Backup/camping generator

[THE_Incredible_Hulk]

Trbo323 IF you want to go the Harbor Freight/Predator brand generator, today they are on sale 20% off in store only. Please note I do not work for nor am affiliated with either Harbor Freight or Predator. I've got mine within 6 months and have used it several times. My work does several houses for Christmas In October. Used mine there to power saws and pressure washer. Loved how quiet it is. Harbor Freight also sells oil and funnels if you need them as well.

[Trbo323]

The predators are out. Not for any real performance or reliability concerns, they just don't have anything really suitable.

There's only 2 I'm seeing that run on propane, the 5000w model only does 3600w on propane and is $1000, for around the same money I feel there are better options

The 13000 w model is pretty much overkill in every way, has plenty of power but it's louder than I would like and weighs enough that getting it onto our camper deck would be a chore. I'm also concerned with how much space it will take away from our other cargo for camping

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[Grendel]

I'm in the market as well, my wife and I are finally getting around to building our retirement home and I am starting to do some land/lot prep-work. This weekend I ran out of battery juice without a good way to recharge hand tool batteries. Thankfully I have a lot of chainsaw work to keep me busy the rest of the weekend. So on that note I am also in the market for 3500-5000 watt portable generator. So please opine away.

For home backup we will be going with a whole home stationary backup system (Generac, Guardian, Kolher, Cummins...etc) with dedicated Propane tank but right now needing something to use to power basic power tools and charge batteries.

[Trbo323]

Grendel if you have any questions about the propane side of that standby generator let me know. My biggest piece of advise is to do your research on the propane company you go with if you are leasing a tank. In general, avoid the large national chains, typically they will get you in on an introductory rate and then gouge the piss out of you later on.

If you buy your own tank you are not tied to any company and can switch who fills your tank whenever you want


For me I'm actually reconsidering that predator 5000. After thinking about it I'm finding pretty much everything that can put out 6000+ watts on propane is kind of overkill for most of the situations I'll be in. So I'm thinking the 3000 watt is kind of my new base line.

Here's two I'm looking at right now. I'm sure these are not the only ones just what I currently have open

https://www.harborfreight.com/5000-watt-dual-fuel-super-quiet-inverter-generator-with-remote-start-and-co-secure-technology-epa-71367.html

https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/201120-4650w-electric-start-dual-fuel-inverter-with-co-shield/

https://firmanpowerequipment.com/collections/whisper-series/products/wh03562of

[Grendel]

Most likely will buy a tank for our future standby setup. I happen to have a friend who manages a local propane company and has already said he'll get me one at cost as long as I haul it and drop it on site. I have access to a large flatbed and excavator so as long as Tim can load it on his end I am golden. I would love to bury it but was thinking above ground would last longer/easier to do maintenance. We will be back in the woods so I can hide it behind my shop out of sight of visitors.

[Trbo323]

Anyone have any experience with WEN generators? I'm seeing a lot of them around and they seem fairly cheap

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[Tarsun2]

these generators youre looking at are portable but arnt the easiest to move/load. While it will probably work for the heaters and stuff in your house, its a bit overkill for camping. and if you camp at "camp sites", youre going to annoy everyone in the lot. lol
also, have you figured how youre going to hook everything up at the house? remote panel or junction box?

understood about sleeping with a Mr. Buddy; that would freak me out too. As for converting to propane, that was just another option to add to the list. If youre buying new, it makes 100% more sense to buy a generator set up for dual fuel from the get-go for sure.

as for the Predator engines, they are rock solid reliable. they have a cult following, and for good reason. tons of after market support as well. You can buy stroker kits, billet flywheels, and billet blocks even. its wild what people are going.

ive used many Predator engines over the years for various project and only had to replace one or two of them. (both my fault).

Allot of generators are reliable; its the infrequent use that takes a toll. Its like the worst thing to do to a car is just let it sit...
if youre going to be running 6000w, youll ideally want a generator that can handle the load. Most every time the advertised rating is the peak rating, not the continuous rating. You should look at 7000w rigs and see what the continuous rating is.
if your only going to run 3000w, id still get a 6000w (advertised) model. its most likely the peak rating while the continuous rating is closer to 5000w or 4500w... also, you dont want to be running at the limit of what the generator can handle.

