these continuously and not keeping an eye on the oil were blowing them up left and right. Or trying to run the whole house with a 5500 watt and burning them up ,or the appliances along with it.Buy a extended run generator made for the long run times,Somthing a contractor would buy to run daily every day. Overhead valve are the way to go ,and dont forget auto-idle control so it idles down with no load alot quieter. Most overhead valve models I've see and run are a lot quieter too. The L head engines are noisey mine is. If and when I buy a new one It will be at least 10,000 Watt surge , This would run heat and a few other things without being maxxed. Diesel would be nice could run off my fuel tank for days but too $$$$ Probably Generac . Honda is nice But $$$. RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Knobshine (arlr@chibardun.net) on Thu, Nov 26, 98 at 11:38 I bought a Generac 4000XL at a "Home Depot" Store in Milwaukee for $700. I wanted to supply water from our own well, heat from our oil furnace, power to the fridge, and a lamp or two for light at night. I'm not an electrician so I won't attempt to install a transfer switch on my own. I do know how to make up an extension chord and that's the route I took. I made up a 60 foot, 10 gage, 3 wire with grnd, to run the 240 volt, 1/2 hp motor on our well. (The 60 ft was determined from the distance where the gen will be sitting outside the house, to where the service box is in the basement). My well is plugged into a 240 volt receptical near the service box, so I just unplug it from the wall receptical and plug it into my extension chord from the gen. My furnace is wired in the same way so I just unplug it and use a 12 gage extension chord to the gen. I've had both the well and furnace running at the same time on a trial basis, and the gen handled it great. I didn't add the fridge or lamps because my main concern was the other two for now. I have no doubt it can handle all at the same time. The best part is this machine is QUIET!!!!! I heard my brother-in-law's 3000W Coleman run, it convinced me to buy a model that was quiet even if it cost more. I found most models run around 3600rpm. The Coleman sounded like it was just screaming, the Generac sounds beautiful. It also has the "idle control switch". It will idle the machine down to about 2700rpm but only under NO load. It's still a nice feature to have if say you were doing some kind of construction where you were running a drill or a saw, when you run the saw, the machine kicks up to the 3600 rpm's, otherwise it idles at the 2700 rpm's. I'm not looking forward to having to use it, but I feel confident that I'm prepared if it is needed. Knobshine RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Richard Mathias (mathias@ipa.net) on Sun, Jan 3, 99 at 8:04 I read with interest your notes on Home Generators. I presently have a ten year old Coleman 4000 watt unit that has "saved the day" when we lost utility power. Two years ago, we moved to the mountains and experience many power outages (last one was on new years day for 15 hrs.) and the unit served us well. We have a 4500 Sq. home and I have designed the "feeder panel" to isolate all major appliances; i.e. water heaters, heat pumps and electric ranges. We are able to run all other lights, microwave oven, two refrigerators (simultaneously) and experience no problems what so ever. I'm currently looking at the Honda Model ES6500K2 model which is rated 6500 watts max. in order to run additional items in case of an extended outage. Have you had any knowledge of Honda's performance? They are costly and I might want to consider other available units. Yet, I want to have reliability and low maintenance in the long run. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, Richard RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: Kari (melwin@uswest.net) on Mon, Jan 4, 99 at 23:08 I'm looking for a generator to run in a winter climate. What kind of a generator would I need to run my well pump and my furnace? Or is that too much for one household generator to handle? I know nothing about generators so any info would be very useful.-K. RE: Generators...which one to buy??? Posted by: WNicholas (ctochardware@arl.com) on Tue, Jan 5, 99 at 11:46 Both Kubota, Robin and Pow'rGard (T&J) have Diesel powered portable units, at 3KW and 6KW, for about $2500 to $5000. Yes expensive but likely an item you'll have for a long time!! Not quite the fuel storage problem as with gasoline. A Gen-Set manufacturer in Oshkosh, Wi by the name of T&J Manf. Makes a nice Briggs-Vanguard powered duel fueled 9KW portable for $3300. It uses propane or petrol (gas). It weighs 270#'s. I've not found a WebSite yet for these folks, but a phone number, 1-800-USA-POWER or FAX 920-236-4219. good luck, WN.
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