how do i choose a good portable generator?

Answer 1

What are your requirements, and how do you define portable? I have a 5500W wheeled generator at home for emergency use. At work we have a 60kW 3-phase generator mounted to a trailer. It is portable, but at 7000 pounds needs a hefty truck to move about.

For camping purposes, noise level is often important, but power requirements would be less. Honda makes a 2kW generator which is small and light, and produces surprisingly little noise.

If you're planning a home backup system, I wouldn't recommend anything less than 5kW. This will allow you to operate plenty of lighting, some kitchen appliances, television and radios, and even well pump and furnace. Consider electric start and a wheel kit.

Read through my home generator installation page for connection, safety, and operation ideas.

http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html

Answer 2

a good portable generator is relative to your needs.If all you need it for is say 1 light then any old generator will do. Figure out the wattage/amps you need to power...if you're using it for a power outage and you want your refrigerator to run, your sump pump and a TV...you need to know the kind of power they pull to fulfill the needs.

Briggs & Stratton, Honda are 2 of the most reliable products on the market but also costly...if you use one a lot then spend the money if not why put all that cash into one? and you should also know the older the unit gets the less output it has. Just like us they wear out and slow down.

So, look at your equipment requirements...they should be listed on the mfg's label and start adding. Good Luck.

Answer 3

First you need to know how much power you need. Find this by adding up all appliances and lights you will be running. Watts are are additive. (2 60watt bulbs = 120 watts) Look on your appliance tags and find the ratings. Some may only tell you amps. Use this formula Amps x Volts(115)= watts. Once you figure up how many watts you will push, select a generator larger than your need by figuring you only want to run 80% capacity. An overloaded gen set won't last and want be fuel efficient.
If you can afford it, diesel gen are more fuel efficient. Select a well known brand. One with a good motor. If gas is the way your going I reccomend a honda.

Answer 4

Determine what you will be running with the generator and figure out how many watts you will be needing... If you want to run a refrigerator, 2 heaters and 5 lights... something with a 6000 watt rating will suffice... add a TV and you'll want 7000 watts... go with at least a 10 hp motor... and 5 gallon tank... I have a 7500, and it works well running quite a bit of stuff... the downside is I have to fill the tank every 6 hours with 5 gallons $$$$$$$$ !!!

Answer 5

First, figure what all you want to run with it. So you'll have an idea of the wattage you need. Next figure out what options you want, like electric start or not.
The one I like the best is the HONDA. It seems it runs the quietest. When we have power outages to do work on the switchgear, we use different brands of rental generators and the Honda is the quietest. I don't know how they are priced, but I guess they are comparable.

Answer 6

you said portable right ? well ive found as long as i can lift ,pull or down right manhandle the thing , it preety good, but i look for a double plug even a 220 amp and run on gas , as deisal smells , CAMPBELL makes a good one ,
and look for wheels they help, the other place ive seen one is lowes, if your planning on one for the winter buy in the summer much cheaper

Answer 7

There all good . Go with the biggest motor and the highest amp out put .

Answer 8

output-vs- fuel consumtion.how long will it run on a tank of fuel , what is max output-wattsper hour