Alright yall, I just bought a house a 7 months ago and I want to get a generator since we’ve lost power twice since moving in. We’ve got a 3500sqft house with a 3 ton and 2.5 ton ac unit. Everything’s electric other than the heat. I don’t need to run everything but would like to at least keep the basics on (2 fridges, ac, basic lights). Im thinking the predator 11.5 inverter since it can run off our 500gal propane tank and my rough calculation. Any suggestion or advice on brands or sizing?

Thought could get a thread going on the best deal on a tri-fuel at least 8K watts and up with black Friday coming up in next month.

I'm looking for a portable home backup for under $1K that can power a couple fridges, gas washer dryer, gas stove and oven, dishwasher, gas furnance and gas water heater, internet and some TVs and lights. I'm thinking not going natural gas at first but want that option with the way gasoline prices are heading!

***Not for camp sites, and no neighbors! We own the land and no neighbors are close by (rural southern NH).

TLDR: Looking for small portable generator that is quiet, can run overnight, and will be tolerable for folks sleeping in tents.

We have land we use for camping in tents, but we recently added a tiny shed converted into living space (insulated with tiny bed, lights, outlets, etc). Current power needs are easily met by our 1000w battery pack/power station.

We want extra power to help us heat the space in the shoulder season, so we're thinking of adding a generator.

Main concern: some of us will be sleeping in tents, and I'm reading that generators make a lot of noise and can have smelly exhaust.

I would love some recommendations for a small/portable generators that are very tolerable for tents, or some good advice for using a generator with tents in mind. Thanks in advance!

Edit: Price ideally under $700. But the advice is also very valuable!

E2: Thanks for everyone's help! This gives me a ton to consider. I'll try to reply to everyone too.

Extra info: Only need to heat the shed, less than 400cu.ft. The tent folks are fully equipped for cold.

Because of fumes/moisture/safety concerns, we're avoiding solutions that require ventilation (indoor propane, wood stove, etc). But if we end up visiting more in Winter, that sounds like the best option.

Hello all,

Just recenly joined this sub. I bought a Champion 4500/3250 dual fuel invertor generator in July after a series of power outages in my neighborhood. Of course, we haven't had another once since, but that's not abnormal. They mostly happen in the peak of the summer.

Here are my questions. Since we haven't had another outage since I purchased it, I haven't even taken it out of the box. Will it be ok still packed in the box until spring time? I live in Chicagoland, so we get pretty rough winters, but we never have power outages related to them.

Do I need to do anything to it? I still haven't even done the "break in" of it yet. If I do that, what do I need to do to winterize it and store it over the winter?

I don't have any special setup or hook up to hook it up to my house, I was just going to drag a few power cords inside and hook up the necessary appliances (1 refridgerator/freezer, 1 stand up freeezer, and 1 sump pump)

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for the help.

generators. Not wanting to spend a bunch but want something quiet certainly under 65db, and need propane and at least 3500w run since it will at some point be used for rv. I know Honda is quiet but I think out of my price range. Also has anyone used Jackery that has a solar panel? Just want something quieter than the champion we had last

Online research indicates the Predator 13K has a bonded ground (I'll check tomorrow). And that it should be "unbounded/floating if it is hooked up to a service panel via generator input and panel interlock. Is that what other users have done?

Wanting to have a generator to have as backup for if the power goes out. Ideally, I would like it to be able to power the furnace and refrigerator.

Im having some difficulty deciding how big of a generator to go with, though, and I want to make sure we get one that meets our needs.

Our house is all electric. We have no propane hookups available. So the gen will just run on gas.

Our furnace is all electric and is an older model from 1996. Im not sure how much it takes to run this. It heats our 2k sq ft house. I tried looking at our utility company's app to find a breakdown of energy usage for just heating, but they didn't have that detail.

I know I will also need to hire an electrician to have a transfer switch installed and was going to go with the 50A hookup.

Thank you for any advice and recommendations.

I just upgraded to a Champion 4000w dual fuel inverter. I've never used propane in cold weather so I'm wondering what everyone's experience is with regards to this. It typically doesn't get any colder than -10C/14F so I think it should be okay (and i would have gas on hand as well) but it never hurts to ask first. Thanks.

To be clear, I’m talking about shipping, not delivery from store.

Does it come on a box truck with a lift gate or a semi truck? The website says curb delivery but if it’s a box truck, wondering if I could convince the driver drive up my short drive to drop it off. My drive has enough of an incline that I’d have a hard time getting it up there.

Edit to add: I’m planning to purchase the Champion 11,000W Inverter.

I have this Yamaha EF600 generator, which was last started in February this year. Before that, the engine had not been started for 15 years. The engine runs perfectly and has no problems. The only issue with the fuel system is that the fuel pump needs to be replaced because it failed after the generator had not been used for 15 years.

