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Regular
Posts: 51
Location: DeWitt, AR | Hello: Well I've found a trailer that's more expensive than I anticipated but well built, and I am trying to cut corners. Rather than have them put a generator in the tack or on the hayrack, I thought maybe I could buy a portable one and just carry it in the truck bed. What is the best 4,000 to 5,000 watt quiet reliable portable generator (honda - which one). Will it be better than the Generac that they trailer folks want to install on the hayrack for me? Will it be cheaper than the $3500 for hay rack and generator and installation. Or do I just sink farther in debt and go with theirs? You all have been so helpful, I thought I'd tap into your vast experience and knowledge one more time! KR |
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Member
Posts: 28
Location: decatur,ms | I bought a Craftsman a few months back,,4000 watt and have had very good luck with it and at a price of only $1000.I do have to watch how much stuff i turn on at one time so you may want to go with the 5000 watt.I just carry it in the side compartment and unload it each time i want to use it. |
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Member
Posts: 15
Location: East Haddam Connecticut | I like the $2200 Honda EM5000SX. The Honda EB5000X is $300 cheaper but its louder and does not have electric start. Both have the same size gas tanks,about 4-5 gallons. Hondas peak wattage loads are rated at 30 minutes. Other lower priced generators only rate their peak loads at 30 seconds. Another good choice would be the Northern Equipments North Star 5500 watt generator with the Honda Engine. Its about half the price of the Honda generators, but about 75% as good. |
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 Regular
Posts: 70
Location: Spanaway,Wa | I was talking to a friend about generators last week and he said that Yamaha makes a generator that will run most small loads without running at high idle. It will sense the load and adjust the rpm accordingly. This makes it run quiter most of the time and more fuel efficient. Don't know the specs or models but I'm sure someone else will chime in. CS |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
 
Location: Tipton, IN | I'd ask them how much for the hayrack, wired for a generator, without the Generac. Generac is lower end compared to Honda, Yamaha, and Onan. All three of those brands will offer you very quiet and long term operation. |
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Expert
Posts: 2689
| Originally written by paintthatain't on 2005-06-16 12:46 AM
I was talking to a friend about generators last week and he said that Yamaha makes a generator that will run most small loads without running at high idle. It will sense the load and adjust the rpm accordingly. This makes it run quiter most of the time and more fuel efficient. Don't know the specs or models but I'm sure someone else will chime in. CS
I'll give it a try (-:
At a guess he was talking about an "Inverter" design, here's a rough description of the differences:
1) Old style generators run their engines at 3600 RPM, handy because it makes it easy to get 60 cycles. One of the troubles is that they have to run at that speed even if there is only a 10 or 15 watt load to support. Advantages were simple to design and build, but heavy and noisy because they always run fast.
2) Inverter based designs are in two electrical parts, a) a DC generator b) an oscillator that runs from the DC and generates 60 cycles AC. This means that the engine can idle right down to a few hundred RPM and still put out enough power at 60 cycles to support a few watts, or rev up when the power demand is higher. Advantages are lighter, quieter at low load and (now that semi-conductor prices have dropped) cheaper to build. Not all the cost savings get passed on to the consumer, marketing being what it is we have to pay extra for the added benefit.
Honda also make them and there is a way to hook the outputs of two of them together and get about a 4,000 watt output from two 2,000 watt units. Not a DIY thing, you need the special cable and can only do it with units designed for being hooked together.
What I would like is a low flat unit that I could sling under the truck where underbody tool boxes are often mounted.
I have a flat bed body on it and figure the bed would sheild a lot of the sound, it would also be a bit more secure than just being bungied down. |
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Veteran
Posts: 222
Location: Kaufman, Texas | Painthataint's reference to the Yamaha generator is a EF30iSEBC. It's a 3000 watt generator with boost up to 3500 watts. It runs my AC (13,500 btu) and microwave at the same time and is very quiet. It also has wheels which makes it easy to move around. I carry mine under my saddle rack. |
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Expert
Posts: 2689
| Here's a question for you HOT CLIMATE folk.
Do any of you run an a/c unit in the HORSE COMPARTMENT - WHILE TRAVELLING ?
I was asked, said I didn't. Then I got speculative questions about what folk in the south and south west do, I said I didn't know but would ask.
I suppose it would be simple enough to arrange some ductwork to divert air to/from LQ or horse area, or put in two units, but I can't see running them both at the same time ?
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Mena, AR | Originally written by Reg on 2005-06-17 11:16 AM
Here's a question for you HOT CLIMATE folk.
Do any of you run an a/c unit in the HORSE COMPARTMENT - WHILE TRAVELLING ?
I was asked, said I didn't. Then I got speculative questions about what folk in the south and south west do, I said I didn't know but would ask.
I suppose it would be simple enough to arrange some ductwork to divert air to/from LQ or horse area, or put in two units, but I can't see running them both at the same time ?
I would never run my generator while traveling to run the A/C. I drop the windows all around and open the vent roofs. The drop down windows on the butt side is the best for Texas, if you can afford then. My trailer has drops fron & back and an insulated roof. (Yes, I spend more money and got the drops front & back :-) )
-Betty
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.jpg) Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | I'd love to do it (if I had an ac), but I don't think I would be able to get my horses out when we got to our destination. Not if its 75 in the trailer and 105 out side. |
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Veteran
Posts: 285
| KR, I did generator research for 3 months before deciding which one to buy. We bought the Robin Subaru 4300 model. Havent used it yet, but started it and it is quiet and weighs around 150 lbs. I shopped around and got it for 2699.00 including rv adapter and wheel kit. Had to buy a battery but it is electric and recoil start. I ordered it from Wisesales.com. That price also included shipping. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366
Location: Albany, Oregon | Hmmm....In my opinion....Honda is the best followed by all the rest. Honda is also the most expensive also! I have 2 XL4500 Generacs. I use one at our horse camp to run a 1/2hp 220 volt submersable pump it is 5 years old It has a large fuel tank and will idle back when there is no load. The second one I picked up at Home Depot for $450.00 It was a return for some reason but runs like new for me, and has a 12volt starter. They sell for $750-$800 with electric start. I would recomend them highly....but if I was rich I'd buy the Honda! |
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Regular
Posts: 51
Location: DeWitt, AR | Yes, I'd buy and Honda if I were Rich, however we own horses so its a given we aren't rich! You know, there's money in horses cause we've put it there! Many, Many Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, comments and sage advice. Karen |
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Best 4 to 5000 watt portable generator for LQ
