Hey guys,
I came across this forum after seeing someone post a video about an MEP-803a, and it got me interested. I'm looking to eventually get myself a very reliable Diesel Or Gasoline generator as a backup to my Natural Gas unit. I'm in Houston, TX so we may see hurricanes as well as the grid failure from the freeze we had last year
I have a Generac RG027-QS which is RPM and Liquid cooled with a 2.4l Mitsubishi Engine. This is my main backup, and it of course kicks on automatically in around 10 seconds from grid outage. I have all my important computers and servers on double conversion UPS's which has around 10 mins runtime, so my backup to the Generac should be able to be powered on in 10 mins.
I have a Champion w as my "Backup-Backup" generator, with an NG kit on it. So I can run gasoline or NG and power the house through my 30a interlock kit. I can pretty much run everything apart from my main AC which is no problem since I have a few mini splits in my favorite rooms, which sip power and have zero inrush. I thought it would be way too small, but after installing a ton of power monitoring, I realize that I only use 3kw most of the time, with peaks to about 6kw. Its the main AC and the electric range that take it to 10-12kw
The reason I'm in search of a new backup is that I don't really trust that Champion. I'm sure it would run just fine, but if the NG went out or my Generac failed, I don't exactly have confidence I could run on it for 2 weeks straight. This came up recently when as a storm started to develop in the gulf, I had an issue with my Generac they fixed under warranty and I was "down" for a week. Another reason is that in the future (Who knows when) I'd really love to buy some land in the middle of nowhere, and having a reliable generator I could take up there until I got a real power setup going would be very handy. I do have 17kw of solar, so I'm also looking into batteries, but the cost right now is just too much. I think it would be a $30-40K project to get what I want. Right now on a hot night in summer with a lot of AC and electrical usage, I'm using around 45kwh between sun. And 45kwh of battery is not cheap. I can't imagine spending $30,000 only to not make it a single night on an outage (Sure, I could conserve, but if I'm spending $30,000, I don't think I should have to)
My first thought was to buy a Honda EUis. The issue I have with it though is that its yet again a RPM air cooled engine, and for the price tag the 5.5kw rated capacity is just too low. I also doubt its as reliable as an MEP or other Diesel unit. And at 0.8 gallons an hour at rated load, its not very efficient compared to a Diesel.
Next I thought about a Kubota Lowboy II GL which is still in the running for sure. Small enough to easily move around on my truck or trailer, Diesel, reliable and comes with a warranty which the MEP's would not. 0.69 gallons an hour at rated load (7kw). Its liquid cooled which is a plus, but its RPM which is a downer compared to the MEP's.
Then I looked at the MEP 803a, 802a and . The 802a looks good on paper, but its also super heavy and large. So I think it would be easier to step up to the 803a or and get the extra power. It looks like everything is very expensive right now, but I'm in no rush to make my purchase. the 803a looks nice and simple, but I sure do like the lower fuel consumption of the ...
The final idea is to buy an old light tower and spruce it up. This could work out a good idea as there are a bunch locally.
I will have to figure out Diesel storage and rotation, as I currently have zero Diesel vehicles. I do however store around 80 gallons of gasoline and rotate it through my vehicles.
Would love any input, and if anyone has any good gasoline generator suggestions I'll take them! Not sure how many questions are in this post, I just like generators and rambling about them.
So first things first, with diesel generators it's very important to size them to the load. Having too large of a generator can be just as big of an issue as having too small of one.
I will also point out that if you already have a fuel supply you rotate through, buying a generator of that type makes more logistical sense as you don't have to store, treat, take care of a second type of fuel (which you admit you have nothing else that would use it anyway, so there is a big investment only to have a backup to the backup)
All the generators you picked are designed to be very quiet (compared to standard open frame generators) so I'm not sure if that is an important factor due to your location, or you just want them quieter. If being super quiet isn't a necessity, then there are other generators to consider as well.
A few points to consider
The Honda EUis is an inverter unit. it will be very clean power.
