I bought a Generac RS8000E last year and set it up with a house outlet including an interlock to make sure I don't backfeed the grid. We opted to go with the house outlet because we have a well and if we lose power we lose water. I agree with your recommendations on non-oxy fuel. Additionally, I have a monthly calendar reminder to test run my generator. I did this after watching my neighbor struggle to start his generator that hadn't been used for a very long time.
I have a 10kw Champion dual fuel, with an outside hookup and UL interlock on the breaker panel and (2) 100 gallon LPG tanks. Powers my whole house. Based on load and shutting down when not needed, I'm good for weeks! Very happy with the setup.
The 145cc 3500-4000 luggage size dual fuel generators are the sweet spot for a lot of uses. Mine serves as house backup and runs a 15k btu camper air conditioner. Thanks for sharing.
We have the mid-sized unit you featured. It's fantastic! It starts quickly every time, has the dual fuel option, is very quiet, has clean power (it has a pure sine wave inverter) and other great features. I use it for our fifth wheel and for emergency power for our house. For the latter situation, we use a transfer switch and our RV power cable (with a custom 50A plug in the switch input). Although we can't run the house AC, the dryer, or any other 240VAC device, we can run everything else, usually in ECO mode (this really saves fuel and the gen set is even more quiet in this mode). Of course, it helps that our home has a gas range, water heater and heater. Champion products have a 3-year warranty and great customer service. I had a question or two when I bought ours, and they were prompt, courteous and professional. I know this sounds like a commercial, but I get nothing from saying all this. I just really like the company and their products. We looked at Honda, Yamaha and others but saw that we got more value with Champion. I do not regret the move at all. There are great units out there, but as the gentleman in the video suggested, buy at the right time of year. We live in Florida, and hurricane season is not usually the best time to buy. Buy off-season for the best availability and cost.
Great video! I actually just bought 2 Champion generators in the past 3 weeks, one 2k watt inverter, and then I got an amazing deal on a 9375 dual fuel portable. I live just north of Austin and am preparing for another power disaster like we had in February.
I have a Champion dual-fuel generator purchased from Sam’s Club that I purchased primarily for my RV. I had a problem with a floating neutral fault with my trailer. I talked with tech support at Champion and they walked me through the process of bonding neutral to ground internally. When I power my RV, I can plug into a quick-connect propane port to power generator. I DID change out the main propane regulator to handle higher BTU flow.
A generator is great toward maintaining your piece of mind in many situations. From bad weather, recreation and on job sites, having a good generator is an absolutely essential. Also if you can't get a generator yourself, make friends with your neighbors that do.
Three things Matt really didn't touch on, which I have found to be VERY important are noise, fuel consumption, and connection. I live in an area which is somewhat prone to long outages (3-10 days typically) due to major storms. Early on I bought a 7500 watt generator so I could easily run my entire house off it. We typically only use around that same 7500 watts over the course of a full day, but figured it would be nice to have the extra capacity. Bad move on my part! Big generators (other than high end diesels) also mean big noise and big fuel consumption! Even with the windows closed and the generator 75' from the house, it's loud. Certainly not ideal for running all night, especially in a residential area. The fuel cost to run this thing for extended periods is also pricy and requires a large supply to keep on hand. Keeping 50+ gal of gas or propane on hand is a PITA, but if you don't have it, you may very well find gas stations without power themselves, but even more likely... out of fuel themselves. Lastly, make sure you have an interlock or a transfer switch installed on your house if you're using it for household back-up power. They can be connected without either, but not wise to do so, especially if you don't know what you're doing! I'm adding a hybrid solar system this spring to replace the dependence on the grid and loud gas guzzling generator. I will sell or lend out my 7500W generator to someone in need during the outage and will be replacing it with a much smaller (quiet) generator, just to have on hand and to recharge batteries in a pinch.
Another thing he didn't touch on is the cleanness of the power output. Inverter generators not only use less fuel and are typically quieter, but also will supply power which is much safer for sensitive electronics (computers, TV's, etc). They are more expensive, but worth the extra money IMO!
@@matt00755 Thanks Matt. I'm installing a 6-8KW solar system with a hybrid inverter and 10-15 KW of batteries. This should cover us for at least a few cloudy days in a pinch and having a small gas generator on hand to recharge the batteries through the inverter will cover us if we need it. I'm doing this to be less dependent on the grid, in effort to be a little more 'green', etc. I'll do it all myself, but the payback will still likely take a long time at our relatively low consumption. But the peace of mind and not having to listen to or pay for the gas generator will be a big plus when SHTF!
@@matt00755 I hear you about spreading out baskets (I've done the same with heating as well). And good suggestion with daylight testing, will do. I'd like to do an even larger battery system, but they aren't exactly cost effective, hopefully price comes down in the not to distant future. I'm over-sizing the panels to not only prepare for future potential demand needs, but also assist on less than sunny days. Looking forward to the project, taking a couple of trees down next month to prep. ;)
I have a generator interlock mechanism in my main panel, that way I can pick and choose which circuits I want to run. I have a very clearly labeled panel, put a green dot next to the circuits that have to be on.
*100% best **Generater.Systems** I have used. A test for hurricane prep here in Louisiana: three AC units, 5000, 5000 & 8000, 3 fridges, 2 device power setups, 4 flat screens....AND I had 40% of the power meter to spare.*
Matt, good video. I agree with the MicroAir, I use that exact same 2500w Champion with my Travel Trailer using the MicroAir. The MicroAir also makes the compressor noise quieter. I also think inverter (pure sinewave) vs normal (modified sinewave) discussion should be addressed. With todays electronics integrated into appliances and such it's a good idea to run an inverter model. This all being said, I picked up a champion yesterday from a sale at Tractor Supply! God Bless Texas!
I have made a bunch of money repairing generators that are not maintained properly in my shop. Since generators can be life critical machine, a maintained generator is very important. Ethanol free gas is number one best thing you can do as Matt Risinger pointed out. Second, ALWAYS run the carb dry every time you run it and if you don't plan on running it for 3-6months, drain the fuel tank. Fuel tanks are vented, which can allow water condensate to build up. Since water is heavier than gasoline, the carb will fill full of water which causes corrosion in the carb/fuel tank and the engine will run poorly - if it runs at all. Check the oil, all small engines can use a little bit a oil - over a two day of constant running it can use 1/3 of quart of oil depending on the wear of the engine. Most quality generators have a low oil sensor, so if it just quits running, check the oil as well as the gasoline. Please store generator inside out of the weather. The consumer generators are not designed for long term outdoor storage. Keep a quart of 10w-30 oil on the shelf just in case you need to add some. I have had a few cheaper generators come into the shop with blown engines because the owner ran them out of oil. Lastly, if it is a battery started generator, find out if the generator self charges the battery and if your not going to use it for 3-6months, put the battery on a quality battery maintainer, that way it starts every time. Thanks for the great video Matt!
