Looking for an "inverter" type "Quiet" generator ... suggestions?

[TiredRetired]

Sounds to me the Generac unit will fit your needs given that sound output is a major consideration. Just bear in mind that even though parallel operation is not on your short list currently, it could become more important in a SHTF situation where not disturbing your neighbors is the least of your concerns.

I try to plan ahead.

[Melensdad]

Originally Posted by TiredRetired

Sounds to me the Generac unit will fit your needs given that sound output is a major consideration. Just bear in mind that even though parallel operation is not on your short list currently, it could become more important in a SHTF situation where not disturbing your neighbors is the least of your concerns.

I try to plan ahead.

FWIW I already have a Generac natural gas unit hardwired to the house.

Also both of the Generac units that I am considering above can be paralleled, together, should my future needs change.

[TiredRetired]

Originally Posted by Melensdad

FWIW I already have a Generac natural gas unit hardwired to the house.

Also both of the Generac units that I am considering above can be paralleled, together, should my future needs change.

Roger that.

[Melensdad]

After much deliberation, reading reviews, comparing specs, considering the actual usages for the new generator, and getting the input from the peanut gallery here at FF, but still without any firm prices, I am 90% sure that I will be buying the Generac that I linked in the first post in this thread.

Not the cheapest generator on the market. Far from the most expensive. It will run everything my wife needs it to run, with a good bit of surplus available. It will likely run at 50% to 70% of capacity most of the time. It is quiet. It is an inverter type with clean energy. Its small enough to stuff in a corner in the workshop. Its light enough to lift should I need to lug it around, but I'll likely add a wheel kit so she can roll it.

So unless something crazy happens, my friend will be giving me a price tomorrow and I'll very likely be placing an order. There is an off-chance that I may pick up the slightly smaller, slightly quieter, slightly lighter Generac, which is actually priced higher ... but only if the price makes it too attractive to pass up.

The safe bet? >>> http://www.generac.com/all-products/...eries/gp3500io

The longshot? >>> http://www.generac.com/all-products/...series/gp3000i

Either way, I'll be happy the choice.

Can't see paying the big bucks for a Honda or Yamaha. Just don't really expect it to get enough use to justify those prices. This is not a do-or-die tool choice. Its a convenience. I need reasonable reliability and those other 2 brands are probably better, but I don't see the value for my wife's projected usage ... not even if she uses it 3 times as often as I project!

On the other hand I don't want to go with one of the cheap brands or one of the more traditional open frame units at lower prices because of weight and noise and size.

[Melensdad]

FWIW I used the new Generac 3500iO generator today. (3500 watt surge/3000 running watts)

WOW, can't believe how quiet this thing is. Can easily sit next to it and carry on a conversation at normal volume levels. No shouting or even raised voices. Smaller than I expected too, which is a good thing.

Easy to pull start and it has a pretty much idiot proof CHOKE/RUN/STOP dial on the face of the unit.

Light enough for me to lift, but I'd prefer not to carry it any farther than is needed, so its not going on the next cross country hiking trip! I can get it into/out of the truck by myself and move it around as needed.

I will likely add a generic wheel kit since Generac does not sell a kit for this unit. The lovely Mrs_Bob will need a wheel kit so no need to torture myself.

I'm impressed. It is not going to power a city, or even the guest apartment, but it has enough power to run the furnace and a couple selected light fixtures at the guest apartment if I decide to put in a transfer switch/hook up.

[EastTexFrank]

Congratulations Bob. I think that you made a good choice.

I bought mine several years ago to power the 5th wheel when the choices were Honda, Yamaha and several cheap Chinese models. I chose the Yamaha 3000is with electric start and the power boost feature that draws power from the battery for 15 seconds to raise the capacity to 5kW to help in starting motors and stuff. It has been a wonderful machine and soooo quiet but as you mentioned earlier, it is heavy and with 2 small, fixed wheels, it's not all that manoeuvrable.

If I were to buy another one now I'd probably go with the Generac like you did or move up to the big Honda but you're talking almost $4k for that bad boy. That's a chunk of cash for a machine that only sees occasional use in an emergency.

[Melensdad]

Originally Posted by EastTexFrank

Congratulations Bob. I think that you made a good choice.

...

If I were to buy another one now I'd probably go with the Generac like you did or move up to the big Honda but you're talking almost $4k for that bad boy. That's a chunk of cash for a machine that only sees occasional use in an emergency.

My goals with this was to pick one small enough to be (fairly) easily transportable.

• This fits that bill as I can lift & lug it. I am going to add a generic wheel kit to make it even easier.
• It also fits UNDER the bed cover on the pick-up truck with a couple inches to spare, and will easily tuck under a work bench for storage.

Secondary goal is to power the furnace fan & a couple small circuits at the guest apartment. This also fills that goal.

[Melensdad]

Much as I like this little generator I have found 1 fault.

There is no "wheel kit" for the diminutive unit.

In fact I'm having a hard time figuring out how to adapt a wheel kit to this little thing. I've tried adapting 2 different "universal" kits to the little GENERAC generator without any luck.

Its just too small, roll cage tube diameter is smaller, everything is scaled down compared to other units. Even compared to the same brand's 3250watt generator this unit is only about 50% of its size. But at 75# without fuel in the tank, its a bit too heavy to easily move about. I have no problem lifting it into the truck bed, but its not fun to carry out to a worksite.

At this point I'm using an old furniture dolly and I may resign myself to modifying the furniture dolly by adding somewhat larger rubber wheels to replace the current, tiny, hard plastic wheels.



FWIW: Big bonus points go to the muffler on this thing, it is SUPER QUIET at idle and quiet enough under load that its usually the tool that is being powered that is heard rather than the generator.

[Melensdad]

Originally Posted by Melensdad

blah blah blah ...

At this point I'm using an old furniture dolly and I may resign myself to modifying the furniture dolly by adding somewhat larger rubber wheels to replace the current, tiny, hard plastic wheels.


blah blah blah ...

2 trips back and forth to Tractor Supply and I ended up buying a new heavy duty furniture dolly with large rubber wheels.

TSC wanted $12.99 each for rubber wheels in the 4 to 5" size range. They had a pre-made 1200# capacity furniture dolly with 4" rubber wheels already built for $44. Easy choice. Bought the new dolly and consider the problem solved. I might add a dog leash to it and pull it around like a stubborn pup, but at least these larger wheels won't get stuck on the bumpy asphalt or concrete. Not going to roll well across grass or gravel, but for now it seems to be a good compromise solution.

[EastTexFrank]

I know a couple of people who have had the same problem.

One used one of those metal hand carts that you see at garden centers to move his generator around. It worked very well on hard surfaces but not so well on grass but it was doable.

The second used one of the Garden Way carts with 18" wheels to move his. He could haul that sucker anywhere.