...Besides Honda? Honda prices are crazy high.

Got friends in Panama City possibly looking at trying to buy a portable generator. Power in their area projected to be restored Oct 24...maybe longer.

Looking at models from 3000 Watts to 6000 Watts and less than $1,000. Specifically I need the Brand Name known to be reliable and well built. Sam’s Club is trucking in 3500 Watt Champion Generators...Not sure if the Home Depot and Lowe’s have reopened yet.

Thank You...

I have a Generac 6500, fortunately haven't had to use it yet but it's a good brand.

Honda's may be crazy high, but they are also crazy dependable and crazy quiet.
I have a Generac 4000 that is super heavy to move around and disturbs the neighbors whenever I run it....

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

This must be a TRICK question!
You mean other companies make portable generators?

Honda is the best. Yamaha if you can find one.

Depends on your definition of "portable"

I have a bigger one on wheels powered by Briggs. It is more commercial industrial use but it's portable,

And a suitcase Honda that sips gas, so quiet you can't tell it's running.


Harbor Freight sells knock offs, you gonna trust them for a few hundred bucks?


Now if Dillon made one then that would be it!

Pay the money for a Honda.

The big ones SUCK gas. While the Hondas will keep the ridge and a small AC running on less than a gal. You will also be able to talk and sleep.
Are the gas stations up and running. When Irma hit here, all the stations had gas but no power to pump it! FEMA planning at it's best!

The big ones is like having a 10-12 horse lawn mower outside you window. Lot of power but for WHAT!?

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Still Running Against the Wind

Briggs & Stratton Storm Responder 6250 has worked well so far for me. It's served me through 2 storms. It's fairly loud and heavy but in post hurricane situations those aren't major concerns. It's pretty reasonable on gas IMHO. With it I power my well, the frig, a large older chest freezer, TV, lights, computer, fans, other misc and a decent window shaker. The window shaker cools one room icebox cold and can take the heat edge off several other rooms. My dual zone central air isn't hooked into my transfer switch and would be too much for the generator. Way cheaper than a Honda and likely found at a big box hardware store. I don't recall if it was a Home Depot or a Lowes item but it was one of the two. It's been a good machine. Parked outside the closed garage door I can hear it just well enough to tell if it's seems to be running well but it's not annoying at all, more comforting. Changing the oil on it could be easier but I've seen worse. A curved oil drain extension of some type would be a nice bonus or a very shallow oil drain pan. The standard models don't fit under it very well. If I have help handy I'll lift it up on cement blocks to dump the oil.

Oil draining is something that needs improving on most every small generator I've seen. Bring plenty of oil as you will reach oil change intervals very frequently when running 24/7. Keeping fresh oil in those little air cooled engines is important and often if not usually neglected.

I have an older generator that's served very well thru more and longer storm recoveries but it's not a current model so can't be recommended. It was TroyBilt 5500 (corrected from Coleman) branded but it also had a Briggs engine. Parts other than for the engine could be problematic. When properly maintained I've had very good luck with Briggs engines.

I agree that Honda is the gold standard if you can afford one. They are way quieter.

My brother bought a Chinese generator from HF. It was several years ago so maybe they've changed. His was junk.

I live in a more rural area (but only by about 5 miles) and seem to always be near last in having power restored. I've also been through way too many extended hurricane outages. I hate hurricanes! (But not The Hurricanes)

I had a Generac 5,000 and it served me well for 16 years. Its a bit noisy but when you need it it, starts right up

I used it for years as a emergency when the power goes out here in the boonies. Normally thats real bad winter weather.. Had a plug in installed by a electrician (100% legal) to my braker panel box and I could run 6 circuits. Take the unit outside, plug it in, start it and your ready to go.

I made it a point to ONLY use none E gas with a stabilizer as it stores much better for a much longer time. I normaly kept 20 gallons on hand and rotated my stock.

Now on a whole house propane Generac unit that stars itself 30 seconds after a power failure.

Both my Generacs done me good, I can recommend that company!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I love Honda, those are the only cars I buy. But $1700-$3000 Just isn’t in the budget. They are actually using a temporarily borrowed Generator right now...but that will end soon.

I’d heard good things about Generac before...

I have a brand new Honda 5000EX, never run, never added gas. Short story about why if you care. Three year warranty $2000.00

I have a whole house 22k Generac generator on natural gas. With my medical issues and equipment I am glad I got it put in. When I tested it I turned off the main breaker and the generator had the power back on in 13 seconds.

CR did a report comparing Honda to one that harbor freight sells , they didn't see much difference

We have had a Lifan Inverter generator on then back of my friends boat for 7 years, works great and was about $900

Isn’t that always the case when you buy emergency equipment ahead of time? Just sits there...

I have Honda, great on fuel consumptions and reliability I find is the best, might cost more, but you get what you pay. When we had Wilma 2005, my generator ran 24/7 for 16 days before power was restored, and helped my neighbor with her place for power. The best Generator I ever used.

