Community Forums

max49 · 11-30-2008, 06:32 PM

Has anyone bought one like this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...taf?Itemnumber=65414
Are they guieter than a typical construction generator like a Briggs & Stratton?
I know comparing this to a Honda is apples & oranges probably but $1000 is out of the question.
I'd like to be able to run it all night when we don't have neighbors close, in the winter time, but I sold my last Briggs because it was obnoxiously loud and I don't want another like that.
Also, if you have one or like it, is it pretty reliable?

max49 · 11-30-2008, 06:32 PM

Has anyone bought one like this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...taf?Itemnumber=65414
Are they guieter than a typical construction generator like a Briggs & Stratton?
I know comparing this to a Honda is apples & oranges probably but $1000 is out of the question.
I'd like to be able to run it all night when we don't have neighbors close, in the winter time, but I sold my last Briggs because it was obnoxiously loud and I don't want another like that.
Also, if you have one or like it, is it pretty reliable?

RV Wizard · 11-30-2008, 11:52 PM

Your link is to another construction generator. I doubt that this one would be any quieter than the last.

NeilV · 12-01-2008, 12:33 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
Has anyone bought one like this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...taf?Itemnumber=65414
Are they guieter than a typical construction generator like a Briggs & Stratton?
I know comparing this to a Honda is apples & oranges probably but $1000 is out of the question.
I'd like to be able to run it all night when we don't have neighbors close, in the winter time, but I sold my last Briggs because it was obnoxiously loud and I don't want another like that.
Also, if you have one or like it, is it pretty reliable? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't have one however the size and configuration of the muffler would make it seem that this one would be quieter than the typical contractors unit.

If you have a HF Store local to you walk in and ask the manager about the unit. Get the 2 year No Questions Asked over the counter exchange warranty. Start it up and return it immediatly if you don't like it.

Quality can be a mixed bag depending on the unit and your watch care in taking care of it. Get the required filters etc ahead of time and don't stretch out the schedule. Change and do all maintenance on time using good quality oil.

The reservation I would have would be the availiblility of the air filters. If not a standard engine that would be used on power equipment serviced at most local shops you may have to wait for them to be shipped from HF's parts dept which can add to the overall cost of ownership.

Bagger97 · 12-01-2008, 04:36 AM

http://ads.checkerauto.com/che...186%26pagenumber%3d2

Try this one

porscheracer · 12-01-2008, 06:26 AM

It will be too loud for what you want. Quiet costs $$. Much of the racket is engine mechanical noise, as I found out when I tried to quieten my 6500 watt construction unit.

max49 · 12-01-2008, 08:47 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. The muffler on this one is at least twice as big as the muffler that was on my old 5000W Briggs & Stratton gen. and it's a smaller engine.
I saw the ones that Checker sells but I only saw the big ones and I want one that I can easily put in and take out of the MH compartment, by myself.
I guess the best way to try it is to buy it. 30 day return policy, but I would'nt want to buy one that another customer had put oil and gas in and ran it. Well not if I can get a brand new one for the same price.
I don't know how good their policy is but a 2 yr extended warranty is only $50 and the genny is $300
I wonder how much a 3000 Watt Honda or Yamaha cost?
I just don't like to wear out the 5500 Onan for 8 or more hrs. per day not to mention that it's not very economical.
That generator has a switch on it . One way is 120 Volts and the other way is 240 Volts.
If this gets switched to 240 while plugged into the MH or any thing else, is that 'good bye' to what ever 120 Volt item it was plugged into?

JerryForwood · 12-01-2008, 09:01 AM

The muffler only plays a small part in the noise reduction. Open frame Gensets produce the majority of the noise because they are "Open Frame" and are not designed to be quiet. They are designed to produce power at construction sites. Not next door to a resting camper!
JMHO!!
Jerry

Ray,IN · 12-02-2008, 05:07 AM

I once tried to quieten a Coleman 4.5KW genset. I bought the "quiet" muffler from Briggs, installed it, and I actually believe it was noiser. Over $120 for nothing, nada results. That construction genset now is used for emergency power at the house. I bought a Boliy PRO3600si gensetwith the same specs as the Honda SI series RV gensets.

Duner · 12-02-2008, 04:04 PM

Max, I have a little Honda 650 that I run all day long with about 1/2 gal of gas. Using a bat charger, it put about 20 amps into the bat that keeps my Dual DVR sat box powered 24/day....don't want to miss my nascar and ball games.

Anyway, you might consider a used Honda 650, 1000 or a 2000, althought the 2000 is a bit heavy for me. My 650 is about 14 yrs old and running like new. About 10 yrs back I installed a hour meter and it now has 900 some hrs. My point is that you may find a used Honda for the $300-350 you would spend on a HF no-name unit.

abarkl · 12-04-2008, 12:22 PM

You might consider an tried and true Cummins Onan from Costco with a manufacturers warranty of 2 years and the Costco "no questions asked return policy".
http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...atchallpartial&Nty=1

SCVJeff · 12-04-2008, 10:47 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Duner: My 650 is about 14 yrs old and running like new. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> I just gave my EX650 bought in 1987 to a friend (have a 1 & 2k too), and it looks like the day it came out of the box. I think it's actually quieter than the new ones and can be had for $75-$200.