Generator Recommendations
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There is a lot of information on Youtube. I have been looking some also.
twodog max
Member
I don't know what you require for a wattage rating but in that price range you might find a Champion dual fuel. My brother has one and really likes it. His I think is 7500 watts on gas.
I have a gas Generac and it has served well but does not have a LPG option.
I have a gas Generac and it has served well but does not have a LPG option.
tlay
US Veteran
I have the dual fuel Champion. It will run on gas or propane. I loaned it to my neighbor who's house lost all of their power due to the ice storm. It has been running straight for 6 days now. It will power their entire home including the furnace. It is rated at 7500 watts. If you buy one get one big enough to run your home.
I have a 5000w Champion that I bought from Tractor Supply in 2010. We had a derecho in 2011. That generator ran for 7 days straight. It has been run several times a year ever since. Only once did i have a problem where it didn't want to run. I started it and it stopped three times before it decided to run correctly. That has only happened once and that was about 4 years ago. It usually starts on the second pull of the rope.
I needed it on December 26. It wouldn't start. I swapped in a new spark plug and it ran great. One plug in 10 years ain't bad, in my book.
I needed it on December 26. It wouldn't start. I swapped in a new spark plug and it ran great. One plug in 10 years ain't bad, in my book.
My advice is don't. Unless this is a non critical use, Don't buy a generator in this price range. Dual fuel and electric start imply a larger generator (wattage).
I borrowed a generator during a hurricane. It crapped out after 2-3 hours. I was SOL. Took it in for repair and saw many of similar size, make, cost. Repairman, who did not sell generators, said this range of generator is not designed for hard use.
If this is a critical use item, spring for a quality generator.
I'm still using my Honda from 2004. Recently bought another one made in 2006. Both run like tops. Buy once, cry once.
I borrowed a generator during a hurricane. It crapped out after 2-3 hours. I was SOL. Took it in for repair and saw many of similar size, make, cost. Repairman, who did not sell generators, said this range of generator is not designed for hard use.
If this is a critical use item, spring for a quality generator.
I'm still using my Honda from 2004. Recently bought another one made in 2006. Both run like tops. Buy once, cry once.
I have a Generac that is on City natural gas. Comes on every monday and self analyzes itself for 10 minute and shuts off. When city utilities drop out, it starts so quick the clocks and my computer don't even notice.
Best weather control device I have ever seen. Wind, ice, and snow raise heck with power lines in this part of the country.
Had it 5 years and needed it for 1 hour total so far.
Best weather control device I have ever seen. Wind, ice, and snow raise heck with power lines in this part of the country.
Had it 5 years and needed it for 1 hour total so far.
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
You need to determine your energy need first, and buy a unit that provides that, with a reserve. Then what other features you'd like, such as dual fuel and electric start. Do you want a quiet one or does noise not matter? Is this for camping, or as a home power backup?
This one is within your budget:
[ame="https://www.amazon.com/WEN-DF475T-4750-Watt-Portable-Generator/dp/B07M8FFS51/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&hvadid=78477762537170&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=portable+electric+generator&qid=1609986330&sr=8-6&tag=mh0b-20"]Amazon.com : WEN DF475T Dual Fuel 120V/240V Portable Generator with Electric Start Transfer Switch Ready, 4750-Watt, CARB Compliant : Garden & Outdoor[/ame]
, but I have no experience with it. It's rated 4350 surge watts and 3500 continuous on propane, slightly more on gas. 3500 watts will run your refrigerator and enough lights to keep your house bright, and a small space heater, with a decent reserve, but I'd opt for at least 5000 watts continuous as a house backup, and preferably with 220 volt capability if you have a well instead of a pressure-fed municipal system. That will also allow you to have hot water. Most well pumps and electric water heaters are 220VAC.
This is a better generator, but costs more.
