| Author | Message | ||
     Hybridmomentspass |
No, this topic isnt about the awesome Bad Religion album, but about portable gas generators. Thinking about getting one for the racing program Wanted to get opinions on different generators that youve used. Looking cheap - like 400 and less 4 stroke Would like to get a solid 1000, dont care what the peak is as long as it can sustain 1000w. Hoping for less than 100lbs. Let me know if you got any information that may be helpful to me -what brand -where you got it -price -pros and cons thanks yall | ||
| Kenm123t |
grainger has a a 6200 watt easy starting briggs big tank bout 190lbs or so with out fuel has wheels and handle to move it around I old about 100 after the fla storms of 2004-2005 never had one back for any repairs. Grainger # 4PA15 its little bigger than what you asked about but they are pretty much bullet proof Kipor makes a Inverter type generator check out Coast distribution camper folks they have several models | ||
| Fast1075 |
The thing with air cooled gen sets is the noise they make..the ole Briggs is LOUD. What I did was shopped around and bought a 10k Onan from a wrecked motorhome....bought it for 400 clams with low hours....I built mine into my trailer, but it would be easy to put it on a dolly. Beware of the cheap new ones, most are import knock-offs and even the "domestic" ones have cheaply made engines. (did you know that engine companies make several versions of what look to be the same engine??....they are rated by "expected life" in hours). | ||
| Blake |
I'm interested too. Most importantly, needs to be durable. Adding improved muffler would seem fairly simple. Got an old stock Buell muffler around? | ||
| Prowler |
As much as I hate to say it, Honda generators are about the quietest generators you can buy. If you don't mind loud generators, Harbor Freight or Generac would probably be fine, but if you can find a good price on a used or new Honda, that's the way to go. I've got an old Craftsman generator with a Kawasaki motor, it's kinda loud. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
The downside from the old-tech gensets is that they need to run at 3600 RPM all the time to maintain 60Hz. So that means the engine has to be big and thirsty. Those new-tech Honda generators that use inverters are pretty cool. smaller engine that kicks in when needed. Very efficient and quiet. Big bucks though. They can also be ganged up in a team! But yeah, the money thing. | ||
| Brumbear |
I bought a coleman with a robin subaru motor lil 1.8kw but it runs my compressor or little mig and all the power tools not at once mind you but I use it often and it has performed real well . I bought it at Home depot I think it was 399.00 | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Out of curiosity, I checked amazon. Other brands are competing with Honda. Prices are DOWN. They were like $2300 last time I saw. Now look: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search- alias%3Daps&field-keywords=honda+generator&x=0&y=0 #/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keyw ords=inverter+generator&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ainverter+ generator | ||
| Fast1075 |
A suprising amount of the noise from the aircooled engine is not from the exhaust. Adding a better muffler does not have as much effect as you would think. | ||
| Blake |
You've done it? | ||
| Slaughter |
YOU MUST consider noise. A loud generator in the pits is GUARANTEED to get you talked about behind your back. That being said - there are some deals to be had on quieter generators on the used market. Honda, Yamaha, Kawi make generators that are appropriate. The Chinese knock-offs are a crap shoot. I still run one but that was because I HEARD it running in a friend's pit and asked where he got it. MOST of the less-than-$500 generators are going to be too loud. Coleman makes a quite model as well. I'll tell you that in having a generator around the last 10 years, it has come in handy at home | ||
| Hootowl |
The mechanical noise from those air cooled generators is not that big of a deal. I've run them during extended power outages (I have an enclosed natural gas standby generator now) and believe me, the annoying drone is ALL exhaust. Under very high loads there is some mechanical clacking, but under normal conditions, all you're hearing is exhaust from a very small muffler. +1 on the Honda (or Yamaha) inverter type generators. Very quite, very fuel efficient. And you won't have to yell over the noise. Standing next to a standard generator all day would wear me out. | ||
| Rkc00 |
Save your money and get a Honda. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Slaughter - "A loud generator in the pits is GUARANTEED to get you talked about behind your back" Funny you should say that - there is a guy that I race with (we both race, not teammates or anything) and he has/had an INCREDIBLY annoying generator and yes, people talked about it. Im not as worried about noise cause I wouldnt be running it much through the race weekend, mainly to charge the battery on the bike and a fan for me (and bike if repairs are needed) on hot days. Wouldnt be running it all night or anything. I found a Coleman 1850 for 275 locally on CL, waiting for pictures and more info, maybe he'll take a bit less. We'll see. | ||
| Two_seasons |
We have a Honda EU 3000 iS Very good generator. Has the ECO Throttle so when not under load it's idling. This is a very good generator. Like Michael said, you should consider one. Tried to post pictures, but too big. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Yes, I did put on a different muffler (Small generic car muffler like for a Toyota)..it stopped the exhaust noise, but there is still a lot of mechanical noise... If you want really good relations with the people you are near...get a quiet generator...as a backup and for use on Sunday mornings PRIOR to allowable generator run time, I had an 800 watt power inverter connected to 3 deep cycle batteries to run the battery charger, lights, etc...the batteries were connected by isolation diode to my truck's charging system so when I was towing the trailer, the batteries were being charged...also had a battery tender hooked up I plugged in when I was home...worked very well  | ||
| Crackhead |
This is a little bit of a thread jack, Has the multi fuel generators improved or offered OEM? When I last looked a few years ago, they where a crap shoot and most where aftermarket conversions. When I go camping it would be nice to use the 20lb propane tank or gasoline based on availability. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
Check out Onan! My place of employment has a deal with them and sell them at a discounted rate for employees like myself! People I have worked have purchased them and all have been happy with them! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Fast1075's Idea is pretty sweet. Prices would compare favorably too. There's no generator like NO GENERATOR! | ||
| Kenm123t |
Crack Honda has a small one 10 k or so the others are Conversions The guy in Hurricane WV does the factory Yamaha conversions. I sell and install Gensets I cant sell his product because of dealer agreemenents and Ul Issues. He does a great job no one else even comes close. on multi fuels My favorite small generator is a magnum 25kw event style 3ph to 120 1 ph selectable with a 4 cylinder Isuzu diesel not much louder than a 10k honda | ||
| Fast1075 |
I could power everything I needed first thing in the morning with the inverter including my microwave to heat my morning coffee water and cook breakfast...even my 12" TV to watch the local weather Not all at once, but I had lots of friends that appreciated my hospitality...later in the day I would fire up the onan, pull down the strip curtains and fire up the A/C and chill out between rounds | ||
| Hootowl |
2KW inverters aren't that expensive anymore. You'd need a few batteries... http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle /power-inverters/2000-watt-continuous-4000-watt-pe ak-power-inverter-95596.html | ||
| Fast1075 |
The cool thing about inverters is they draw virtually no power when they are "idling" or more appropriately "in an idle state" and the power consumption in proportional to the load...so under light loads with reasonable storage they are handy....unlike most I.C. generators that run at continuous 3600 rpm. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
anyone with experience with Coleman generators? I found one on CL, has the Briggs motor, 1500W (1850peak) asking 275. I like that its small (size), but want to get some advice from others |
