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.

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.

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