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

Well I finally broke down and purchased a Honda EM6500SX Generator for my house. Last year was brutal with power outages. The first one in September lasted for close to 4 days and the October outage caused by the fluke nor'easter lasted almost 6 days. I'm on well water so no power means no water (I think no water is worse than no power). We usually lose power several times each year and it seems to be getting worse and last longer each time. I heat with wood so that at least is never a problem.

Got my 10 circuit transfer switch all wired up on Friday with my licensed electrician buddy so I'm ready to get let down by National Grid this year. I caught a 0% for 18 months finance offer from Honda plus all generators and transfer switches were on sale (saved $600.00) so it worked out well. I don't usually feel good about spending a decent chunk of $$$ but knowing my family will have power when (not if) it goes out is a good feeling.

That is a considerable price difference when you look at initial cost.  What does a transfer switch and installation cost?  Must be pricy.

The efficiency of diesel as well as price of coloured fuel make diesels attractive as well. 

I've owned a 6kw  Kubota for thirty years now and have over 6000 hrs. on it.  Considering that diesel is 30 to 35% more efficient than gasoline, I figure so far,  that  I've burned at a minimum, 1800 liters less diesel fuel than what an eqivalent gasoline power plant would have consumed gasoline.  When you consider the difference in cost between gasoline and coloured diesel, I'd estimate that I've saved probably, at a minimum, $2500.00 in fuel costs alone over the years. 

The little Kubota diesel has been rock solid and has performed flawlessly for three decades now.  I do oil changes ever 150 hours using conventional oil, adjusted the valve lash once and changed one fan belt.  Clean the air filter every so often  and other than that, nothing. 

I also like the safety aspect and storage stability of diesel fuel.  I usually store thirty gallons or so of diesel fuel all winter (six months or more) in a plastic 15 gallon main fuel tank and three more five gallon containers.   Approximate five years after my father in law passed away, my mother-in-law wanted me to clean out her garage.  I found a five gallon container of diesel fuel.  I  opened it up, smelled it, looked at it and it checked out OK  so I took it to camp and dumped it into the main fuel tank.  No problems.  That fuel was likely well over five years and it was fine.  So, long term storage of diesel is an attractive advantage as well. 

You've made an excellent choice for a genset.  If you're not going diesel, Honda's the next best choice.       

borat wrote:

The 10 circuit transfer switch was $600.00 (special offer price was $100.00 off of that) and the installation is usually between $600.00 - $750.00 (my buddy only charged me $250.00). The transfer switch was a complete assembly which included the 10 circuit panel, the plug outlet to feed the transfer switch and a 25' power cord that runs from the generator to the plug outlet. If I had a camp like you and needed a generator to run my power while there, I would definitely go with diesel based on the number of hours that would get racked up. I probably won't log more than 50 - 100 hours per year based on my very intermittent use so it was hard to justify spending at least 2X what I spent on the Honda and transfer switch.

so, what would you guys get if you live in a fairly large suburban city. 30 miles outside of DC. Looking for a whole house backup generator. 15kW. Diesel or natural gas? Obviously NG is easiest, but I've heard of NG disruptions for the worst case disasters. Unlikely to occur, but possible. I mean if the diesel is left in the tank for years on end 5+ years is it still ok? also, what if the generator was never turned on for 1-2 years?

Borat you make me laugh a lot with the Chinadiantire!!! I will forwaRD THIS JOKE TO MY PAL who's familiar with the store :) Have a nice winter full of snow and god bless all Denis