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

In Massachusetts right now, I'm without power. I have a Craftsman (relabeled Generac) 4.2 kW (5.2kW surge) generator. But it struggles to run my house. Even being careful with power, it sags badly (some home electronics shut off or restart) when my 240V 1/2HP well pump starts. UPSs constantly cycle between battery and AC. I have tested the voltage (116-117V per line). It's just not enough. I'll make it through this outage (projected to last 5-7 days overall). But the Wife and I have decided that a better/bigger generator is needed for the future. I'm looking in the 8kW-15kW continuous output range. Wheeled to allow its movement and runs on Gasoline. I'd still like it to be at least semi-portable.

I've looked at the Generac GP8000 and GP15000s and they look good. But what other good reliable brands are out there? Honda's big one is only 6500W.
Is Northern Tool's house brand (NorthStar) any good?

I am thinking of buying the Honda eu6500isa and have a transfer switch installed. That will run my fridge, oil burner, and a Tv with no problem.  Just cant believe that these things are not to be run in the rain or snow. Thats most likely when you will need it.  If anyone knows of a better unit in the same price range that is weather proof and able to run in the rain let me know. I am also in MA.  Cant imagine you need something bigger than 6500 unless you want your entire house up and going all at once.  Then you will be filling the tank every couple of hours.

Knee_Biter wrote:

I've been thinking about either the EU6500 or EM6500 as well. Not sure I need to spend approximately $ 2K more for the EU over the EM unit as the only real difference appears to be the information monitor panel and clean power inverter. I realize the inverter provides clean power for computers and high end electronic devices but I could get by without those items for a few days with no regrets.

Why don't you just build a small dog house style enclosure for the generator so you can place it outside without fear of water damage. I would imagine that these units must be protected from the elements because they generate a fair amount of electric power which could create a dangerous situation if a problem occurred. I'll bet they can take some weather but they probably don't want to advertise this because of the idiot factor that exists in our society these days...

I'm pretty sure 6500W would be enough if it weren't for my well pump. When it starts, the lights dim, the cable box restarts. One thing I find irritating is that every UPS I have WILL NOT switch back to AC power and stay there if that AC power is supplied by my generator. It constantly cycles back and forth. The 8-12KW generators have 8-12 gallon tanks and will run for 10 hours at half load on a tankful. I'm not too worried about fuel consumption.
I'll look into the Subaru generators too. Thanks.

Are Honda,Winco,Gillette portable generators more reliabe than say B&S or Generac? Also would a Honda 5000 running watts handle a load better than a B&S 6500 running watts?

mikiewest wrote:

I found out yesterday that most of the" manufacturers are really "assemblers". As we know they are using engines of other manufacturer except for Honda, Briggs , Yamaha etc. Those manufacturers use their engines but generator heads provided by other manufacturers. An example of a generator head supplier is Mecc Alte , an Italian company that provides the generator heads for the stand by units made by Briggs and some of the portable units made by Winco. Other offerings in the Winco line use generator heads that Winco winds in the U.S. I haven't as yet verified it but I would think that Briggs is using heads made by another supplier as electric is not their business. With regard to reliability there is certainly a difference between units from the same manufacturer much less different manufacturers. Look at the spec sheets for units of the same output and often the same engine and then look at the difference in over all weight. The weight differential can be accounted for by the difference in magnets and the difference in how they are wound. My cheapy unit has bearings and brushes rated according to the manual for 1000 hours. The specs for the commercial grade by the same manufacturer are much higher. Your question concerning the Honda vs the Briggs is an interesting one. Watts are watts. The 5000 Honda will not do well with a continuous load of 6000 watts and will probably trip the breaker on the unit in order to protect the generator and the load. The 6500 Briggs would handle the 6000 watt load as that is what it is designed for. There is one thing to be aware of according to the tech i spoke to yesterday at Winco. I was curious about the difference between their Industrial grade units and their home owner units of comparable capacity. One difference in the industrial grade units is a heavy winding that enables the easy start of electric motors that are normally hard starting(refrigeration,air conditioners etc.). For that application he said the industrial grade units are more durable and better suited. He also said you should only buy a brushless unit if you intend on running anything with electronic controls like computers or modern appliances. Lastly I was at my local OPE dealer getting an air filter when a delivery of Briggs Generators was in progress . The boxes were marked made in China. You get what you pay for! Marc

Thanks, Marc. I'm glad to see someone finally looked at the generator part of a generator and not only the motor.

Now Gillette claims they use larger capcitors than other brands and diodes.How would one know if their claim is true?My manual for a ridgid generator does not list any of those specs.Neither does their website.

I purchased the eu6500is and this thing is quiet. Had a transfer switch installed. tried it out and it runs my entire house. Like car insurence you hope you never need to use it. But if I do I am ready.   Expensive yes. But looks and smells real nice

I've narrowed it down to 2 Generacs. The XG10000E or the GP15000E. Expensive $2000 & $2300 respectively, but hopefully I'll only ever have to buy one of them.

JimmyM wrote:

I was looking at both of these as well as the 7K generac home depot sells thats a stand alone unit and its only 1700......not sure what is the "rite way"??