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USAF/RET. 1966-1990

I've been running HF generators for over 10 years. Never had a problem with them. During the recent outage I hooked up my 8750 watt HF generator to my house through my stove receptacle(suicide cord) and ran the whole house & pump excepting the heat pump.

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S&W Accumulator

I bought two just before Florence hit: a HF inverter 3500 and a Cat 3500. I figure having a couple will ensure that the power will never go off again.

In the recent storm no power, then buddy 2 houses down found a generator, we hooked it up and 5 hours later Bingo...power restored. He is going to go around the neighborhood and get donations since he tipped over the juju bucket and got power back on for everybody.

I have a portable Honda generator, quiet and purrs like a kitten.

That is a WIDE range of wattage. A big difference of 2,000 watts. If al that is powered is a fridge some lights and a TV then that big engine is just using gas for no reason,
Determine what the min max needs are,



What do they want to run? Do a worksheet and determine what needs they have to determine what size Gen they need.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Have a Generac 5500-Honda is nice except for the price-see NYlakesider.

This isn’t an exact science...the idea is to settle on a good brand that’s affordable, then get the most output for the money. If a 6,000 Watt only costs $800...then great.

But if they get the water and sewage up soon...and power up by the 24th like they are saying...it might not be necessary to go through the ordeal right now.

HOPE you find a generator at the price you are seeking. Every neighborhood is different as far as electric goes it could be a long time till repair crews get to your area. I know we just went through Irma

You really don't want a lot more generator than needed due to gas consumption. The TroyBilt 5500 (non-current model) would run most what was needed plus a window shaker but to run my well I had to shut off the refrigeration and the windowshaker. The slightly bigger newer Briggs 6250 bumped me over the breaking point and I can kick the well pump without powering other stuff down. The old TroyBilt still works fine after many, many hours. I loaned it to my son the last time. We seem to have the worst power service anywhere besides 3rd world. Extended outages from Floyd, Charlie, Francis, Ivan, Jean, Katrina (I hate to count this one due to what it did later), Wilma, Irene, Matthew, Irma. At least I think I got that right. Not sure now. It doesn't really seem to take much. The Francis Jean double whammy made for a very undesirable experience.

Plenty of OT from some of the storms but far from being worth it. I drove home in the middle of some of them. Had to chain saw my way down the street. Slept for a few and had to chain saw again. I would have gotten more OT if I hadn't called out at the house. Was supposed to sleep at the substation. It's hard not check on the house when it's not far out of your part of the county. Too many TS and hurricanes. I'm getting tired of FL. However, I've never been in an area hammered the way New Orleans or Mexico beach were, thankfully.

Sorry, I wandered off.

IMHO, the secrete to long lived generators is changing the oil on schedule, even if it's blowing rain and then storing them with rec gas (alcohol free) and "GOOD" stabalizer in the tank and having run some through it before storage. I'm a strong believer in K100 but use something. I don't worry about running on rec gas but get the ethanol out before storage.

Well it kind of is an exact science. Why run a generator with more HP, Watts and suck up more gas than needed?

If you need the watts then by all means.

I lived through a few weeks with a 12 hp Briggs running outside my rear porch. Had to fill the BIG gas tank several times in 24 hours, I was never so happy then when the damn thing turned off. They are LOUD!
Multiply that but sever neighbors run similar units,
See what the RUN tome is at 50% load, calculated how much gas you are gonna need. check the noise output.

You asked a question but
You want what you want, so just buy the cheapest one you can find.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I have a small Yamaha I bought around 1987. We used it on and off on construction sites, and ten years ago it was used to build an entire Habitat for Humanity house from footings to final trim. It still starts on first or second pull. If I needed a bigger one I'd buy another Yamaha in a heartbeat. Synthetic oil changes from day one.

I've had a Coleman 5500 for about 6 or 7 years it's powered by a Tucumseh 11 hp engine. I've have it set up to run on tri-fuel and hooked to a 100lb propane tank. It has always started when I needed it plus I have it connect to a transfer switch that is connect to my main power input. I purchased it a Costco and I'm thinking it was in the 800-900s range.

Honda generators have an inverter. Without an inverter the engine runs wide open to get 60 cycle power all the time. with an inverter the engine only runs to put out the power being called for. Whatever generator you buy get an inverter on it. thats whu honda's cost more

Had my Generac 22 kW put in April 2017, ran for 28 hours straight this last winter, best money I've ever spent!

Edit: Mine runs on natural gas also, makes it easy!

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I started out with a 5500 pull start General, then advanced to a 8000 electric start Generac. I got tired of getting up and going outside in all sorts of inclement weather to start it up.
Then there was the hassle of driving around to find gasoline at scalper prices. I don’t like storing large amounts of gasoline.
Just after Superstorm Sandy I had a 17kw propane powered Generac with two 110 gallon tanks put in. I lived rural so propane was my only option.
Just a couple years ago after relocating I had a 22 kw whole house unit, this one natural gas. I have yet to use it more than one time for 10 minutes but not really worried. If I never use it again that’s fine. Piece of mind.
Every one of my generators has been Generac.