Completely agree with all your comments, you know your genny's for sure! I would only amplify your last sentence- since most generators are intermittantly used devices (wall power is MUCH cheaper/convenient, at $4 gallon gas & $4 quart oil, filters, tuning, cleaning etc) the starting LA battery is the weak link, sulfation WILL happen if not actively charged -especially fast in hot climates like Arizona! My dad gets 3yrs life on a battery in Tucson, I get 8+yrs in Tacoma WA. I went with Deltran Battery Tender maintainers for any place that I can run an extension cord, a small 5 watt solar panel wherever that didnt work. So long as you dont screwup and deep-cycle the battery you should have fast reliable starts, and most mid to large gennys dont have a backup pull start, so.....😕
Really thinking about a nat gas gen. Something that doesn't require buying tanks of gas, and natural gas service is pretty reliable during a freeze/hurricane.
I think it depends on the generator size. Even a mid size generator will require a 3/4 inch pipe if it is more than a few feet away from the gas meter. Also, if you are going to put it on the same pipe as a gas furnace, you are not going to get enough gas. If you have a place where you can tap into a 3/4th pipe, then yeah, dual fuel is a good option but one should check the gas delivery requirement.
In your video you said the BBQ size propane tanks hold 25 Lbs. Actually that size tank is designed to hold 20 Lbs and most exchange tanks only come filled with 15 Lbs. Also while your suggestion to run only run ethanol free fuel is good if the generator is not going to be run regularly you will be better off emptying the fuel tank completely because over time moisture will accumulate in the tank and if you have a metal tank it will rust and the rust particles can plug the carburetor's jets. I use a dual fuel Champion and keep enough propane on hand to run it for up to twenty hours so if it is a short term power outage after power is restored I don't have to drain the carb and the fuel tank to prevent fuel system problems.
Great video. I don’t agree with the ethanol free advice. I’ve had my generator for 10 years and all I do is run it dry - completely dry none in the tank. This also means draining the carburetor bowl as well. Run some low pressure air into the gas tank with a towel over the fuel hole and the fuel bowl bolt removed and that will blow out any residual gas. I run it every 4-6 months and it starts on the first pull every time Just some first hand experience which points me to not needing ethanol, free fuel, or running it every month. Great overview video of the champion products. I was a little confused on the 120 V (?) plug on the large generator (on the far left ) Typically there’s a 230 V 30 amp option (L14-30R) and a 240 V 50 amp option (14-50R) along with 120 duplex outlets.
Those generators are pretty neat, had no idea they had that many features now. I am in the electric vehicle game and going to hold out for an EV with 240V output and have that as backup - enough power for my house for 1-2 weeks in an electric vehicles battery capacity, way more than enough. Just need the ability from more and more EVs!
I was wondering the same thing. Matt seems to have the latest and greatest technology behind every system in his house. Having a gas/propane/natural gas generator, with all the maintenance/noise etc. seems a bit old school.
@@augustreil component quality, long term durability and the inability for repair are definitely valid concerns for potential solar customers. Besides the whole situation of solar power being environmentally dependent the rate at which solar components/batteries become outdated/obsolete and automatically continuously reduce their efficiency as they age and will regularly require replacement weather you are using the system or not. Obviously for a back up power supply, solar gathered into battery cells is the absolute worst way to go. Collecting power from the sun as of now is to slow while storing a useful amount of power in even the very best currently available type of batteries is extremely expensive over the long term. A couple thousand dollars worth of generator + fuel will give your family all the power it needs to get through any natural disaster , it will not get blown away or broken by hail and it will not cost you $1000 a year for maintenance even when it isn’t used at all. In the right locations solar currently can be worth the cost but for now only when it’s used to directly and almost immediately power something needing a small amount of power in a remote location and an ideal geographic area. To slowly gather solar energy in long term power storage (bank of batteries) that’s intended for future yet sporadic use though…. No way. 👎
My 11" X 16" bedroom's window AC is 5000 btu, rated at 515 watts. Don't know the starting watts. I'm in Virginia and till now, I've been lucky. My extended outages have been in the fall, and I didn't need heat or AC - just the fridge & (alternately) the microwave, with a couple CF lights, a fan and the TV. running a 2000 watt (contniuos) generator. This also includes unplugging the fridge and shutting down the generator overnight to save fuel. Before I put it away, I close the fuel-valve and run the generator to get the gas out of the carb. So far, no major issues restarting.
Great into brother! Thanks for the laugh. And great content that just keeps becoming more relevant. Outages will probably increase, and gasoline availability will waiver. So consider a duel fuel and keep a tank of propane on hand.
I want one that is big enough to run the furnace and stove in our house during an outage but small and light enough to load in a truck and take to the job site.what size should I get?
Great reviews of portable generators -- we went the 'whole house' generac version. When we moved to northwest connecticut, we thought we'd need it frequently.. but of course, not so much. :) if we didn't have it we'd have been without power for weeks at a time lol.
The capacitor ur talking is called a hard start kit. They make them for anything that has a refrigerant compressor from a refrigerator, deep freezer, mini splits and regular size ac unit for home and RV.
No sir, the Micro Air is a soft start kit. Much more sophisticated than a hard start kit and much more effective at reducing start-up load on the generator - hence the $300 price tag.
When using a non-inverter generator, you need to understand that the typical non-inverter generator puts out a total harmonic distortion (THD) in the 10-25% range. Conversely, inverter generators typically put out less than 3% THD. So, if want to run a high efficency (read computer driven) furnace, tankless hot water heater, smart TV, computer, or UPS, 10-25% THD from a non-inverter generator can reak havoc and sometimes even damage the computer controls of your high efficency furnace or computer driven devices. So, if you want to run sensitive electronics, be sure to get an inverter-generator.
Matt It would be nice if you did a video on whole home stand by generator that you would recommend. Hope you and the family had a good THANKSGIVING. See you on the next video
I bought a new 2000W Champion Inverter. I'm an engineer and I had a look inside (removed the covers). The unit has a very strong chemical smell inside. What are the working conditions at the factory ? Are the workers exposed to these chemicals 8 hours a day ? These workers are women as well. What are the chemicals used inside these generators ?
You should reach out to Ford and see if they will let you test the new Lightning for a couple days. They are claiming they will power a full crew for a couple days. I'm sure your channel is big enough that they would actually consider it.
There is a lot to explain, the two inverter generators are nice for Electronics (pure sine wave) the larger generator doesn't have inverter technology.
fun fact: the only difference between the natural gas and propane fuel options is having tuning for the individual gasses energy density. There is also the pressure difference. Natural gas for houses is at 1/2 a psi. Propane tanks are much higher I think around 20?
Propane appliances run on regulated pressure, not tank pressure. Tank pressure varies wildly with tank temperature, but can be much higher than 20psi. Regulated pressure for propane appliances is 12 inches of water column, I believe. Regulated natural gas for residential appliances is typically 6 inches of water column, as well as being less dense. But ya, neither fuel needs to be carbureted or injected like gasoline because it's already gaseous.
Bought a 6800 Dual Fuel Champion about a month ago. Also prepping for Texas snow freeze or other natural disaster. I’m just curious about what cords I need. Do I need the 30amp in order to plug into a 110?
I would suggest you grab a local friend that knows a good bit on the topic. It's pretty easy, but with the fact you are asking this question suggests you are uncertain of the concepts and we really don't want you to fry something, or worse, get killed or kill a lineman. Otherwise, research, learn, execute.
