Honda Generator Group Buy - Questions

[OldSkool]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

I've been racking my brain trying to think of what I could use a portable generator for....What are some of you guys planning to do with them, if not for marine use? I've never been one to pass up a good deal, but I have to be able to justify it.

Here in Western NC we use them for auxiliary power during the winter and spring months when weather takes out power lines. Many are permanently mounted and wired into the house. :grin:

Smaller portable models are a premium when the power goes out and newbie’s to the area run to Lowes/Home Depot to grab them up.:smt013

 

[avguy]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

I have a problem with buying things that I don't need but might need.........

Lol.....so I'm not the only one. I need to show this to my wife......

Never really had a need for one but I don't already have one. I'll wait & see what you can get a 2k for Jim.

 

[rondds]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

would love to buy one. not for the boat of course.

Mike, they allow generators in the Dakota?

 

[MarkD]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

Hey Ron, when our Quicksilvers finally kick the bucket, we could always mount these in our engine compartments! (kidding). Actually I would like to see the price of a 2K unit, more for home use however for those inevitable power outages.

 

[Stray Cat]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

I've been racking my brain trying to think of what I could use a portable generator for....What are some of you guys planning to do with them, if not for marine use? I've never been one to pass up a good deal, but I have to be able to justify it.

If you have a sump pump that periodically runs, and you lose power during a spring storm with very heavy rains, the generator will pay for itself at that moment, providing you (or someone you trust) is there to start it and plug in the sump pump.

I have an 8.5kw peak, 5.5kw continuous that I plug into a transfer switch on the main distribution panel to run essential circuits...furnace blower, fridge / freezer, etc

The smaller Honda's would make a 100 ft extension cord obsolete!

 

[fwebster]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

While using a portable generator on a boat is dangerous, having access to one is a tremendous help for the reasons others have posted. I find the convenience and ease of using the Honda 2000 a huge time, effort and step saver. Carry it around like a brief case, and you have power everywhere....no more long extension cords, charge a dead battery anywhere, etc.

Pay close attention to Jim's offer........it is very difficult to find a discounted price on a Honda generator, much less, get a shot at buying one at or near dealer's cost. If you have one in your tool "bucket list", then step up now since this is most likely a one time opportunity.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

If you have a sump pump that periodically runs, and you lose power during a spring storm with very heavy rains, the generator will pay for itself at that moment, providing you (or someone you trust) is there to start it and plug in the sump pump.

I have an 8.5kw peak, 5.5kw continuous that I plug into a transfer switch on the main distribution panel to run essential circuits...furnace blower, fridge / freezer, etc

The smaller Honda's would make a 100 ft extension cord obsolete!

I have a 12 volt back up sump pump system using two large bilge pumps and and a car battery that is on a trickle charger. Learned the hard way.

We lose about 40 hours of electrical service a year, mostly during the winter when there is wet and icy snow (like last week).

I also be interested in a 2k, or 3k unit as well.

How does the transfer switch work? I assume that was electrician supplied item?

Henry

 

[floriduramax1]

Count me in.

 

[sbw1]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

We have a 5kw hard wired into a manual transfer switch in our home. We lose power at least once a year here sometimes for more than a day. Our genny runs the furnace, fridge, home theater, and lights for 12 hours before the tank needs to be refilled. We bought the genny 11 years ago and it is one of the best purchases I've made. Honda makes a great product.

 

[tdschafer]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

OK, if the price is right, I would be interested in one for home use.

Thatta boy Scott!!!

 

[ANYTIME]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

We have a 5kw hard wired into a manual transfer switch in our home. We lose power at least once a year here sometimes for more than a day. Our genny runs the furnace, fridge, home theater, and lights for 12 hours before the tank needs to be refilled. We bought the genny 11 years ago and it is one of the best purchases I've made. Honda makes a great product.

We did this exact scenario a few years ago and it has been a real convenience when we had weekly power outages, sometimes lasting 12 hours or more. If we didn't have it, I would jump on Jim's bandwagon!!

 

[jpk33]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

OK, if the price is right, I would be interested in one for home use.

Scott, admit it you really want it for the Whaler! (portable beach power on the sand bar).
I think I'd be in for a 2k.

 

[Stray Cat]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

How does the transfer switch work? I assume that was electrician supplied item?

Henry, it is recommended that a qualified electrician install a generator transfer switch. I installed a unit from Reliance Controls. www.reliancecontrols.com If you do it yourself, make certain the installation complies with local electrical codes.

The transfer switch allows the isolation of each circuit using a seperate breaker. The one I have is different than the operation of a genset found on a boat, however it is doing the same thing in that it is prohibiting AC power from being placed back on the utilities line. If wired correctly, you do not have to turn the main panels disconnect off. That way when power comes back on, you will see power returning to circuits that were not connected to the portable generator. Once power returns from the utilitiy company, I flip the switches on the transfer switch from "GEN", back to "MAIN", and the circuit returns to the breaker for that circuit to the distribution panel.

 

[jpk33]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

One important thing about using generators to power your home (either by transfer switch or other "temporary" method) is to make sure that the genny has a regulated power output. This is important if you are connecting sensitive equipment (like the board controller in your furnace). Unregulated output can equal fried electronics (sorry for the hijack!).

 

[sbw1]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

+1 on having the switch installed by a qualified electrician. Running the power from one level to another can be a challenge in an older home. I believe we spent about $500 to have our set up done properly. The other issues are CO and heat. Our genny is on wheels and I can roll it out of its storage location in the garage and place it next to the garage door with the exhaust facing away from the door. It takes about 5 minutes to move it, fill it with fuel and plug in the heavy power cord. A few years ago during a major regional untility failure that lasted for many days, people were burning houses down and suffering from CO expousure because they tried to operate these things inside their garages. With our set up, the machine is outside and we close the garage door. Hondas are reasonably quiet, and we do not hear it run when all of our doors are closed. This is the safe way to go.

 

[At Ease]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

A 2K Generator will give you about 17 amps. I would buy larger if you want something for your home.

I would be in for the right price.

 

[sbw1]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

There is a formula for calculating the size you need. Don't have it handy but it's easy to look up. The ideal size is one that uses 75% of rated output. 5kw is pretty much the starting level for a house. If you want to run A/C or an electric hot water heater you will need much more. Some of our neighbors have 18 kw with automatic transfer switches and use natural gas for fuel. During power outages their lives goes on without any need to do anything other than PM on the equipment. There are companies that service these things on a contractual basis so oil gets changed, etc.

 

[Stray Cat]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

With a 2K unit, what do you suppose you could power in your home, aside from the sump pump? I'm thinking maybe some lights, refrigerator and television, but that's about it. I'd imagine you'd have to get something quite a bit larger to be a reliable backup power system for the house.

The microwave, coffee maker, (maybe not at the same time) gotta have coffee!

 

[fc3]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

I've been racking my brain trying to think of what I could use a portable generator for....What are some of you guys planning to do with them, if not for marine use? I've never been one to pass up a good deal, but I have to be able to justify it.

I'm going to buy 6 of them for the next power failure. I'm going to run one in the kitchen for the refrigerator and popcorn machine. I'll put one in the den to run the home theater system. Another in the bed room for reading lights. I'll put another down in the basement to run the heating system and the last one goes in my office to backup the UPS system for the computers.

 

[Quint4]

Re: Honda Generator Group Buy

That's only 5 frank......I am saving you money!