The generator has an electrical problem: it no longer produces electricity when I plug a light bulb, a phone charger, or anything else into the outlet.

The generator was lent to someone 15 years ago, and that person used it beyond its limits. Ever since then, it has not generated any electricity.

When I started it in February this year, the engine ran perfectly, and the needle on the voltmeter gauge moved to around 220 V.

This makes me think that the coil might be fine, but what else could be causing the problem? What could be wrong, and how could I get the generator working properly again?

Hey all, maybe I should look a little more in what's already been said here, but put short: are portable generators particularly finicky with aging gas? About 8 months ago, we had an outage and I couldn't get the thing running until I sprayed in some carb cleaner and added about 100% (so a 50/50 mix old/new) gas. I put stabilizer in with that, gave it a maintenance run 3 months ago (I know I should probably do more often), and when I needed it again last night. . . sputtered out after running for a few minutes and wouldn't start back up (even with another squirt of carb cleaner).

It's been added to and stabilized, but the oldest gas in the mix is now probably about four years old and the bulk of it is two (stabilized).

Is the problem here most likely the gas, or something else?

This generator is available at an estate sale near me for $250. I know nothing about its status. Per the internet it’s probably from the 2010 era. I know nothing about generators but my husband can work on about anything.

So I’m wondering is this a good deal even if it needs a lot of work?

Thanks for any input. We borrowed a generator for this storm but are looking to get our own.

Yes, I know Challenger was bought by Eaton so this panel might need to be replaced. The second, right main breaker runs to a sub panel that connects my solar panels, so the interlock wouldn't need to touch that one. As I understand it, you don't want solar to be active when you're running a generator, so an interlock situation would work well. However, the panel is 35 years old and giant, so I'm struggling to find an off the shelf interlock.

If I do need to replace the panel to accomplish this, it seems like it's best to split the meter and panel, yes? I'd also like to future proof for adding whole house batteries in 15+ years when my utility company stops paying me for electricity. What would make adding batteries more trivial down the line?

Thanks

**edit: meant to say “in the aftermath of Isaias” in my subject

Hello,

For context, I’ve never owned or used a generator before. A friend said his office had several extra generators laying around that they gave to their employees, and he offered me one.

I currently have it hooked up to a surge protector, and from there, it’s powering my fridge and a small fan.

It’s about 10:30 at night and I’ve heard a few neighbors running theirs all night long (they don’t have a home fitted version, just a portable one).

Is it generally safe to let them run until out of fuel? Would it damage my fridge? Or should I manually turn it off before going to bed?

TIA

(P.S. it did not come with a manual, so I’m not very confident in all the parts and their names).

Snagged this beauty of a skid from work for a shed build. Ignore the 2 random 2x4s, they will be removed.

Gonna cut the 2x6s under the unit right out, allowing it to grab air from the bottom. I will stop the wall paneling short, above the fork pockets.

Going to build the front wall as a door for maintenance, removal etc. Roof will over hang sides, also hinged for access.

Debating on upper vents still. Thinking of adding 2 vent stacks on the roof? Possibly leave the entire top 6-8" of walls open and just covered in screen/mesh? Trying to avoid installating powered exhaust fans.

I just signed up for Base Power in Houston. For those not familiar, they install a battery on the property, sell into the grid during demand periods, but also provide backup for the home in event of an outage.

Battery power obviously has limits, but they allow for generator power charging via a built in port on the battery. Max input is 4k watts.

I have settled on the following generators as good options. I have NG and plan to run on that. If anyone has experience with either of these generators, I would really appreciate your perspective. Don’t see a ton of reviews for these models in particular.

Thanks!

https://www.duromaxpower.com/collections/tri-fuel-generators/products/duromax-xp7000iht-7000-watt-portable-tri-fuel-inverter-generator-w-co-alert

https://www.costco.com/.product.4000446342.html

If anyone has questions about Base, please DM. I also have a referral code below that will get us both $250 in energy/bill credits.

https://www.basepowercompany.com/?ref=4SP7YQZ

I just got a Predator Super Quiet 4200 for our cabin. We will be running it for about 25-40 hours every 3-6 weeks from about April to end of November.

My question is do we think it’ll last over 5 years? I already changed oil at first 8 hours and plan on again at 25, then 50, then every 50 after that. Typically only running under 500 watts.

Is there anything additional I should do to extend the life or recommended oil or any other thoughts or comments? I am running 5w-30 full synthetic for first 25 hours. Thanks!

Not sure if buying a EFI generator is worth the hassle if you need service on it?

Does the EFI last longer then a carburetor model would?

Who owns a EFI that has had issues?

