Generators-see post 63-she's working!!!

CAJUNLAWYER

CAJUNLAWYER

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Well as y'all know My generator (about 20 years old) pooped out. It is a buyers market right now what with everyone looking to sell their panic bought Ida generators in my area but I'm looking for a portable electric start that has inverter power. I have found a brand called Predator which appears to be a china knock off of the Honda series of generators and am intrigued. Does anyone have any esperience with these??? I suspect that there really is no difference aomng the differing brands ad most motors are already made in china anyway and there can't be too many makers of the generator itself.
Second question, I see that some generators are dual fuel meaning they can run on gas or propane. Does anyone have experience with one of these? Specifically the run time on a standard tank of propane.
 
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Honda, Honda, Honda. I have a cabin off grid, used seasonally, and have had two generators since 1990 both Honda. The second one I bought three years ago because I wanted more power. THe smaller one it replaced was still running great but it was starting to burn A little oil after thirty plus years of use.

But once cry once.
 
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As I recall, Predator is a brand name used by Harbor Freight. The reviews I have read about their generators have been generally good, several comments about setting up a new unit and making sure all the nuts and bolts are tightened properly, general QC stuff. I think Harbor Freight offers extended warranties on their products also, if that is an issue for you.

Only other comment I would offer is to buy more capacity than you think you will need.
 
Predator would be the brand sold at Harbor Freight. I have one of their generators but it's not the inverter type. I haven't had any problems with it but I've only had it for a year. The two times I needed it during a power outage it fired right up for me.

A friend of mine does have Predator inverter generator that he says he's been very happy with, and in general the reviews of them on some of the DIY forums I'm on are good.
 
I have a permanently installed Generac that runs on natural gas. It’s about 20 years old, but starts up about lunchtime every Sunday and runs for 5 minutes. It will power just about all of the 120V circuits in my house. No ac in summer, but gas heat will work in winter. If I had it to do over, I’d have put in a bigger one that would run at least one floor’s air conditioner.
 
I have a Generac 7.5 kw on diesel in my old bus conversion. It will run
everything in the house and well, just not all at once. It's a 3 cyl diesel
and will set there and use a 1/2 gallon or less per hour, plus it is quite.
I wouldn't call it portable unless you have 3 men and a boy to horse it
around.
It is 22 years old with no problems.
 
I read somewhere that Harbor Freight gens used the older (one step back)Honda design. I have the inverter type and no problems at all. NOr do I have problems with the Honda I have. Price difference between the two is a good spread. I also have decided to go the conversion route to LP. easier to store and use. Plus the LP can run one of the Buddy heaters for winter problems
 
epj said:
I have a permanently installed Generac that runs on natural gas. It’s about 20 years old, but starts up about lunchtime every Sunday and runs for 5 minutes. It will power just about all of the 120V circuits in my house. No ac in summer, but gas heat will work in winter. If I had it to do over, I’d have put in a bigger one that would run at least one floor’s air conditioner.
Click to expand...

Couldn't you just get a small 120v widow unit for one room? At least you could sleep comfortably.
 
I have a PowerMate, 5000 running watts. Bought it in 2004 when we lived in Florida. Yes, it is Loud. It has a Subaru engine, if that matters.
My BIL made a plug in the wall below the power panel so I could power the house. Would run everything that was 120v.
I have been told the secret to longevity is starting them up and putting a load on them for a while, four or five times a year. If you don’t, when you need them they won’t work. Haven’t used it for it’s intended purpose in years, but it still starts up and works.
Did I mention that my generator is loud. 😁
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
Well as y'all know My generator (about 20 years old) pooped out. It is a buyers market right now what with everyone looking to sell their panic bought Ida generators in my area but I'm looking for a portable electric start that has inverter power. I have found a brand called Predator which appears to be a china knock off of the Honda series of generators and am intrigued. Does anyone have any esperience with these??? I suspect that there really is no difference aomng the differing brands ad most motors are already made in china anyway and there can't be too many makers of the generator itself.
Second question, I see that some generators are dual fuel meaning they can run on gas or propane. Does anyone have experience with one of these? Specifically the run time on a standard tank of propane.
Click to expand...

Predator is Harbor Freight's house brand. Yeah, yeah - we all know the reputation that HF has for tools and power equipment (not good) but the reviews I've been seeing have the larger Predator Inverter Generators ranked surprisingly high. The only issue I have is that the only one large enough to run most of a typical house is the 9500-watt version for $2000 - which is a lot of geld for a portable gen from HF.

I personally don't need the ultra-clean power of an inverter to run my frig, freezer, water pump and a few lights and fans after a storm. While an inverter generator is great for electronics like computers and TVs, I have determined that if my power is out then so is my cable - which provides TV, internet and home phone service for my residence so I wouldn't be running those items regardless. In cases like mine I would go for a standard gen and use the savings to have a pro install a good transfer switch.

And regardless of if it's an inverter or standard gen, it all comes down to the motor. Yes, Honda motors are great, but for a gen that only gets used every few years my Tecumseh has been just fine for the past 20. I own a Honda-powered pressure washer and highly recommend it, but it gets a lot more use every year than my gen has ever seen over its entire life.

Just my two cents worth...
 
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arjay said:
This^ The noise from an inexpensive generator gets old after several hours[/QUOTE]







My word is comforting. Get a nasty snow or ice storm up here and power can be out for a looooooooooooong time. Its normally sub zero F out just to make things interesting. More power disruptions in the winter than good months for some reason!:)

I doubt you can call a whole house propane Generac cheap but it does make a bit of noise Unfortunately its located behind the house and close to the power line running into the house. That also puts it about 5' behind our bedroom. You can sleep with it running, with that said if its off and comes to life it will wake you up PDQ.

If it gets too bad in the bedroom we can easily move to the great room that has two LazyBoy recliners and sleep there.

Personally I would rather have noise and a running generator Vs no noise and no generator!
Click to expand...
 
NYlakesider said:
arjay said:
This^ The noise from an inexpensive generator gets old after several hours[/QUOTE]
I just used it to power the pumps and a few appliances,but had wood stoves for heat. It was a small house and that sucker was loud lol






My word is comforting. Get a nasty snow or ice storm up here and power can be out for a looooooooooooong time. Its normally sub zero F out just to make things interesting. More power disruptions in the winter than good months for some reason!:)

I doubt you can call a whole house propane Generac cheap but it does make a bit of noise Unfortunately its located behind the house and close to the power line running into the house. That also puts it about 5' behind our bedroom. You can sleep with it running, with that said if its off and comes to life it will wake you up PDQ.

If it gets too bad in the bedroom we can easily move to the great room that has two LazyBoy recliners and sleep there.

Personally I would rather have noise and a running generator Vs no noise and no generator!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I bit the bullet 4 1/2 years ago and bought a 22K whole house Generac generator powered by natural gas. I just wanted to make sure that no matter what I would be able to power the things that relate to my medical issues. Hearing it exercise every week is very reassuring, and it is amazingly quiet. I timed the generator and found out in a power outage the generator would kick in after 13 seconds.
 
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