04-16-2006, 01:58 AM
Royall
Interesting topic and one I've spent a bit of time on recently for a couple of reasons - 1 - we are off grid, started with a smallish PV system whose battery bank got off to a poor start in life due to some well-meaning, but inaccurate advice. 2 - the generator we do have decided not to start one day and this was during this recent rainy, nonsunny period.
What I've learned: Contrary to what I thought, buying a generator is not as straight forward or easy as one might think on this island. We bought our Generac 7550EXL at Kona HD 2 years ago and $50 cheaper than I could in Atlanta. But things change...
One day on the Konaside, Costco had a Coleman 5500 watt, HD had nothing, Lowes had 2, a 4000 and 6500 I think. All were manual start, we need an electric (Sophie can't start the recoil type)
Back in Hilo, HPM sells one, but has to be ordered, Checkers Auto advertised one, but sold out 1st day, HD had a 5500 floor display, awaiting new stock. Again all were manual start. Honda can be bought from White Cap, but have to be ordered.
In getting ours repaired, I learned: you can get the engine fixed, but if it's the generator portion it is probably not economical to repair as the 2 usual culprit cost $300-$500 plus labor. The 2 listed Generac authorized service guys no longer repair even warranty work. Both told me that any big box type generator is a throwaway. They also recommended buying the Honda.
We did rent the small Honda (EB3000 I believe) at HD and found it to be a nice, quiet machine. It got us thru until ours was repaired. No food spoiled and the beer stayed drinkably refreshing.
You need to determine your wattage requirements (electric refer?), there are a number of websites with charts to help. What other requirements do you have? Is this a permanent installation or might you use it for some portable tasks? If strictly an emergency backup type are you willing to use it perhaps a few times and then replace if it fails? What is your noise level tolerance? Neighbors?
If you are going the diesel genset route, I can't offer much advice other than $5K seems to be a common figure for a decent one and the Chinese ones have quite a poor record according to some websites.
We have opted to get the Honda EU3000i. Power is adequate for our purpose. It is supposed to be both quiet and economical. It is an electric start, but remote start is available. I was able to find a new one on Ebay and even with shipping (DHX) cheaper than local purchase.
Hope this helps a little.
David
Ninole Resident
Interesting topic and one I've spent a bit of time on recently for a couple of reasons - 1 - we are off grid, started with a smallish PV system whose battery bank got off to a poor start in life due to some well-meaning, but inaccurate advice. 2 - the generator we do have decided not to start one day and this was during this recent rainy, nonsunny period.
What I've learned: Contrary to what I thought, buying a generator is not as straight forward or easy as one might think on this island. We bought our Generac 7550EXL at Kona HD 2 years ago and $50 cheaper than I could in Atlanta. But things change...
One day on the Konaside, Costco had a Coleman 5500 watt, HD had nothing, Lowes had 2, a 4000 and 6500 I think. All were manual start, we need an electric (Sophie can't start the recoil type)
Back in Hilo, HPM sells one, but has to be ordered, Checkers Auto advertised one, but sold out 1st day, HD had a 5500 floor display, awaiting new stock. Again all were manual start. Honda can be bought from White Cap, but have to be ordered.
In getting ours repaired, I learned: you can get the engine fixed, but if it's the generator portion it is probably not economical to repair as the 2 usual culprit cost $300-$500 plus labor. The 2 listed Generac authorized service guys no longer repair even warranty work. Both told me that any big box type generator is a throwaway. They also recommended buying the Honda.
We did rent the small Honda (EB3000 I believe) at HD and found it to be a nice, quiet machine. It got us thru until ours was repaired. No food spoiled and the beer stayed drinkably refreshing.
You need to determine your wattage requirements (electric refer?), there are a number of websites with charts to help. What other requirements do you have? Is this a permanent installation or might you use it for some portable tasks? If strictly an emergency backup type are you willing to use it perhaps a few times and then replace if it fails? What is your noise level tolerance? Neighbors?
If you are going the diesel genset route, I can't offer much advice other than $5K seems to be a common figure for a decent one and the Chinese ones have quite a poor record according to some websites.
We have opted to get the Honda EU3000i. Power is adequate for our purpose. It is supposed to be both quiet and economical. It is an electric start, but remote start is available. I was able to find a new one on Ebay and even with shipping (DHX) cheaper than local purchase.
Hope this helps a little.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident