Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Portable Generator
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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Bill_H
Location: Maine
Joined: Jan 12, 2008
Points: 354
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Portable Generator
Original Message Jan 7, 2009 1:36 am |
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Before I ask my question, are they on-topic for this forum? If they are, I'll come back and edit it into this post. If not, can anyone recommend another place? Edit, the next day: Thanks, I'll post my Q below!
This message was modified Jan 7, 2009 by Bill_H
Who the hell let all the morning people run things?
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Paul7
Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Points: 452
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Re: Portable Generator
Reply #16 Jan 16, 2009 10:18 pm |
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I'm in the market for a 2K-2.5K portable generator.
I had considered a Robin Subaru R1700i but I need 2K minimum.
http://www.robinamerica.com/pfeatures.aspx?pid=74
It's now a toss up between the Honda EU2000i or the Yamaha EF2400iS
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/modeldetail.aspx?page=modeldetail§ion=P2GG&modelname=EU2000i&modelid=EU2000IAN
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/products/modelhome/475/0/home.aspx
I like the higher output of the Yamaha but it's about 25 lbs more than the Honda. It appears sound-wise they are the same. It appears the Honda has a longer potential runtime as well. I am leaning toward the Honda but the Yamaha is appealing as well.
Anyone have any + or - experiences with the above listed Honda or Yamaha product?
Thanks! Check out the reviews from Camping Life. http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?ID=1112113
This message was modified Jan 16, 2009 by Paul7
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Bill_H
Location: Maine
Joined: Jan 12, 2008
Points: 354
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Re: Portable Generator
Reply #17 Jan 17, 2009 1:13 am |
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Good info, GaryBy, Thanks! Also FWIW, I'd check the amp draw & voltage drop when that well pump starts, as too low a voltage could damage something in the house (some motors will overheat), and too much of a draw could hurt the genny - but if you're not tripping a breaker it may not be too much current. If they're on different breakers on the genny you could draw too much without tripping any breaker. Don't forget that as voltage drops, some electrics will draw more current to obtain/maintain constant power, which only makes it worse. I had borrowed a 5K Coleman once during a power failure here and it ran my well and furnace OK, but I never checked them at the same time the refrigerator was running. That's why I'm looking for something just a bit bigger, those 3 are the necessities, anything else is a luxury. When I first powered the house up with it - after 28 hours with no power - I shut down the breaker for the furnace and well. Once the refrigerator was up and running and the sump pump finished, I powered on the well, waited till the well pump shut down and finally put on the furnace. Furnace last because I knew there would be an oil burner and 3 circ pumps running at once - the other 2 were used later.
Who the hell let all the morning people run things?
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snowmachine
Location: Washington State
Joined: Nov 12, 2008
Points: 268
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Re: Portable Generator
Reply #18 Jan 17, 2009 10:13 am |
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Check out the reviews from <span style="font-style: italic;">Camping Life</span>.<BR><BR>http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?ID=1112113
Thanks! Actually this article had started out my research. Just curious if anyone had any of these models here. I think I am going to go with the Honda. I need to do some startup wattage testing on my refrigerator and freezer to ensure it will be able to power them at least individually. I noticed I can get it with a LP gas conversion as well. I picked up one of these inexpensive wattage meters. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882715001
HTTPs://ouppes.com
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GaryBy
Location: Massachusetts
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Points: 22
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Re: Portable Generator
Reply #19 Jan 17, 2009 2:30 pm |
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Good info, GaryBy, Thanks!
Also FWIW, I'd check the amp draw & voltage drop when that well pump starts, as too low a voltage could damage something in the house (some motors will overheat), and too much of a draw could hurt the genny - but if you're not tripping a breaker it may not be too much current. If they're on different breakers on the genny you could draw too much without tripping any breaker. Don't forget that as voltage drops, some electrics will draw more current to obtain/maintain constant power, which only makes it worse.
I had borrowed a 5K Coleman once during a power failure here and it ran my well and furnace OK, but I never checked them at the same time the refrigerator was running. That's why I'm looking for something just a bit bigger, those 3 are the necessities, anything else is a luxury. When I first powered the house up with it - after 28 hours with no power - I shut down the breaker for the furnace and well. Once the refrigerator was up and running and the sump pump finished, I powered on the well, waited till the well pump shut down and finally put on the furnace. Furnace last because I knew there would be an oil burner and 3 circ pumps running at once - the other 2 were used later. My recollection is that the boiler (oil burner + 2 circulating pumps) didn't seem to cause as much as a dip as the microwave, and certainly not the refrigerator. Since we weren't running the generator 24 hours, the refrigerator really wanted to be running whenever it had power. After a couple of days of just adapting to life without external power, I wound up toggling things at the transfer panel to reduce the chance of problems. Fortunately, our well pump usage is fairly predictable. Now if only we had had the deep freeze right after the ice storm. Then I could have emptied the freezer and stored it all outside. 
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