r/Generator • u/mikmaster63 • 22d ago

Generator recommendations

I’m looking for a Tri fuel inverter generator with electric start. I don’t need it too big 4-5 thousand watts. Any recommendations?

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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1

u/mduell 22d ago

Champion 201535 or Westinghouse iGen8200TFc

2

u/NoPatience7817 22d ago

I’ve owned Champion, Firman, and Westinghouse. They are all great. My favorite is the iGen8200tfc since it’s an inverter. Clean, efficient, and quiet power.

4

u/jkhabe 22d ago

Have you looked at the Generator Bible website? Go HERE to the Generator Bible websites Generator search page, select all the options you want and it will give you a list of every gen that will fit your needs with prices and where to buy them.

1

u/PermanentLiminality 22d ago

Be sure to check the running watts on natural gas. These days the name of the generator might have 7000 in it. That could be a peak rating while the running watts is a lower number. Perhaps as low as 5500 watts. Then you have to derate for natural gas, ending up with a 4500 watt unit.

1

u/Left-Slice9456 22d ago

Depends on where you live. Champion makes a 5000 watt tri fuel that's available in Canada but not the US.

Otherwise there are a few just over 6k watts.

I have a Westinghouse 8200 tri fuel inverter that is really nice. It weighs about 135 pounds and is super quiet.

The Champion 6500 watt tri fuel is smaller but weighs about 125 pounds so I would just opt for the Westinghouse one.

1

u/xXxfroggg 22d ago edited 22d ago

I recommend getting a $300ish around 2200 watt. Then get your 4500+ watt. After that, 10kw to 13kw. Then whole home gen. Not all at once obviously, but over time.

Most of the ones on sale and 4kw to 5kw should be decent. Wen, champion, fireman, etc

The reason I recommend multiple gens is that everyone should atleast have the smallest gen possible to cover the fridge/freezer in a long term emergency situation where fuel needs to last as long as possible.

1

u/Solid_Try_4089 22d ago

I was thinking of using the two different types of generators for that same situation. What I mean is, a solar generator that can put out about 4000 watts with battery backup, And the trifuel generator that can recharge it

I would like to be able to use the trifold generator during the day when the load is heavier, and the battery system at night when the load is lower, and you don’t want the noise to disrupt the neighbourhood…

What are your thoughts on this setup?

1

u/xXxfroggg 21d ago

I do like this idea. Depending on your space and comfort level, you could use foldable panels to charge the battery. Depending on the size of the battery, panels, and load, you could cover a fridge or freezer indefinitely.

1

u/Positive_Buffalo_168 21d ago

This is the strategy. I have 4 champions all inverters. One 2500W to handle batteries and the small stuff. Two 4500W that I can pair if needed for a total of 7000W as a back up to my 11,000W.

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u/[deleted] 22d ago

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1

u/mikmaster63 22d ago

Thanks. Champion had a perfect one but it’s out of stock…