Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Wilma whipped us pretty good in Ft Lauderdale, and now I'm trying to buy a good quite generator in the 6-8 kw running range.    The problem is that Home Depot and Lowes ship in units but you can't research them.

Am looking at a Pramac 6000S which has a 13 hp Honda engine, and is rated at 5700  running, 6000 surge watts.
Also looking at Briggs Power Boss 6200 with a 13 hp Vanguard rated at 6200 and 9000 watts model 30201....and a  Briggs EXL 8000 with a 15 horsepower Generac Extended Life Commercial engine rated at 8000 running and 13500 surge (model 30244) with metal fuel tank.

The problem is that you can't find any info on these models on line!!!!!  And when you call the mfg, they can't either.

CAN ANYBOBY OFFER ANY SUGGESTIONS.

An inverter does the opposite job to a rectifier. Instead of turning AC ( Alternating Current) into DC ( Direct Current). It turns DC into AC. The quality of the output is very dependant on the inverter. Some put out a square wave which causes serious transients, others put out a clean Sinusoidal wave that  is identical to the AC that comes from the mains. A good example is the UPS ( Uniterruptible Power Supply) that you can get to power your computer or other sensitive electronics when there is a power outtage. Some setups even have a UPS that will last long enough to get the generator going. The generator then charges the UPS that keeps powering the computer.

Every time you do a conversion you loose something so the system isn't as efficient as a straight AC generator.  On the other hand the system will probably contain a battery and if the inverter circuitry is good you will get clean power even when there are variations in the generator output.

Yamaha states the power out of their invertor series generators is equal or better than what your local power company supplies.

• Inverter System with Pulse Width Modulation - Industry-leading system that produces higher-quality and cleaner electricity. Results in pure sine wave as clean or cleaner than commercial power and can operate products with built in microcomputers.
• “Economy Control” electrical governor - Engine speed matches electrical needs which improves fuel economy and reduces noise.
• Sixteen-pole Alternator, Twenty-four Coil Stator - Eliminates conventional two pole rotating field & massive stator for reduced weight, compact design and an exceptional power output to weight ratio.
• Cast iron cylinder lining - Provides optimal heat dissapation, consistent performance during continuous use and long engine life.
• Oil Watch Warning System - Automatically shuts off before oil level is low and cannot be re-started until oil is added. Prevents engine damage and costly repairs while enhancing long-term durability.
• Specially designed muffler - Offers a compact design, reduced weight and noise.
• USFS-approved Spark Arrestor - Offers quiet operation and keeps sparks from exiting exhaust system, reducing chance of fires caused by an errant spark.
• AC Non-fuse Thermal Breaker - Protects AC circuit in case of an overload for added durability and peace of mind.
• DC output - Provides both AC and DC output and enables battery charging.
• Tool Kit - Makes service easy.

They're very well designed imho.

Nibbler and jhart.

Thanks for the informative description of inverted power. We are seriously considering buying Yamaha YG2800I 2800 Watt Industrial Generator.
Amazon Tools says they have the best price, or will beat any other price by 10%, is $1,300 plus $49 for shipping. Amazon Tools has been a reliable, fair, source for me.

Seems to me with a weight of 66 pounds without gas, the generator would be handly to haul in the back of my truck as well as to have it as a backup at home.
We have not had any significant power outages in Cleveland during the past two years, except that big one that put the east coast and midwest in the dark for a few days.

Gary

Costco has a $#%*mins Onan Homesite 6500 Portable Generator available at $679 which includes shipping and wheels but no battery. (5000 watts, 5500 peak) I also found this model available elsewhere for slightly fewer dollars, however shipping is not included.

While cruising the web, I found a Gentron (6500 watt peak, 6000 continous) generator "Pro Series". The engine is a Lifon (Chinese). The ad stated it had a JD engine, however all models in 2007 will be shipped with a Lifon. This machine is available (or was) for $699, an attractive price which includes shipping. The ad did state: "This is a pre-order special for shipment arriving Dec. 30, 2006", so it may not be available at that price. It did at least give me a benchmark in pricing. Does anyone here have any knowledge of this company and its generators?
http://www.generatordepot.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=30

Does anyone here provide a weather shelter for protection, or some sort of a doghouse when operating their machines?

I also found that some machines don't have an "automatic voltage regulator". The $#%*mins-Onan and Gentron have them although Onan didn't list it in their specs. I called Onan about this, and the woman didn't know the answer. She asked someone offline, and then stated it had one. Makes me nervous when I get this kind of response.

I bought the $#%*mins Onan and expect it to arrive in about four weeks. 

Here's a small garden shed modified to be used as a generator shelter.  Check this out.  Looks like a good idea.

 http://www.nooutage.com/powershelterkitii.htm

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RE: Chinese Portable Generators

"Does anyone here provide a weather shelter for protection, or some sort of a doghouse when operating their machines?"

If I'm home, I run the generator from my garage, which is not physically connected to my house.  I also keep a small fan running to exhaust fumes.  This brings up a good point to make. 

Electrical extension cords, or stingers as they're called in production work, quickly build up resistance to the current flow, so it is important to use a large gauge  from the generator to the house, or worksite.  I use a 50ft. 10 gauge, and split into three 12 gauge runs to the appliances.

If I'm on remote, I transport the generator in the lined bed of an old '93 stick toyota pickup truck, grounded to the chassi.  After it is up and running I've built some sound baffles to stand up in the bed, and a baffled cover that I slide over the top.  It is protected and quiet. 

good Luck!