Main downsides I see with it for this use is being a gasoline unit, you have to be vigilant on either running it monthly, or draining the carburetor after every use, in order to keep it ready to run.
Another downside is it does require more frequent maintenance than a diesel would.
There is some advantage to parts availability with how common Honda generators are.
There are also kits to run it off of propane or natural gas if you wanted to go that route. It does shorten the lifespan on them by doing this, but you'll still get thousands of hours of use before needing to replace the engine.
This IS the most portable of the ones you listed by far, as a single person can move it on flat ground no problems.
It also has a 3 year warranty, which is more than any of your other options listed.
Because it's gasoline and not diesel, it doesn't care how much load is on it. You can run it at 100% load or 0% load and it won't have any issues long term because of it, unlike the diesel with wetstacking.
The Kubota is only slightly more power than an MEP-802A. 7k peak, continuous. Not really very much more than the Honda all things considered.
The difference between this being a rpm unit vs the 802 or 803 at rpms for fuel usage is negligible. The difference in overall longevity is a moot point here, because you plan to use them as backup generators and not prime power, so you won't ever actually wear them out from use.
the Kubota you don't really gain much in size/weight compared to the 802. Looking at the dimensions, it's only a little smaller overall. 600 vs 800 lbs also isn't much as you already can't move it without some type of trailer or equipment, so it's not a big point either.
Warranty is only 1 year, and because it's a backup to the backup, you might never have to run it at all.
For the MEP generators, the 802 (I have one) is almost comparable to the Kubota for power output. The military has it rated at 5kw, but in reality it's a little larger than 6kw of continuous output. If the Kubota were to be rated the same way as a prime power unit, then it would be listed as about 5.5kw (.8pf)
the 803 you'll never be able to fully utilize for your house unless you upgrade the power inlet box/wiring/breaker, as that 30 amp one you have is only good for watts, and the 803 can do 50 amps.
The is more complicated, and has more than can fail on it, so it's not as good of a unit to use as a backup compared to any of the others discussed. The added expense and complexity isn't worth the little bit of efficiency you gain, especially for your application.
If you really want a diesel, then one of those old light towers might be the way to go. Already on a trailer for portability, and can be used for other purposes (either light or power or some combination of both). Being local to you is good, as well as others in the area usually means there is a shop that knows how to work on them and can get the parts.
I did some looking and the Honda EUis seems to be one of the largest gasoline fully enclosed generators available, so if noise is an issue then that would probably be the way to go for what you need. It's about $ cheaper than the Kubota, much smaller and easier to move around, you already have a fuel stockpile for it that you rotate through, it's relatively common and parts are more plentiful than any of the other options available. The difference in price will buy you a lot of fuel.
If noise isn't an issue then there are several other gasoline generators that I would rate with higher reliability than the Honda EUis, several being other Honda models but none of them being inverter types, because the more complexity you add, the more that can go wrong.
Example, same cost as the Honda, but open frame, watts rated continuous, Honda Industrial engine. Basically an industrial/commercial generator design. Multiquip is a brand that you see for a lot of rental generators and industrial sites, not so much consumer. Downside is it's made to order, and non-engine parts aren't as easily available is the main downside.
Buy Multiquip GA97HEA Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Multiquip GA97HEA - Watt Electric Start Portable Generator w/ Honda GX Engine (CARB) ratings before checking out.
So first things first, with diesel generators it's very important to size them to the load. Having too large of a generator can be just as big of an issue as having too small of one.
I will also point out that if you already have a fuel supply you rotate through, buying a generator of that type makes more logistical sense as you don't have to store, treat, take care of a second type of fuel (which you admit you have nothing else that would use it anyway, so there is a big investment only to have a backup to the backup)
All the generators you picked are designed to be very quiet (compared to standard open frame generators) so I'm not sure if that is an important factor due to your location, or you just want them quieter. If being super quiet isn't a necessity, then there are other generators to consider as well.
A few points to consider
The Honda EUis is an inverter unit. it will be very clean power.
Main downsides I see with it for this use is being a gasoline unit, you have to be vigilant on either running it monthly, or draining the carburetor after every use, in order to keep it ready to run.
