i am looking to buy a generator with at least 5000k power, not peak either. it wont get used too often but need one for my trailer to run several things including the AC. i dont want to spend more than $900 on it and my main concern is how quiet it is. i borrowed a coleman form a friend with a 10 h.p. briggs motor, 6500 watt, and it was waaaaaaay tooo loud. it seems difficult to test all the generators i see to see how loud they are. Any suggestions or models? i dont mind it making some noise and i dont need a microquiet. thanks for any replies

 

the ones that make the least noise i have seen are the yamahas. but you will spend more then 900 on a 5k yamaha.

Coop

 

This was recently discussed in great detail: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ght=generators

 

yes i read that thread but it didnt really give me any info i needed. are many of the generators out there loud unless it is a yamaha, onan or honda? i am curious on the robins, i have seen those around and they arent too bad priced. i found a 6500 8500 max honda powered, off brand generator for 900 bucks. but i couldnt hear it run so i didnt buy it.

 

robins arent quiet....

maybe a used onan... off a wrecked rv or something? just thinking out loud here.....

good luck in your generator search....

 

Unless you buy a diesel genset that runs at 1800 RPM ($$$), you are stuck with a 3600 RPM gasser. Hondas and yamahas are quiet but $$$.

I bought a 7550 Watt (13,500 surge Watts) Generac at Home Depot for $1000 before I left the states. Had a 10% off any purchase coupon and it ended up being $900.

The generator itself is a Generac 7550 EXL, has a 14HP Briggs & Stratton but the newer models sport a 15 HP version. It is a bit noisy, but when I have needed it a little noise is the least of my worrys, especially when I can hear it in air conditioned comfort. (yes, mine can run a central air unit).

Here is what I can run with mine: Central air-conditioning, refrigerator, lights throughout the house. I can't run the stove, water heater (electric), washer or dryer.

 

not all gas generators are 3600 rpm. There are lots of 4 pole 1800 rpm gas sets out there. There are no real quiet diesels, especially the two pole (3600) sets, unless they are boxed in a well atenuated sound shield....=$$$. Truly the most remarkably quiet generator out there is an old one, but a good one...and fairly plentiful. Find an MCCK marine) Onan gas unit, replace the exchanger with a radiator and you will be impressed. Or get a CCK air cooled...same set, just not jacket water cooled. Very quiet, a true industrial with mobile potential, and robust. It uses a boxer 2 cyl, a points ign, and a conventional single barrel. They are electric start with safety shutdowns and an air cooling system. Sizes range from 4.5 to 9 kW. They are a 4 pole 1800 rpm set, and longevity is no problem at that rpm. They are rated at 100% duty cycle, and actually prefer it that way.

Whatever you do, stay away from the Onan Emerald RV units. They are designed as 1000 hour units for the RV'er to use 100 hours a year. Hence 10 year service.....then the rotors open up on them, a $1000 bandaid. Guys trying to live on them are usually sorely dissapointed.

Anyway, my .02

 

Besides my big genset, I have 2 smaller Onan's both have 2 cylinder opposed engines and are out of an RV, one is 4.0CCK 4.0 kw and the other is a 5.0 kw they are the vacuflow style so I welded up a housing. They are 1800 RPM and very quiet when running.
I would look for an RV model and construct a housing like I did. There are usually quite a few in the recycler on on E-Bay.
I Also try to stick with the older units because of the electronics in them.
To get an idea of the kind I have, check the power units on the telco trucks and cable splice vans, also fire trucks run them.
If you have the money, get the 7.0 quiet diesel. Nice...