@@markseamans4682 lol. How would I hurt a lineman? You must be one to randomly throw that out there. And me asking is me researching, learning so I can execute.
@@markbuildstx Some will back feed an outlet in their house without killing the main. This will send the generators voltage to the main feed. Thus, when the utility is working on fixing the outage, they are unaware voltage is coming from the opposite direction. Randomly? Nope. I'm in IT guy that has lots of good real world experience. This is why most city electrical codes ensure there is a transfer switch or an interlock to prevent this.
7:00 A quick word on fuel usage. If you want to maximize efficiency, run the generator near full load. Generators run constant rpm, and this requires fuel. You will achieve better fuel efficiency with higher load because more of your fuel will be used to generate power compared to the amount required to maintain the RPM.
@@Bob_Lob_Law, I have a 3 family house and run a 10K I'm not going to run anything smaller so that it gets strained the whole time it's running. Doesn't make sense.
@@Bob_Lob_Law, And I've never heard of running an undersized generator from anyone. Even Matt says not to run them at full load. You're dead wrong on this one, all that will do is wear it out quick and NOT save any fuel.
@@augustreil Honestly, I don't care what your situation is, and I'm not looking to solve any of your problems. I'm just merely handing out the a correction regarding load vs fuel efficiency.
@@Bob_Lob_Law, But you're way wrong on running the smallest generator so that it runs at full load all the time. You shouldn't be telling people that, that's all I'm saying.
You really should have addressed the issue of an inverter generator versus the traditional portable generator. This is important as it relates to clean power, fuel consumption and noise.
I have a 4500 if I need 10k to run my house why not buy another 4500 and hook both together to run for your house instead buying a gen that's to freaking heavy
Matt, propane tanks should never be transported in an enclosed vehicle like your wife’s Suburban. Propane is heavier than air and the slightest leak could could the vapor to pool in the lowest area of the vehicle. A door release solenoid could cause a spark and ignite the vapor resulting in a violent explosion. While this is not a common occurrence, it has happened with devastating results. Better safe than sorry. Best you handle the refill mission with your pickup truck. Also the newest Honda portable gas generators have a built in Carbon Monoxide detector that turns off the generator if it senses a build up of the poisonous gas. Other generator manufacturers should consider following suit.
@@Pk3_Garage I wish that were the case. A leak is a leak and the vapor will seek the lowest level and pool there. While this scenario is very very rare, it’s always best to transport any size propane tank in an open vehicle like a pickup truck. Better safe than sorry.
I get your point, but your forgetting that most people don't own a pickup truck. We have two 20lbs propane tanks that I get filled. I transport them in our minivan. I'm only driving for about 10 min. though. Also, I bought ours new, so I know the condition of them. Owners have to make sure the tanks are not past the certification date too.
Please don't use those open-frame type generators like the big one here unless you're on several acres of land. They're loud AF and your neighbors will hate you. Honda makes a large, quiet inverter generator, but it's gas only I believe. Don't be cheap!
2020 was about a week of No Power For a week at 40° or colder at nite. February 14 was supposed to be a Rolling Black Out. But it was a lie. I was four days without power at 40° freezing and Yet IH35 was Lite Up Night Time. Saw from outside my yard, Really... I live 150 South of SA...
It would have been important to talk about the quality of the different Inverters with these generator models. For example an Inverter with Pure Sine Wave technology will be preferable with certain sensitive electronic devices like Laptop, charging drill battery, TV and more. Nice videos Matt.
Also, pure sine is very important for any electric motor (AC compressors, fans) due to electrical reactance (look it up). Motors run less efficiently and can overheat, possibly damaging some very expensive equipment. Really nobody should use a cheap inverter unless its just to power small loads.
One topic not covered when discussing sizing is noise output. If you’re running this at a campsite or have neighbors in close proximity, a quiet generator is a must. Nothing will “generate” rage like a neighbor keeping you awake with some mega generator. It could also attract unwanted attention in a widespread outage / disaster. This was a big factor in choosing a Honda EU2200i. We can keep food from spoiling, run a small space heater, and charge cellphones, all with a compact and extremely quiet generator that I can lift with one hand. Speaking of which, invest in a quality lock and chain to keep your portable generator from walking away late at night.
We run our 10,000 watt all day, all night when the power goes out. Built a sound box for it and you can barely hear it and personally I could care less if I didn't have a sound box. I'm not letting all my food go to waste and living in the dark. With a 10K, I can run almost anything in the house and live pretty good !
I live in an urban neighborhood and also choose the Honda EU2200i for the same reasons. We live in Oakland, CA so my use case is the annual PG&E wildfire shutdowns and maybe in my lifetime there will be the "big one earthquake". If I upgrade my electric panel I'll likely add the special plug to power my downstairs bathroom sump pit, gas furnace, and a couple outlets for fiber internet and the fridge and freezer. Of course I'll likely have to buy a 2nd EU2200i and run them with a parallel kit.
mine "walked away" last week. Apparently my house catching on fire wasn't enough of a kick in the guts, some ass hat need the generator more than I did. thanks
Not mentioned is the inverter types (two on the table) can run quieter and more fuel efficiently at low loads on eco mode since the AC output is created by the inverter not directly from the engine speed. The larger generators have to maintain speed to keep the frequency and voltage at the right levels. They are more fuel efficient a near full running load. Also, if you get a generator, consider what cords you need/want. A contractor would have lots of extension cords about, but not everyone does. And you'll need cords with the proper plugs to use the round high amp receptacles.
One important thing that wasn't mentioned. The two smaller generators only run 120 volt. If your house has a well you will need a 240 volt generator for most well pumps. You will need the largest unit to get water. Also, most home ac units require 240 volt.
@@GregsWorkshopOregon Are you sure about that? I don't believe that champion 120V generators and a parallel kit will provide 240V output. I checked their site and none of the parallel kits offered by Champion provide an actual 240V output. Their 50A parallel kit does include a NEMA 14-50R that is typically a 240V receptacle but it is clearly labeled 120V and not for 240V. Although theoretically possible, most commonly available 120V inverter generators cannot be combined to provide 240V output. There may be exceptions, but I am sure there are not many at this time. In order to provide 240V, the two generator outputs would have to be synchronized so that they would be 180 degrees out of phase. To do this there would have to be communication between the two inverters, but the typical parallel kit only has 3 wires (2 conductors & ground). There simply are not enough wires to accomplish the task. I also question whether the inverter itself is equipped for the synchronization required for the task.
I have that midsize one, the 3400 watt. It's running our house right now, for the last 18 hours. I have it hooked to a 10-circuit transfer panel. It's running the furnace and water heater blowers, general lighting, DW & frig, garage door, routers, and coffee maker/toaster no problem. The only thing not hooked up is the A/C, oven, and W/D. Uses very little propane and is super quiet.
Thanks for the reminder to run my generator occasionally - I haven't done that in a while. One thing you failed to touch on is noise levels. I have a large dual fuel champion and a Honda. The Honda Inverter is SOOOO much quieter then the Champion - which seems to run at balls to the wall full time - and the Honda has the switch to run at low RPM until a higher demand requires more umph. But overall a good quick introduction for those of us somewhat new to the need for off-grid power.
