Who makes the best portable Generators...

[Rule3]

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.

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.

 

[Squarebutt]

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.

 

[andy52]

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.

 

[washerman]

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

 

[rwt1405]

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.

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!

 

[ladder13]

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.

 

[GaryS]

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.

 

[Golddollar]

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.

 

[rwsmith]

Boy is this one....

....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.

 

[joe44va]

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.

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

...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...

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.

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

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.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

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.

 

[oink]

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 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.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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.

 

[JSR III]

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.

 

[chief38]

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.

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

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.

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

 

[dave1918a2]

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.

 

[chief38]

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!