A gen set with the inverter technology ? The old 5.6KW set is well, almost 30 years old and used hard some winters, while the Tecumseh motor has been more or less trouble free, it uses more oil now that before and Im sure I could find a HF clone to fit, but do I really want to go that route? So looking at new gen sets his inverter thing is coming up, which costs more. So do I really need to go that way or just stay with the old school set up?
Do I really need ?
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North Idaho Wolfman
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Do you have electronics, and such that runs when you use the gen?
Stable current is another potential issue. Standard generators, especially cheaper models, can potentially deliver what is known as “dirty power,” which is electricity from your generator that can vary in voltage, frequency, or both. This is a problem often caused by, but not limited to, load variation. Over time, this has the potential to damage sensitive electronics like TVs, computers, home medical equipment, and smart appliances. It should be noted, however, that higher-quality standard generators can mitigate this problem.
Stable current is another potential issue. Standard generators, especially cheaper models, can potentially deliver what is known as “dirty power,” which is electricity from your generator that can vary in voltage, frequency, or both. This is a problem often caused by, but not limited to, load variation. Over time, this has the potential to damage sensitive electronics like TVs, computers, home medical equipment, and smart appliances. It should be noted, however, that higher-quality standard generators can mitigate this problem.
I bought a China Freight one a couple yrs ago after a customer stopped and I had a 15000w China one running while the power was out. It has no idle, its on and flat out blarring loud. It runs everything i own. But I have a monitor gas heater in my shop that has a computer in it. As soon as the 15k is running, it won't run. But with the 9500 inverter it does. I bought it on sale, plus opened a new credit card with them took -$200. More off the price. It came in at $1400. In July of '23. And when you turn the button to off. It shuts off a petcock under the gas tank so the carb runs dry...thoses Chinese using their heads again.
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NCL4701
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I seem to recall you mentioned in a recent thread you’d considered a PTO generator. If you go that route, I’d suggest checking out an IMD with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR).
When I bought mine, the folks I dealt with in South Carolina were very helpful and easy to deal with. They’re a day trip away from me. They offered to give me a tour of their facility if I came to pick it up, but shipping was cheaper than my fuel cost for the round trip so I had them ship it.
I’m aware some are very much against PTO generators and they’re not right for every situation. If not a fit for your situation, please ignore.
When I bought mine, the folks I dealt with in South Carolina were very helpful and easy to deal with. They’re a day trip away from me. They offered to give me a tour of their facility if I came to pick it up, but shipping was cheaper than my fuel cost for the round trip so I had them ship it.
I’m aware some are very much against PTO generators and they’re not right for every situation. If not a fit for your situation, please ignore.
Yamaha is likely the best inverter around...I'm a Honda guy, and I'm sad to say Honda likely makes the second best inverter.
Diesel inverters are the next step up from gas...
Diesel inverters are the next step up from gas...
Ok... Now I'm shopping for one.
I've got an old 7k generac but i've been nervous about all the electronics that it powers. Just about everything has a chip in it now including what used to be simple tools like my grinder.
There is no computer in my old generac but unfortunately all the new ones probably do.
Definitely inverter type for me.
I've got an old 7k generac but i've been nervous about all the electronics that it powers. Just about everything has a chip in it now including what used to be simple tools like my grinder.
There is no computer in my old generac but unfortunately all the new ones probably do.
Definitely inverter type for me.
Got an email from HF and generators are on sale till 10/26. It's 15% off for everyone and 20% off for Inside Track people.
NCL yes I have been kicking the PTO around I was not aware any of them had an AVR circuit, though I shouldnt be surprised. My needs are not very complex no critical equipment, just furnace and lights I dont even have the well any more, if the power is out, so is the inner web, so the smart TV, not so smart they dont work well and switching from the wifi to the wabbit ears is a PIA.
So, thanks, so much guys, we may not get another outage in forever, or it might happen tomorrow. I will look in to the IMD, thanks every one
So, thanks, so much guys, we may not get another outage in forever, or it might happen tomorrow. I will look in to the IMD, thanks every one
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You might look into putting some type of conditioner (inverter) on the output of your current machine.
