baja43
Junior Nomad
Posts: 53
Registered: 12-21-2004
Location: Vista/Colonet
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generator purchase advice
I want to upgrade my generator ( 40 year old 7hp Briggs&Stratton, 4KW) and want some friendly advice. Its primary roles will be to boost the
power in my solar system batteries during rainy/cloudy conditions (Colonet area) and for power tool operation ( hand tools, not shop equipment). I
want it to be portable enough to roll it around, so I need it to have wheels (tired of using the puny dolly over rough ground).
FYI...I have bought into an existing shared system (two of us are on the system, but rarely at the same time). It is 16 batteries; 2.5 KW Trace
inverter; 60 amp output controller; seven totally different panels of undetermined watts)
How big of a generator do I need (5KW enough?)
Are the new ones easier to pull-start than the old one I have????Do I need/want to pay for push button start?
I can't afford Honda, but am I going in the wrong direction with Harbor Freight?
I don't need something that will be kicking ass in 40 years...I won't be.
Suggestions on specs, brands, sources, do/don't list, etc are appreciated.
Merry Christmas,
Craig
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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I have a 3K generator on standby for emergencies. Trouble is, emergencies here only occur about every other year, and when it's needed the SOB won't
start, thanks to old gas.
I'm going to get a new one, but it will be a propane one.
Little more money, but at least I know it works when needed.
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Tacodawgtim
Junior Nomad
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Location: San Felipe. Full time
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I have a honda eu 3000. Just for the same purpose. You can find used ones on craigslist if you go back and forth. Very nice, very quiet and good
on gas. Put a gallon in and let it run out. Don't let gas sit in any generator
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basautter
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Registered: 7-1-2013
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Not sure about Harbor Freight, but I really like my Honda. I would go for a used Honda over anything else (I have an EU2000). Drain the gas if it's
going to sit for more than a few weeks. That will make starting much easier, or at least possible. Algae can actually grow in the fuel system
feeding on alcohol in the gas (happy algae??).
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Pompano
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Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Nothing beats peace of mind when electrical energy is needed at an off-grid home. Mine, a Honda 5500w has worked almost perfectly for me for several
years in a large solar home with lots of electrical demands. Comes with wheels, but I never put them on, electric start (and manual if needed), sips
gas, remote control option, and very, very dependable. I bought new at a Acme Tool Co. outlet stateside for about $4200 ...and used it as a RV genset
for the trip to Baja. 
Yeah, it's a lot of dough. But you do get what you pay for, and in this case you get a lot!
Here's some info on it. My Honda EX-5500 is s 5.5KW generator, rated at a continuous power of 5KW. 120 is available as well as 240 vac. This
commercial duty generator is electric start. A bit heavy at nearly 400 lbs. It comes with wheels and handles so it can be moved around like a
wheelbarrow. It took three of us to load it into my truck for it's trip to Baja. (I do use it for other things too!)
Once on site the liquid cooled engine runs smooth and steady maintaining voltage and frequency within tight tolerance with a multitude of
transmitters and loads keying on and off. Due to the water-cooled engine and sound attenuated enclosure sound level is very low, over 50' from the
generator it can't be heard from anywhere in the house. Not only is acoustically quiet, it's electrically clean, no ignition noise or hash is
detectable by the stations operating. This unit is one that is used on many remote movie sets.
I've owned this for 12 plus years, it hasn't been completely trouble free however, the voltage regulator failed causing a no output condition and the
replacement part was very expen$ive. Also the control key switch went bad preventing the engine from starting. Other than those two things, nothing
more than normal maintenance (oil, starting battery and coolant changes) it's been trouble free.
I'd spend the extra money for peace of mind.
edit to add this p.s.
I've had a Briggs & Statton 10kw, and the difference in performance and SOUND will astound you. I made a special trip back to San Diego to return
that Briggs.
[Edited on 12-14-2013 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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We start ours at the start of hurricane season to check it out, and run all the gas out at the end of the season. DO NOT leave gas in it.
It is a Coleman...nothing serious but we can keep the freezer frozen and everyone in our neighborhood's cell phones charged.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-19-2009
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if you think youre gonna charge your batteries using the dc output of the generator, all you will do is burn alot of gas and never get close to a full
charge. you need to use the generator to power a smart charger, its your only option.
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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1495
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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I second the Honda vote. Very reliable and easy on gas. The EU 3000I is an electric start and I think there is a wheel kit available for it. The
EU2000I is manual start only, but starts on 1 or 2 pulls almost every time. If your Trace 2500 is an inverter/charger then these generators will work
very well with it. Just set the generators max output (less an amp or 2) into the inverter so the inverter doesn't try to draw more from the generator
than it can put out.
Larry
PS Honda's are also very easy to drain the gas, just loosen the screw on the carb to drain the float bowl.
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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geno51
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 11-19-2013
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I love my eu2000I honda I use it to to boost my solar system when my usage is high or cloudy days. I have had 5 years now low fuel consumption, 1000$
purchase price. My friends have gone through several generators while my little honda keeps running. Don't buy more generator than you need or get
cheap and buy low quality and price, a common mistake.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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so Stabil is no good?
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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Bite the bullet and buy a Honda, all the aggravation you'll save yourself is well worth the extra cost.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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RnR
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 5-1-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
so Stabil is no good? |
Stabil works well for the gas in the tank.
Then, turn off the fuel valve and run the carburetor dry.
Generator always fires up immediately after a 5-7 month shutdown.
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brewer
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
so Stabil is no good? |
Is Seafoam any good?
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baja43
Junior Nomad
Posts: 53
Registered: 12-21-2004
Location: Vista/Colonet
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Thanks to all of you for the various inputs.
I went with the consensus and opted for a Honda...got a used EB3800 with the wheel kit. Looks to be in great shape; sounds good; pulls easy; not
abused...$800. I'm sure it'll be a great upgrade to the old beast I've been making do with for these past few years.
I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Craig
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by brewer
| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
so Stabil is no good? |
Is Seafoam any good? |
i use it in the truck. it is a cleaner for the various systems, not a stabilizer or octane booster.
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baconjr
Nomad
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Registered: 7-14-2012
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Mood: Es la vida de perro!
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My experience is STAY AWAY FROM CHAMPION. They are junk and you get what you pay for. I bought a true sine wave 2000 watt. It fell apart after 60
hours running and trashed the electronics it was to protect. When I sent it back to the factory for the warranty they tried to refuse the repair
because "I operated off the grid" They were not going to budge until I got help from Cabela's VP of purchasing. Even then it took several months. I
will probably look for a LPG generator so as to not have the gasoline problems. Good luck.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Subaru powered??
Sam's club in Ensenada has a generator, Black Max brand (I think) powered by a Subaru small engine,
Anyone have any experience with the small Subaru engines in this type of application???
[Edited on 1-5-2014 by bajaguy]
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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love. its what makes a subaru a subaru!
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