I've looked at a lot of generators for personal use, here are some thoughts: 1. If buying a non-inverter generator, look for a generator that has a low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion). Westinghouse seems to pride themselves on less the 5%. That's very good. I have a Pulsar generator, it's pretty good 2. The bigger the generator, the more fuel it requires. Buying an inverter generator helps keeps noise and fuel consumption low, but is more expensive. 3. Look for something will dual or tri fuel capabilities 4. Inverter generators generally have less power, but better power and cost more. As mentioned before they use less fuel. 5. When shutting down your generator, always use the fuel cutoff valve to have it run out of fuel from the carb when storing, this prevents gumming up the carb and ensures easy starts and a good running engine. 6. Generators are not used often, typically, therefore use Stabil and, if possible, ethanol free fuel. Just sharing.
My dad bought a Chinese 3000w generator on 10-27-2012 two days after hurricane sandy hit long island. He bought it at home Depot. I has with him and I remember that generator he bought was the only one there that home Depot had. He got it for $412. I was searching online for the exact generator and I read a forum that they don't make them anymore they discontinued it on 9-15-2012 right before my dad got it. The brand is a CF powerLine and the model is a LT3000CL. It kind of looks like a King Canada PowerForce 3000 watt generator looks identical. I still have it running strong haven't had any problems besides The carburetor.👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you for watching and commenting. I guess time will tell on how my generator lasts. Still happy with my decision to buy it. Luckily they are easy to work on and parts supply is not a problem. Good luck with yours. Cheers Dave.
As you said, it is not the motor that is the issue, it is the electronics and the majority of these PCB's are made in the same factory anyway. $400 over $4000...it is hard not to choose the Chinese model. Same as the mini diggers...if your buying it to earn your living then maybe go for a more know better quality brand but if it is for personal use, stick to what you can afford. 👍🏻
You get what you pay for. Usually when you use a generator you really need to rely on it so better going a good brand. If you use it for the odd camping or recreation you could do with a kings or Chinese one. Bu if you really need one for work or if power goes out alot then you would go a Honda or high end one. You might get lucky with a cheap second hand Honda but you need to jump on it quick to get a bargain. Today I picked up a cheap Irwin vice for $20 bucks, I looked on eBay for a new equivalent and it was over $200 and this one has been used 10 times!
Everyone needs this. Everyone will need a generator, private companies own our power (essential services) and they cut costs and we will all suffer with reliability issues. so get a genset for your back yard when the load shedding begins. the government is making it worse with the renewable push (dream/joke). We need cheap reliable base load power... otherwise everyone will be starting up these once a week to keep their beer cold. just like 3rd world countries - and we are not far off people, wake up and vote Bowen out.
if you want one for blackouts (it will be needed soon for everyone) get a good one. Chinese won't cut it, these may be ok for camping that's about it. For the house get at least a 7.5kVA and good quality. Diesel is better but also a lot more exxy... Look at about $10000 minimum for the blackouts to come. or get rid of our stupid government...
At a 10-to-1 cost differential it becomes difficult to justify the exorbitant difference. Even if you purchased two of the Kings brand at the start and either kept the second one as a back-up unit you would have invested only 1/5th of the cost of the Honda. Another consideration, if future parts procurement is a major consideration could be to look to a more well know brand that has been around for a very long time such as the Generac. They is very cost effective to purchase BUT parts for Generac are readily available. Don't get me wrong, Honda's are very fine products but justifying the huge cost difference can be a little disconcerting. Good Luck with your individual decision. Greetings from Ontario, Canada.
I did find that 'Generac' had a decent parts supply. Also I found inverter modules to suit the 'Kipor' brand I could buy. Unfortunately the 'Gensafe' model I had , had no parts backup and it seems if there is a problem while under warranty, the stores just replaces it with a new one. Cheers Dave
Cheap high-power electronics (i.e. an inverter generator) is probably a bad idea. I would also avoid petrol so diesel or LPG (butane/propane) for a generator that will sit idle most of its life but that you want to work when needed. Given how few hours you put on the last one, have you considered a used industrial grade machine ? Again for such low use you won't be worried about poor fuel consumption from an over-specc'd machine.
I did have a look at some second hand machines as an alternative to buying new. They were probably better made but were still more expensive than buying the Chinese one new with a 2 year warranty. Cheers Dave
There’s the old saying poor man pays twice. If you are hand with engines you might find a decent second hand Honda that needs a service and just kick it in the guts and go.
Also look at Honda powered Australian built generators. Think also of reliability. No good replacing on warranty 2 weeks after it failed at the start of a 3 day power outage.
Maybe buy the Yamaha with the same motor then you have a spare! Also apparently there is a device that can be used on starting big electric motors with a smaller power source.
I just looked on Bunnings and they have a dewalt 4.1 kva petrol gen set with a genuine Honda engine $1750. And being Bunnings there’s one in every town and they have a heaps better returns policy then kings
I got 2500 run hours out of that power fist genny... on conventional oil, and 25h in the same genny on synthetic... im 100% off grid so NASA rules, get a pair and a spare.