I haven't heard that LP can sit unused for months without ill effect on fuel system while diesel and gasoline at the pump get worse by the day. The few I know with diesel and gasoline replace fuel and run genny parodically to reduce risk of fuel problems.
Ran a 7k Generac for a number of years (still have it and it still runs) but at one point the electronics started to object. A newer 10k Chinesium seems to work fine, at this point.
Here's the mystery to me - I have a UPS set up between the generator and the electronics that I thought (hoped) would iron out any current/voltage wobbles - not sure why the generic acts up with it. Next unit I will try the inverter.
Here's the mystery to me - I have a UPS set up between the generator and the electronics that I thought (hoped) would iron out any current/voltage wobbles - not sure why the generic acts up with it. Next unit I will try the inverter.
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I have a Honda EU3000i that I would trust to take to the moon to power anything 120V that didn't have a huge inrush current draw. Sips gas and is stupid quiet.
But, if you might need to power something with a decent inrush current, a HF Predator 5000 (dual fuel) flat out kicks butt (on gas). Half the price, just about as quiet, fuel usage about the same. It will keep trying to power the load when the Honda will just say NOPE and go into overload. The Honda, you'll have to shut down and restart, where the Predator just needs a button push to start powering again.
ETA: The only thing I don't like about the Predator is the lack of manual choke. If starting from a cold engine, it starts ok. If you shut it off and try restarting within a few minutes to an hour, it doesn't need choking, but because it is an auto choke, it immediately tries choke the carb and will crank way too long before it finally starts again.
But, if you might need to power something with a decent inrush current, a HF Predator 5000 (dual fuel) flat out kicks butt (on gas). Half the price, just about as quiet, fuel usage about the same. It will keep trying to power the load when the Honda will just say NOPE and go into overload. The Honda, you'll have to shut down and restart, where the Predator just needs a button push to start powering again.
ETA: The only thing I don't like about the Predator is the lack of manual choke. If starting from a cold engine, it starts ok. If you shut it off and try restarting within a few minutes to an hour, it doesn't need choking, but because it is an auto choke, it immediately tries choke the carb and will crank way too long before it finally starts again.
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Im not sure of the brands but when I was looking to get a inverter some brands have something like fuel injection I believe with no choke. One youtube showed a guy disassemble the HF and another brand side by side and the other no choke i believe.
^^^^^
Agreed. Love all my Honda stuff, but for the inverter generator went with the Yamaha. It has been absolutely flawless for the last 10 yrs.
Skeets ain't buying anything.
He is already convinced what he has right now is Fine.
He is just chewing his cud....
He is already convinced what he has right now is Fine.
He is just chewing his cud....
I have a Honda EU3000i generator as well. Just before we had an auto standby generator installed, we lost power for about a day. With the Honda, I powered 3 freezers, a fridge, and the TV. It used a little less than 3/4 tank of gas
Another big advantage of inverter generators (that nobody has mentioned) is they generally run much quieter than conventional non-inverter generators. My Honda EU6500is is very quiet.
JT you funny,, no really I am looking, but I need to be sure what Im spending my dollars on is worth it. WIll the old work, most likely. However things change sometimes for the better, and a 30 year old gen set, is well old school and Im sure the out put, like someone said is dirty as sin. And that my friend is why I am asking the experts, I'll even listen to what you have to offer
Inverter generators have a few advantages:
- They can provide 60 Hz power regardless of the engine speed as opposed to 'conventional' AC generators where the engine must run at a constant speed (typically 3600 RPM for small portables). Since the inverter generator engine can slow itself down at light loads, it uses less fuel and is quieter.
- Decent inverter geneators put out a good sine wave with a constant frequency and voltage. (at least until they are overloaded). Most loads you'd have don't care about 'dirty power'. The bigger issue is what magnitude of voltage dips you get when a large load (like an A/C) kicks on.
But,
They cost more and some would argue have more internal electronics subject to instant and expensive failure.
If you don't value quiet and low fuel consumption, they're probably not worth the cost.