Portable generator

thinkxingu · 10-28-2021, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Many thanks for all the comments so far…..very much appreciated! I hope more of you chime in with your comments. It’s very important for us to get just the right generator for our relative who was recently widowed. The power outage in MA is now behind them, but something relatively easy to manage once it’s installed is exactly what we need for her. We’ll start doing more homework on the internet right now. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

Just a note that if at all possible, I would get a standby generator. Unless the person's (fairly) technically savvy, running through the steps to shut down the main breaker, engage the mechanical interlock, connect and start the generator, flip the appropriate circuits on or off, etc. and in reverse when done can be daunting.

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8gv · 10-28-2021, 10:10 PM

If you are going with a portable in the 6500w size consider that it must be moved from where it is stored to where it will be used.

My friend has one that is quite heavy. It has an horizontal extending handle and wheels. The trouble is that the wheels are on the far end and the handle is on the near end. When you tilt it up you are bearing much of the weight.

Mine, also quite heavy, has an extending handle but it extends vertically and it is positioned directly over the wheels. This makes tilting and moving it similar to using a hand truck so it's easier on the back.

BTW... his is electric start but the battery died ten years ago so he uses the pull start. My machine has no electric start. My wife is 5' 1-1/2" tall and she can start it.

mswlogo · 10-28-2021, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Just a note that if at all possible, I would get a standby generator. Unless the person's (fairly) technically savvy, running through the steps to shut down the main breaker, engage the mechanical interlock, connect and start the generator, flip the appropriate circuits on or off, etc. and in reverse when done can be daunting.

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Totally agree.

You also have to worry about fumes with portable units.

That can get expensive though.

You might consider a vented propane heater (not to expensive) and a small inverter generator (e.g ~2000 watts) to plug the fridge in directly. That would be more manageable both weight and technicalities.

Like this inverter generator. The 6500 watt Generac OP is looking at probably cost similar.

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Powe.../dp/B08L45W2V9

There are cheaper heaters. I don’t think this needs power to run.

https://www.amazon.com/Martin-Direct.../dp/B072Q5NBNZ

For an installed standby generator you might be talking $6000 or more installed.

Kamper · 10-29-2021, 08:18 AM

I have a Chicago with electric start from Harbor freight. I was told to yank a wire before my 2 year warranty was up and replace it with their (then) upcoming line, Predator. I forgot to do that and after 6 years the Electric Start doesn't work. It's an 8500w and the pull is a little stiff but I can get it going pretty quick with a shot of starting fluid.

I am thinking I'll replace it anyway in case the wife has to fire it up. It's a "portable" model but it's in a detached shed close to the house and we have CO monitors in the rooms on that side.

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tummyman (10-29-2021)

10-28-2021, 10:10 PM	#2
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,107 Thanks: 64 Thanked 747 Times in 481 Posts	If you are going with a portable in the 6500w size consider that it must be moved from where it is stored to where it will be used. My friend has one that is quite heavy. It has an horizontal extending handle and wheels. The trouble is that the wheels are on the far end and the handle is on the near end. When you tilt it up you are bearing much of the weight. Mine, also quite heavy, has an extending handle but it extends vertically and it is positioned directly over the wheels. This makes tilting and moving it similar to using a hand truck so it's easier on the back. BTW... his is electric start but the battery died ten years ago so he uses the pull start. My machine has no electric start. My wife is 5' 1-1/2" tall and she can start it.

10-29-2021, 08:18 AM	#4
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	I have a Chicago with electric start from Harbor freight. I was told to yank a wire before my 2 year warranty was up and replace it with their (then) upcoming line, Predator. I forgot to do that and after 6 years the Electric Start doesn't work. It's an 8500w and the pull is a little stiff but I can get it going pretty quick with a shot of starting fluid. I am thinking I'll replace it anyway in case the wife has to fire it up. It's a "portable" model but it's in a detached shed close to the house and we have CO monitors in the rooms on that side.