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Looking for advice on generators

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Backwoods Savage, Mar 12, 2017.

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  1. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    At present we have a Coleman 7500 generator and there is nothing wrong with it except it has a recoil starter. Many, including myself, learn to hate recoil starters as they age and it is time for us to sell this one and buy an electric start.

    1. What to replace it with?
    2. I think the size we have is okay but should I look at bigger? I have considered installing an electric water heater but not sure and don't know what the draw is on them. If we do put in a new water heater it would be a 30 gallon.

    I can certainly tell when the well pump turns on as it does make the generator snort a bit but it can handle it okay. But then I think of one of those hot and humid summer days when we would want air conditioning and worry about having enough power.

    3. Are there any generators in this size range that are a bit more quiet?
    4. What about those with readouts of useage, fuel tank level, etc.

    Anything else?

    I am currently looking at a Westinghouse 7500 for $749 (on sale this week).
     
    Backwoods Savage, Mar 12, 2017
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  2. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Can that size run your AC? I think electric water heaters use a ton oF power, and they also are 240v, maybe you can run it at half voltage but it will draw a ton of watts and maybe burn out, I don't know.
     
    clemsonfor, Mar 12, 2017
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  3. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Yes, they are 240 but if I'm not mistaken most generators have one plug for a 240 so that could be taken care of. Also we got rid of the big air conditioners and have just 2 small window units and they don't draw much power. I know too that our present generator can handle the air conditioning task.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Mar 12, 2017
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  4. Horkn

    Horkn

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    What I do know about generators is that some are noisier than others.

    The auto start one that my parents neighbor's put on their house is noisy. It needs an auxiliary exhaust muffler. I know many people complain about the noise of some generators.
     
    Horkn, Mar 12, 2017
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  5. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Yep they do have the big 30a 240 plug. Forgot that. And I forget your in MI yea a tiny AC will run on that.
     
    clemsonfor, Mar 12, 2017
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  6. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    That Briggs engine, Coleman model I have that is like 15 years old is LOUD!
     
    clemsonfor, Mar 12, 2017
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  7. Butcher

    Butcher

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    Dont know much about gennies but every one I know that does know sumpthin swears by Honda. Mucho dinaro $$$$. As for hot water heaters, I wouldnt have an electric one if it was given to me. Thats just my 2 cents worth.
     
    Butcher, Mar 12, 2017
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  8. mike bayerl

    mike bayerl

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    Would a natural gas generator be in in your budget? Can you get natural gas where you live?
     
    mike bayerl, Mar 12, 2017
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  9. fox9988

    fox9988

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    I have a 8.5 KW. It will only run one 240v appliance at a time, plus any 120v I have running.
    I have to run the water heater, then switch it off before running the well pump for showers.
     
    fox9988, Mar 12, 2017
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  10. mirnldi

    mirnldi

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    I have a northern tool 10000 watt with the Honda twin cylinder engine. It is much quieter than my previous 6200 watt with the Briggs motor.

    It powers my all electric house no problem. 11 hr run time on 11 gallon tank. It was worth the investment.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    mirnldi, Mar 12, 2017
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  11. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Those Hondas are only like 2000 watts. There worthless for anything other than camping, tailgating or like a food truck at a fair. You have to run them in parallel or series depending on what you need. Usually folks run 3 oF them.
     
    clemsonfor, Mar 12, 2017
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  12. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    I have a Harbor Freight Predator generator. It works. It is loud. It has a recoil starter. But as i said, it works for me.

    Mine is 6500 watt. I can run our house on it, as long as I don't get ridiculous. My place is all-electric, with a well pump. It all runs. But I don't have air conditioning, and it would be stupid to run multiple burners on the stove at once.
     
    bushpilot, Mar 12, 2017
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  13. Birddogtg

    Birddogtg

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    Honda makes some of the best generators on the market but they are very expensive.
     
    Birddogtg, Mar 12, 2017
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  14. RCBS

    RCBS

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    Pay attention to starting watts vs running watts. Many electrical appliances surge while starting requiring more power. Size your machine accorodinly.
     
    RCBS, Mar 12, 2017
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  15. Screwloose

    Screwloose

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    That's only the little inverter ones......... Open your wallet wider and look again. Haha.
     
    Screwloose, Mar 12, 2017
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  16. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

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    22kw here...The bigger the better correct.
     
    eatonpcat, Mar 12, 2017
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  17. JC@ATL

    JC@ATL

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    I went with the Westinghouse for my building project...mostly because of the 3 year warranty (all others were 1 year). It is loud. but starts 2nd pull each time (except when I forget to turn fuel valve!). BTW...it is HEAVY! I had to build a ramp to get it in my truck to take to the land. I like the hour meter built in and 7 gallon gas tank runs 14 hours at 1/2 load. DSCF1045.JPG
     
    JC@ATL, Mar 12, 2017
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  18. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Dennis,

    I don't think you would have much trouble running an AC or two on your 7500 watt genset. I have a 7200 watt (continuous rating, was built before "surge" ratings were popular) unit that will run several window units and still have enough arse to start the 1hp well pump.

    Heavy 240V loads are usually don't make trouble for generators like big 110V loads can. 240V loads will balance out across both windings naturally. 110V loads should be distributed as equally as possible on both windings, which incidentally is why a purpose built generator transfer panel has two little watt/amp meters on it.

    30 gallon water heaters are typically a 4500 watt/240V load. So if you do go that option, you may need to watch what other loads you have while showering, where your heater and the pump are likely to run simultaneously.

    If quiet is what you are after, there are a couple options, neither of them are going to be cheap however. There are some 7-10kW gensets, usually diesel powered, that are much quieter than what you have now and are almost always electric start. But they are very expensive. Usually $2-3K and up. Even more expensive, is the big Honda inverter unit (6500 watts if memory serves) which is gasoline powered, electric start, and whisper quiet.

    In short? Keep the same size you have (make sure it's the equivalent rating for continuous duty!), go for the electric start and forget about quiet unless you are willing to spend serious dollars. If you really want something quiet, pick up a smaller (1-2kW) inverter generator (also not cheap, but...) and use it unless you really need your bigger genset.
     
    MasterMech, Mar 12, 2017
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  19. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    You can get water heater hot and then cut it off while you take a quick shower so you don't have to worry about tripping breaker while in shower.
     
    clemsonfor, Mar 12, 2017
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  20. Butcher

    Butcher

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    And what planet are you from again? Not talking carney food fry chit, water and power in a life and death situation. It was just a suggestion. A guy can look around and pick up a BIG ingersol- rand genny for pretty cheap that will power a small city if you really want to.
     
    Butcher, Mar 12, 2017
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