[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Generac-7127-iQ3500-3500-Portable-Generator/dp/B07H8S6L5G/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&hvadid=78477762537170&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=portable+electric+generator&qid=1609987019&sr=8-20"]Amazon.com : Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500 Watt Portable Inverter Generator Quieter Than Honda, Orange/Black : Garden & Outdoor[/ame]. Same output, but only gas, but it is very quiet. I have a Honda EU3000is, that they compare the Generac to, but it costs over $2200 now. I've had the Honda for over 20 years, use it all the time to power my shop (lights, table saw, band saw, router, vacuum, and hand power tools). It's marginal for that, but does what I need. The Honda is quiet enough that when set outside the shop with the door closed, I can't hear it running from 10 feet away.
Go to the Generac web site and run through the application that determines what the proper sized generator would be for your house. I have had my 22KW natural gas powered Generac generator for 3 years now. I have it set to exercise itself every Wednesday afternoon and I have timed it from the start of a power outage and determined that the generator kicks in after 13 seconds.
Make sure the oil level is staying up on this and the change intervals are being maintained. That's a lot of hours in a short time and represents a percentage of the generator's life. 300-500 hours may be the life of the engine in this quality price range
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
I Was in the local Costco last week, they had a 9000ish watt start/7500 run triple fuel (gasoline/LP/NG) in the upper end of your budget. It is on wheels for "Easy" mobility (just don't try to pick it up!) If you're not a member and nobody will loan you their card, a 365 day membership is $60. They only take cash and Visa!
Ivan
Ivan
tlay
US Veteran
I check the oil every day. The only way that the generator can run their entire home is because they have a gas furnace, hot water heater, and gas stove. As stated above you need to figure out what you are going to run on it. If you have an electric heat pump, electric hot water heater, or stove you will need much more wattage. Buy the best unit you can afford.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
A possible option for some pickup truck owners with a PTO (Power Take Off) drivetrain option, is a PTO driven generator. Much higher output at a given price point, since your not buying an engine.
You can buy a Generac 22kw or 24kw (I recommend the later) for that kind of money - if you can find one. The devastating hurricane season last year created a shortage. That price will include the generator, base pad and transfer switch but will not include installation though. Typical installation is a two man, full day job - if there are no issues, such as having to run gas from one side of the house to the other, or wiring a house with multiple service panels like some newer homes have. Of course installation should be done by a licensed installer and won't be cheap. Basic install I stated above would probably add $5k to the cost plus material (generally less than $250). The new Generac units run on gas or propane with a flip of a switch.
I recommend the 24kw unit as it isn't much more than the 22k (which may be in the process of being fazed out?) and just like gun safes, I've never had someone complain because they bought one too big, only too small. This unit is big enough to run your ac (or two if you have them) and use your electric stove, plus all the normal items like lights, TV, etc,. Generac also requires internet connectivity to make the unit operational. Believe it or not, we had one install where the owner used a flip phone and didn't own a computer or have an email address! Good thing my truck has it's own wifi.
One other thing with Generac: they come set up from the factory to "exercise" every Wednesday. They run at full throttle for ten minutes and shut off. This can all be reprogrammed by the installer/homeowner and I recommend doing so. We set they to run the exercise whatever day the homeowner wants and to run at half throttle. There is no value to beating the thing to death just to exercise it.
I recommend the 24kw unit as it isn't much more than the 22k (which may be in the process of being fazed out?) and just like gun safes, I've never had someone complain because they bought one too big, only too small. This unit is big enough to run your ac (or two if you have them) and use your electric stove, plus all the normal items like lights, TV, etc,. Generac also requires internet connectivity to make the unit operational. Believe it or not, we had one install where the owner used a flip phone and didn't own a computer or have an email address! Good thing my truck has it's own wifi.
One other thing with Generac: they come set up from the factory to "exercise" every Wednesday. They run at full throttle for ten minutes and shut off. This can all be reprogrammed by the installer/homeowner and I recommend doing so. We set they to run the exercise whatever day the homeowner wants and to run at half throttle. There is no value to beating the thing to death just to exercise it.
oddshooter
Member
If you need to carry it, I like the Honda 2000 at about 46 lbs.
