Generak generators

[PopAnimal]

Last Friday, I was able to see a generak 3500/3000k Inverter generator in action. We could hold a normal conversation with it running, started like a champ and would fit my power needs and then some for dry camp/docking. I loved how quiet it was, amazingly quiet!!!!!!! The models I looked are in my "affordable in the future" price range. And the weight was not a bear for me to lift in and out of TV. That being said, does anyone have any horror stories about them? Seems almost too much of a dream come true, Theres got to be a catch.

 

[Arruba]

Generac brand generators have been around a long time, and IMO make a pretty good one. I think most, if not all their lines are still built in the USA.

We had a couple at work that performed well. My Dad has an old one that still does its thing.
None of these were the Inverter type, so I can’t comment specifically to those, though I’d assume they do well also.

Powering your home, your business, your world.

website

www.generac.com

Good luck with your decision.

 

[NMroamer]

My camping buddy had a 2000 watt Generac Inverter generator that spend more time in the shop than at home.

 

[rsdata]

I bought last spring on sale at Costco a 3,200 watt duel fuel Inverter type Firman genny for about $650... I chose the Inverter type as they idle down to a level to support the power being extracted and unlike open frame gennies they do not run at full speed at all times... I figured this might save me fuel in the long run... it has battery start, has the 30 AMP RV plug and can be used with propane or gasoline... it has a handle and wheels for portability and is also quiet... I run it for about 30 minutes monthly to keep it in working order as they started doing power brownouts last summer for heat pumps, whole house AC and electric hot water heaters during the hottest times of the day... this is via an automated system installed a number of years ago on those appliances by my power company... all of this as a local coal-fired plant was shuttered 5 years earlier then planned in May of 2022

 

[McSkippy]

"Generak" sounds like a Chinese knockoff of Generac. I would avoid.

 

[J Starsky]

@generok is a nice guy - don't judge his power and ability~!

 

[Patrick w]

They used to be made in the USA- Their smaller units are mostly made in China. Ive seen the costco one and they look pretty well made. I wouldn't bring anything this large camping however, its just too much.

I really do like the newer ryobi one- it has the ability to remote start with a 18V tool battery. I have their older model, without the remote start (but remote shutdown). It purrs right along without any real issues. Not nearly as much capacity as the Generac. (but also not as much size, fuel consumption or weight!)

 

[PopAnimal]

They used to be made in the USA- Their smaller units are mostly made in China. Ive seen the costco one and they look pretty well made. I wouldn't bring anything this large camping however, its just too much.

I really do like the newer ryobi one- it has the ability to remote start with a 18V tool battery. I have their older model, without the remote start (but remote shutdown). It purrs right along without any real issues. Not nearly as much capacity as the Generac. (but also not as much size, fuel consumption or weight!)

Now you have me looking into the Ryobi.... Like the remote start option.

 

[Lug_Nut]

What would the generator be used for? How much power would it need to produce all at once? Could a lower maximum power output work for you? A smaller capacity might mean a reduction in physical size, weight, fuel consumption and purchase cost.
If you want to start the air conditioner at the same time the microwave oven is running, and the coffee machine is on, and someone's using a blow dryer on their hair, then get the big one. If you just want to have a means of topping off the 12 volt battery then a little one is all that's needed.

 

[PopAnimal]

What would the generator be used for? How much power would it need to produce all at once? Could a lower maximum power output work for you? A smaller capacity might mean a reduction in physical size, weight, fuel consumption and purchase cost.
If you want to start the air conditioner at the same time the microwave oven is running, and the coffee machine is on, and someone's using a blow dryer on their hair, then get the big one. If you just want to have a means of topping off the 12 volt battery then a little one is all that's needed.

I have a 700 watt for drill batteries and topping off battery, I have an 8750 watt that I could run an air traffic control station out of my popup with. I was looking at something quiet that i could run AC off, and have power to the outlets for entertainment machine.

 

[Lug_Nut]

The spec sheet for the 1999 Niagara indicated the trailer was "roof air conditioner ready" but no A/C model unit was listed to look up the start/run power requirements. If you know what power it needs I'd look at Inverter units that are no less than that. It might also be that a soft-start cost allows saving more than that expense in a down-sized generator.

 

[PopAnimal]

I like having a generator around for more than just camping. Flip side is I may not even run an A/C or want anything more than my battery powered radio for audible/podcasts when I camp. Roof is up right now so I cant scope out the A/C model or its needs, but i would chose an Inverter that has more juice to run it than needed but not overkill.

 

[Patrick w]

Most pop up AC's as configured do not run well with a generator that produces less than 1500 depends on your size of AC, and if you have a soft start kit installed.
Some new AC units are Inverter based and can run on 1000. It is that initial surge that makes most smaller generators ill suited to start AC units.

 

[Lug_Nut]

If you know what power it needs I'd look at Inverter units that are no less than that.

I just re-read that and I think I might need to clarify what I meant.
"...I'd look at gasoline (or propane) powered Inverter units..."
I don't want to appear to imply that a DC battery powered Inverter would be my suggestion in this situation.

 

[PopAnimal]

I totally understood the verbage, I worked at HFT for 3 years. Inverter generator. The two I have are caged units, loud as sin. Inverter generators are quieter with a much cleaner/efficient wave of electricity. Once I finish interior, Im going to drop the top and see what my A/C electrical requirements are.

 

[BikeNFish]

We run our TT with Generac 3300i genny. It's very quiet.

 

[PopAnimal]

So I remembered I was smart and took a picture of the A/C many months ago before I started the interior. 12,700 BTU's, 1Hp and 115V. So between youtube, rv forums, websites and staring out the window at work, I discovered that I can and cannot run that A/C off a 2200 watt genny. I'm looking at low decimals (which Generac proved it was, and I even spelled it right this time) dual fuel (if possible, not terribly picky) and battery start. I'm thinking somewhere in the neighborhood of 3k watts, just because. But now I'm wondering out of sheer curosity (without math equations on BTU=wattage=output squared) can a 2000ish watt genny run a 12,000 btu system consistantly? The world may never know.......

 

[Lug_Nut]

I'm looking at low decimals (which Generac proved it was, and I even spelled it right this time).......

The word 'decimals' may also spelled correctly, but I think it's wrong.
The context implies the word you wanted is 'decibels'.

Now class, put away your dictionaries and take out your physics books.

12,000 BTU/hr is equivalent to 3.5 kilowatt.