Replies

1. 
   TomMoen | Mar 22, 2002 08:36am | #1

   With generators, the question should be this:  Is it for emergency use, or very important use?  If so, don't mess with the inexpensive ones.  You want them to start, you want them to work, you want them to be easy to service and to be quiet.  Will you be running sensitive electronics from it?  If so, the more spendy ones are able to deliver cleaner power that won't ruin your battery chargers and VCR.  In my opinion, Honda, Yamaha and Onan are good.  Generac And Coleman aren't worth it no matter what.  But that's just the way I am...

1. 
   luvmuskoka | Mar 24, 2002 05:08pm | #2

   This generator will be used only to operate a 220 floor sander when no 220 is available. C'mon... somebody knows which generator is the best 'value'.

1. 
   bill_1010 | Mar 24, 2002 06:30pm | #3

   If i were you id look at the welder/generator models.  Hobart, Miller, or ESAB. These generators are designed for constant heavy duty use.  Most generators out there are spot power type what id call light duty use. 

   Welder Generators are designed for 220 heavy output, that can handle motor starts and constant use/running.  And an added bonus you have a stick welder...

1. 
   Friggin1234 | Mar 27, 2002 12:21am | #4

   Normally I subscribe to the 'never buy cheap tools' frame of mind. But after owning a consumer-grade Coleman for a couple of years I've got to admit that it's a good value. Not the best generator in the world, but it's reasonably quiet, 6200 watts surge, 5000 continuous. I'd want to test it with the equipment that you plan to run. It has a 120/240 NEMA 20 Amp twistlock outlet. Costco is selling the one that's one model up from mine for cheap. It has the same rating but idle-down, wheels, and vertical mounted motor.

   Scott.

1. 
   Tejanohombre | Mar 27, 2002 01:23am | #5

   I bought a Generac 10KW (10,000 watts) w/ electric start during the whole Y2K thing.  It's a great generator and able to power the house somewhat comfortably when connected to a emergency transfer switch. (a must)  Pricey yes, but now I have emergency back-up capabilities plus it's easily portable (albeit heavy!) and useful on a jobsite.  Has an extended run gas tank & a power-down feature that idles the engine when not under a load.  If I had it to do over gain though I'd probably go Honda or Yamaha.  Much quieter.

   Which ever genset you buy though, do yourself a favor and remember this well!!  Use it, regularly!  Generators need to be exercised!  At the very least, start it once a week or so and put a load on it.  I let mine sit for awhile and it cost me $$!  Your big commercial standby units all have weekly exercise features so take note!  Ask any large commercial building facility manager (or ask a skinny one!) and they'll tell you it's part of the weekly program.

2. 
   luvmuskoka | Mar 27, 2002 02:28am | #6

   Scott,

   Thanks for your feedback. When you say generally quiet, how can I put this?, compared to what? Other generators?  I went to Generacs web site and they say that generator companies are'nt required to post specific decible ratings...so they don't.   I'll be using this in residential neighborhoods on occasion and don't want to piss a lot of people off.  Thanks again.

3. 
   Friggin1234 | Mar 28, 2002 05:10am | #7

   Well..... it's not the old side valve "bone shaker" motor, like what was used in a zillion lawnmowers. It's the new OHV Briggs and Stratten. Much quieter and smoother. I wouldn't say it's as quiet as the Japanese units, but it's tolerable, at half the cost.

   We used ours for a whole year while we developed a rural property. We ran it for 8 to 16 hours daily while we built, partied, watched movies, etc. It was our sole source of power for power tools, lights, computers, etc. In the wilderness, every mechanized sound is noticable so I eventually built a three-sided generator house out of 3/4" ply, foam, and drywall, and moved it 100' into the bush. My main concern with enclosing it was overheating, so I plugged in a fan and pointed it at the motor. I expect you could accomplish the same thing by putting it inside a van, or pickup, and leave a door open.

   I  really don't think this unit would be a bother, especially during daylight hours. It's quieter than a lawnmower, and you're only in the neighborhood for the duration of the job.

   Good luck,

   Scott.

4. 
   junkhound | Mar 28, 2002 05:52am | #8

   Are you at all mechanically adept?

   10kW basic generators available from numerous sources for $500.  I cut the front wheels and engine from an old 1200 cc $100 Datsun with cruise control, hooked it to generator thru chain drive.  Quiet as car at idle, easy to start, added trailer hitch, will run all day.  

5. 
   alanj | Mar 13, 2005 07:28am | #9

   Howdy, Junkhound,This a reply to an old post.I was researching welders.Got this:http://forums.prospero.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=1366.9 Piqued my interest, as I've thought about going off-grid in a rural area in which I ( and DW) own an acreage.How did you use the cruise control?How did you hook up the drive to the generater?Do you have any links you'd like to share?Thanks

6. 
   junkhound | Mar 13, 2005 08:19am | #10

   No links for setup, did it from scratch.

   How did you use the cruise control?  Used an old 1966 Imperial control, flyball governer and ballscrew throttle drive, geared output way down for stability (you do not have the mass of the car to enter into the stability equations, so typical cruise control will go unstabe if right off engine speed).  For vacuum type cruise control, slowing down the system response time by using a vacuum accumulator in the throttle line should work - what I did was take the AC output into a small motor and that thru a small gear transmission out of an old copy machine lying around (old printers have similar also).

   How did you hook up the drive to the generater? For 10 kW, about 15- 20 HP will do, so ran the engine at 1800, used timing chain and gears off old 350 GM engine. Welded small gear to interface for engine output, big gear to hub for generator, generator sits in a welded fram that adjusts with bolts for alignment. Your could always take the dirve off the camshaft also. If I did it again, I'd lower the engine speed to 900 rpm fast idle and use roller chain and 1:4 speed ratio.

   If the above does not scare you off, I can take some pix tomorrow.

   I'm in Renton, WA. (15 mi south of Seattle) If you are driving down this way for other business you are welcome to stop by and take a look.

   PS: Younger son just sold 60 acres with a cabin off-grid between Everett and Bellingham that he setup with similar gen and battery bank and inverter. Unfortunately, the entire setup got burgled -- moral of story if you are not living there full time, be sure to have it well secured, hidden, and, even if you live there, see Luka's theft stories near Index, WA.

   Edited 3/13/2005 12:23 am ET by JUNKHOUND

7. 
   alanj | Mar 13, 2005 08:37am | #11

   Thanks for your replyFairly handy myself, so not too scared.I'd love to see pics.DW and I have just got ourselves a camper and have talked about heading down your way.Will let you know.Alan

8. 
   junkhound | Mar 13, 2005 04:37pm | #12

   Here are some pix, left at 150kB plus size  to leave some detail. Gen shed doubles as another playhouse for GKs.

    

   
9. 
   alanj | Mar 14, 2005 04:10am | #13

   Thanks for posting your pics.Very creative stuff.You have definitely earned your moniker!(Thanks, BTW, for the invite to see in person)Alan