Portable generators

Im getting conflicting info on Google as to How many hours are  Big box store generators rated.. any have any idea??
2kw array 6 345 q cells  make sky blue 60 cc
 6 230ah GC @36 volts 
18 amp accusense charger. 3650 champion 

Comments

  • Blackda3
    Blackda3 Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭✭
    Hey Mountain Man - can I (we) please trouble you to add a bit more context or detail?
    1996 LX450; 2017 Aliner Explorer: 3 x 105 Ah AGMs; 2 x 140w Kyocera panels connected to a Bogart TriMetric and solar charge controller; Remote deployable system of two/three additional Kyocera panels connected to a Victron MPPT 100/50 Solar Charge Controller.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My guess is about 500 hours, what's required to pass the emissions testing.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    edited May 2019 #4
    The Honda e2000i should last 2,000 hours assuming oil changes to schedule and normal maintenance. 
    One member here had 6,000 hours,It smoked some and a bit harder to start (pretty much end of life). 
    I would go with 500 hours for a backup residential genset or an equivalent life of (500 hours x 35 mph fixed engine hours equivalent=) 17.500 "car equivalent" miles...
    So, not "that" long of life. 
    Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Buy it at costco! I saw them take back a 5 year old genset that had been in a boat on a lake. it was rusted but the guy had the original box and they credited his CC.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • mountainman
    mountainman Registered Users Posts: 439 ✭✭
    edited May 2019 #6
    I been comparing warranty 3 years on a non inverter 4000 watt champion. $300 at costco Between AC and battery charging I think I could put on more than 1000 hours in 3 years.
    2kw array 6 345 q cells  make sky blue 60 cc
     6 230ah GC @36 volts 
    18 amp accusense charger. 3650 champion 
  • mountainman
    mountainman Registered Users Posts: 439 ✭✭
    edited May 2019 #7
    So a Honda 4000 2 year warranty cost $1500 for 2000 hrs 75 cent per hour. Champion 500 hours 3 year warranty $300.  60 cent per hour. Then to factor in running time per gallon.? Champion 2.36 hrs per gal. 9 hours 50℅ load 3.8 gal tank. 847 gals in 2000 hrs.  Honda
    2.79 hrs per gal 50℅ load 17.6 hours runtime 6.3 gal tank. 717 gals. 130 gals at $2.50 325 dollars.conclusion 4 champions 1200 +325 extra fuel $1525.or 1 Honda for $1525.? Or try costco like @Dave Angelini said keep taking them back till I get ran off!!
    2kw array 6 345 q cells  make sky blue 60 cc
     6 230ah GC @36 volts 
    18 amp accusense charger. 3650 champion 
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    You could go solar, a few of us have. No genset here :)
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • MrM1
    MrM1 Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭✭✭
    If you don't need 240v u could look at Harbor Freight. I have been real happy with their 3500 watt inverter generator that is a knock off of a Honda. I think Honda actually even tried to sue them over it but got no traction. U can get it one on sale for around $650
    REC TwinPeak 2 285W 3S-3P 2.6kW-STC / 1.9kW-NMOT Array / MN Solar Classic 150 / 2017 Conext SW 4024 Inverter latest firmware / OB PSX-240 Autotransfomer for load balancing / Trojan L16H-AC 435Ah bank 4S connected to Inverter with 7' of 4/0 cable / 24 volt system / Grid-Assist or Backup Solar Generator System Powering 3200Whs Daily / System went Online Oct 2017 / System, Pics and Discussion
  • mountainman
    mountainman Registered Users Posts: 439 ✭✭
    I only need 120 volts. generator is for AC.  I have a small solar array for lights rv water pump and TV. I'll check into harbor freight.
    Hopefully in the next couple years I will have saved enough for sewer. Then I can get on grid.
    2kw array 6 345 q cells  make sky blue 60 cc
     6 230ah GC @36 volts 
    18 amp accusense charger. 3650 champion 
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    HF actually got a pretty favorable review at consumer reports, for their inverter generators
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2019 #12
    Liam said:
    Have you already purchased this model or are you considering purchasing it? If you still choose, what about these options https://generatoron.org/best-diesel-generator/ ? Now I choose for myself a new generator, I think, to buy for my boat Sigma JDP-7000 LDE.
    The Sigma is identical to various generators with different names at widely different prices, and control/outlet features. They are often store name branded as well, the most expensive I've seen has a Hyundai name, about twice the price of the "Mitsu" name I purchased. Only difference is the Mitsu has a digital hour/voltage frequency meter as opposed to analog, both have AGS capabilities.

