generator
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 260
Likes: 25
From: boston mass
generator
Anyone have any recommendations on a home/garage 5000 watt gas powered generator? Strong, reliable, maybe made here, or anyone have any experience with something like hondas? ...maybe electric start? $500-$800 range. Gonna be a long winter here in mass...(I know, we deserve it after the idiots voting back in barney! (I didnt!) Thanks....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Well we have SUMMER power problem here....HURRICANES. My advice is to find a used one, many gens are used once or twice then sit. That being said, make sure to check the fuel/fuel tank condition as we know what happens to old gas...and use stabil 
And get it running and see how LOUD it is...the Briggs Stratton engines make so much noise and vibration...you would not believe it
We found getting gas difficult after a storm so plan accordingly!
Yes hondas are good but $$$$$$$$$
And get it running and see how LOUD it is...the Briggs Stratton engines make so much noise and vibration...you would not believe it
We found getting gas difficult after a storm so plan accordingly!
Yes hondas are good but $$$$$$$$$
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 0
From: DeBary Fl. Amateur Radio Operator K3CQR
I have experience concerning this topic. having gone through 3 hurricanes in 04.
A 5500, surge 65oow will power lights, water well if you have one, hot water heater, if you manage the load.
If you know what your doing, you can wire it in to a 240 line, ex: dryer. You MUST, MUST, disconnect the mains. If your not sure about what you're doing, DON'T DO IT.
A generator of this size will use about 9 gal per day.
Notice I did not say a heater, that draws to much currant. Most that size will give you 30 amps at 240v.
I personally went with a whole house unit later, BUT it's costly. Runs about 12,000, using Propane, that will give you around 5 running days without refill, with a 250 gal tank. Use caution if you don't know what you're doing. Bill
A 5500, surge 65oow will power lights, water well if you have one, hot water heater, if you manage the load.
If you know what your doing, you can wire it in to a 240 line, ex: dryer. You MUST, MUST, disconnect the mains. If your not sure about what you're doing, DON'T DO IT.
A generator of this size will use about 9 gal per day.
Notice I did not say a heater, that draws to much currant. Most that size will give you 30 amps at 240v.
I personally went with a whole house unit later, BUT it's costly. Runs about 12,000, using Propane, that will give you around 5 running days without refill, with a 250 gal tank. Use caution if you don't know what you're doing. Bill
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 352
Likes: 7
Check out Costco. I got a Honda powered one a few yrs ago for $800. Don't need electric start. I start mine every couple of months and it always starts on one or two pulls. If u don't wire it into your home electical system make sure you also have the right size electric extension cords to run from the generator to whatever appliances/lights you are going to run.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Remember the linemen! Install a disconnect switch on your incoming line.
It's also a great improvement to have a seperate circuit box for the lines wiried into your system. Then when you disconnect from the power line you will have the generator circuits ready to go and you can select which circuits are hot.
Another convenience is to have a cable of proper size wired from this generator line box to the generator. Then when the power goes off you disconnect fom the power, start your generator and plug into your generator. Bring up the load carefully and your in business. I wired a light into the power side of the disconnect circuit so I would know when the power was back on (no houses within sight of ours).
Lastly, Start that generator at least once a month and keep Stabilizer in it.
It's also a great improvement to have a seperate circuit box for the lines wiried into your system. Then when you disconnect from the power line you will have the generator circuits ready to go and you can select which circuits are hot.
Another convenience is to have a cable of proper size wired from this generator line box to the generator. Then when the power goes off you disconnect fom the power, start your generator and plug into your generator. Bring up the load carefully and your in business. I wired a light into the power side of the disconnect circuit so I would know when the power was back on (no houses within sight of ours).
Lastly, Start that generator at least once a month and keep Stabilizer in it.
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