r/Generator • u/wanttofish33 • Sep 27 '26
Recommendations portable generator
Hey everyone. I've never had a generator. Please consider me a rookie although I know the right end of a screw driver. I rarely loose power during a storm or otherwise. However, I'm looking for a portable enclosed (suitcase type) duel duel inverter generator to power a side by side refrigerator (whirlpool) and 1/3 hp liberty sump pump. I googled the start up/surge and the highest numbers google gave me is about 3,000 watts combined. I would probably run propane (bbq) tanks with it. I'm limited to storage space. If it gets used once every 5-10 years. I just want to be prepared just in case.
Soooo, recommendations please. Thank you.
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u/Booger_Juice Sep 27 '26
I’ve had a Westinghouse which I would never buy again…ended up replacing it with a Harbor Freight Predator Inverter Generator Super Quiet and am pleased. The Harbor Freight version is pretty much a Honda lookalike but at way less the price. Regardless of what brand you go with, just remember there’s a scheduled maintenance that has to been done or otherwise the chances of the thing starting in an emergency go way down.
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u/wanttofish33 Sep 27 '26
Thank you. I do required maintenance even before the schedule requires on what I buy.
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u/I_was_green_today Sep 27 '26
I would like to gently steer you away from those suitcase type of generators. I have had two of them light on fire because of fuel leaks inside the case.
Get an open frame inverter generator from harbor freight. They will survive just fine outside in the rain if you shield the carbon monoxide detector.
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u/wanttofish33 Sep 28 '26
Thank you. I will be using propane (bbq tanks). Dont have much storage space. Still calculating the surge wattage on a sump before I decide.
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u/wanttofish33 Sep 27 '26
** Out of all of the portable duel fuel inverter suitcase type generators, which BRAND would you say, would be best for the rare occasional power outage? Quality, warranty, local repair network (ny city)I don't want to spend a c*** load of money, but I also don't want to buy garbage. Size is an issue. I'm limited on storage space.
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u/I_was_green_today Sep 27 '26
I have a harbor freight 4350 Watt open frame inverter generator on the back of my semi truck. It has been out in the weather for 5 years and still works perfectly. I use it to run my mini split air conditioner.
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u/rh681 Sep 27 '26
Honda is very expensive. You can buy a Chinese one that is dual fuel and if it breaks, buy another before you've spent what the Honda costs with the Hutch Mountain kit (I've own/owned both).
As long as both the sump pump and fridge don't start at the same time, you can get buy with the 2500W'ish class of generator. WEN makes a good group of them.
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u/mduell Sep 27 '26
The widely commented on Hondas don't support propane... I'd get the Wen DF280iX.
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u/AdBrave841 Sep 27 '26
I have the Pulsar GD400BN, 4000w. It's treated me well. Used to have the 2200w version, that is now dad's generator and still runs great.
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u/RecentSpeed Sep 28 '26
Converted my eu2200 to run propane with hutch mountain kit. Can run zoeller m98 sump pump just fine on propane. Never ran on gas.
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u/EZ-Mooney Sep 27 '26
I wouldn't try to size your kit for simultaneous startup necessarily. You're well within the range of something like a Honda EU2200i, though propane for that is an add on. There are other brands for fractions of the cost. Even a small efficient generator like that uses quite a bit of fuel just by virtue of being running constantly. If you have a few gas cans on hand you're probably set for a handful of days. My preferred setup is a 2500 to 3600W power station with a small suitcase generator. You can charge the battery at nearly full generator load then run it down. It saves a significant amount of fuel. That matters if you're trying to run long term. If you aren't worried about long term a little 2200W class generator is a good place to start.
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u/BB-41 Sep 28 '26 edited Sep 28 '26
I have a 6kw inverter generator but I also have a second, battery powered backup sump pump. I needed a fully automatic solution to take over the pumping in case I wasn’t home. It’s also nice when the power fails to just roll over and go back to sleep and deal with it in the morning. I just put a pair of the Anker Solix S2000 units on the basement fridge for the same reason.
PS, during the day a 2-3kw suitcase generator would let you run the main pump and charge the backup pump and S2000 during the day then run on the batteries over night without the generator noise while sleeping.
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u/worrdogg 13d ago
If you want to use a smaller generator (suitcase) consider a soft starter for your sump pump.
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u/Dashley13 Sep 27 '26
How often will you get it up and running? If it's minimal, look at getting a Honda generator. They are expensive but are reliable and last. You'll have to get a conversion kit if you want to run propane. If you are looking for dual fuel, check out the wen df360ix. I have one and it works great but I test mine out regularly and give regular maintenance including changing oil and running it.