I'm in the market for a ~7kw generator and am looking for some opinions.

Here are my two favorites so far:

A diesel model:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6970_8792_8792

And a tri-fuel ( gas - NG - propane ) model:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._419355_419355

Try and put any bias toward diesel aside when you look at these.

Both are too close in output to be a consideration and the difference in money does carry some weight but not alot. I like the diesel and would spend the extra dough if I wanted it more.

The tri-fuel does have some advantages as well.

It's proving to be a tough decision.

Thanks in advance for your opinion!

DT.

 

What do you want to use it for? Diesel will be more efficient, the other will have less chance of fuel going bad if not regularly used. If cost and output are almost the same I would go with the tri-fuel for a standby application, diesel if was used daily.

 

Thanks for the response Mike.

The application is home backup so it will not see daily use.

I'd like to buy the diesel but since it's for backup ( sump pumps, etc. ) I like the multi-fuel aspect of the gasser.

Makes it even more versatile incase I ever ran out of gas when I really needed it.

I'm leaning toward the tri-fuel model.

Thanks again,

DT.

 

Not a lot of help but you may want to do a bit more research as I know that the same Onan RV generator has a higher output when fueled by gas than by LP. Not sure of the exact decrease in output but a 4000kw gas model only puts out 3600kw when built to run on LP. If choosing the tri-fuel model you may want to look at a larger unit depending on how large a load you need to carry.

 

Good advice from everyone here.

My reccomendation, buy the largest (output wise) that you can. A few years ago, we bought a 7.5 kW (13,500 W surge rating) Generac from Home Depot for $1,000. It works well, a little noisy though. However, for home backup power, noise is the last thing I am worried about.

Mine will run an central A/C, fridge, small TV (19" or less), and lighting. I can do other large loads too, if I rotate the the large loads. Do be careful, if you have an electric heater, you need a big generator, like what I have (7.5 kW or larger).

If you can find a small diesel genset on a trailer, that would be awesome.

For comparison, my generator (7.5 kW) has a single cylinder Briggs and Stratton, running at 3600 RPM, driving a 2 pole generator. It will burn 7 gallons of fuel in 10-18 hours depending on load.

On Guam, at my shop there, we had a 15 kW diesel set on a trailer. It had a 4cylinder Kubota that ran at 1800 RPM, driving a 4 pole generator. Not only was it quieter than my gas generator, it was more powerful and more fuel efficient. It would burn 10-14 gallons per day depending on load.

 

We just bought this; http://cgi.ebay.com/Diesel-8000w-Ult...QQcmdZViewItem

So far, we're very happy with it. It starts fine down to 24 degrees, (that's the coldest it's been here so far). And it IS very quiet. Looks to be the same motor as the diesel you posted from Northern.

If you're interested in one let me know. I'm coming out to Massachusetts the first week of December and can save you the shipping.

chaikwa.

 

Great advice from all and thanks Chaikwa for the offer. I'll let you know but right now I'm leaning toward the tri-fuel model.

It's the fuel redundancy factor that I like. If for some reason I run out of gas, I can grab my barbeque tank and if that's empty I can run around the neighborhood and find another that will buy me some time to drive around and find an open gas station.

It's all backup for my sump pump. If I lose power while water is coming into my basement I'll lose the house.

It will fill up just like a swimming pool, right up to the first floor and destroy it, not to mention everything in the basement.

Thanks again guys.

DT.

 

Do a search here or check with the guys in the RV forum here. They have had some extensive threads about generators. Tractor Supply usually has some good prices.

 

Yup, no problem. Just shoot me a PM if I can do anything.

chaikwa.

 

How about one of the permant ones that are automatic start. That way if you are out all will be well with the pump. Plumb it into the nat gas line and forget about hunting for fuel. Home crepo seems to be reasonable on these.

 

Not sure on the budget, but if you've got some coin to spend one of the automatic backups that run on NG would be the ticket. What happens if the electric kicks and you're not home? If flooding is really that BIG of an issue you might want something that starts itself automatically.

Another thing is ( and this is some dated information, advances may have come by now) that if you have a brown out then the automatic back-up won't start. If it senses voltage it won't come on, but a brown out is worse than a black out. All of your electronics won't be getting full voltage and thats when things start to fry.

Also, have you considered a battery back for your sump pump? We have one in our house as well as a 8kw onan diesel generator. My battery back-up with run for about a day on a deep cycle marine battery, and then charges back up on it's own when the power comes on.

Just some things to think about...

 

Thanks guys for the ideas.

I thought about an NG auto-start perm type gennie but I don't have gas, or at least the kind that runs house hold appliances

I have oil heat and to plumb NG into the house they charge $2500.00 unless I switch the heat to gas.

Then it'll cost me ~$800 or so for the gas burner.

I'm not ready to switch to gas for heat and I don't want to fork over $2500.00 for them to bring it in from the street.

I sometimes wish we had NG because all the better appliances nowadays seem to be gas only. That market has left the electric market somewhat behind when it comes to kitchen ranges, etc.

If I'm away and the weather is threatening a flood, I can have someone come in to take care of it till I get back.

I wish I had a few million, then it wouldn't be a problem.

Thanks again,

DT.

 

OK same unit but with a 250 gal propane tank near it. Then you really are the keeper of your own destiny......

 

First Question, Where will you be able to get it serviced if their is a problum??
For me I will only run Honda 1 pull and its running and I know where a service department is.
I also have a generac and its a when you need it, hard starting you have to shut off the fuel line when you move it or it floods, and if it needs servicing you will have to find a small engine repair shop.

 

Chak, thats the one I am investigating, you don't happen to know what type of Generator head it runs do you? From what I have read so far, I think I want a ST type head, they seem to run without maintenance almost forever.