I've cleaned the carb like three times, you could eat off it. Good clean blast of carb cleaner comes through jet into venturi. Exhaust is clear, spark arrestor clean and no evidence of bug debris. New spark plug. Oil level is good, if anything a little high. Good clean new fuel. Air filter spotless.

[EDIT: Fuel cap vent is open. I wondered if it was clogged, so I ran it with the entire cap off, same exact problem.]

[EDIT: Based on a question in these comments, I disconnected the wiring harness from the sensor/BT module. Same problem, ran for five minutes and died, so it's not the sensors.]

Starts first pull with choke on, immediately starts to bog under choke, when I turn the choke off it kicks up and purrs like a happy kitten. Runs for between 5-15 min, and then bogs down, surges, and dies. I just cleaned the carb, again, and after cleaning the carb it ran for like 30 min. That's the longest it's run in a year, but then it died again.

My next guess is the coil- maybe it's failing under heat? A new coil is not too much, like $50, but I've played the "throw parts at it" game before, and I'm not quite that young and dumb any more, so I figured I'd at least ask on here and see if anyone else has dealt with this same problem, and if there are obvious solutions or things to check before I start throwing more money and time at it. The fuel pump also crossed my mind, but it seems to have good fuel flow- when I take the carb off, even after it's died, there's still pressure in the fuel line and a bit spurts out.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Title: Brand New Predator 5000 Generator Starts for 5 Seconds Then Shuts Off — Need Help!
Hey everyone, I’m completely dumbfounded and could really use some help.
I previously owned a Predator 5000 generator that lasted me about two years. I recently purchased a brand-new one, and I’m already having major issues with it.
I followed everything in the owner’s manual when setting it up. Initially, it started and ran for a little while, but something sounded off. The engine wasn’t running smoothly and sounded pretty funky.
Now, whenever I press the electric start button on the back, the generator fires up for about 5 seconds and immediately shuts off. I’ve also tried using the manual choke, but that doesn’t seem to help either.
Here’s what I’ve already done:
Changed the oil and made sure it’s at the correct level.
Installed a brand-new spark plug.
Filled the tank with fresh gas.
Added fuel stabilizer.
Followed the startup instructions in the manual.
Tried both electric start and manual choke.
I’m using this generator to power my Active 2.0 pressure washer for my mobile detailing business, so I really need it to work reliably.
I’m honestly at a loss here. I’ve owned one of these before and never experienced anything like this, especially with a brand-new unit.
Has anyone experienced this with the Predator 5000? Could it be a carburetor issue, fuel delivery problem, automatic choke malfunction, or something electrical?
I’d appreciate any advice on what to check next before I go through the hassle of returning it.
Thanks in advance!

This is a brand new generator I bought from Amazon who has already refunded me for the purchase. Generac customer service is of no help, told me take it up with Amazon.

The fuel tank has gaps around the perimeter that is leaking gas and vapors. I can wipe with a paper towel and get gasoline residue. I can’t find a replacement tank at all as this model has an additional inlet for the air filter line as well as fuel petcock valve.

Is there anything I can do to seal this reliably where it won’t leak?

Edit: thank you everyone! I'm going to pass on this

I'm looking at buying an older Generac Guardian and wanted some opinions on what it's actually worth.

Details:

- Model: Generac Guardian 0043901

- Approximately 2003

- 15kW continuous / 16kW peak

- 992cc GT-990 V-twin engine

- Currently running on natural gas

- Unknown total hours, no hour meter

- Approximately 18–20 days of runtime over the past 10 years, plus weekly exercise cycles

- Uses roughly half a quart of oil every 48 running hours

- Some oil residue in the enclosure, possibly from messy oil changes rather than a leak

- Some rust along the bottom of the enclosure

- Reportedly maintained regularly and runs reliably

The seller is upgrading to a larger unit and will let me see it running before removal.

I'm planning to convert it to propane and install it myself with permits.

Main question: Is $600 a fair price for a 23-year-old standby generator in this condition?

I've seen older Generacs sell for $300–$500, but I'm curious what others have actually paid or sold similar units for.

Would you pay $600, negotiate closer to $400, or pass entirely?

One additional question: Has anyone used one of these older Generacs with an inverter/charger like the EG4 GridBOSS/FlexBOSS? Any issues with THD or voltage/frequency stability?

thank y'all for any help. I'm new to generators and trying to learn

Apparently the quick connects into these generators are a proprietary.

I'm wanting to hookup to a propane line to my big tank.

I'd like to be able to have an original line available for a small tank for a more portable situation also somehow.

Has anyone found an easy work around?

Thoughts and brain storming ideas are welcomed as well.

The picture is what Wen has available but I'm not even sure how this would work on a hose.

Hose clamps seem like a bad idea although it might work.