kirks5oh Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 guys, my wife is freaking out about this tropical storm approaching tampa, and i'm going to use it to my advantage. i've convinced her we should get a generator. what should i look for, as far as power output/etc. i won't need anything more than a very basic model, and i'm sure she won't let me go nuts, so let me know what i would need. thanks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Figure out what all you want to run with it. Then figure out the wattage required to run said things. Buy generator. Ingersoll Rand makes quite a few nice ones. I'm pretty sure they even have a generic caculator to make it simple to decide which you need. Check their webpage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Do you want a small portable generator that would just power the basics? This can aslo attend Tailgates. Or do you want a built in that automatically kicks on the instant power goes out? KillJoy PS - My Father is VERY happy w/ his Honda Generator, and the ones he uses for work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted August 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 yeah, i just need a very basic portable one. i don't need to run anything major--just simple household things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Get 5500w generator, they are cheap and have 120V inverter built right in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Do you want it to plug into your home's power grid, or do you want to run an externion cord for to each item? KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RX-7 Addict Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 guys, my wife is freaking out about this tropical storm approaching tampa, and i'm going to use it to my advantage. i've convinced her we should get a generator. what should i look for, as far as power output/etc. i won't need anything more than a very basic model, and i'm sure she won't let me go nuts, so let me know what i would need. thanks you paint such a lovely picture of marriage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted August 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 you paint such a lovely picture of marriage its all about negotiating. i could afford to go completely nuts with my car, my other toys, etc. but my wife/kids come first. if i want something out of the blue, that i completely do not need--i can convince my wife--but its a lot easier if she thinks we need it. i'm just looking for a generator that i can run some extension cords to. it doesn't have to plug into my home's power grid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Honda Generpac My Dad also uses these Generpacs. He says they work well, and are about 1/2 to 1/3 the price of the Honda equivilant. For what you want, I would get a MIN of 5000 watt. Also, keep plenty in the Freezer, and a LARGE DVD collection KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 It's really hard to go too big. If you want to keep it portable go as big as your budget allows. You will always find something else you want to plug in. As far as brands go, anything with a briggs&straton or honda engine should work fine, which is most of them anyway, parts are cheaper and a little easier to get for a briggs. Just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 The Generpac's use a B&S Engine KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowsnake Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 you really need to know how many amps the items are and then you can figure out the wattage....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 We sell Subaru/Robin generators at work. Nothing but excellent things to say about them. A Honda won't let you down either. Like others have said, add up the amount of watts/amps you want to run, and find a generator that suits you. Also, don't get caught up in peak output numbers. A lot of cheaper generators tout big wattage numbers, but they simply can't sustain that kind of load for anything more than a spike. They might be able to tag it for a second, but you'll generally find that their sustained load numbers are much, much lower. BTW, who's suggesting Briggs and Stratton? I personally would avoid B&S at all costs. That is, unless you enjoy pulling the starting rope until your arm is ready to fall off. Robin or Hondas will start first or second pull, everytime. I garauntee. Not to mention they're much quieter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
street pilot Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I recommend a Honda. Quality, quiet, simple starting even in freezing temps after sitting for months. You will pay for it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Also, don't get caught up in peak output numbers. A lot of cheaper generators tout big wattage numbers, but they simply can't sustain that kind of load for anything more than a spike. They might be able to tag it for a second, but you'll generally find that their sustained load numbers are much, much lower. BTW, who's suggesting Briggs and Stratton? I personally would avoid B&S at all costs. That is, unless you enjoy pulling the starting rope until your arm is ready to fall off. Robin or Hondas will start first or second pull, everytime. I garauntee. Not to mention they're much quieter. I agree that you get what you pay for, cheaper generator=less sustained load compared to peak output. However, Briggs & Stratton engines work fine, they just require more maintance than a Honda, hence why they are cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Do you have a house or condo? If you have multiple bathrooms, fill up a bathtub with water. It sucks when the water has a bacteria alert after hurricane flooding and you need to boil/bottle your water. If you avoid the generator purchase, and then the power goes out, you'll get a FEMA certificate for a free generator. If Fay is a puss, then you won't even be without power for long...generator will have been an unnecessary expense. I went through Wilma in 2005, we were without power for 4 days. My wife and I would go to my office (Fifth Third Bank) to watch TV and surf the internet...emergency generators FTW. No hot water was a rough one, though... Now, I've got a condo and my shutters are down...hope for the best. Path is tracking further west every hour... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
street pilot Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I dont understand why every house in Hurricane territory doesn't have real shutters. I just watched a news segment that showed someone boarding up their windows, right beside the "fake" shutters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.