Speaking of Generators

A recent windstorm induced power outage reminded me of a large hole in my preparedness plan. While exercising my generators in anticipation, I discovered that I couldn't start my old dinosaur Generac 5000 watt. It's not my primary, I only use it during extended outages when I run out of water pressure. Between snow, ice, wind and drunk drivers, we have frequent outages, some lasting 3 or more days. This is my primary generator:


It's a Honda EU3000is, a beautiful, quiet, economical, easy starting wonder. It was given to me, I would have a hard time parting with $1800 for a 3000 watt/120v. generator. It will run everything of importance (refrigerator, freezer, TV, lights, stove blower, etc.) except the well and water heater. This is sufficient for most outages, which usually last less than 24 hrs. The object on the wall is my fold-down generator shed.



The old Generac was also given to me. It has a 10 hp. pull-start B&S, which I have never been able to start without a squirt of ether on the air-cleaner. I'm only good for 4 or 5 pulls on that beast, then I need 15 minutes to recover. There is no way that Heidi could ever start it. It also will not run the water heater. I am frequently gone for work for a few days at a stretch, so I decided it was time to get a unit that had electric start and enough power for our needs.
After lots of research, I found many, many complaints about the Chinese motors used on most generators. Further digging also revealed that the smaller B&S motors are now manufactured overseas (China?). Complaints about Generacs and their support steered me away from them. I decided that the only motors that would do were Honda, Yamaha and Subaru.
I found that the Ridgid RD8000 filled the bill, 8000 running watts (10,000 surge), electric start and a Subaru 14 hp motor. The day after I decided on this unit, a used one showed up on Craigslist with 216 hours on the clock for $600 (almost 1/2 new price)! And it was ONLY 150 miles away! I bit the bullet and made the drive.



No battery (yet), but it starts on the first pull. Kind of noisy at 79 Db, I'm going to look into an upgraded muffler.

I'll be getting legal with a manual transfer switch and all the appropriate hardware, but I'll still use the Honda most of the time.

 

By all accounts those Robin engines are sweet. When I was researching generators it came down to the Smaller 4000 watt Rigid with the Robin engine or the Champion with the Chinese knockoff Honda. I ended up going with the Champion mainly because in all likely hood I will hardly use it and figured I would save $200.

That Honda is a thing of beauty......someone needs to give me one

 

I got a robin on my splitter, they come on the ariens 22 and 27 ton. Great engine so far, only got about 25 hrs on it.
I have a small generac inverter type generator, does the basic things I need, fairly quiet. I don't get many outages
but I wanted something just in case. If I had my way I would have a Honda too, they are the mercedes of generators by far.

 

I wrestled with that very premise, but accounts of the knock-off engines failing to start (massive fuel leakage from carb) after a few months in storage dissuaded me. An emergency generator MUST START in an emergency.

 

I agree with the MUST start premise. I have a small inverter as a backup to the backup. I also routinely run them to make sure they will start.
I read a lot of reviews regarding the Champion generators and they were almost all positive. And I read literally hundreds. Fingers are crossed i dont have issues

 

I like the cart your Honda is on. Never thought of something like that. I throw my 5500 watt on mechanics creeper when I need to move it around, but mounting it on a cart like that is a pretty good idea

 

You have a good eye Dex.

 

I know what you mean about the generac engines. I've got a 15+ year old generator. Every time I start I say I've got to get something different -- next year.