Generator for Power Outages

What do you guys think of these generators to run my pumps and misc things for the tank during an extended power outage? Will these work ok with our pumps and equipment without damaging anything? Or would you recommend something different! Thanks!!!

NEW 1250 Watt 2 Cycle Portable Generator camping 1200 - eBay (item 370304899657 end time Jun-08-10 11:09:43 PDT)

1200w PORTABLE GAS ELECTRIC GENERATOR 1 YRS WARRANTY - eBay (item 230471382215 end time May-13-10 14:27:13 PDT)

 

You do need to be careful with generators. The fluctuation in power can create spikes that can damage electronics. How long a period of time are you trying to plan for? If you buy a generator I would make sure it is designed for computer use or use a very high quality surge protector. I use a UPS1500 from APC that gives me about 4.5 hours on my Biocube 29, 5:45 mins on my 20 and about 5.50 on my 15 gallon with the 5 gallon sump. I like these units because they have the power boost option which keeps power very consistent.

 

I just received my new Sportsmans Guide catalog yesterday and they have this one on sale in it:
Tools, Generators, 1,200 - Watt Portable Generator, By Etq at Sportsman's Guide

Price looks to be about the same as what you are looking at but I don't know what shipping is like. One nice thing is they have a great customer satisfaction policy.

For myself I do a little RVing and camping so I wanted a little bigger generator which could also run my AC unit and microwave on my travel trailer. I did a ton of research on RV.net and the number one choice was the Champion 3500w models. Mine is 4 stroke so is extremely quiet and does not require a gas oil mix like a 2 stroke. It is also on wheels so is easily moved around yet still light enough I can pick it up and place it in the bed of my Ford F-150. The muffler is bigger than the one on my truck, it has a spark arrestor and quiet enough it is US Forest Service approved for use in campgrounds.
You can get the Champions at most Checker/Schucks/Kragen/Oreilleys/ Parts America auto parts or at Cabellas. Mine was on sale and Checker did a price match plus honored a calendar coupon so it was $238 out the door. Usually they are $299. www.cpeauto.com

I keep it fueled up with a little StaBil in the gas and leave an extension cord and a couple outlet strips laying on it so it is ready to go at a moments notice. Of course you have to be home so I also have a couple AC/Battery powered air pumps too for short term outages.

 

I have an APC UPS 1500 on all my servers and PC's in the office. I guess I can pull that out in the event of a real long power outage.

Thanks for the info AZ....it looks like I need to do some more research on this....I almost think a couple APC UPS's are the way to go...a lot less noise too.

 

I would never go with a 2stroke generator for my tank. Too many sensitive items.

Honda makes awesome generators, but you will pay for it. Personally, I use a Hobart generator. It can run my tank, all my lights, my A/C, and pretty much anything else I want to run.

One thing to look at is run time. You really want to figure out how much run time you can get on a tank of gas. You don't want to have to stay up all night filling the gas tank.

 

Look at the smaller 4-cycle generators like those from Honda. They are quiet and have power inverters to keep the power clean for electronics.

Honda generators are expensive, but there are a lot of cheaper clones out there.

 

We used to have a generator. I forget what size the engine was or brand of generator. The the engine I do believe was a Honda. It was like $500 though and on wheels. We had to sell it though about a year ago.

 

I have a Coleman 5000. When my electrical needs got to the point of '1 outlet wasn't enough' I had an electrician put a circuit and breakers in just for the tank. The generator out plugs in to an outlet that is connected to the circuit and runs thru the breakers.

 

id get a 4 cycle

like said above honda makes some good stuff but it is expensive but you get what you pay for

wow jus read the replies again and I said the same things haha get a honda 4 cycle you get what you pay for haha

 

I run a 3000 watt four-stroke during outages. I agree that a two-stroke may not work as well as you would like.