generator

[silverF250]

what you got?? How loud is it? Sound like a riding mow or ????.

It's a Generac 4000xl it has the 30 amp 120 volt circuit, a 20amp 120/240 volt ciruit, two 15 amp 120 circuits and a 12 volt dc outlet. It definitely isn't a honda generator but it isn't to extremely loud either. I've got a thread on here with pictures.

 

[BJS]

call your a/c mfg and find out what the starting amps are or get a clamp on ampmeter and test when the compressor kicks on then size the generator appropriately, otherwise you may be shooting in the dark.

I can say that I can tell a big difference when my well pump kicks on my 7kw generator (29.8A @ 220V) as opposed to starting on shore power. It starts but not very efficiently you can hear it spin up to full power. BTW my well pump is labeled to pull 12.6A @ 110V

Keep an eye on the CL posts I have see the portable guardian 15kw models pop up for 1000-1500 around here, (there's one in gainesville for 2k right now) but that'd be a beast to get in the truck or the camper.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Back in my RV parts days, I sold Kipor generators. They are rather blatant Honda knock-offs. My distributor told me the factories that make the two brands are only about 2 block apart in China. (Yes Hondas are made in China, not Japan.) From what I've heard, they even share some of the same parts. The biggest difference from what I could tell all things considered, red paint is more expensive than yellow paint.

 

[JLDickmon]

The biggest difference from what I could tell all things considered, red paint is more expensive than yellow paint.

that's a handy piece of information right there, I don't care who ya are...

 

[F350DRW1]

Don't buy a generator thats putting out 30 amps if your one appliance needs 30 amps. It will be maxed all the time. IMHO you could find a used one on ebay, etc at 50 amps and have all the juice you need and still have a few bucks left over. Onan or Honda. LP. Just my .02

 

[DaveBen]

Most cheap gensets won't run 100% duty cycle all of the time. Get the next size larger (50 amps), as F350DRW1 said.

Dave

 

[Fine69]

Most cheap gensets won't run 100% duty cycle all of the time. Get the next size larger (50 amps), as F350DRW1 said.

Dave

X2

 

[dmd]

A cheap generator will be very noisy, save some money up and get a good
one. I have twin Honda 2000's. I hook them up parallel and get 4000W. Cable
is easy to make for $40 instead of paying Honda $300 for theirs.

Very quiet, and the RPM changes as the power load changes.

 

[Dogman]

I found a gen. for 350 bucks and does not even flinch when the A/C is turned on, and its a 30 amp unit. I gave it a real test tonight A/C and hot water tank no problems. With the money I save on it, I got a warranty for replacement for 4 years. If it stops working the will give me another gen. The noise db I checked tonight is 63db under a full load, Honda is around 59db under a full load check that tonight to with my buddy next door on his RV.

 

[Red Monkey]

I used a coleman powermate for years and HATED it everytime I cranked it, man was it L O U D!!! Three years ago I bought two Honda E2000's and a parallel hookup kit, WOW what a difference the Honda's made!! They are VERY quiet and compact and IMHO money well spent. Everyone sleeps better when they can't hear the generator running at night!! Plus, I know they won't let me down when they are needed.