If it doesn’t have an inverter, it needs to run at 3600RPM* which correspond to 60Hz, no matter the load, that’s why they’re always noisy. *They can be 1800RPM too if there’s a second set of poles. But again it will need to run at a stable 1800RPM.
As Cédric said, if it is an "inverter" style gen it will be quieter & run at variable RPM rather than the screaming Champion gens you are used to seeing. The Champion 2500 & 3500 are both inverters, but the big 10k Matt showed is a conventional 3600 RPM screamer. Generally speaking inverter gens=quiet & fuel efficient, conventional 3600 RPM=loud & horrible fuel efficiency. The only caution we have is that Champion uses a much smaller engine & kind of cheats the numbers. IE their "2500 watt" generator has a tiny 79cc engine. The Honda 2200 has a larger 121cc engine. At the end of the day, the Champion will not produce the power it claims & the Honda will. At Hutch Mountain this is what we do & we test these generators extensively. Yes rojer, Honda's at the best for many reason!!
@@HutchMountain My Champion 2500 is rated at 1750 Watts. I ran it in the mountains around a month ago topping off my RV battery system (LiFePO4 bank). It was delivering a solid 1700 watts. With the altitude, I figured it was spot on.
My son has a Large contractor style Honda 5500 watt rated generator, (its probably 20 yrs old at this time) non-inverter type that has a quiet idle switch. Works great to cut fuel use & noise if your loads are intermittant and not very frequency sensitive - takes 1 to 2 seconds to come up to full 3600rpm speed. Love the small Honda engines for reliability (when serviced properly, they arent B&S or similar lawnmower types) I can see the lineage from the motorcycles I used to work on "back in tha day" every time I get to revive one (because owner manual was tossed or never read!). Considering the cost of large house capable full sine converter systems- I would prefer to build a carefully considered emergency power panel system, with a good (well filtered, like my mil surplus Topaz transformer) conventional generator for high power loads, and for sensitive electronics a seperate circuit with a full sine inverter and DC batterry bank bulk charged with a few used solar panels (why? the engine + fuel are the least reliable components) and maintained by a plugin smart charger. There is a lot of cross-over applications between modern RV power systems and home back-up power thats possible, without going full off-grid $$$$crazy! If you can hook into your RV or boat power, you can extend storage and run times further.
I wouldn’t rely on the Natural Gas option for grid down situations. As you found out in February, the Natural Gas grid was over taxed, and not available for residential use! LPG is in my opinion a much better option.
@@scottburton414 Hi Scott : the real details are complicated enough that you should look at Wikipedia, but I will summarize the basics. The power grids (I recall vaguely 3 in USA - Eastern, Western, Texas) in order to function as an inter-connected assembly of 10s of thousands of components (transformers, switches, cables, generators, etc) must run in precise synch with each other (phase) or very bad things will occur rapidly - think bad tempered children fighting a tug of war over a vat of spaghetti. Lots of very expensive equipment overheating , Arcs you could see from space, explosions. Seriously bad. This means keeping the phase at 60hz (or 50hz on other continents) absolutely critical if you want a grid to work. Now since that is a basic given like the speed of sound or the sunrise, you can treat it like a clock or tuning fork to regulate things inside all our electronics, and keep seperate units talking to each other across a circuit board, or building, or state lines. Messing with that stable locked frequency can cause overheating or out of control behaviors in many carefully calculated circuits.
@Kevin Smith: Hi Kevin! Thanks for that insight. I assumed the generator would have to be used with a transfer switch that would isolate it from the grid. In this case the frequency would maybe only affect household clocks relying on the mains frequency to keep time. Most other modern electronics use high-frequency switching power converters that are relatively immune to the 50/60Hz mains frequency. But you're absolutely correct that poorly designed converters can contribute to harmonic distortion on the mains. There's an international standard intended to address this: EN61000-3-2. Great discussion, thanks!
@@MandoFettOG I agree. Solar is great, but if it is a crappy day outside, you need a decent generator or overkill on the solar with good sized battery bank.
I just watched 6 videos prior to finding this video. Thank you so much for taking time to make it and explain everything. Especially the the new tri fuel generator. Your not just getting likes, but helping local TX ppl survive. Thank you again.
I bought a Generac RS8000E last year and set it up with a house outlet including an interlock to make sure I don't backfeed the grid. We opted to go with the house outlet because we have a well and if we lose power we lose water. I agree with your recommendations on non-oxy fuel. Additionally, I have a monthly calendar reminder to test run my generator. I did this after watching my neighbor struggle to start his generator that hadn't been used for a very long time.
I have a 10kw Champion dual fuel, with an outside hookup and UL interlock on the breaker panel and (2) 100 gallon LPG tanks. Powers my whole house. Based on load and shutting down when not needed, I'm good for weeks! Very happy with the setup.
Hooked it up the 500 gal tank on our Off-Grid home as a backup. Works well
Do you have a well pump?
The 145cc 3500-4000 luggage size dual fuel generators are the sweet spot for a lot of uses. Mine serves as house backup and runs a 15k btu camper air conditioner. Thanks for sharing.
We have the mid-sized unit you featured. It's fantastic! It starts quickly every time, has the dual fuel option, is very quiet, has clean power (it has a pure sine wave inverter) and other great features. I use it for our fifth wheel and for emergency power for our house. For the latter situation, we use a transfer switch and our RV power cable (with a custom 50A plug in the switch input). Although we can't run the house AC, the dryer, or any other 240VAC device, we can run everything else, usually in ECO mode (this really saves fuel and the gen set is even more quiet in this mode). Of course, it helps that our home has a gas range, water heater and heater.
Champion products have a 3-year warranty and great customer service. I had a question or two when I bought ours, and they were prompt, courteous and professional. I know this sounds like a commercial, but I get nothing from saying all this. I just really like the company and their products. We looked at Honda, Yamaha and others but saw that we got more value with Champion. I do not regret the move at all. There are great units out there, but as the gentleman in the video suggested, buy at the right time of year. We live in Florida, and hurricane season is not usually the best time to buy. Buy off-season for the best availability and cost.
Great video! I actually just bought 2 Champion generators in the past 3 weeks, one 2k watt inverter, and then I got an amazing deal on a 9375 dual fuel portable. I live just north of Austin and am preparing for another power disaster like we had in February.
Great move! I suspect they will be hard to find once we get the first cold snap.
@@buildshow best time to panic buy is when there's no panic.
@@buildshow good thing Bucces has non ethanol no one else within 2-3 hours to dfw carries it .
I have a Champion dual-fuel generator purchased from Sam’s Club that I purchased primarily for my RV. I had a problem with a floating neutral fault with my trailer. I talked with tech support at Champion and they walked me through the process of bonding neutral to ground internally. When I power my RV, I can plug into a quick-connect propane port to power generator. I DID change out the main propane regulator to handle higher BTU flow.
There is a plug you can make/buy that joins the ground to the neutral leg in the 110V outlet.
A generator is great toward maintaining your piece of mind in many situations. From bad weather, recreation and on job sites, having a good generator is an absolutely essential.
Also if you can't get a generator yourself, make friends with your neighbors that do.
