Need recommendations for a backup generator
- Thread starter ThinkFast
- Start date
augustiron
2fast 2live 2young 2die
I got a 6500w Generac at HF for emergency backup last year. Haven't needed it yet. Not as loud as some other craptastic ones I've had in the past.
For something that may run a couple of hours a year, maybe days, Im sure it will last decades.
For something that may run a couple of hours a year, maybe days, Im sure it will last decades.
Maddevill
KNGKAW
After 5 PG&E outages last year, we got a Generac 8000w unit. It has the power down feature, it idles until it senses a load. Kind of noisy but we usually have it down by the junction box for house power in the yard. Had an Interlock installed and it will power the entire house.
Mad
Mad
Beauregard
Aut Agere Aut Mori
The open frame version of that is just over $400, is it louder or something?
RT_Russ
Half Fast at best......
Generators.......my area of "some" knowledge :teeth
Noise;
Most older and/or larger generators are full speed all of the time which means lots of engine noise. This is because they must maintain a constant engine speed to produce 60Hz power. This is typically 1800RPM.
Electrically, we divide the number of poles (magnetic North and South poles) by 7200 to find rotational speed. 7200/4 poles would need run at 1800RPM to produce 60Hz power. (7200 is derived from 60Hz x 60 seconds. A 2 pole machine runs at 3600RPM, a 6 pole 1200RPM etc.) The driver (internal combustion engine) runs at 1800RPM at no load and at full load. Thus, constant noise and fuel consumption.
Inverter generators;
The Honda and many other "quiet" generators are inverter types. This means that the output of AC power is derived from a DC source that is run through an inverter to produce a near syn wave output at 60Hz.
They can run quietly because when there is no load they slow the driver (internal combustion engine) down to idle until the load increases. When producing full power can be nearly as noisy as a non-inverter generator.
My own generator (for our 5th wheel) is a Champion 3500Watt dual fuel inverter model. This was less than $1000 on Amazon. I have never run gasoline through it, it has been solely used on propane. The output on Propane is reduced to 3200W basis the energy in propane is less than that of Gasoline.
The 3200 watts is enough to start and run the 1 air conditioner even while the fridge is running in the RV. It is not capable of running the air conditioner at our home basis the output is only 120VAC, no 220VAC.
It is near 100 lbs so I am able to lift it in/out of the RV and my truck when needed......at least for a few more years :afm199
The Hondas are bullet proof. I beleive the Yamahas are similar in reliability. The Champion has a proven track record as well. I myself did not feel comfortable with HF units reliability but that is speculation/reputation. I have no data to back that up.
Cheers,
Russ
Noise;
Most older and/or larger generators are full speed all of the time which means lots of engine noise. This is because they must maintain a constant engine speed to produce 60Hz power. This is typically 1800RPM.
Electrically, we divide the number of poles (magnetic North and South poles) by 7200 to find rotational speed. 7200/4 poles would need run at 1800RPM to produce 60Hz power. (7200 is derived from 60Hz x 60 seconds. A 2 pole machine runs at 3600RPM, a 6 pole 1200RPM etc.) The driver (internal combustion engine) runs at 1800RPM at no load and at full load. Thus, constant noise and fuel consumption.
Inverter generators;
The Honda and many other "quiet" generators are inverter types. This means that the output of AC power is derived from a DC source that is run through an inverter to produce a near syn wave output at 60Hz.
They can run quietly because when there is no load they slow the driver (internal combustion engine) down to idle until the load increases. When producing full power can be nearly as noisy as a non-inverter generator.
My own generator (for our 5th wheel) is a Champion 3500Watt dual fuel inverter model. This was less than $1000 on Amazon. I have never run gasoline through it, it has been solely used on propane. The output on Propane is reduced to 3200W basis the energy in propane is less than that of Gasoline.
The 3200 watts is enough to start and run the 1 air conditioner even while the fridge is running in the RV. It is not capable of running the air conditioner at our home basis the output is only 120VAC, no 220VAC.
It is near 100 lbs so I am able to lift it in/out of the RV and my truck when needed......at least for a few more years :afm199
The Hondas are bullet proof. I beleive the Yamahas are similar in reliability. The Champion has a proven track record as well. I myself did not feel comfortable with HF units reliability but that is speculation/reputation. I have no data to back that up.
Cheers,
Russ
Beauregard
Aut Agere Aut Mori
I totally have a man-crush on RT_Russ now.
I looked at these too, for the house....not sure where the best roi is yet
https://www.zombie-box.com/
+1, Thanks Russ !
https://www.zombie-box.com/
+1, Thanks Russ !
dtrides
Well-known member
Those zombie boxes look pretty cool ( except the price!).
we had a short power outage this morning which got me thinking: need to pick up some "pure gas" and then exersize my little gen. ( Yamaha engine).
So I crank it up and put a load on it for about 10-15 minutes....
The neighbor comes to the fence and asks what I am doing..I respond..He asked if I could not run it as he couldnt concentrate on his work ( he is an artist) and that maybe I should go buy a "quite" one....I said this IS the quite one...lol.
Ps:it was mid day..
we had a short power outage this morning which got me thinking: need to pick up some "pure gas" and then exersize my little gen. ( Yamaha engine).
So I crank it up and put a load on it for about 10-15 minutes....
The neighbor comes to the fence and asks what I am doing..I respond..He asked if I could not run it as he couldnt concentrate on his work ( he is an artist) and that maybe I should go buy a "quite" one....I said this IS the quite one...lol.
Ps:it was mid day..
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