capitolkat - 6-14-2007 at 03:21 PM
I've got a chance to buy a new cummins/onan 2440 watt gen as a backup for home. It would only be used for emergency use for refrig and some lighting
if juan or his brother came by again. $399 new . any comments on whether this is enough for home emergency-- thanks-- Norm
DENNIS - 6-14-2007 at 03:28 PM
I thought Cummins was in the diesel business. Are you getting a diesel generator for 400 bucks or has Cummins hoard out their name too?
bajalou - 6-14-2007 at 03:30 PM
Onan is part of Cummins
DENNIS - 6-14-2007 at 03:34 PM
Thanks Lou ---
I live and learn.
capitolkat - 6-14-2007 at 03:38 PM
Thanks guys for clearing that up-but still looking for information 
bajalou - 6-14-2007 at 03:47 PM
I think it probably has about a 2000 watt continuous output. How big is your house? what do you run all the time - Add up the wattage of your
appliances computers etc and see how you come out. You can probably get by but won't have a lot to spare. If it's just for occasional back up -
probably OK. Microwave and coffee makers might want more than this can put out.
roundtuit - 6-14-2007 at 04:36 PM
Electric water heaters, stove,a/c noway
bajalou - 6-14-2007 at 05:22 PM
Of course you're tight rounduit. I've been off the grid for so long I forgot those things existed.
roundtuit - 6-14-2007 at 06:40 PM
For all the toys in the states when we have no elec I am running 5 kw
5000 watts
Diver - 6-14-2007 at 08:14 PM
The 2000 watt unit will run your refigerator and some lights; maybe another small appliance or two. For short term emergencies where you can unplug
one thing for a while to power another, this would be an acceptible unit. If you want more power, you will need more watts.
The price does sound very good for this unit.
We have a 3500 Coleman (26 amp/110 continuous) with Honda motor and it will run everything in our camper. At home, it will run our refrig, freezer,
some lights, and a few small appliances. If we disconnect all but the refig, we can even run our HOT TUB !!! What a way to sit out an emergency !!
It has a 30A/220 circuit as well. If you have any 220V items to run, like a well pump, the Onan is probably too small.
.
[Edited on 6-15-2007 by Diver]
jerry - 6-14-2007 at 08:24 PM
check it out if it will even start the fridge i know some inverters at 2500 watt wont start a freezer you will be limited on power running a house
hold but then when the lights are out is the most fun anyway??wink i mean look at the stars
Bob and Susan - 6-16-2007 at 05:17 PM
walk away from a cheap generator
buy a honda eu series
the "quiter" the BETTER!!!!
cbuzzetti - 6-16-2007 at 06:15 PM
Ditto on the Honda EU series generators. These do not have to run at 1800/3600 RPM to make 110 v. The Hondas will run whatever speed is required to
make enough watts/amps. They have a very clean sine wave that is suitable for all appliances/computers etc. Not all generators are capable of this.
Not to mention that the Hondas are really quiet. Yes they cost more but are worth it. Very economical to run.
bajalou - 6-16-2007 at 06:19 PM
My EU2000i stuck the intake valve - out of warranty - cost to repair - $350.00
roundtuit - 6-16-2007 at 06:28 PM
I have to agree with Bob the honda 2000. Infact I plan on buying two and hooking up parallel when I need the extra power and one when I don't. Check
web site for Honda 2000 and Honda 3000. You be the judge on weight, price, gas consuption 2 is better than one
Bob and Susan - 6-16-2007 at 06:37 PM
best price is at mayberrys.com
shipping incl
bajajudy - 6-17-2007 at 07:30 AM
If all you are looking for is something for when a storm comes through, that will do. Chest freezers will stay frozen for several days if you dont
open them except when the generator is on. As for the freezer in your refrigerator, duck tape it and forget about it until you have power again. We
run the freezer and frig twice a day during outages and have never lost anything. I save milk bottles and freeze them to take up the space in both
freezers. That also helps with keeping them frozen. Keep them as full as you can.
No matter what you pick, you will not want to listen to it all day and night so I would go for this good deal.
meme - 6-17-2007 at 07:37 AM
We have three EU2000 here. One the inverter went out of, just for the (part) inverter costs $500.
comitan - 6-17-2007 at 07:41 AM
Heres what I bought for a cheap storm generator. (not chinese)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnu...
bajalou - 6-17-2007 at 08:25 AM
Pretty good deal on that Harbor Freight unit.
Cypress - 6-17-2007 at 10:49 AM
All things considered. The key word for generators is "quite". Hard to sleep, talk, think, or anything else with a loud motor hammering away.
Santiago - 6-17-2007 at 02:07 PM
How come every webiste I've gone to this morning does not show any prices for the Hondas?
Diver - 6-17-2007 at 02:14 PM
Try these guys.
Good pricing and 800# open 7 days.
www.wisesales.com
.
bajalou - 6-17-2007 at 02:21 PM
Should be able to find them (EU2000i) for around $900 + shipping. Several new ones listed on Ebay.
roundtuit - 6-17-2007 at 02:24 PM
Last fall paid $1072.00 tax included out the door from a Honda dealer. Had second thoughts about ebay or something like that because of warrenty
They wanted another $25.00 to put in oil and start it... say no way
Honda power
bajaguy - 6-17-2007 at 02:32 PM
Look at Northern Tool. A bunch of their branded generators (Northstar) have Honda power:
http://www.northerntool.com/
bajalou - 6-17-2007 at 02:38 PM
I bought mine from a Honda dealer off Ebay with full 2 year warranty. When I took it to another dealer for repairs (well out of warranty) they punched
the S/n in the computer and up popped my name and address.
roundtuit - 6-17-2007 at 02:59 PM
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/gensup.asp
Remember this an inverter generator
bajalou == I looked at Ebay and the cost of shipping to me brought the price up to dealer cost. Was still in the box and stapled shut
Diver
BajaRob - 6-17-2007 at 07:03 PM
Good call on Wise Sales. I bought a Yamaha 6500 watt water cooled diesel generator from them. The price was $4500 and included freight.
capitolkat - 6-18-2007 at 12:16 PM
This has been an excellent discussion. I've determined the 2400 is too small but this leads me to what size do I really need and several sites give
tools to evaluate need and Consumer reports has a link for that evaluation as well. It looks like for AC/ refrig, freezer, and a couple of ceiling
fans, etc. ( I threw in AC as the refrig and freezer with a little coffemaker, got me up to 6k)I need 10k. With that thought in mind I've looked at
whole house systems and alternate fuel like propane runs about $2500.oo+ plus installation. This avoids the running out of gas every 5-10 hours, it's
self starting when the power goes off , runs the circuits you preselect, allows the installation of whole house surge protection which with electronic
surge protectors is probably enough.
So I'm shopping for the big boy and so far Guardian looks like the most capable system. Anybody know them?
meme - 6-18-2007 at 12:22 PM
Have a friend here that has a 5500 W Guardian For sale for $5000.00 Only slightly used.
bajaguy - 6-18-2007 at 12:28 PM
try this link:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/produc...
capitolkat - 6-18-2007 at 12:44 PM
New Guardian 10k with all circuit breakers, gas connection hose, wiring is available for about $2800.00 or a Briggs and stratton 10k watt start up 7k
watt runnning power for about $2100 at NorthernTool above-so $5000 for a used 5k watt unit is not a good price. Thanks though-- Norm