Three things Matt really didn't touch on, which I have found to be VERY important are noise, fuel consumption, and connection. I live in an area which is somewhat prone to long outages (3-10 days typically) due to major storms. Early on I bought a 7500 watt generator so I could easily run my entire house off it. We typically only use around that same 7500 watts over the course of a full day, but figured it would be nice to have the extra capacity. Bad move on my part! Big generators (other than high end diesels) also mean big noise and big fuel consumption! Even with the windows closed and the generator 75' from the house, it's loud. Certainly not ideal for running all night, especially in a residential area. The fuel cost to run this thing for extended periods is also pricy and requires a large supply to keep on hand. Keeping 50+ gal of gas or propane on hand is a PITA, but if you don't have it, you may very well find gas stations without power themselves, but even more likely... out of fuel themselves.
Lastly, make sure you have an interlock or a transfer switch installed on your house if you're using it for household back-up power. They can be connected without either, but not wise to do so, especially if you don't know what you're doing!
I'm adding a hybrid solar system this spring to replace the dependence on the grid and loud gas guzzling generator. I will sell or lend out my 7500W generator to someone in need during the outage and will be replacing it with a much smaller (quiet) generator, just to have on hand and to recharge batteries in a pinch.
Another thing he didn't touch on is the cleanness of the power output. Inverter generators not only use less fuel and are typically quieter, but also will supply power which is much safer for sensitive electronics (computers, TV's, etc). They are more expensive, but worth the extra money IMO!
@@matt00755 Thanks Matt. I'm installing a 6-8KW solar system with a hybrid inverter and 10-15 KW of batteries. This should cover us for at least a few cloudy days in a pinch and having a small gas generator on hand to recharge the batteries through the inverter will cover us if we need it. I'm doing this to be less dependent on the grid, in effort to be a little more 'green', etc. I'll do it all myself, but the payback will still likely take a long time at our relatively low consumption. But the peace of mind and not having to listen to or pay for the gas generator will be a big plus when SHTF!
@@matt00755 I hear you about spreading out baskets (I've done the same with heating as well). And good suggestion with daylight testing, will do. I'd like to do an even larger battery system, but they aren't exactly cost effective, hopefully price comes down in the not to distant future. I'm over-sizing the panels to not only prepare for future potential demand needs, but also assist on less than sunny days. Looking forward to the project, taking a couple of trees down next month to prep. ;)
I have a generator interlock mechanism in my main panel, that way I can pick and choose which circuits I want to run. I have a very clearly labeled panel, put a green dot next to the circuits that have to be on.
*100% best **Generater.Systems** I have used. A test for hurricane prep here in Louisiana: three AC units, 5000, 5000 & 8000, 3 fridges, 2 device power setups, 4 flat screens....AND I had 40% of the power meter to spare.*
Matt, good video. I agree with the MicroAir, I use that exact same 2500w Champion with my Travel Trailer using the MicroAir. The MicroAir also makes the compressor noise quieter. I also think inverter (pure sinewave) vs normal (modified sinewave) discussion should be addressed. With todays electronics integrated into appliances and such it's a good idea to run an inverter model. This all being said, I picked up a champion yesterday from a sale at Tractor Supply! God Bless Texas!
I have made a bunch of money repairing generators that are not maintained properly in my shop. Since generators can be life critical machine, a maintained generator is very important. Ethanol free gas is number one best thing you can do as Matt Risinger pointed out. Second, ALWAYS run the carb dry every time you run it and if you don't plan on running it for 3-6months, drain the fuel tank. Fuel tanks are vented, which can allow water condensate to build up. Since water is heavier than gasoline, the carb will fill full of water which causes corrosion in the carb/fuel tank and the engine will run poorly - if it runs at all. Check the oil, all small engines can use a little bit a oil - over a two day of constant running it can use 1/3 of quart of oil depending on the wear of the engine. Most quality generators have a low oil sensor, so if it just quits running, check the oil as well as the gasoline. Please store generator inside out of the weather. The consumer generators are not designed for long term outdoor storage. Keep a quart of 10w-30 oil on the shelf just in case you need to add some. I have had a few cheaper generators come into the shop with blown engines because the owner ran them out of oil. Lastly, if it is a battery started generator, find out if the generator self charges the battery and if your not going to use it for 3-6months, put the battery on a quality battery maintainer, that way it starts every time. Thanks for the great video Matt!
Completely agree with all your comments, you know your genny's for sure! I would only amplify your last sentence- since most generators are intermittantly used devices (wall power is MUCH cheaper/convenient, at $4 gallon gas & $4 quart oil, filters, tuning, cleaning etc) the starting LA battery is the weak link, sulfation WILL happen if not actively charged -especially fast in hot climates like Arizona! My dad gets 3yrs life on a battery in Tucson, I get 8+yrs in Tacoma WA. I went with Deltran Battery Tender maintainers for any place that I can run an extension cord, a small 5 watt solar panel wherever that didnt work. So long as you dont screwup and deep-cycle the battery you should have fast reliable starts, and most mid to large gennys dont have a backup pull start, so.....😕
Any opinion on Champion dual fuel inverter generators?
We fix them and they don’t listen 😢😢
They just don’t care until they need it and then expect me to work day and night for a week 😮
Really thinking about a nat gas gen. Something that doesn't require buying tanks of gas, and natural gas service is pretty reliable during a freeze/hurricane.
I think it depends on the generator size. Even a mid size generator will require a 3/4 inch pipe if it is more than a few feet away from the gas meter. Also, if you are going to put it on the same pipe as a gas furnace, you are not going to get enough gas. If you have a place where you can tap into a 3/4th pipe, then yeah, dual fuel is a good option but one should check the gas delivery requirement.
Best video I’ve found to help me figure out what we need. And that Champion website tip is great for figuring out our wattage requirements. Thank you!
In your video you said the BBQ size propane tanks hold 25 Lbs. Actually that size tank is designed to hold 20 Lbs and most exchange tanks only come filled with 15 Lbs.
Also while your suggestion to run only run ethanol free fuel is good if the generator is not going to be run regularly you will be better off emptying the fuel tank completely because over time moisture will accumulate in the tank and if you have a metal tank it will rust and the rust particles can plug the carburetor's jets.
I use a dual fuel Champion and keep enough propane on hand to run it for up to twenty hours so if it is a short term power outage after power is restored I don't have to drain the carb and the fuel tank to prevent fuel system problems.
I have two Champion 2500 watt inverters that I run on propane only and I parallel them to run my Travel trailer. works great
bruh, this is the Build show intro I subscribed for. seen these generators in my local stores, thanks for the demo
Matt's videos on generators is why I subscribed more than a year ago.
Thanks Matt for all your content. You sure pack a lot of very useful information for us mere mortals!
Great video. I don’t agree with the ethanol free advice. I’ve had my generator for 10 years and all I do is run it dry - completely dry none in the tank. This also means draining the carburetor bowl as well. Run some low pressure air into the gas tank with a towel over the fuel hole and the fuel bowl bolt removed and that will blow out any residual gas. I run it every 4-6 months and it starts on the first pull every time Just some first hand experience which points me to not needing ethanol, free fuel, or running it every month. Great overview video of the champion products.
