Ocean State Job Lot generator sale

[HomeWood]

I thought about a knock off brand generator but I decided to spend a little more and get something of quality. I recently bought an 8000 watt NorthStar generator with a real Honda engine and it uses a brushless generator head. I hook that up to a 6 circuit transfer switch. Works great. Runs 90% of my first floor lights, outlets, fridge, and TV's. It will not run the stove or our heat/ac pumps. It will run some space heaters and we have a propane fireplace.

This unit puts out so called clean power, so my smart TV's and computer work fine. I have $1900 into the generator and transfer switch from Lowes. This is for my house here in NC. I just made sure we'll never lose power again .

I think it's cheaper in the long run to buy a better unit to begin with.

[dpg]

MAXUM - well saying your BIL bought a Generac is only half the story what size did he buy? Generac makes very tiny to huge...And yes, quietness is expensive in the Generator market. That's an individual preference. I can't believe it's that big of a deal (or expensive) to make them quiet but I'm no expert by a long shot...(most) Honda products do rock but yeah there's much cheaper out there also.

[Slickcraft]

In post #14 MAXUM outlined the Honda inverter technology. A very real benefit of this is that the generator does not have to run at a high fixed speed to output 60 cycle power. A switch selective Eco mode allows the microprocessor to cut RPM to the lowest level that can meet the load power draw. Up the load a bit and the RPM moves up to meet demand.

The result is quieter operation and better fuel economy. As has been noted, these are more expensive machines.

[noreast]

I use to think like FLL (about the generator) till that 95? ice storm when I had my first child. We lost power for 3 days, Then the next was 5, then 7, Some of those storms were F'n freezing. My brother lost power for 19 days in Derry! hardly the boon docks. I'll never be without one again. With kids in the house it gets expensive keeping it running, especially when gas was $4 a gallon.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by noreast

I use to think like FLL (about the generator) till that 95? ice storm when I had my first child. We lost power for 3 days, Then the next was 5, then 7, Some of those storms were F'n freezing. My brother lost power for 19 days in Derry! hardly the boon docks. I'll never be without one again. With kids in the house it gets expensive keeping it running, especially when gas was $4 a gallon.

He probably enjoys saving electricity when it goes out. In this day and age there is no reason to be without power and I don't understand anyone that would be happy about it.

[wifi]

Some people just like going against the grain.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by noreast

I use to think like FLL (about the generator) till that 95? ice storm when I had my first child. We lost power for 3 days, Then the next was 5, then 7, Some of those storms were F'n freezing. My brother lost power for 19 days in Derry! hardly the boon docks. I'll never be without one again. With kids in the house it gets expensive keeping it running, especially when gas was $4 a gallon.

So that being said did you opt for a $500.00 machine or a $4,000 "quality"(?) unit?

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

In post #14 MAXUM outlined the Honda inverter technology. A very real benefit of this is that the generator does not have to run at a high fixed speed to output 60 cycle power. A switch selective Eco mode allows the microprocessor to cut RPM to the lowest level that can meet the load power draw. Up the load a bit and the RPM moves up to meet demand.

The result is quieter operation and better fuel economy. As has been noted, these are more expensive machines.

This. Really the only reason one needs to buy an inverter generator. They are generally quieter and more efficient but as ishoot posted, there is no issue with electronics on normal gens. I have used a few different ones for 20 years and have never had any problems. I am the tv nut that has way too many tv's and computers. Never had a failure.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

This. Really the only reason one needs to buy an inverter generator. They are generally quieter and more efficient but as ishoot posted, there is no issue with electronics on normal gens. I have used a few different ones for 20 years and have never had any problems. I am the tv nut that has way too many tv's and computers. Never had a failure.

I also have a Honda Inverter Generator that I use on the island. One must be extremely careful when using their or any manufacturers "Eco" mode for anything with large draw wound electrical motors such as well / water pumps, air conditioners, washing machine, etc, etc. The few seconds it takes for the generator to rev up to send the juice necessary to run the motor can physically damage it! The absolute worse thing you can do to any wound motor is under power it and it only takes a few seconds to cause damage. I normally only use Eco mode at night or when I am not there and shut the breaker for my water pump.

You would be better off using the cheapest generator you can find that runs at a constant rpm than you would using an expensive inverter generator on Economy mode, at least with wound electric motors...

Dan

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by dpg

MAXUM - well saying your BIL bought a Generac is only half the story what size did he buy? Generac makes very tiny to huge...And yes, quietness is expensive in the Generator market. That's an individual preference. I can't believe it's that big of a deal (or expensive) to make them quiet but I'm no expert by a long shot...(most) Honda products do rock but yeah there's much cheaper out there also.

6500 watt portable - plenty of power for what he needed but the problem wasn't whether there was sufficient capacity to do the job, it was the output voltage. Trust me he was not happy with having to spend the extra $$ to get something that would work.

Same thing in my case... and if you notice there are more and more inverter generators out on the market for this very reason. Don't have to buy a Honda there are other offerings out there but no matter the case these are noticeably more expensive than their non-inverter counterparts. That said if you buy some cheap piece of crap it's not going to make much of a difference what it is, other than a piece of crap!

Not trying to kick up an argument here either guys, just pointing out you gotta be careful with these things or you may end up with a problem. Stuff now a days is not like it used to be and all these electronically controlled devices get a little fussy.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

6500 watt portable - plenty of power for what he needed but the problem wasn't whether there was sufficient capacity to do the job, it was the output voltage. Trust me he was not happy with having to spend the extra $$ to get something that would work.

Same thing in my case... and if you notice there are more and more inverter generators out on the market for this very reason. Don't have to buy a Honda there are other offerings out there but no matter the case these are noticeably more expensive than their non-inverter counterparts. That said if you buy some cheap piece of crap it's not going to make much of a difference what it is, other than a piece of crap!

Not trying to kick up an argument here either guys, just pointing out you gotta be careful with these things or you may end up with a problem. Stuff now a days is not like it used to be and all these electronically controlled devices get a little fussy.

I did some research and it looks like you are correct. It appears that some low end generators have a high Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) that can harm some electronics. If a generator has over 5% THD, some sensitve electronics can be harmed.
Some furnaces won't run with over 5% THD and like you said it caused a big problem with your brother in-laws furnace.

[Slickcraft]

Here is a copy of Consumer Reports take on portable generators from Oct 2015. They show only the recommend generators of a larger number tested.

The #2 Ridgid is not shown in the current online ratings, don't know why. The Kohler is #2 in the online ratings.

I decided to buy from a local business, not a big box store. Ended up with the Kohler at NuWave Electric in Laconia. They do Kohler service right there. In test runs all of the electronics were happy as well as were the microprocessor controlled pellet stove and heat pumps.