Generator Recommendations

[ShaggyRS6]

Do any of you fine folks out there have recommendations for a Generator that will power my tank in the event of a power outage? I’m not looking for anything super fancy, just something man enough to do the job!!

I would be happy with it just able to power the return pump and lights.

 

[Mical]

following

 

[jda]

Do you anticipate long outages, or just a few hours here and there? The different between cheap and expensive generators is their duty cycle. A harbor-freight generator can get you by for a few hours or a day a few times a year and be just fine. If you live in an area where a hurricane or tornado could keep you out for weeks of needing 24/7 running, then a better one is probably a good idea.

A few days is no big deal because you can cut back to just heaters and a few pumps. After a while, you will need to run all of the stuff and use more wattage.

First, figure out your "few hours of downtime" wattage. Then, calculate your "full everything" wattage. Then, factor in that you might want your food to not melt or to run some stuff in the house. This will get you a good idea of how big of one to buy.

Once you know how often you might need it, and the wattage, then people can probably give some good suggestions.

 

[sharpimage]

Any generator will run your tank. Tank will pull 200 watts or so. Even a small generator will produce way more. If I were to get a generator just for my tank, I would look at a honda inverter generator. Its pricey at about a grand, but is quiet and will run for 8 hours on like 1 gallon of gas.

 

[hotdrop]

I was thinking those small Riobi propane gens for 300 would be nice. You can run them for a day or so on a single propane tank so you dont have to worry about running out of gas while at work. The small hondas are only good for 6-8 hrs per tank so thats not quite enough if you need to go to work or even sleep though the night. That being said if you buy a slightly bigger gen and you save a fridge worth of food on the next power failure you probably pay for half the generator.

 

[ShaggyRS6]

We have had 2 power outage in the last year. Each lasting no more than an hour. So not expecting anything that lasts a long time.

 

[ca1ore]

I had and liked the Honda inverter unit for small loads. I also have a Rigid as a backup for my automatic whole house unit, and liked that one too.

 

[WVNed]

I bought a cheap 3500 watt from Walmart this spring and have used it about 6 times already. Our power goes out every time the wind blows.

 

[wrasse man]

Have a Honda EG5000CL and it’s great. Runs the whole house without issue, probably get about 10 hours per tank of gas. We have frequent high winds and poor line maintenance in our area so that mean a few outages a year. The outages average about 12 hours each time, so there is no way I would go without a generator. Best piece of mind purchase I’ve ever made.

 

[trmiv]

If you don’t get a lot of outages I’d Get an inverter generator from Harbor Freight or a Wen unit from Amazon. Inverters are quiet, small and put out clean power. The Honda inverters are great but they’re spendy. If you’re not using it all the time the harbor freight and Wen units are fine.

I have a regular 3800 watt champion generator and while it works I’d prefer an inverter. Mine is huge, loud, and unless it’s running with a significant load it won’t run my skimmer or ac return pump because it’s putting out the wrong frequency until it gets loaded up.

 

[ShaggyRS6]

If you don’t get a lot of outages I’d Get an inverter generator from Harbor Freight or a Wen unit from Amazon. Inverters are quiet, small and put out clean power. The Honda inverters are great but they’re spendy. If you’re not using it all the time the harbor freight and Wen units are fine.

I have a regular 3800 watt champion generator and while it works I’d prefer an inverter. Mine is huge, loud, and unless it’s running with a significant load it won’t run my skimmer or ac return pump because it’s putting out the wrong frequency until it gets loaded up.

Great, thanks. That's what I'll do!! You think I could get away with a 1250W?

 

[mfinn]

Honda generators are considered the best you can get and it is for good reason. They are very quiet.
Generac's also a work horse. I had one for 15-16 years and used it a couple times for 5-6 days continuously ( well short break after midnight).
A few years ago I bought a Predator generator from Harbor Freight. I've used it twice so far and am very happy.
They have some small ones and bigger ones that will run a small house.

 

[snorklr]

i'm partial to propane....if the generator doesnt get used for a couple of years you dont have to worry about the gas going bad and a load of crud in the carb when you need it

 

[Phyber]

Just installed a Generac 22kw whole home generator. Hopefully I don't need to use it.

 

[mfinn]

i'm partial to propane....if the generator doesnt get used for a couple of years you dont have to worry about the gas going bad and a load of crud in the carb when you need it

That's the thing with generators. They need to be taken care of. Turn the gas line off when you are done using it and let the generator run until the gas line ( from the tank) is empty. So no gas turns to molasses in the line.
Use a pas preservative and then change it out atleast once a year. I do mine twice a year.
It's easy to do maintenance.

 

[Brian_68]

Honda generators are considered the best you can get and it is for good reason. They are very quiet.
Generac's also a work horse. I had one for 15-16 years and used it a couple times for 5-6 days continuously ( well short break after midnight).
A few years ago I bought a Predator generator from Harbor Freight. I've used it twice so far and am very happy.
They have some small ones and bigger ones that will run a small house.

I have a Honda EU2000 and a Predator 3500 and both are equally quite. i use the 3500 more as it can run my furnace as well as the tanks and frig. For $700 it can't be beat.

 

[nezw0001]

The other thing to consider is to have an electrician wire in a transfer switch to your electrical panel. It cost us about $300 and now we can plug the generator in outside and just throw breakers to choose what the generator will power. So we could run the refrig/freezer for part of the day and the tank for the other part of the day.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Do any of you fine folks out there have recommendations for a Generator that will power my tank in the event of a power outage? I’m not looking for anything super fancy, just something man enough to do the job!!

I would be happy with it just able to power the return pump and lights.

If on a budget, get two or three harbor freight $99 generators. To offset duty time,or a converter/inverter connect to your car only when needed, quiet, less maintenance

 

[jp_75]

Just installed a Generac 22kw whole home generator. Hopefully I don't need to use it.

how much does it cost to install generac? thx

 

[ShaggyRS6]

If on a budget, get two or three harbor freight $99 generators. To offset duty time,or a converter/inverter connect to your car only when needed, quiet, less maintenance

I actually considers the car but. I got a 110 in my truck , I could just use that!