I was a little confused on the 120 V (?) plug on the large generator (on the far left ) Typically there’s a 230 V 30 amp option (L14-30R) and a 240 V 50 amp option (14-50R) along with 120 duplex outlets.
Those generators are pretty neat, had no idea they had that many features now. I am in the electric vehicle game and going to hold out for an EV with 240V output and have that as backup - enough power for my house for 1-2 weeks in an electric vehicles battery capacity, way more than enough. Just need the ability from more and more EVs!
I see fuel cells as the quicker option for that.
@@jimb9283 What do you mean quicker option? A few EVs come out next year with 240V output.
Matt, why didn’t you go with a solar + battery storage for your home?
Same reasons most people don’t.
@@jaxturner7288, Junk ! Just my opinion. Some people love it, not me.
I was wondering the same thing. Matt seems to have the latest and greatest technology behind every system in his house. Having a gas/propane/natural gas generator, with all the maintenance/noise etc. seems a bit old school.
@@augustreil component quality, long term durability and the inability for repair are definitely valid concerns for potential solar customers.
Besides the whole situation of solar power being environmentally dependent the rate at which solar components/batteries become outdated/obsolete and automatically continuously reduce their efficiency as they age and will regularly require replacement weather you are using the system or not.
Obviously for a back up power supply, solar gathered into battery cells is the absolute worst way to go.
Collecting power from the sun as of now is to slow while storing a useful amount of power in even the very best currently available type of batteries is extremely expensive over the long term.
A couple thousand dollars worth of generator + fuel will give your family all the power it needs to get through any natural disaster , it will not get blown away or broken by hail and it will not cost you $1000 a year for maintenance even when it isn’t used at all.
In the right locations solar currently can be worth the cost but for now only when it’s used to directly and almost immediately power something needing a small amount of power in a remote location and an ideal geographic area.
To slowly gather solar energy in long term power storage (bank of batteries) that’s intended for future yet sporadic use though…. No way. 👎
@@jaxturner7288, Agree, thanks.
My 11" X 16" bedroom's window AC is 5000 btu, rated at 515 watts. Don't know the starting watts. I'm in Virginia and till now, I've been lucky. My extended outages have been in the fall, and I didn't need heat or AC - just the fridge & (alternately) the microwave, with a couple CF lights, a fan and the TV. running a 2000 watt (contniuos) generator.
This also includes unplugging the fridge and shutting down the generator overnight to save fuel. Before I put it away, I close the fuel-valve and run the generator to get the gas out of the carb. So far, no major issues restarting.
I got a charge out of your video tonight. Thanks and I wasn't shocked..Keep up the great work .
Champion has GREAT customer service.
Great into brother! Thanks for the laugh. And great content that just keeps becoming more relevant. Outages will probably increase, and gasoline availability will waiver. So consider a duel fuel and keep a tank of propane on hand.
Thanks Matt, I'll never un-see you with a mullet.
Ha! More fun intros?
Champion is a good brand. I have one of the little guys and love it.
Great intro!
Took a page from Demo Ranch!
He rocks out with his caulk out.
I want one that is big enough to run the furnace and stove in our house during an outage but small and light enough to load in a truck and take to the job site.what size should I get?
Great reviews of portable generators -- we went the 'whole house' generac version. When we moved to northwest connecticut, we thought we'd need it frequently.. but of course, not so much. :) if we didn't have it we'd have been without power for weeks at a time lol.
The capacitor ur talking is called a hard start kit. They make them for anything that has a refrigerant compressor from a refrigerator, deep freezer, mini splits and regular size ac unit for home and RV.
No sir, the Micro Air is a soft start kit. Much more sophisticated than a hard start kit and much more effective at reducing start-up load on the generator - hence the $300 price tag.
I just picked up the Tri-Fuel in this video. For those wondering, the decibel level running both Nat.Gas or Propane is 76 Decibals, unloaded.
When using a non-inverter generator, you need to understand that the typical non-inverter generator puts out a total harmonic distortion (THD) in the 10-25% range. Conversely, inverter generators typically put out less than 3% THD. So, if want to run a high efficency (read computer driven) furnace, tankless hot water heater, smart TV, computer, or UPS, 10-25% THD from a non-inverter generator can reak havoc and sometimes even damage the computer controls of your high efficency furnace or computer driven devices. So, if you want to run sensitive electronics, be sure to get an inverter-generator.
Love the "mas o menos!" I know you have spent some time on-site with the amigos!
Matt It would be nice if you did a video on whole home stand by generator that you would recommend. Hope you and the family had a good THANKSGIVING. See you on the next video
I think he did one a year or so ago. Check the archives 🍻
Get at least 3-4 quotes from generator companies and set them up with a large propane tank that's automatic, you'll never be happier !
I bought a new 2000W Champion Inverter. I'm an engineer and I had a look inside (removed the covers). The unit has a very strong chemical smell inside. What are the working conditions at the factory ? Are the workers exposed to these chemicals 8 hours a day ? These workers are women as well. What are the chemicals used inside these generators ?
You should reach out to Ford and see if they will let you test the new Lightning for a couple days. They are claiming they will power a full crew for a couple days. I'm sure your channel is big enough that they would actually consider it.
I like to know how are able use it in winter when your power goes out the box says keep out of cold and keep away from Moist
There is a lot to explain, the two inverter generators are nice for Electronics (pure sine wave) the larger generator doesn't have inverter technology.
Off topic… but what are your thoughts on steel framing?
Noice Video like the intro. Fun times!
Thank you, very informative
What’s a transfer switch run installed ? Or should your power Co be adding one at no charge ??
Anything after the meter is the responsibility of the home owner. You will need a licensed electrician.
fun fact: the only difference between the natural gas and propane fuel options is having tuning for the individual gasses energy density. There is also the pressure difference. Natural gas for houses is at 1/2 a psi. Propane tanks are much higher I think around 20?
Propane appliances run on regulated pressure, not tank pressure. Tank pressure varies wildly with tank temperature, but can be much higher than 20psi.
Regulated pressure for propane appliances is 12 inches of water column, I believe. Regulated natural gas for residential appliances is typically 6 inches of water column, as well as being less dense.
But ya, neither fuel needs to be carbureted or injected like gasoline because it's already gaseous.
Thanks!
Mossy Minos. Lol
Good video covering the ranges and benefits
How easy or difficult is it to switch between fuels?
I’m looking for something close to a 5 kw inverter , Tri fuel for sale .
How long can 5kvc run 2 PS4 ?
Bought a 6800 Dual Fuel Champion about a month ago. Also prepping for Texas snow freeze or other natural disaster. I’m just curious about what cords I need. Do I need the 30amp in order to plug into a 110?
I would suggest you grab a local friend that knows a good bit on the topic. It's pretty easy, but with the fact you are asking this question suggests you are uncertain of the concepts and we really don't want you to fry something, or worse, get killed or kill a lineman. Otherwise, research, learn, execute.
@@markseamans4682 lol. How would I hurt a lineman? You must be one to randomly throw that out there. And me asking is me researching, learning so I can execute.
