Generator recommendation around $1000 or less

kpm · Jul 21, 2013

I'm in the market for a new portable generator for back up power to my house. My current gen died a death at my hands of tinkering and I accept blame. Any how, I need your real life recommendations for a generator around 5000 runningwatts priced around $1000 or less. Please do not make this a Honda EU series thread. I know they are the bomb but at that price tag I would / will be in the market for a whole house standby gen.

So what would you buy if you have $1000 to spend. ALSO, the reason I am asking is this is the most difficult item to gauge by way of reviews. If you read them they all suck! I know they are all just rebranded made in china but some have to be half way reliable. Consumer reports list the top 3 as Troy Bilt, Honda EU6500 and Generac GP5500. The strange thing is the reviews show otherwise. crazy I tell you.

Give me your thoughts. I need to bust a move since the season is well underway!

thanks.

MyTFAL · Jul 21, 2013

I bought a sears craftsman 5600 watt 8600 starting for 800$ It has a Briggs & Stratton motor it's noisy uses 5 gallons every 12 hrs, but it ran 2 fridges a chest freezer lights and 2 5000 btu window units all for 800$. I am a very happy consumer. 3 yrs and going strong.

andimthejr · Jul 21, 2013

I ordered the generac lp5500 about two months ago
its a propane generator i hooked it up to a 120 gallon tank, four days of propane generator works great plugs into the transfer switch and rolls power two window acs all lights cieling fans refrigerator TVs Internet not to loud and clean burning so no varnish to worry about

03protege · Jul 21, 2013

http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=6421258&convertTo=USD

They have a bunch in La and Fl, the one I lnked to only has 3 hrs of use. Something like that would be my choice.

InterstateGuns · Jul 22, 2013

I don't remember how much it was but I love my Honda eu 2000.

BR55 · Jul 22, 2013

I'm looking for a generator to run a small window AC in the $400-500 range. When not running the AC I want to run a fridge or freezer. Any suggestions?

fng · Jul 24, 2013

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us...cts/7000-watt-elite-series-portable-generator

TheBigShow · Jul 24, 2013

I am thinking about buying this one to have as a spare for my 6200 watt Honeywell.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_505471-38777-ST-GP9500EB_0__?productId=4781033&Ntt=portable+generators&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dportable%2Bgenerators&facetInfo=

You can buy a 10% off coupon for lowes on Ebay for about $5 which will save you $85.

Here it is at Home Depot for a higher price but has a lot of positive reviews:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Smarter-Tools-9-500-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Portable-Generator-with-Electric-Start-STGP-9500EB/203494507#.UfBjho1wq3s

Geauxfish · Jul 25, 2013

I really like my B&S Storm Responder, 5500W / 8250W. I got it before Gustave in 2008. I've probably got about 6-7 days of run time on it. I just put a tri-fuel kit and it seems to run just as well on natural gas and propane.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_201458-348-...tt=portable+generator&facetInfo=#BVRRWidgetID

(oh, and the reviews on the Lowes website are very good)

mikepizz · Jul 25, 2013

MyTFAL said:
I bought a sears craftsman 5600 watt 8600 starting for 800$ It has a Briggs & Stratton motor it's noisy uses 5 gallons every 12 hrs, but it ran 2 fridges a chest freezer lights and 2 5000 btu window units all for 800$. I am a very happy consumer. 3 yrs and going strong.

my sears craftman was bought shortly after of Katrina. same unit as above. hasn't missed a lick yet. I run it for 30 minutes every month. so far so good. going on 7 years now.

Leonidas · Jul 27, 2013

I know a number of contractors who love their Champions. Would have one myself, but could not find one in stock when I needed one.

edman87k5 · Jul 27, 2013

Options are very large in that spec. Most all use the same generator head, difference will be features and engine. I would avoid the Honda knockoff engines because of parts availability down the road. Also avoid Briggs and Stratton or Tecumseh unless you want to go deaf. I personally have and prefer a Subaru engine.
A not on the Honda knockoff- I think champion is the most common brand- they seem to so well and last decently but replacement parts can be sketchy. Of course for the price, you could buy 2 and have a spare.
Biggest thing is keep the fuel bowl empty, stabil in the gas and run it every couple months under a load so you aren't surprised when you need it.

Blade70714 · Aug 4, 2013

Try Tractor Supply stores for the Champion generators. Sometimes you can catch them on sale.

sgt z · Aug 5, 2013

I hope I don't jinx me but my Generac is the easiest pull-start I have ever tried and very reliable. I paid too much but I was in no shape to negotiate and bought from my local mom and pop hardware. 5500W about $800. I could have saved a few bucks and bought from Lowes but I like to support the neighborhood retailers.
03Protege don't believe the hour meter as they get replaced. 9 years USMC Engineer Co., fresh paint don't matter either. One with more hours may be more better, at least you know it ran all those hours.

themcfarland · Aug 5, 2013

I was looking at the gov liquidation and there are some within driving distance..

I am watching them and I would believe the 100 or more hours, not the 3 or 2 hour meters..
Is there a trick to the mep003.. it seems the ones that are missing batteries are going higher than ones with.. whats up with that?/ It also seems the ones without a trailer go higher than ones with> Seems backwards..

I just went and took advantage of the no La tax day and bought a Yamaha 2kI .. So I have one for the camp now..

bigjakewelch · Aug 5, 2013

If you don't find one. I may be looking to get rid of one of my welding machines. It has a 6500 watt gen built into it. The up side of going this way is that if you're looking to weld something too, you can.

themcfarland · Aug 5, 2013

the welders are great generators.. Jake.. Keep me posted too..

Bullwinkle · Aug 5, 2013

For $1000, you won't touch a HONDA generator over 2500W, but you may find a good Generac or similar with a Briggs or Honda 10-13HP motor.

For a few hundred less you can find a reliable 5000W generator (with a good surge) which will support your 120VAC needs (fan, refrigerator, deep freeze) plus run a window unit.

If you find something at a good price, check Country of Origin. I stay away from the Chinese stuff.

ultrasonic · Apr 6, 2014

I worked for a company in New Iberia for three years. We got a out of the box Champion 1200 watt from lowes (about $225) and for three years it sat on the back of the truck in the sun, rain, wind, dust (ALOT of dust!), and cold. Our employer wasn't the greatest for reimbursing expenses so for three years we did nothing but put gas in it. We didn't change oil, spark plugs or anything preventative and on a daily basis it started (choke on) first pull EVERY time. We did have to replace the pull string 3 or 4 times after breaking due to dry rot but if I saw one of these in 5000 watt I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on it.

lineofdeparture · Apr 6, 2014

I have an onan6500.... ITs a portable and hasn't failed me yet. I paid 900 for it at Stevens rv back when gustav came through.... It's a hoss! I run my whole house on it respectively.... Just have to select what you want to run and turn most of your 220 appliances off..... But she has run my central ac with my fridge and a few lights before.... Worth every penny!

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Generator recommendation around $1000 or less

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