Generator Recommendations?

[MAXUM]

There is a pretty substantial cost difference having a whole house automatic failover generator solution vs having something that is portable, a little more "manual" and sufficient to handle essential needs.

As you explore options the price points may be part of the decision making process.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

There is a pretty substantial cost difference having a whole house automatic failover generator solution vs having something that is portable, a little more "manual" and sufficient to handle essential needs.

As you explore options the price points may be part of the decision making process.

Its also important to remember that not all portable generators are not equal.

Most people who buy manual/portable generators opt for a standard and low cost portable, which "can" be a problem if you have very modern appliances or sensitive electronics.

Unfortunately the alternative, inverter generators, are much more expensive than the same size standard generator.

I purchased a Honda 7000 watt inverter portable generator and it cost me double a good similar but non-inverter model, and more than 4x the cost of lowest cost similar size non-inverter portable generators/

So my only comment is know what you needs are (quality of power required, not just total watts) and do your homework and carefully research all the models you are considering.

As for the Honda EU 7000 iS, it has been a flawless performer and I have no regrets. Just wish it was not so expensive,,,

ATB

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Its also important to remember that not all portable generators are not equal.

Most people who buy manual/portable generators opt for a standard and low cost portable, which "can" be a problem if you have very modern appliances or sensitive electronics.

Unfortunately the alternative, inverter generators, are much more expensive than the same size standard generator.

I purchased a Honda 7000 watt inverter portable generator and it cost me double a good similar but non-inverter model, and more than 4x the cost of lowest cost similar size non-inverter portable generators/

So my only comment is know what you needs are (quality of power required, not just total watts) and do your homework and carefully research all the models you are considering.

As for the Honda EU 7000 iS, it has been a flawless performer and I have no regrets. Just wish it was not so expensive,,,

ATB

Good point. I did consider the 7K Honda for that reason. At the time the Kohler was highly rated by Consumer Reports and was found to have clean power:

Delivered more than enough wattage to power our test appliances and handled surges very well. Provided especially clean power with consistently high voltage. Easy to start and has some helpful features. Includes electric start. Has fuel shutoff. Includes low-oil shutoff, which protects the engine from overheating if the oil level dips too low. Also displays a low oil light to tell you why it shut down.

The Kohler was several hundred $ more than other brands but less that half the cost of the Honda.

I have a smaller Honda 2000i inverter generator and it is great (2X price of others). As it does not have to run at constant speed, the Econo mode throttles down when demand is down. Saves fuel and much quieter.

Alan

[Descant]

I recall being in the hardware store during an extended outage. On the phone: "No sir we're all out of gas cans, and none of the gas stations near us have electricity, so no gas."

Another time: "Can you come start my generator? Tony's is on a business trip and I don't know how."

Choosing and installing the generator is only half the game. Sounds like most of the postings here are male generated (oops). The women all like the one that comes on in 30 seconds after power loss and they don't have to touch a thing, never mind pour gas outdoors in a snow storm.

[NH.Solar]

XRC700's post is spot on, if you buy a cheap generator you will be putting your high end electronic at risk due to the wide "dirty" sine wave they put out. The older Genercraps were notorious for this and those gensets were used on many products that didn't bear the Generac name. Case in point, I have a 6500 watt Husqvarna generator with a Honda engine and it is a classic case of false marketing, the Honda motor is the GC series and meant to compete with the more cheaply built Briggs motors while the genset is actually a Generac. I bought it because it was reasonably priced and fit my needs while I built my home. I never however use it to power my high end stereo or electronics! By the way you should also never use a generator's auto idle when running power tools as the low amperage when engaging the tool start up will definitely do harm to your tools.
If you are thinking of installing an automatic whole house generator don't do so without first getting a quote for a solar array with backup. The solar backup will cost more initially but pay you back many, many times over as the years pile up and eventually all of your clean power will be coming to you for free.
Here is a link for an excellent short video on the SolarEdge StorEdge back up system. We've installed many of these for happy clients but they do only provide backup for about 5,000 watts of essential loads (refrigeration, circulators, water pump, internet and maybe a few outlets). Most folks can get by comfortably during an outage on just this lower priced solution but maybe you want it all. There is a newer EnergyHub version of this system now becoming available and that is capable of backing up the whole house (200 amp main electrical panel), plus it also has an input for an auxiliary generator. Why would you need the generator? Suppose you had a bunch of guests up for the holiday week and there was a major ice storm and then constant flurries as the cold front followed through (yup... typical NH winter weather). Because the solar modules would be covered by the snow flurries it wouldn't take all that long before the batteries might be drained and if you only had solar as a backup you'd be sunk. But if you had a small roll around generator (I too favor the Honda inverter models) all you would need to do is fire it up long enough to re-charge the batteries and you could continue to party on like full time rock stars with the stereo crankin' and everyone safely online. 99% of the time however the solar modules would do all of the re-charging, so a generator isn't really necessary. We have two recently installed off-grid systems on Gansy Island capable of generator input, but at this point neither has a generator ...yet. One of them will have a mini-split installed soon and come fall I think that they may finally need install the Kohler 12RES propane generator that matches their projected loads perfectly. Even then the generator will only run long enough to meet the loads and recharge the batteries, so 98+% of the time all will be quiet and fully lit.

[Kamper]

When you have to use the generator, check the tank level. You may need to call for an extra delivery.

Good luck!

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Kamper

When you have to use the generator, check the tank level. You may need to call for an extra delivery.

Good luck!

Yes, the propane companies will let us get dangerously low at times. When we switched to propane for our heat, we buried a 500 (should have done 1000). We had a 120 at the house and a 120 for the Morton building. I moved the house 120 to the Morton building and hooked it up in parallel but always keep one tank's valve off. I can move that to the house with the tractor if needed. Good to have close to a 100 gallons in reserve.

[Slickcraft]

Four years ago I did receive two quotes for a Kohler 14 KW standby generator. Included were all hookups and two 120 gal propane tanks installed. The two quotes were $9,400 and $10,098 with the Generator connection being the lower.

Alan

[ishoot308]

NH.Solar Said..."By the way you should also never use a generator's auto idle when running power tools as the low amperage when engaging the tool start up will definitely do harm to your tools."

This is so true! Anyone drawing water from the lake with an electric pump should never ever use this feature or you will drastically reduce the life if not burn out your pump!

Dan