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Briggs and Stratton come highly rated.

A friend of mine who works for a company that does commercial and whole house residential generators steered me away from Generac. He says that the quality of their gear has dropped off over the past few years and his company stopped selling them.

When we had this discussion, I was thinking about getting a portable generator, but his comments seemed to cover all Generac generators.

A friend of mine's brother in law bought a whole house generator and gave my friend his Briggs and Stratton. It seems well made and it started right up when he tested it, despite his BIL's total lack of maintenance.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Go to the Generac web site and refer to the calculator as to how big a unit you will need depending on the intended use and size of the building. That will keep you from buying a unit that is over capacity and more costly than you need.

I don't remember if it was an ice storm or Hurricane Sandy, but around Baltimore I remember there were people who didn't have power for a week.

....educational thread. I've been thinking about this lately with the string of hurricanes we've almost had.

We were without power for three weeks during Hugo. I've gleaned a lot of great info in these comments.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

My little Yamaha 1000 is a champ. Started quite a few cars and I keep it on the boat to recharge the trolling motor batteries. Great little machine. I also have an 8500 watt Generac but it is neither light nor quiet. It does work very well though and is electric start.

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Foster Positivity.

Don't have specific generator advice just a recommendation for your friends in PC if they aren't aware of it.....If they buy a generator because their power is out because of hurricane Michael they can file a claim with FEMA to be reimbursed for the cost of the generator, extension cords, gas cans and gasoline. They should keep all receipts.
I forget which hurricane hit us here in NE Florida and what year it was but I bought a generator just before the storm hit. We were without power for 4 days. I filed a claim with FEMA online and a week or two later I was contacted by FEMA. They sent out a guy a little while later who took my information, looked at the stuff I bought, checked my receipts and had me sign a claim form. Lo and behold a few weeks later I got a check in the mail from Uncle Sam for every penny I spent.

By the way the generator I got was a TroyBuilt 5500 watt. Never had a problem, always starts on the first pull.

Dug through my file cabinet and found my FEMA info. It was Hurricane Frances that hit Labor Day 2004. I paid $659 at Lowes for the Troy Bilt 5500W generator, about half what they sell for now.

I have a 7.5kw Generac diesel in my RV which is parked within 150 ft
of the house. If noise is a factor the diesels are quieter. Also at 1/2
load it uses only 1/3-2/3 gal/hour. I don't know your friends exact
conditions or requirements but they may not need to run 24/7.
If FEMA will pay for it as stated above, I would go the diesel route.

I have that generator too. It's been a good unit but no longer supported by anyone as far as I know. It still works just fine.

I always turn the gas off and run it till it shots down. When I put 8750 watt on the back porch Thursday morning I turned the gas on(choked it) and touched the starter. It started within a second. I do the same with my 3600 watt. I can cut the gas on and choke it. It always starts by the 3rd pull.

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S&W Accumulator

I bought a Sportsman and it's green and it runs on propane. It starts every time and there are no worries about gas gumming things up over the winter. Mine is only 4000 watts but will run a few things in an emergency and for occasional use with a skill saw or table saw at my cabin in Maine it works just fine.

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James Redfield
LM #497

The Generac XG Series is excellent, heavy duty rated (hours of run time life exceeds 5000) and built in the USA. They are really tough, reliable and in many areas actually better than the Honda generators. I am talking about the XG Series, NOT the GP series that is sold in the Home Depot and other Discount Home Stores. The GP series is made in China, (run time is 2,000 hours) way less expensive, less heavy duty and not nearly as good as the XG Series.

Honda's are excellent generators and are quiet, however they are normally smaller in output than the XG Generacs, ridiculously expensive and made in Japan.

It's a Briggs engine so parts would be available. Troy Bilt is still in business too.

I have two Generacs. Little and big. Both start on the fi4rst pull, even after sitting a year. Have a Honda lawnmower that won't start without a carb cleanout every time and a friends Honda generator is the same. He borrows My Generac when He wants one that runs everytime.

Back 6 years ago during/after Hurricane Sandy we went without power for 10 days! It was very cold here (in the 30's and 40's) and we actually had 8 inches of snow the day after the hurricane hit! My Generac XG ran 20 hours a day for 10 days - no problems. Our 5000 square foot home ran like normal and no circuit breakers had to be turned off at all. I would highly recommend it to anyone! AGAIN, just make sure it' the made in USA XG and NOT the Home Depot version which is the GP series made in China. Not saying the GP is garbage - but it's not going to be the same quality and have the same longevity. OK is only used seldom I suppose.....

Generators are a seldom used item but WHEN you need them they have to perform!

I can also recommend the whole house Generac generator on natural gas. It is pricey but you only spend it once and you are covered. Ours runs everything including the air conditioning unit which is a necessity in Florida and it kicks on automatically when power is lost.

IMHO you couldn't have made a better choice!! The Generac HHG's are simply awesome! As long as one gets the proper size, you won't even know you have lost power and transfer is all but seamless. I also agree that in Florida, a/c is pretty much essential.