Same here. I had a 20kw unit installed just after the derecho. Since then I've only lost power twice for a total of less than an hour. And yes, it's worth it to not have to worry about losing power.
Portable generator?
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Same here. I had a 20kw unit installed just after the derecho. Since then I've only lost power twice for a total of less than an hour. And yes, it's worth it to not have to worry about losing power.
I have one of those purchased in 2004. In 2012 I managed to gum up the carb with bad fuel. Called the 1-800 number on the unit and for $21.99 their US service center mailed me a new carb. While I like to rag on 'cheap shit from china', the $299 I paid for the generatpr at the car parts store was money well spent.
The only thing I changed was to replace the rubber tires with solid plastic wheels from TSC. Those little tires just don't hold air very long.
The Honda 2000 is great for camping or if you need to run computers or radios. Keep in mind though that many modern refrigerators have computerized controls that may act up if a cheap generator doesn't provide clean power.
Even crap generators normally output a cleaner sine wave than power companies do. Protect sensitive electronics with UPS for insurance
Half-cocked
Senior Meatbag
- Mar 14, 2006
- 23,937
Yep, even “dumb” appliances have microcontrollers in them these days. FWIW, my older EU2000i was able to run my kitchen fridge, freezer in the garage, and our 65” HDTV & associated boxes simultaneously last year for a few hours. I just switched off “eco” mode so the motor was spooled up to provide max surge power when the compressors kicked in, and staggered the fridge & freezer startup so they wouldn’t both be drawing full surge power at the same moment.
Yup, I find it reassuring that I have 13 hours of tv, fans and refrigeration per tank of gas.
Home Depot Ryobi 5,500 Gasoline with extension cords. You'll be guaranteed to not have an outage for a couple of years after you buy it. Then when you do have an electrician put a manual transfer switch in your breaker box. That will cover you for another couple of years before your next outage. Also be sure to run the generator at least once a month to make sure it fires up when you need it.
I so want to buy one of the cheap HF generators but I just know I'll get the one that ends up being the most epic piece of sh!t they've ever sold in their entire history.
As long as you use stabilizer and shut off fuel and let carb run dry, they will last a long time. I have a backup that I have owned for 7 years. I use it in the woods to power my tools during the summer. The gas petcock broke off last year. I bought a new one off ebay for about $7 and replaced it - good to go. I would take advantage of the coupon that SG offered you. 
Squaregrouper
Kragaphile
Google the reviews on those things. They are very well regarded out there.
Here is a link to the coupon- print it out yourself...
https://www.harborfreight.com/savings_coupons.html
You're right, for the money it's worth a shot. I've toyed around with spending way more for several years and here I am, still without a generator, I'll grab one this weekend.
Thanks for the link.
Squaregrouper
Kragaphile
You're right, for the money it's worth a shot. I've toyed around with spending way more for several years and here I am, still without a generator, I'll grab one this weekend.
Thanks for the link.
The only thing I hate is changing the oil. It is a PITA do do it without making a mess. As stated previously, I can pretty much run my whole house (except central AC). Don't use high wattage appliances during power outages and you will be GTG during a power outage.
Make sure to add stabilizer and always close the fuel line's petcock and let it run out of gas vs. turning it off (carb is dry during storage) Gas with ethanol in not kind to carbs when sitting idle.
Squaregrouper
Kragaphile
Alan3413
Ultimate Member
- Mar 4, 2013
- 17,169
Consider the Subaru inverter series. Comes in 3200W or 4000W flavors. The entire generator is encased in sound attenuation material and is very quiet.
I've used one for 10 years. It's seen me through Irene, Sandy, that unamed dreacho, plus a few other oddball outages here and there. That thing is still running strong.
I've used one for 10 years. It's seen me through Irene, Sandy, that unamed dreacho, plus a few other oddball outages here and there. That thing is still running strong.
Mr.Blue
Living In A Bizarro World
Yes, I’m with you. I’m sitting here sweating. This is getting ridiculous. Good thing I was up, so I could set an alarm on my phone.
Right!!!
We have had Japanese beetles the last few years. So I went out and got a bunch of traps and extra bags for this season to protect my wife's rose bushes. Not a 1 showed up this year. Figures..
Yep more good reviews on these inverter types. Must be relatively new tech as they are double the price of comparable non-inverter generators.
I don't think I can justify the price of them for emergency outages.
drthv8r
Active Member
I've owned a Yamaha EF 2000is Inverter/Generator for several years and I'm extremely happy with it. For people that have never seen one in person it's amazing how quiet the Inverter/Generators are. I went with the Yamaha because it was priced the same as the Honda, but the Yamaha came with several more important features that Honda didn't offer.
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