We had a really bad ice storm here in 2009. Only gennyI had was an antique Montgomery Ward 2200 watt 5HP B&S powered unit. It ran everything just fine but only had a 3qt fuel tank. We filled and restarted it a lot. We have2 homes so we used it at both to keep freezers and fridges working. By the way, those camper generators built in motor homes are not using inverters. We use our on our PC's and phones with no problems.
Non inverter generators for home use.
- Thread starter Snagglefoot
- Start date
Thanks for all the input!
This!
The above replies are correct, circuitry does not need 'clean power' as all electronic circuits have their own power supply.
What needs clean power are certain electric motors and old school microwave magnetron's. The conventional Honda generator in question has a very high quality generator head and will provide excellent quality power. However, it's up to you to ensure the engine RPM is adjusted to produce 60HZ under your normal loads.
A 'kill-a-Watt' is one way to measure the frequency being produced, as are some multi-meters. Typically a generator will make 61HZ under no load conditions, but should stabilize at 60HZ under load.
A "Kill-a-Watt" is also the best way to measure your running load requirements before purchasing a generator, but you still need to follow the available guidance on starting load requirements.
It's the power spikes and surges from outages or lightning that kill appliance control boards. Just retired from 46 yrs as a on site appliance tech for a national Co., I've seen a ton of board failures in my time.
Filtering in appliance controls is minimal at best, I run surge protectors on all my pluggable appliances, tv's, etc. .
Filtering in appliance controls is minimal at best, I run surge protectors on all my pluggable appliances, tv's, etc. .
I like the harbor freight 4000 watt max units. They have a large muffler so are quieter than any portable unit I have seen. They use about 5 to 6 gallons a day, quite efficient. You will not use your central AC or heat pump with one. It will run your refrigerator and a small window unit at the same time. You can cook with the smallest electric unit on the stove with the heat turned off. It will run most central gas furnaces and a refrigerator at the same time. It will not run the dishwasher or the washing machine.
Agreed, but... It is the newer high-tech stuff that doesn't like dirty power.
My parents run about half of their house on a Honda 6500 watt generator when the power goes out. They've used it for the past 10 years and everything has been fine. One stretch was about a week long.
L8R,
Matt
L8R,
Matt
I run off grid all the time. The above statement just is not true. Modern, high tech computerized appliances, washers and dryers, Mini splits, computers, laptops, smart homes and internet equipment will operate on anything from 45-70 HZ and 90V to 240V.
Having a 60HZ, 120V portable generator with a few percent of sine wave distortion (say, 3%) won't phase the high tech stuff one bit.
However, consumer grade UPS will squawk up a storm when the frequency varies more than a tiny bit. Some can be configured to be more tolerant of frequency swings, some cannot.
Sorry, but I have to disagree. I've got a pair of front loading washer and drier, Kenmore brand but made by LG. These units refuse to run on dirty power. All they do is emit some clicking sounds. Your position is correct in theory but wrong in my experience.
Us in the trade refer to LG as not life's good but low grade.
I run my whole house during power outages with a Generac GP15000E. This generator is not known to put out low THD but I have not had any issues. This includes running my 2 year old 3 ton heat pump.
Yeah, I keep a lot of gas stored to feed this beast, only use 100% gas and Stabil Marine 360 double dose.
Yeah, I keep a lot of gas stored to feed this beast, only use 100% gas and Stabil Marine 360 double dose.
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- Aug 26, 2021
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I've got an used non inverter honda generator 2 years ago, and it was actually a good purchase for me. I didn't notice that it damaged any boards in my fridge or other appliances. I rarely used it but when there were strong winds in our area I had to. But most of the times I use this generator for woodworking or landscaping works. We don't have the wiring in some places of our land, so this generator had been quite useful, especially when I had to repair compact tractor attachments time to time. I think Honda generators are reliable in this regard.
I'm considering getting a diesel powered, liquid cooled generator for home use if and when the government decides to retire all our nuclear power plants.
I have an oil furnace, the fuel would be the same as the generator and I could plumb the coolant circuit into the house central heating. The generator would be in my basement but exhausts to the outside obviously.
My main concern is noise and vibrations, and that the smallest units already provide more power than I need. I have a 240v/40A connection, but don't max that out. The central heating draws less than 2A.
I have an oil furnace, the fuel would be the same as the generator and I could plumb the coolant circuit into the house central heating. The generator would be in my basement but exhausts to the outside obviously.
My main concern is noise and vibrations, and that the smallest units already provide more power than I need. I have a 240v/40A connection, but don't max that out. The central heating draws less than 2A.
For sake of discussion, what do you think is the smallest liquid cooled diesel generator available? I've thought about this one: http://www.centralmainediesel.com/order/Perkins-6-kW-Diesel-Generator.asp?page=P6125
Thats a great genset - use with confidence.
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