Another downside is it does require more frequent maintenance than a diesel would.
There is some advantage to parts availability with how common Honda generators are.
There are also kits to run it off of propane or natural gas if you wanted to go that route. It does shorten the lifespan on them by doing this, but you'll still get thousands of hours of use before needing to replace the engine.
This IS the most portable of the ones you listed by far, as a single person can move it on flat ground no problems.
It also has a 3 year warranty, which is more than any of your other options listed.
Because it's gasoline and not diesel, it doesn't care how much load is on it. You can run it at 100% load or 0% load and it won't have any issues long term because of it, unlike the diesel with wetstacking.
The Kubota is only slightly more power than an MEP-802A. 7k peak, continuous. Not really very much more than the Honda all things considered.
The difference between this being a rpm unit vs the 802 or 803 at rpms for fuel usage is negligible. The difference in overall longevity is a moot point here, because you plan to use them as backup generators and not prime power, so you won't ever actually wear them out from use.
the Kubota you don't really gain much in size/weight compared to the 802. Looking at the dimensions, it's only a little smaller overall. 600 vs 800 lbs also isn't much as you already can't move it without some type of trailer or equipment, so it's not a big point either.
Warranty is only 1 year, and because it's a backup to the backup, you might never have to run it at all.
For the MEP generators, the 802 (I have one) is almost comparable to the Kubota for power output. The military has it rated at 5kw, but in reality it's a little larger than 6kw of continuous output. If the Kubota were to be rated the same way as a prime power unit, then it would be listed as about 5.5kw (.8pf)
the 803 you'll never be able to fully utilize for your house unless you upgrade the power inlet box/wiring/breaker, as that 30 amp one you have is only good for watts, and the 803 can do 50 amps.
The is more complicated, and has more than can fail on it, so it's not as good of a unit to use as a backup compared to any of the others discussed. The added expense and complexity isn't worth the little bit of efficiency you gain, especially for your application.
If you really want a diesel, then one of those old light towers might be the way to go. Already on a trailer for portability, and can be used for other purposes (either light or power or some combination of both). Being local to you is good, as well as others in the area usually means there is a shop that knows how to work on them and can get the parts.
I did some looking and the Honda EUis seems to be one of the largest gasoline fully enclosed generators available, so if noise is an issue then that would probably be the way to go for what you need. It's about $ cheaper than the Kubota, much smaller and easier to move around, you already have a fuel stockpile for it that you rotate through, it's relatively common and parts are more plentiful than any of the other options available. The difference in price will buy you a lot of fuel.
If noise isn't an issue then there are several other gasoline generators that I would rate with higher reliability than the Honda EUis, several being other Honda models but none of them being inverter types, because the more complexity you add, the more that can go wrong.
Example, same cost as the Honda, but open frame, watts rated continuous, Honda Industrial engine. Basically an industrial/commercial generator design. Multiquip is a brand that you see for a lot of rental generators and industrial sites, not so much consumer. Downside is it's made to order, and non-engine parts aren't as easily available is the main downside.
Buy Multiquip GA97HEA Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Multiquip GA97HEA - Watt Electric Start Portable Generator w/ Honda GX Engine (CARB) ratings before checking out.
Thanks for the replies
I think I could avoid wet stacking with a 10kw diesel, I would just make sure to get it up there in load for a good while every day. I think the 7kw unit would be just fine for that too.
Agreed on the fuel, I wish I had some use for diesel so I could rotate it. All the diesel generators are just so much nicer. As for the noise, I just want them to be quiet. I'm in the city so its always good, but my neighbor has a RPM Generac which is very loud, so no matter what I do, I'll be quieter than that!
The EU700is is actually fuel injected, so no carb to worry about. I'm not too sure what other fun that brings with it though. I do know they are they picky on the NG kits, and a lot of people suggest just sticking to gasoline. I just don't know if they are worth that high cost
Based on your reply, I might count out the and possibly the 803a, the 802a does look interesting
That one you linked looks pretty great! Shame its made to order. I could build a pretty nice enclosure around that!