Generators

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Sausage450r

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Who makes a decent generator? I got a “Powerstroke” 8k watt running generator about 14 years ago. It has been great. Powers my whole house when the power is out. We even run the heater and do laundry. Transfer panel it runs off of with a 50 amp plug. Well 30 minutes into this power outage it stuck a valve. I’ve never had a single issue its never failed never had to clean the carb, only replaced the starter battery once in all this time. I want another genny like this one. I cant seem to find the same unit new.
When this generator failed; i found the lone 8k watt dewalt generator for sale new in all of san diego and rushed to buy it ($1k). Got it home; set it up. The “electric start generator doesnt have an electric starter, great we get to pull start a 400cc 4 stroke. Ran it for 2 hrs, ran well and powered everything well. Shut it off for the night. Next morning wouldnt start. Has fuel, has spark, wont run. No replacement in the county to buy. Home depot said i cant return it if i take it apart. At this point after pulling it 5,000 times i no longer want anything but electric start. Reading online seems all these new CARB compliant generators with CO2 detectors fail. The chips on the co2 board cant take all the vibration.

What is out there “new” that you have had good luck with. I will go out of state to buy. No budget. Only needs are 8k watt (running) minimum. Gas/propane, would prefer portable vs stand alone
 
No advice on which one to buy but a story for ya. Friend in Fallbrook is in the same boat. Bought a genny from Costco, new, got it home and it doesn't run. They have to take it back, hopefully they have another. They will be w/o power for 3 days.
 
matt86m said:
No advice on which one to buy but a story for ya. Friend in Fallbrook is in the same boat. Bought a genny from Costco, new, got it home and it doesn't run. They have to take it back, hopefully they have another. They will be w/o power for 3 days.
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We havent had power since monday. Thankfully milwaukee batteries are powering my waterheater and i have a few milwaukee lights and these pretty handy nebo led light bulbs in everything that have 6 hrs worth of battery
 
My neighbor has the harbor freight 9200 or whatever, big sucker, runs that at Lucerne for weekends at a time, still likes it.
 
I would post a pic, but the stupid page won't let me post pix anymore.
 
I know harbor freight has gotten better; but the few things i’ve bought there in the past were complete pos’s i havent and wont go back. @ 2200$ i’ll just pay the $4k for the honda; but at that, its got the effin co2 kit also
Still not understanding why a generator needs a co2 detector? Are people really running these indoors?
 
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I don’t know if it’s changed with the CO alarms but my opinion is Honda is the best in portable power if you can afford it. I was going to suggest a Honda EU7000i until you said 8kw or bigger. My parents have had a eu6500i Honda (pre CO alarm) since 2007 and it’s been rock solid and very quiet.

Otherwise I have a Westinghouse 4500 (rebranded Onan) and a Firman 4550 that I’ve had for about 5 years or so and they both run without issue, but again they are pre-CO.
 
@Sausage450r if...you can't find anything, you're more than welcome to ship something to my address in Havasu. You just have to come get it.
 
xtracrispy said:
I don’t know if it’s changed with the CO alarms but my opinion is Honda is the best in portable power if you can afford it. I was going to suggest a Honda EU7000i until you said 8kw or bigger. My parents have had a eu6500i Honda (pre CO alarm) since 2007 and it’s been rock solid and very quiet.

Otherwise I have a Westinghouse 4500 (rebranded Onan) and a Firman 4550 that I’ve had for about 5 years or so and they both run without issue, but again they are pre-CO.
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Yea; the only problem with the honda is the 7000i in reality is only capable of 5000 watts consistantly. A 6500 will sputter running my house if someone uses the microwave. The 8000 running will do it all
 
Mac said:
@Sausage450r if...you can't find anything, you're more than welcome to ship something to my address in Havasu. You just have to come get it.
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I appreciate that mac. I have family in yuma and chandler that i see regularly
 
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I'd personally go Diesel and get a tank. But I'm partial.
Hard to beat a diesel 3 cylinder Perkins or Kubota.
 
I used a HF Predator 8750 many times at the Julian house. Days at a time without issue for about 3 years for occasional outages. Whole house.
Also used my Homelite 5200(+/-) many times as well. That size just won't run a water heater along with everything else. That gennys about 20 years old.
I make sure to run them throughout the year for about 30min at time, under load.
Other than checking oil and air filters, they just work.
 
Maybe a road trip to Yuma Costco? Only place I buy generators now unless Honda. Problem? Just take it back and exchange it. No questions.

CO2 sensor bypass is easy on almost all generators.

 
I had a generator connection installed at my house and run my Honda 6500 to owner everything. Being Glamis season I really need my 6500 in camp. My Honda 3k trips constantly.

I was at Harbor Freight today looking at their options. I'm going to buy the Predaror 9000 this weekend. DGAF if it's loud, I'll be in my house warm and cozy.

if anyone wants anything from Harbor Freight let me know. I transport equipment for them, and they give me a 25% off anything in my basket a few times a year. I have one that expires 12/15.

Also, I have Honda generators shipped to Kevin McMullen's shop and bring them into California for clients. Just picked up 6 last week.

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Grease Monkey said:
I'd personally go Diesel and get a tank. But I'm partial.
Hard to beat a diesel 3 cylinder Perkins or Kubota.
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@Sausage450r thinking about this, I second a diesel genny. I have a diesel genny on my moho...way better. Quieter, uses less gas, maintenance seems to be less so far.
 
And if you get a basic model that uses relays
and not a PCB board it's about as bullet proof as you can get.
Lmk if I can help.
 
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