I've looked at a lot of generators for personal use, here are some thoughts:
1. If buying a non-inverter generator, look for a generator that has a low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion). Westinghouse seems to pride themselves on less the 5%. That's very good. I have a Pulsar generator, it's pretty good
2. The bigger the generator, the more fuel it requires. Buying an inverter generator helps keeps noise and fuel consumption low, but is more expensive.
3. Look for something will dual or tri fuel capabilities
4. Inverter generators generally have less power, but better power and cost more. As mentioned before they use less fuel.
5. When shutting down your generator, always use the fuel cutoff valve to have it run out of fuel from the carb when storing, this prevents gumming up the carb and ensures easy starts and a good running engine.
6. Generators are not used often, typically, therefore use Stabil and, if possible, ethanol free fuel.
Just sharing.
My dad bought a Chinese 3000w generator on 10-27-2012 two days after hurricane sandy hit long island. He bought it at home Depot. I has with him and I remember that generator he bought was the only one there that home Depot had. He got it for $412. I was searching online for the exact generator and I read a forum that they don't make them anymore they discontinued it on 9-15-2012 right before my dad got it. The brand is a CF powerLine and the model is a LT3000CL. It kind of looks like a King Canada PowerForce 3000 watt generator looks identical. I still have it running strong haven't had any problems besides The carburetor.👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you for watching and commenting. I guess time will tell on how my generator lasts. Still happy with my decision to buy it. Luckily they are easy to work on and parts supply is not a problem. Good luck with yours. Cheers Dave.
As you said, it is not the motor that is the issue, it is the electronics and the majority of these PCB's are made in the same factory anyway. $400 over $4000...it is hard not to choose the Chinese model. Same as the mini diggers...if your buying it to earn your living then maybe go for a more know better quality brand but if it is for personal use, stick to what you can afford. 👍🏻
Might want to get a magnetic dipstick to catch tiny metal filings.
You get what you pay for. Usually when you use a generator you really need to rely on it so better going a good brand. If you use it for the odd camping or recreation you could do with a kings or Chinese one. Bu if you really need one for work or if power goes out alot then you would go a Honda or high end one. You might get lucky with a cheap second hand Honda but you need to jump on it quick to get a bargain. Today I picked up a cheap Irwin vice for $20 bucks, I looked on eBay for a new equivalent and it was over $200 and this one has been used 10 times!
Everyone needs this. Everyone will need a generator, private companies own our power (essential services) and they cut costs and we will all suffer with reliability issues. so get a genset for your back yard when the load shedding begins. the government is making it worse with the renewable push (dream/joke). We need cheap reliable base load power... otherwise everyone will be starting up these once a week to keep their beer cold. just like 3rd world countries - and we are not far off people, wake up and vote Bowen out.
if you want one for blackouts (it will be needed soon for everyone) get a good one. Chinese won't cut it, these may be ok for camping that's about it. For the house get at least a 7.5kVA and good quality. Diesel is better but also a lot more exxy... Look at about $10000 minimum for the blackouts to come. or get rid of our stupid government...
At a 10-to-1 cost differential it becomes difficult to justify the exorbitant difference. Even if you purchased two of the Kings brand at the start and either kept the second one as a back-up unit you would have invested only 1/5th of the cost of the Honda. Another consideration, if future parts procurement is a major consideration could be to look to a more well know brand that has been around for a very long time such as the Generac. They is very cost effective to purchase BUT parts for Generac are readily available. Don't get me wrong, Honda's are very fine products but justifying the huge cost difference can be a little disconcerting. Good Luck with your individual decision. Greetings from Ontario, Canada.
I did find that 'Generac' had a decent parts supply. Also I found inverter modules to suit the 'Kipor' brand I could buy. Unfortunately the 'Gensafe' model I had , had no parts backup and it seems if there is a problem while under warranty, the stores just replaces it with a new one. Cheers Dave
Cheap high-power electronics (i.e. an inverter generator) is probably a bad idea. I would also avoid petrol so diesel or LPG (butane/propane) for a generator that will sit idle most of its life but that you want to work when needed. Given how few hours you put on the last one, have you considered a used industrial grade machine ? Again for such low use you won't be worried about poor fuel consumption from an over-specc'd machine.
I did have a look at some second hand machines as an alternative to buying new. They were probably better made but were still more expensive than buying the Chinese one new with a 2 year warranty. Cheers Dave
There’s the old saying poor man pays twice. If you are hand with engines you might find a decent second hand Honda that needs a service and just kick it in the guts and go.
Also look at Honda powered Australian built generators. Think also of reliability. No good replacing on warranty 2 weeks after it failed at the start of a 3 day power outage.
Maybe buy the Yamaha with the same motor then you have a spare! Also apparently there is a device that can be used on starting big electric motors with a smaller power source.
Still keeping an eye out for one that is for sale second hand. Cheers Dave
I just looked on Bunnings and they have a dewalt 4.1 kva petrol gen set with a genuine Honda engine $1750. And being Bunnings there’s one in every town and they have a heaps better returns policy then kings
Best choice the generator The price difference is too big with the Honda for what is an Emergency generator 👍
I got 2500 run hours out of that power fist genny... on conventional oil, and 25h in the same genny on synthetic... im 100% off grid so NASA rules, get a pair and a spare.
But two cheap generators so you have one spare for emergency
Honda all day. I’d rather have something I could count on in an emergency. And I don’t like supporting Chinese companies.