Thoughts on the Lowboy Generators?

[DocGP]

OK, I am the worlds worst about asking questions AFTER a purchase (closing the barn door after the horse escapes), but was looking for some confirmation of my purchase. I read and talked to dealers (one of whom I graduated with 30 yrs ago so I really trust his opinion) and they were high on this little unit.

It seems that most of the little worklight/generator units that the pipeline crews use around here have a similar Kubota engine in them, but anyone use this one in particular? Have any problems or such I need to watch out for? I am super religious about oil changes and maintenance, so I feel like it should outlive me.

We live in hurricane alley, and have had one run of 37 days without power and one run of 17. Will for the most part be run quarterly for an hour or two as a routine and then used as needed during storm season. About.7 gph is what I have read, but not measured anything yet.

Doc

 

[skeets]

OHHHHHHHHH Doc its junk a real piece of scrap iron,, you best ditch it before you try to use it,, better yet ship it up to me and I ll get rid of it for you, yep I sure will and I wont even charge you a disposal fee

No really though I dont have one the stealer my way has moved several through their store, and I always ask dumb questions when I stop in, and have not heard a bad thing about them. If I may ask what did you give for it?

 

[forceten]

We have one of the chinese diesel gens right now, but will be upgrading to the 1100 next year.

Seems best I can get price wise for them is $6,500


They run at the higher rpm, like most other diesel gens in that price range. It was either gonna be the 1100 from kubota or a yanmar diesel gen. Either I think is a good purchase! To go to the slower spinning 1800 diesel gens (better and will last lots longer) the price jumps up considerably!


I will be curious to see how yours is running, since you bought it already .


Ya got a 55 gallon drum or 275 for fuel? That should be your next setup so you dont have to worry about the gas stations not having fuel or being able to pump


They make a panel/cover for the left side also

 

[DocGP]

500 gal farm tank treated with algicide just for such an occasion.

Will update as used.

Doc

 

[CaveCreekRay]

I am with Skeets! If there is any doubt in your mind, I'll pay shipping to my house!

I would LOVE to have one of those to run my well and home circuits.

In that I couldn't afford one of those, I was looking for one just to run the well. My wife found this one by Westinghouse. Initially, I scoffed but after a day or two checking online, this was the top rated 2014 and 2015 in its class.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-5-500-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Portable-Generator-WH5500/203716106

Yeah, its made in China but Westinghouse spec'd forged everything. I have never heard of one detonating like so many of the Chinese motors do. So far, I am very happy. Wish it was a Kubota though!

I'll up my offer Doc. I'll mail you this Westinghouse to keep the lights on while you choose another model.

Ray

 

[forceten]

500 gal farm tank treated with algicide just for such an occasion.

Will update as used.

Doc

Great, will be interested to see how it holds up!


Did you put in a transfer switch? My panels were split in my house (sub panel up on the first floor and main in the basement so I went with an interlock and an outlet that backfeeds the main panel. I put in a dual leg gauge also so I could make sure both legs were pretty balanced. So the load isn't on one side more than the other.

Even though my current genny can run a lot of the house I have marked on the breakers which are the important things to run. This way we can keep the none essentials off and just use the breakers that we need the most.

I can do my 220 well pump - or my 220 central air, but not both together. Air isnt important anyway... water, heat, fridge, freezer and some lights

 

[DocGP]

Great, will be interested to see how it holds up!


Did you put in a transfer switch? My panels were split in my house (sub panel up on the first floor and main in the basement so I went with an interlock and an outlet that backfeeds the main panel. I put in a dual leg gauge also so I could make sure both legs were pretty balanced. So the load isn't on one side more than the other.

Even though my current genny can run a lot of the house I have marked on the breakers which are the important things to run. This way we can keep the none essentials off and just use the breakers that we need the most.

I can do my 220 well pump - or my 220 central air, but not both together. Air isnt important anyway... water, heat, fridge, freezer and some lights

Interlock kit also. Can run most of the house with it. Haven't tried the central heat/air.

You have pretty much described my situation exactly. I run the well pump to pressurize everything, then turn it off and turn the water heater on. IN about an hour, turn off water heater and pump back so everyone can shower. I usually keep the freezers on a Honda EU2000 until they are empty, then shut them down.

This is all (hopefully) moot as I REALLY HATE HURRICANES!!!! If I don't ever see one again, THAT will be too soon.

Doc

 

[forceten]

Interlock kit also. Can run most of the house with it. Haven't tried the central heat/air.

You have pretty much described my situation exactly. I run the well pump to pressurize everything, then turn it off and turn the water heater on. IN about an hour, turn off water heater and pump back so everyone can shower. I usually keep the freezers on a Honda EU2000 until they are empty, then shut them down.

This is all (hopefully) moot as I REALLY HATE HURRICANES!!!! If I don't ever see one again, THAT will be too soon.

Doc

We had two back to back in NJ. First one knocked power out for 6 days I think it was, 2nd one knocked out power for 9 days or so. Others were knocked out for 20+ days

Not only that there was now power at the gas stations, so for a while nobody could get fuel. And then we got hit so bad, the terminals were down and there wasn't clear diesel anymore. We got letters that allowed us to use off road diesel.


Not that we have our power all setup, we probably won't lose power again for another 10 years. But at least I'm ready for it, just in case!