@@markbuildstx Some will back feed an outlet in their house without killing the main. This will send the generators voltage to the main feed. Thus, when the utility is working on fixing the outage, they are unaware voltage is coming from the opposite direction. Randomly? Nope. I'm in IT guy that has lots of good real world experience. This is why most city electrical codes ensure there is a transfer switch or an interlock to prevent this.
are they electric start accessible remotely by wifi?
Hello from the great state of Michigan
7:00 A quick word on fuel usage.
If you want to maximize efficiency, run the generator near full load.
Generators run constant rpm, and this requires fuel. You will achieve better fuel efficiency with higher load because more of your fuel will be used to generate power compared to the amount required to maintain the RPM.
@@augustreil Primarily use the smallest generator you can. And don't run a generator just to charge your phone or something stupid like that.
@@Bob_Lob_Law, I have a 3 family house and run a 10K I'm not going to run anything smaller so that it gets strained the whole time it's running. Doesn't make sense.
@@Bob_Lob_Law, And I've never heard of running an undersized generator from anyone. Even Matt says not to run them at full load. You're dead wrong on this one, all that will do is wear it out quick and NOT save any fuel.
@@augustreil Honestly, I don't care what your situation is, and I'm not looking to solve any of your problems.
I'm just merely handing out the a correction regarding load vs fuel efficiency.
@@Bob_Lob_Law, But you're way wrong on running the smallest generator so that it runs at full load all the time. You shouldn't be telling people that, that's all I'm saying.
Any one beats nothing and everyone needs one for sure now folks
For a minute I'm like "A collab with Cleetus McFarland?"
You really should have addressed the issue of an inverter generator versus the traditional portable generator. This is important as it relates to clean power, fuel consumption and noise.
Which one can I charge an EV with?
I have a 4500 if I need 10k to run my house why not buy another 4500 and hook both together to run for your house instead buying a gen that's to freaking heavy
go big !
You only talk DIY systems than SFH Systems than run on NG. I like Kohler myself! I hate all electric! Then you can get ones for campers or BBQ's
Interesting
I heard champion brand make noisy generators. Can anyone confirm?
This video has generated much .comment but what about a dedicated generator for the whole house.?
How is there not more comments on the hair? Hilarious.
Massi meh-knows. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Matt, propane tanks should never be transported in an enclosed vehicle like your wife’s Suburban. Propane is heavier than air and the slightest leak could could the vapor to pool in the lowest area of the vehicle. A door release solenoid could cause a spark and ignite the vapor resulting in a violent explosion. While this is not a common occurrence, it has happened with devastating results. Better safe than sorry. Best you handle the refill mission with your pickup truck. Also the newest Honda portable gas generators have a built in Carbon Monoxide detector that turns off the generator if it senses a build up of the poisonous gas. Other generator manufacturers should consider following suit.
As long as you have it secured and in the upright position, you will be fine.
@@Pk3_Garage I wish that were the case. A leak is a leak and the vapor will seek the lowest level and pool there. While this scenario is very very rare, it’s always best to transport any size propane tank in an open vehicle like a pickup truck. Better safe than sorry.
I get your point, but your forgetting that most people don't own a pickup truck. We have two 20lbs propane tanks that I get filled. I transport them in our minivan. I'm only driving for about 10 min. though. Also, I bought ours new, so I know the condition of them. Owners have to make sure the tanks are not past the certification date too.
Mossy men-ohs? Bruh, MÁS O MENOS 😆
Please don't use those open-frame type generators like the big one here unless you're on several acres of land. They're loud AF and your neighbors will hate you. Honda makes a large, quiet inverter generator, but it's gas only I believe. Don't be cheap!
2020 was about a week of No Power For a week at 40° or colder at nite. February 14 was supposed to be a Rolling Black Out. But it was a lie. I was four days without power at 40° freezing and Yet IH35 was Lite Up Night Time. Saw from outside my yard, Really... I live 150 South of SA...
"camping" in an RV with a gas genny....
No Honda no care
Chinese made junk. I'm glad you got a few free generators from your sponsor, but no thanks.
first
Nice 👍🏻
It would have been important to talk about the quality of the different Inverters with these generator models. For example an Inverter with Pure Sine Wave technology will be preferable with certain sensitive electronic devices like Laptop, charging drill battery, TV and more. Nice videos Matt.
Also, pure sine is very important for any electric motor (AC compressors, fans) due to electrical reactance (look it up). Motors run less efficiently and can overheat, possibly damaging some very expensive equipment. Really nobody should use a cheap inverter unless its just to power small loads.
Yeah I was surprised no mention of the inverters, which I dont believe the largest one there even had.
We used one on our Off-Grid home and the frequency is always high casting or clocks to run fast and had messed up some other electronics.
One topic not covered when discussing sizing is noise output. If you’re running this at a campsite or have neighbors in close proximity, a quiet generator is a must. Nothing will “generate” rage like a neighbor keeping you awake with some mega generator. It could also attract unwanted attention in a widespread outage / disaster. This was a big factor in choosing a Honda EU2200i. We can keep food from spoiling, run a small space heater, and charge cellphones, all with a compact and extremely quiet generator that I can lift with one hand. Speaking of which, invest in a quality lock and chain to keep your portable generator from walking away late at night.
We run our 10,000 watt all day, all night when the power goes out. Built a sound box for it and you can barely hear it and personally I could care less if I didn't have a sound box. I'm not letting all my food go to waste and living in the dark. With a 10K, I can run almost anything in the house and live pretty good !
I live in an urban neighborhood and also choose the Honda EU2200i for the same reasons. We live in Oakland, CA so my use case is the annual PG&E wildfire shutdowns and maybe in my lifetime there will be the "big one earthquake". If I upgrade my electric panel I'll likely add the special plug to power my downstairs bathroom sump pit, gas furnace, and a couple outlets for fiber internet and the fridge and freezer. Of course I'll likely have to buy a 2nd EU2200i and run them with a parallel kit.
If you opt for a larger, louder unit, be sure to have some 100ft extention cords to run to each of your neighbors!
mine "walked away" last week. Apparently my house catching on fire wasn't enough of a kick in the guts, some ass hat need the generator more than I did. thanks
That Honda is 53db the same as the champion .
I appreciate you working on your clarity of sponsorship.
First generator video I've ever watched that actually discussed the output difference with the different fuels.👍
Not mentioned is the inverter types (two on the table) can run quieter and more fuel efficiently at low loads on eco mode since the AC output is created by the inverter not directly from the engine speed. The larger generators have to maintain speed to keep the frequency and voltage at the right levels. They are more fuel efficient a near full running load.
Also, if you get a generator, consider what cords you need/want. A contractor would have lots of extension cords about, but not everyone does. And you'll need cords with the proper plugs to use the round high amp receptacles.
If your generator has electric start, be sure to get a "battery tender" to be sure your battery is always charged, and available.
A generator is the most useless thing in the world until you need it.
Me watching this whole video knowing in the back of my mind that I can’t even afford a battery
One important thing that wasn't mentioned. The two smaller generators only run 120 volt. If your house has a well you will need a 240 volt generator for most well pumps. You will need the largest unit to get water. Also, most home ac units require 240 volt.
The link kit for the Champion 2400 generators gives 240V power (each generator provides a 120V phase).
