Emergency generators

[Tortuga]

We have high wind in our area again today (35-40 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH). The lights have flickered a few times and that reminded me that I still haven't purchased a generator. Last year the local utility company shut off power to a large portion of the State during high wind events, fortunately we were not affected, yet...

 

I would like to purchase a generator for planned/unplanned power outages. 

I'm looking for a generator that would be able to power an older refrigerator/freezer yet still be small enough that I could take it with me if we ever need to evacuate. OTOH, I wouldn't mind one large enough that it could run all night and has an electric starter.

 

The inverters look like a good idea and there are a lot of them on the market. OTOH, the larger generators are less expensive.

 

Please share your thoughts/suggestions/experience and recommendations.

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Hi Richard, 

I think an emergency generator is a very good idea. But some of the generators that are recommended by experts can be expensive, but if a person/family has the money, then these are great to have in case of emergencies. Here is 1 portable generator that has excellent reviews by experts but is expensive, but it seems to meet many of your wishes for what you are looking for in an emergency generator

 

Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt 120-Volt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator

(Review)

Quote

"The Honda EU2200i is the best portable generator for most people right now. Though we haven’t been able to test it, we know that this updated version is highly similar to our previous pick, the Honda EU2000i, save for a few changes. When we tested the EU2000i, it offered more power than other 2,000-watt portable inverter generators in the highest-demand tests we conducted. In our opinion, that performance, coupled with its long-standing reputation and good reviews, makes this generator the most dependable and reliable choice when it matters"

• 2200 watts, 18.3A, 120V
• Ideal for TV, DVD, satellite, fridge, coffee pot, and more
• Super quiet - like a conversation, Lightweight - less than 47 lbs
• Fuel efficient - up to 8.1 hrs on 0.95 gal of gas
• Inverter - stable power for computers and sensitive equipment

https://www.amazon.com/Honda-2200-Watt-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B07R1HK2RL/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Honda+EU2200i&qid=1581285047&sr=8-2

 

Edited February 9, 2020 by Beggar for the Spirit

[Qapla]

The Honda generators/inverters are some of the best on the market - especially the "quiet" ones. They are extremely reliable, energy efficient and fuel efficient - however, they are costly.

 

Generac is also a good make - they also have some quiet ones that have good fuel efficiency. They are sold at Home Depot (among other places) and usually cost less than Honda ... that would give you a chance to go look at what they have to offer and what would fit your needs.

 

We have one of the Generac GP6500 models (https://www.generac.com/all-products/generators/portable-generators#?cat=37&cat=214&cat=217&cat=249) and we have been able to run our lights, Internet and WiFi network as well as two refrigerators and two freezers at the same time. We have also been able to run a 5,000 BTU window A/C if we only run one fridge/freezer combo at a time. It will run for 8-12 hours depending on the load. Mind you, it is NOT whisper quiet but, since we live on 30 acres, we do not have to worry about disturbing neighbors - it is not so loud that it disturbs us when we are in the house with the TV on and it is sitting outside running. We CANNOT run the water heater  or central A/C while using the Generator. We could use the stove if we needed to (one burner at a time) but, since we also have a LP gas stove, we do not need to run the electric stove when the power is out.

 

We put it in the back of a pickup truck and that makes it very portable - it does have wheels and can be pulled like a cart with wheels on one end ... however, it will not fit in the trunk of a car and may be difficult for one person to pick it up alone.

 

We use a long cable that connects to where our electric stove is plugged in. It therefore "back-feeds" the house ... the MAIN breaker must be turned off before the generator is connected.

 

A smaller one like the one Neil posted above would run a single fridge just fine along with some lights. If you alternated the fridge with a small window A/C you could most likely have some cool and keep you food safe. It helps to only open the fridge/freezer when absolutely necessary.

Edited February 9, 2020 by Qapla

[Tortuga]

1 hour ago, Beggar for the Spirit said:

Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt 120-Volt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator

That is one of the generators that I'm looking at, there are many comparable generators for about half the price.

[Qapla]

That's the one Neil mentioned - right?

 

Can you post the links to some of those alternatives?

Edited February 9, 2020 by Qapla

[Tortuga]

Just now, Qapla said:

Can you post the links to some of those alternatives?

Wen, Predator, Yamaha and others make a similar sized generator.

 

 

[Old]

3 hours ago, Bro Richard said:

We have high wind in our area again today (35-40 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH). The lights have flickered a few times and that reminded me that I still haven't purchased a generator. Last year the local utility company shut off power to a large portion of the State during high wind events, fortunately we were not affected, yet...

 

I would like to purchase a generator for planned/unplanned power outages. 

I'm looking for a generator that would be able to power an older refrigerator/freezer yet still be small enough that I could take it with me if we ever need to evacuate. OTOH, I wouldn't mind one large enough that it could run all night and has an electric starter.

 

The inverters look like a good idea and there are a lot of them on the market. OTOH, the larger generators are less expensive.

 

Please share your thoughts/suggestions/experience and recommendations.

