Need a generator?

[opus]

Act quick:

Costco.com has the Cummins Onan Homesite 6500 GENERATOR for $739.99. Regular price is $999.99

Our new Onan HomeSite™ Power series of portable generators are designed to provide easy to use, safe and reliable portable power for when you need it most. Onan generators have provided legendary quality; performance, service and value since 1920 and our new HomeSite Power portable generators maintain this tradition.

Features:
*5000 Running Watts, 5500 Peak Watts
*9 Hour Continuous Operating Time (At rated load)
*Electric and Manual Start (Battery not included)
*13 HP, 4-stroke Overhead Valve Engine
*Large 6.5-Gallon Fuel Tank
*Versatile 120V GFCI Protected Duplex,120/240V 30 Amp 4-wire Twist Lock Receptacle (NEMA L1430), and Grounded 120/240V Receptacles
*Automatic "Low-oil Shutdown"
*Integral Battery Tray
*Heavy-duty Cast Iron Cylinder Sleeve
*Circuit Breaker Protection
*Dual Element Air Cleaner
*Full Perimeter Safety Frame
*Generator Dimensions: 26.8" L x 21.3" W x 21.7" H
*Weight: 185 lbs.
*Wheel Kit (included)
*Nylon Weather Resistant Cover: 29" L x 23" W x 24" H
*25' Heavy Duty Power Cord with 10/3 gauge wire
*2 Year Limited Warranty
* EPA Certified Emissions


Standard Shipping is included but is 2-3 weeks from delivery.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Prod...ail_265B2B

 

[wildcard]

Pretty good deal but as always, the mfg has fluffed the item. IE: a 6500 genset that has a rated output of 5000/5500. Or was that a typo?
Now ya need to ask yourself, why do you need 5K for backup? Are you all electric? Do you have a big arsed waterpump that always runs? Lots of genset and most of it will be wasted for 99% of people.
How about a nice little 2 K that sips fuel? And it will run most everything you need without having to have 500 gallons of gas on stand by.

 

[opus]

Personally, I like my little 3KW military genset.

 

[wildcard]

And I love my 3.5 Honda....

 

[Tackbtch]

My 2.8 Yamaha runs my coffee pot and AC in my 5th wheel ...runs 6 hours on 2 gallons dooing this, runs two days if not running the AC. Paid a 1000.00 for it, its on its 5th season now. Dino

 

[wildcard]

I also have a 2.5Kw inverter that can be powered by the Powerstroke's two batteries and big arsed altenator. Great for quick microwave jobs and such when there is no power.

 

[diggin]

You get what you pay for. My last costco generator died in a week and the replacement lasted 2 weeks. Hope this isn't the same junk advertised here. Needless to say my Honda gen is bulletproof and 3 times the price. But 2 years later, still runs like new.

 

[wildcard]

Always kils me when people buy generators "for back up"....Then when the power goes out they go through this list:
1. Ummm, I don't have any gas for it so I will drive to the gas station that has no power to pump gas
2. I guess it needs oil now so I will go back to the same station that could not pump gas
3. great I have gas and oil now...Now what? How is this thing supposed to plug into my house?
4. Visit from the cops after the POed neigbhor calls them because of the noise and they don't have power.
5. trip back to homecostco to return the genset that craped out in three days.

I lived on one of these things for several years. Never got the coin together to buy a real one. One hour a day and I never got more than six months out of one....Glad Im beyond that now.

 

[Ultra]

Got a 15 year old honda generator. Runs like it did when it was new. Nothing but oil changes every 2 years. Will buy another one if I out live this one.