[Magic-Man]

Looking to pick up a generator for SHTF or to be used during power outages.

Can something decent be had for $400 or less?

[san~man]

Probably a bit more than you want to spend, but everyone says the Hondas are the best. Quietest, too.

[KGB7]

Originally Posted by san~man

Probably a bit more than you want to spend, but everyone says the Hondas are the best. Quietest, too.

+1

[GT3 Tim]

In short, probably not. lol

You can get something that will work for under $400, but it wont be able to power much. Even a 1000 watt gen (in your price range) wont be able to power much more than a small tv or a radio and a couple of lights.

Watts = Volts x Amps, so you can figure what you need in shopping for a gen....

Thus, if you are using 110 volt stuff, you have about 9 amps available, MAX. Not much...

[Blake]

you can get porn on your phone during a hurricane....just sayin'

[chinoxs203]

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/...or/sizing.aspx
should help decided on a size for you..

[Gregxi]

Honda or Yamaha
What are you trying to run with it?

[Magic-Man]

Originally Posted by GT3 Tim

In short, probably not. lol

You can get something that will work for under $400, but it wont be able to power much. Even a 1000 watt gen (in your price range) wont be able to power much more than a small tv or a radio and a couple of lights.

Watts = Volts x Amps, so you can figure what you need in shopping for a gen....

Thus, if you are using 110 volt stuff, you have about 9 amps available, MAX. Not much...

Home Depot sells 2,200 watt generators in the listed range.

I rent right now so don't need anything that powers the whole house. Just the fridge, a light or 2 & TV or something

[infinitekidM2C]

Go nuclear.

[Maestro]

I can tell you 1200 watts is not even enough, even though most refrig today do not use more than 500 to 800 watts, it is not the continuous usage you have to worry about it is the power on surge that you will have problems with. When a refrig turns on the compressor it exceeds the 1200 watt rating of the generator for a short period of time so it trips the breaker. Most generators can not handle motors inductive current draw so they trip off if you do not have a big enough generator.

Also if you go to a large one, most have a 10 or 15 amp breaker on the 110V out lines so they could trip when you have too many things being powered off them and the motor turns on. Very few have separated circuits for each 110V outlet, some have 220v and 110V outlets.

With that said if you not looking at 3000 watt or greater it will not support a refrig and other things in your house.

I have a 4000 watt generation with 220V out as well as 4 110v outlets. To make it easy I have wired it into my house main on the 220V side, but this requires disconnecting the house from the main power, not something I do not recommend unless you have a clue what you are doing.

[Magic-Man]

Looks like I will be going w/the 3,500 watt Champion that people rave over.

[335e92tx]

current ebay deal for another few hours

http://cgi.ebay.com/DuroMax-4400W-Po...68660.m2000036

DuroMax 4400 Watt Portable Gas RV Power Generator
Power When You Need It The Most! FREE SHIPPING!
300$