In some areas it is illegal to backfeed into you house wiring with out a switchover box. Just pulling the mainbreakers is not allowed. We plugged our appliances into extension cords as needed thus not energizing the house circuits. I later had a special panel installed that disconnected us from the grid when we would switch over to our Generac. This was in Seattle, we lived in the middle of the urban area and at one time went 8 freezing winter days without power, another time 5 days, though it was warmer. Now we live on the Oregon Coast with 80 and 90 MPH winds each winter and have only briefly lost power a couple of times in thirteen years. I haven't even checked my genset for five years or so. Guess I better do that.

[Tortuga]

1 minute ago, Old said:

In some areas it is illegal to backfeed into you house wiring with out a switchover box

I don't intend on back feeding or powering the house. My current plan is to use cords to power critical appliances as needed.

[Qapla]

This one is slightly smaller than the Honda but would do what you are asking - it has a list price of $800

 

 

 

With a generator that only produces 110/120 I would not feed/back-feed the house either.

 

In our area it is illegal to "permanently" connect emergency/alternate power to your house with out a manual or automatic change-over switch that disconnects the house when the emergency/alternate power system takes over.

 

However, there is no such regulation concerning "temporary" connections - just common sense to make sure the mains are off

Edited February 9, 2020 by Qapla

[Tortuga]

I've read the reviews on the Generac. It's a difficult choice...

[Old]

1 hour ago, Beggar for the Spirit said:

Hi Richard, 

I think an emergency generator is a very good idea. But some of the generators that are recommended by experts can be expensive, but if a person/family has the money, then these are great to have in case of emergencies. Here is 1 portable generator that has excellent reviews by experts but is expensive, but it seems to meet many of your wishes for what you are looking for in an emergency generator

 

Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt 120-Volt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator

(Review)

• 2200 watts, 18.3A, 120V
• Ideal for TV, DVD, satellite, fridge, coffee pot, and more
• Super quiet - like a conversation, Lightweight - less than 47 lbs
• Fuel efficient - up to 8.1 hrs on 0.95 gal of gas
• Inverter - stable power for computers and sensitive equipment

https://www.amazon.com/Honda-2200-Watt-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B07R1HK2RL/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Honda+EU2200i&qid=1581285047&sr=8-2

 

We kept one like that on our sailboat. Worked fine except for their verion of quite does not meet the needs of anchoring out in a quite cove.

[Qapla]

The Generac is supposedly quieter than the Honda - I cannot say since I have not heard either first hand

 

I know the Honda ones are very reliable and last a long time if taken care of. I have some friends that use them when they go camping/glamping and wouldn't use anything else.

 

I can say that we have been satisfied with our Generac and I would be willing to give their quiet one a try - especially for the difference in the price.

[Qapla]

We have thought about getting a PTO generator that would run the entire house - A/C, water heater and all - and let the tractor just sit there and idle while we need the power ... but they ain't cheap either!

[Tortuga]

I'm currently looking at this one on Amazon. 

[Tortuga]

I think I want something that I can loan out and is simple to use. During the recent power outages, we were not affected but several families in our congregation were, including a sister and her daughter in our service group. I would have liked to loaned them a generator.

[Old]

In the '60s Wen were noted for cheap. Maybe they have improved, but once bit twiced warned from my point of view. 

 

https://toolguyd.com/wen-tools/

[Qapla]

From what I can see, the Wen is getting decent reviews. I do not have any first-hand experience with this brand.

 

Here are a couple reviews/sites that discuss this generator as well as comparing it to others

https://generatorgrid.com/reviews/wen-56200i/

 

https://generatorbible.com/generators/wen/56225i/

 

 

Here is a review of the Generac from the second site

 

https://generatorbible.com/generators/generac/7117-gp2200i/

 

[Old]

4 minutes ago, Qapla said:

From what I can see, the Wen is getting decent reviews. I do not have any first-hand experience with this brand.

 

Here are a couple reviews/sites that discuss this generator as well as comparing it to others

https://generatorgrid.com/reviews/wen-56200i/

 

https://generatorbible.com/generators/wen/56225i/

 

 

Here is a review of the Generac from the second site

 

https://generatorbible.com/generators/generac/7117-gp2200i/

 

"Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." 

[Tortuga]

15 minutes ago, Qapla said:

Here are a couple reviews/sites that discuss this generator as well as comparing it to others

https://generatorgrid.com/reviews/wen-56200i/

I have read a lot of reviews but that one is the only one that mentioned that the WEN will not stay in economy mode if the load is over 1000 watts...   Hmmm...that's a drawback...

[Qapla]

You will have to make your own decision ... but, since this is NOT a conscience matter -

 

You cannot beat the Honda for durability and longevity - but, for my money (if I were buying one) I would most likely opt for the Generac since I have had experience with them ... and, when properly maintained, they will last every bit as long as the Honda.

Edited February 10, 2020 by Qapla

[Old]

Our 7,000 watt unit was Generac and worked well for us. Quite loud, but I put it on the far side of the garage from our living quarters. Too loud to run at night but we didn't needed it after bedtime.

[Qapla]

Our 6500 is a little noisy - but, since our nearest neighbor is 1,000 feet away (or further) we don't worry about running it at night ... Florida gets hot at night, too.