[BLachance75]

Since were talking generators, ideally how often should a portable generator be started up and how much load should be put on it to maintain optimal performance.

I start mine twice a year and let the engine run for 20-30 minutes. I'll usually power a table saw and a chop saw to apply load to the generator while it is running. Is this enough or should I be applying more load? The generator is 6800 watts continuous 8500 watt startup

[Grendel]

For standby generators (I've been researching quite a bit) most manufacturers and installers recommend at least once a month for 15-30 minutes under normal expected load. I would expect a portable generator would benefit from a similar schedule.

[BLachance75]

these generators youre looking at are portable but arnt the easiest to move/load. While it will probably work for the heaters and stuff in your house, its a bit overkill for camping. and if you camp at "camp sites", youre going to annoy everyone in the lot. lol

I will second this. My generator is slightly larger than what you linked and it takes 2 people to pickup and that is a struggle. I'd recommend a trailer if you'll be moving it as you can roll it up onto it.

[Trbo323]

these generators youre looking at are portable but arnt the easiest to move/load. While it will probably work for the heaters and stuff in your house, its a bit overkill for camping. and if you camp at "camp sites", youre going to annoy everyone in the lot.

Camping it depends on the situation, we go to a decent amount of camp spots with hook ups so no need to bring it to those. Our camper also has a solar panel and last year for our big trip we actually produced more power than we used so if the weather is decent and the spot has sun, also no need for it. If not then I'll likely just be using it to top up the batteries during the day not at night. I have two really good batteries on it right now so it does hold a lot of juice for a pop up.

also, have you figured how youre going to hook everything up at the house? remote panel or junction box?

There's these new things called extension cords I was thinking about. For a fridge and heater I'm pretty sure they will do the trick.

if your only going to run 3000w, id still get a 6000w (advertised) model. its most likely the peak rating while the continuous rating is closer to 5000w or 4500w... also, you dont want to be running at the limit of what the generator can handle.

So far that predator 5000 is higher on my list than I would have expected. 3600w on propane. Everyone is saying it's really quiet which I like, definitely advertised as better than the stats but if my new base line is 3000w than then it fits the bill. Consumer reports actually rated it as well and had some good things to say about it. Came in 2nd in it's category with the only down side being some of the CO protections were not as good which I don't really care about since it will ever only be used outdoors.

I will second this. My generator is slightly larger than what you linked and it takes 2 people to pickup and that is a struggle. I'd recommend a trailer if you'll be moving it as you can roll it up onto it.

Camper has a cargo deck and the walls for the deck come off and form a ramp. It's meant as a toy hauler but one thing we didn't consider when buying a pop up camper is how you can't pack anything inside of it when it's folded down. All that cargo has to go somewhere so having the cargo deck has been amazing. Cargo deck+the bed of my truck means we are not limited at all really

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[Tarsun2]

i didnt realize how much id appreciate the replies broken down like that, so thank you for that. lol

thats some long extension chords youre going to be running. You had mentioned a heater in the bedroom and running a fridge. im going to assume you dont have a bedroom in your kitchen and that neither your bedroom or kitchen are outside. (where the generator will be running).
just so i have this straight; youre going to have an extension chord going from the generator outside into the kitchen to run the fridge? do you have a pass through or are you going to have to leave a window open?
and then youll have another extension chord going to your bedroom? im not familiar with the house layout but typically the bedrooms are not near the kitchen...
and then youll have another extension chord running to another room in the house?
the longer the chord, the more resistance youll have. the more resistance, the more of a voltage drop. that will be something youll have to account for with a generator.

im not trying to give you a hard time here. just wanted to cover all the bases. Better to do it now anyways. You had mentioned that your only experience with generators was when your father had drunkenly purchased one from the neighbor. (im pretty sure my brother did the same with a camper). lol