@@GregsWorkshopOregon Are you sure about that?
I don't believe that champion 120V generators and a parallel kit will provide 240V output. I checked their site and none of the parallel kits offered by Champion provide an actual 240V output. Their 50A parallel kit does include a NEMA 14-50R that is typically a 240V receptacle but it is clearly labeled 120V and not for 240V.
Although theoretically possible, most commonly available 120V inverter generators cannot be combined to provide 240V output. There may be exceptions, but I am sure there are not many at this time. In order to provide 240V, the two generator outputs would have to be synchronized so that they would be 180 degrees out of phase. To do this there would have to be communication between the two inverters, but the typical parallel kit only has 3 wires (2 conductors & ground). There simply are not enough wires to accomplish the task. I also question whether the inverter itself is equipped for the synchronization required for the task.
Agreed. They will only provide 120V even when paralleled together.
I have that midsize one, the 3400 watt. It's running our house right now, for the last 18 hours. I have it hooked to a 10-circuit transfer panel. It's running the furnace and water heater blowers, general lighting, DW & frig, garage door, routers, and coffee maker/toaster no problem. The only thing not hooked up is the A/C, oven, and W/D. Uses very little propane and is super quiet.
Okay Matt.
Guns & Roses, Poison, or Spinal Tap?
Thanks for the reminder to run my generator occasionally - I haven't done that in a while.
One thing you failed to touch on is noise levels.
I have a large dual fuel champion and a Honda.
The Honda Inverter is SOOOO much quieter then the Champion - which seems to run at balls to the wall full time - and the Honda has the switch to run at low RPM until a higher demand requires more umph.
But overall a good quick introduction for those of us somewhat new to the need for off-grid power.
If it doesn’t have an inverter, it needs to run at 3600RPM* which correspond to 60Hz, no matter the load, that’s why they’re always noisy.
*They can be 1800RPM too if there’s a second set of poles. But again it will need to run at a stable 1800RPM.
As Cédric said, if it is an "inverter" style gen it will be quieter & run at variable RPM rather than the screaming Champion gens you are used to seeing. The Champion 2500 & 3500 are both inverters, but the big 10k Matt showed is a conventional 3600 RPM screamer. Generally speaking inverter gens=quiet & fuel efficient, conventional 3600 RPM=loud & horrible fuel efficiency.
The only caution we have is that Champion uses a much smaller engine & kind of cheats the numbers. IE their "2500 watt" generator has a tiny 79cc engine. The Honda 2200 has a larger 121cc engine. At the end of the day, the Champion will not produce the power it claims & the Honda will. At Hutch Mountain this is what we do & we test these generators extensively.
Yes rojer, Honda's at the best for many reason!!
@@HutchMountain My Champion 2500 is rated at 1750 Watts. I ran it in the mountains around a month ago topping off my RV battery system (LiFePO4 bank). It was delivering a solid 1700 watts. With the altitude, I figured it was spot on.
My son has a Large contractor style Honda 5500 watt rated generator, (its probably 20 yrs old at this time) non-inverter type that has a quiet idle switch. Works great to cut fuel use & noise if your loads are intermittant and not very frequency sensitive - takes 1 to 2 seconds to come up to full 3600rpm speed. Love the small Honda engines for reliability (when serviced properly, they arent B&S or similar lawnmower types) I can see the lineage from the motorcycles I used to work on "back in tha day" every time I get to revive one (because owner manual was tossed or never read!). Considering the cost of large house capable full sine converter systems- I would prefer to build a carefully considered emergency power panel system, with a good (well filtered, like my mil surplus Topaz transformer) conventional generator for high power loads, and for sensitive electronics a seperate circuit with a full sine inverter and DC batterry bank bulk charged with a few used solar panels (why? the engine + fuel are the least reliable components) and maintained by a plugin smart charger. There is a lot of cross-over applications between modern RV power systems and home back-up power thats possible, without going full off-grid $$$$crazy! If you can hook into your RV or boat power, you can extend storage and run times further.
Will you do a permanent backup generator install for houses like Generac?
I wouldn’t rely on the Natural Gas option for grid down situations. As you found out in February, the Natural Gas grid was over taxed, and not available for residential use! LPG is in my opinion a much better option.
We hooked ours up to. The 500 gal propane tank on our OffGrid Solar Home
Why why are you promoting champion? Are they paying you? Or is this a good generator according to your diligent research?
what about harmonic distortion ?
@@augustreil It should be 60 cycles.
Just curious, why is a slightly lower mains frequency an issue for electronic devices?
@@scottburton414 Hi Scott : the real details are complicated enough that you should look at Wikipedia, but I will summarize the basics. The power grids (I recall vaguely 3 in USA - Eastern, Western, Texas) in order to function as an inter-connected assembly of 10s of thousands of components (transformers, switches, cables, generators, etc) must run in precise synch with each other (phase) or very bad things will occur rapidly - think bad tempered children fighting a tug of war over a vat of spaghetti. Lots of very expensive equipment overheating , Arcs you could see from space, explosions. Seriously bad. This means keeping the phase at 60hz (or 50hz on other continents) absolutely critical if you want a grid to work. Now since that is a basic given like the speed of sound or the sunrise, you can treat it like a clock or tuning fork to regulate things inside all our electronics, and keep seperate units talking to each other across a circuit board, or building, or state lines. Messing with that stable locked frequency can cause overheating or out of control behaviors in many carefully calculated circuits.
@Kevin Smith: Hi Kevin! Thanks for that insight. I assumed the generator would have to be used with a transfer switch that would isolate it from the grid. In this case the frequency would maybe only affect household clocks relying on the mains frequency to keep time. Most other modern electronics use high-frequency switching power converters that are relatively immune to the 50/60Hz mains frequency. But you're absolutely correct that poorly designed converters can contribute to harmonic distortion on the mains. There's an international standard intended to address this: EN61000-3-2. Great discussion, thanks!
Funny, you'll put the propane tank in her SUV.. then if your gone she figured out how to start it by the button
Generator crash course: Honda EU series. End of course. Sincerely, someone cursed to live in the third world (hundreds of outages a year).
Did your wife approve your use of her wig for your props? LOL...
Haha! We literally just started our new generator up 20 minutes ago.
Used mine for the first time, in more than a year, last week. Ethanol free gasoline in it was still good; started on the second pull.
I’d be interested in seeing you discuss the new crop of solar/battery “generators”.
It annoys me that they call them generators.. haha.
@@MandoFettOG I agree. Solar is great, but if it is a crappy day outside, you need a decent generator or overkill on the solar with good sized battery bank.
I'm using a champion dual fuel on our Off-Grid solar home.
Your videos are getting too goofball.
I love it
funny guy
I just watched 6 videos prior to finding this video. Thank you so much for taking time to make it and explain everything. Especially the the new tri fuel generator. Your not just getting likes, but helping local TX ppl survive. Thank you again.
I'm really surprised you didn't go with Solar and Battery Storage.
I tried to watch this. I would have loved an unsponsored expert guidance on generators.
I belive all 3 are illegal in California now. New generator need to ve fuel injected and Probably have cats.. lol
What are your thoughts on solar energy with battery backup storage for a whole home?