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.

Exactly my point, Mountainman..... light duty and portability probably stop around 4kw.  From there on, portability becomes an issue of perception!!!!  You can mothball a 6kw or 8kw continuous duty machine just as easy as an occasional duty machine at the same power capability.... but the reality is that if you need it for those types of disaster circumstances, we're not talking about running it an hour or two at a time.  We're talking about blasting it for days at a time.  I don't see the intermittent duty lightweights being good for more than a couple of goes like that.  Sorry...but from what I have seen, the domestic market, back-of-the-truck construction Colemans and Hondas just don't cut it!!!  I KNOW that if I were in the same circumstance, that 4kw Onan that I once had, if outfitted with a wheel-kit, would be as portable as I would ever need in those circumstances.   And I'd know that I had a machine that was prepared and built for 24/7.  And as the expression goes...if I'm in for a penny, I'm in for a pound!!!  I'd put my money on the commercial constant duty every time.

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What is a UPS that you use to clean up the power from generators so you can use computers? I have heard of a power line conditioner  but not a UPS. How do they work and how much do they cost?

Your question relating to computers and UPS...... you might try     http://www.jetcafe.org/~npc/doc/ups-faq.html    as a source of information.  Also Google "Uninterruptible Power Supplies" for other info... and add "cost" to the search and you will see that reputable single-machine UPS's range from $100-500 while network UPS coverage may be in the $1500 neighbourhood.  Beware of REALLY low cost UPS offerings....they may be SPS (Standby Power Supplies) masquerading as UPS's.   A UPS also acts as a conditioner, since the computer is ,in reality, running from an charged source in isolation from the line or charging source.  Remember, a computer doesn't run on 110AC - its POWER SUPPLY runs on 110AC...which, in turn, generates the +/-5DC or +/-12DC needed for the computer to run.  A good alternate source of power for a notebook is, of course, your CAR ADAPTER to its 12V system.....one that really works well in a pinch.

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I use a Yamaha YG2800I 2800 Watt Industrial Generator which comes with an invertor and puts out a pure sine wave... it is quiet and easy on gas...  we don't have many power outages here, but it will run the fridge and freezer in the summer and the furnace in the wiinter.  Also powers just about any 120v tool including a table saw, scroll saw, any drills, etc.  My garage has only one 20 amp circuit and the generator gives us another.

I also use it to power lights on remote for my video production company.  Since it puts out a pure sine wave, I can use it with delicate lighting instruments like Kino Flo Divas, which have sensitive ballasts, and Mole Richardson fresnels.  I also run a PC communications setup on remote with it... and lithium Ion chrargers.  I love it. 

Some things to think about when buying a generator. I talked to a old farmer recently, who had a large generator on back of his truck.  Last year, parts of PA were without power for 3 weeks because of a huge  ice storm.

He did mention using very high quality generators for applications where power spikes could cause damage to
electronic equipment. He also said large generators suck down an incredible amounts of gasoline and to make sure local gas stations have power to gas is available.  Also he said to make sure where the natural gas pump is located as it is also susceptible to power outages.

Propane is good for very short outages IMHO.

My PA house is all electric with access to natural gas, so I have a lot to consider.

jhart.... I checked out your YG2800I on the Yamaha site...certainly an impressive package at that power...great power/weight ratio...and the inverter aspect for clean power is obviously a plus (something none of my powerplants had).  While I was there, I found the EF3000iSEB ...new this year, I gather.... and I rather like that one....particularly since it has the electric start, low noise levels, and DC as well as AC.  The power boost could have advantages as well.  Since a more modern stand-by AC source was on my agenda for this spring, I'll be certain to check these out. 

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i have used my computer with my mitsu generator supplying my electricity and it did not seem to affect my computer in any way. so i guess this makes it  "clean power" i know my new winco is clean power.

the mitsu is not so load that it bothers me in the house nor have any neighbors complained about the noise. i have run this mitsu on gasoline as well as natural gas. it will burn propane but i have not used same.

i am looking to sell the mitsu as soon as  i get the winco all hooked up and would be willing to ship the generator,

Wally or jhart,

Will you provide us with a few paragraphs of "inverter technology" means? Is this the future of portable generators.

Seems the Yamaha YG2800I 2800 Watt Industrial Generator is something many homeownes will find useful at home and on the road.

This is a very helpful thread on the understanding the issues of buying a portable generator.

Gary

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.