How big and what kind of generator to buy??

[ogstad-j]

going to run some lites in a cabin in alaska .. and run some power tools (skill saw, electric drill and some others like that also quiet one. please give me some ideas and where to buy. thanks

[TheCamel]

Very happy with the Honda EU2000i generator that I have had for 4 years. Bought mine from Mayberrys.com

[baltz526]

a skill saw will draw 14 amps, so i think i would buy at least a 2500 watt generator.

[sunshinefisherman]

a skill saw will draw 14 amps, so I think I would buy at least a 2500 watt generator.

I agree, I have a 6500 watt pull start with a Briggs Vanguard engine. It is fine for what it is but it is noisy and hard to move. I built a little cart to move it around on. I use it only as a backup for the house. It will run my 4500 watt water heater, lights and the well pump.

I have see those little Hondas in the field and I was quite impressed. They are SUPER quite and run for a whole night on a quart of gas. They are in my view, THE premium generator; they also are 3 times the price of everthing else.

Another setup you might consider is an DC to AC converter or inverter. Use a bank of identical deep cycle batteries to feed the converter then use the generator once or twice a day to charge them up. The best inverters can be "synched" so they can be run in parallel. That way you can expand your system if you need to. Without that, you have to run seperate branch circuits if you have more than one inverter. This system can also be expanded to be charged by solar or water power for maintaining the batteries off season.

A starter system with an inverter and 6 batteries would cost around $1000. 3000 watt inverter


If portability, noise and fuel consumtion are not at issue then get a 4000 watt pull start. Stay away from Techumseh engines though. A low oil minder is a useful feature.

[sliverpicker]

I have a Honda EB3500 that I got from Madsen's Logging Supply in Centralia, Wa for $1200 two years ago. It starts first pull every time! But it's not real portable at 160#'s

I use it in the winter when our power goes out. If I get the fridge up and running first, then I can plug in the pellet stove, lamp, TV, and satelite.

I also use it to power my camp trailer while hunting or staying on the job away from home.

[garyk]

Wired into our home, we've got a 5000w, electric start Homelite, emergency generator converted to propane.

The 5000w size is much more versatile but it's barely portable at ~ 175 pounds.

I'm really impressed with the Honda and Yamaha generators our neighbors have and would buy one of those if I ever have to replace ours.

At your Alaska site, you should consider which fuel is easier to obtain and store large quantities of , gasoline or propane? (Keeping in mind that gasoline goes stale and propane doesn't)

[ajfishfinder]

Gasoline also turns to gum in your carb while propane or diesel won't.

[garyk]

You're right AJ, that issue too was a big one for me since the generator will go for many months at a time without running, and then when I need, I NEED IT. Not the time for gummed-up carb jets.

[kenaifishn]

I'm a believer in sty-bil(sp) gas stabilizer. I have it in the 5KW Generator, Lawn mowers, rototillers and other seasonal gas engines. I have yet had a problem starting these machines after several months.

Our 5KW is a Briggs/Generac, noisy but it runs my 2horse pump on the well. It sets out behind the shop building, can't here it running from inside the house. 10 years of service so far.

[roadsend]

Gary
You sold me on propane on the last generator thread. Having at least 150 gallons of LPG on hand in my tank beats the heck out of a woodshed full of gasoline in 5 gallon cans.
I love my Honda generator. Although it has an electric start I have never used it. It starts on the first or second pull all of the time and runs quiet.

[garyk]

Roadsend, you definitely have a top-notch system there. I recall you had questions about the propane conversion...did the dealer do it for you?