First off, the inverter is a pure sine wave, not a square one. Electronics love pure sine waves.
It is incredibly quiet for camping or RV.
When the city power goes off, I don't try to run my entire house. I run the generator as little as possible. When it is running I use as much of the 2000 watts as possible.
I run the frig/freezer every two hours for 10 minutes which keeps it frozen. At the same time, I try to run a 10 amp charger for (4) 6 volt batteries. I use the batteries and inverter for quiet time later when I'm not running the genny.
My laptop provides the entertainment.
We can go for days like this on very little gasoline. I just can't see spending thousands for a possible use every few years.
Now, I also have a 12volt cigarette lighter plug in the Tesla Model Y and it could be good for weeks. 75kWh battery.
First off, the inverter is a pure sine wave, not a square one. Electronics love pure sine waves.
It is incredibly quiet for camping or RV.
When the city power goes off, I don't try to run my entire house. I run the generator as little as possible. When it is running I use as much of the 2000 watts as possible.
I run the frig/freezer every two hours for 10 minutes which keeps it frozen. At the same time, I try to run a 10 amp charger for (4) 6 volt batteries. I use the batteries and inverter for quiet time later when I'm not running the genny.
My laptop provides the entertainment.
We can go for days like this on very little gasoline. I just can't see spending thousands for a possible use every few years.
Now, I also have a 12volt cigarette lighter plug in the Tesla Model Y and it could be good for weeks. 75kWh battery.
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wheelgun28
Member
The OP wants to spend $600 to $800 not thousands, hundreds.
It's a fine budget to get one with!
Harbor Freight is what he needs, Predator generators seem to be well-liked. Research the exact model before buying it.
Shop around to get sales and coupons to get a deal from HF.
It's a fine budget to get one with!
Harbor Freight is what he needs, Predator generators seem to be well-liked. Research the exact model before buying it.
Shop around to get sales and coupons to get a deal from HF.
This is deserving of further research on my part.
I also have run off the Honda 2000, thanks for the head tickle oddshooter.
OP, your price range is sort of at the low end of "acceptable" generators. A lot depends on why you want a generator as others have pointed out.
If it's for emergency use, then the first thing you should do is figure out what you need to get through a power outage. For that matter, you should try to figure out how long you are likely to need a generator.
A friend of mine used a gas powered portable during one of the recent hurricanes in Louisiana. It cost him about $50.00/day to feed it and he had to do some significant running around to find gas.
If you have natural gas where you are, it would likely make sense to buy a generator that can run on that. There is a difference in carburetor jetting between LPG and NG. Just make sure you have the right one.
When I was looking, I was steered away from Generac by a service tech. He worked on all brands and said that over the past few years Generac quality has gone downhill and parts are hard to find.
If if you don't plan to buy there, Amazon is a great place to read reviews.
Ignore anything from Consumer Reports, but that's a different story.
Finally, take your time to do research. I spent almost a year researching, before making a purchase decision. Since I got a whole house generator, my decision won't help you so I'll skip it.
If it's for emergency use, then the first thing you should do is figure out what you need to get through a power outage. For that matter, you should try to figure out how long you are likely to need a generator.
A friend of mine used a gas powered portable during one of the recent hurricanes in Louisiana. It cost him about $50.00/day to feed it and he had to do some significant running around to find gas.
If you have natural gas where you are, it would likely make sense to buy a generator that can run on that. There is a difference in carburetor jetting between LPG and NG. Just make sure you have the right one.
When I was looking, I was steered away from Generac by a service tech. He worked on all brands and said that over the past few years Generac quality has gone downhill and parts are hard to find.
If if you don't plan to buy there, Amazon is a great place to read reviews.
Ignore anything from Consumer Reports, but that's a different story.
Finally, take your time to do research. I spent almost a year researching, before making a purchase decision. Since I got a whole house generator, my decision won't help you so I'll skip it.