    They are actually quite good, although supposedly silent they are far from that, but probably better than an open frame. The one I have is rated 6.5KW, it's primary use is for MIG welding, it responds well to voltage sags having electronic voltage control, it is also brushless, some may differ, it is also a single phase 230V 50Hz unit, the frequency is very stable when running properly.

    After 100 hours it began running rough with frequency drop, i first checked valve clearances, they were perfect, then removed the injector, cleaned the tip with a brass brush, it ran perfect again, a half hour job for the mechanically inclined.  Currently it's approaching 200 hours now and beginning to display the same frequency drift, this may be in part to the intermittent loading associated with welding. Perhaps at higher constant loads it would run cleane. Diesel engines are inherently designed to work at higher loads, at least old technology mechanical types, but for less than $800 US it has been money well spent. The engine is a Chinese Yanmar clone, parts are widely available on Aliexpress at reasonable prices 

    Only other problem I had was rodents entered the housing and stripped some of the foam sound deadening material, which could be drawn into the cooling fan thus blocking the engine cooling fins resulting in overheating. Make it rodent proof as possible, stainless steel mosquito mesh works well, there are some places around the exhust and oil drain areas where gaps are large enough, as well as underneath, there are a couple of vents.

    Rodent proofing is something not strictly related to the tropics, my current location, even in Canada rats were attracted to the warmth block heaters provided in the winter.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • t00ls
    t00ls Solar Expert Posts: 245 ✭✭✭
    remember...you get what you pay for...very true for generators

    right now honda makes the best inverter generator....in a close second is champion and yamaha (dont quote me on the yamaha)

    I would not in this day and age use a conventional generator that uses  capacitors for voltage regulation
  • malabarmcgyver
    malabarmcgyver Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭✭
    My Honda EU2000 is nearly 10 years old, spent its entire life on a boat and still cranks first or second pull.  All I have done to it is replace the rubber feet and the outlet.  I wish their outboards worked as well.
  • PNW_Steve
    PNW_Steve Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭
    My Honda EU-3000is is around 13 years old.  I cannot imagine how many hours are on it. 

    We used it as our only power source for quite some time.  Start it in the morning to make coffee and turn it off before bed. 

    Then covered power outages when we had multiple freezers and other gear that worked it hard. The longest was 11days.

    Then it moved to my travel trailer for camping trips. 6000+ miles with it strapped to the back..... Until one day I  didn't secure it properly.... That is how you kill a Honda...... 


    Unfortunately,  budget does not permit me to replace it with another Honda.  I wound up buying a Champion  3150 inverter generator.  Initially I was not very pleased.  During break in it seemed MUCH louder than the Honda and fuel consumption seemed excessive. 

    Now that I  have 30+ hours, for reasons beyond me,  it has gotten quiter. We have been camping since Wednesday and fuel consumption seems to be more in line as well. 

    What I would love to see is a diesel version of the inverter generator built around a small Kubota or similar. That and a winning lottery ticket. That's all I need.....  :)


  • Jeremy
    Jeremy Registered Users Posts: 5
    I been comparing warranty 3 years on a non inverter 4000 watt champion generator. $300 at costco Between AC and battery charging I think I could put on more than 1000 hours in 3 years.
    Generators rated for prime running power can be run 24/7 at near maximum load , usually hovering around 80% max capability. can handle loads of 10% over their rated output, but it is not overloaded for more than 1 hour in a 12-hour span, or 500 hours per year. With proper maintenance, there is no cap on how many hours you may operate. I recommend Champion 4000 watt and Westinghouse iGen 4500 generator, based on the level of noise produced, the power consumption, the weight of the generator, remote control and RV outlet availability. 
  • mountainman
    mountainman Registered Users Posts: 439 ✭✭
    I bought a 3500  champion  3 months ago so far I'm satisfied with it. Runs the 15000 btu ac and 1200 watt microwave at the same time. 
    2kw array 6 345 q cells  make sky blue 60 cc
     6 230ah GC @36 volts 
    18 amp accusense charger. 3650 champion 
  • Jeremy
    Jeremy Registered Users Posts: 5
    I been comparing warranty 3 years on a non inverter 4000 watt champion. $300 at costco Between AC and battery charging I think I could put on more than 1000 hours in 3 years.
    Generators rated for prime running power can be run 24/7 at near maximum load , usually hovering around 80% max capability. can handle loads of 10% over their rated output, but it is not overloaded for more than 1 hour in a 12-hour span, or 500 hours per year. With proper maintenance, there is no cap on how many hours you may operate. I recommend Champion 4000 watt and Westinghouse iGen 4500 generator, based on the level of noise produced, the power consumption, the weight of the generator, remote control and RV outlet availability. You can check more small portable generator https://www.bestpowerstation.com/best-generator-for-rv/