Buying Used Generators

 I would be interested in hearing opinions and experiences of those who
have bought used generators.

What to look for in an used generator and what to look out for?

Thanks

TMT

  Too_Many_Tools wrote:

Big, cheap and diesel.

It is simply not worth it to buy a small portable gas generator used
unless it is nearly free since they just don't cost that much new with a
warranty.

There are some really good detroit diesel powered units ~20kW capacity
on the used market that I believe mostly came out of refrigerated rail
transport service. These units are close to indestructible and will run
on most any oily crap you can feed them, including biodiesel and waste
fryer oil. Prices vary with the source and what if any reconditioning
they've seen, but the big expense is shipping since they are not light
weight.

 

For a more compact option, if you are anywhere near a coast, look into
marine diesel generators - often available as boat owners upsize their
generating capacity. You will need to reconfigure the cooling, but that
can be tied into your heating for co-generation, and remotely mounting
the radiator you'll still want for summer (after you pull off heat for
hot water) keeps the generator shack slightly more tolerable.

1800 or 1200 RPM, NOT 3600, IMHO.

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by

 

My experience with small gasoline generators is this: the cheap Chinese OHV
engine generators are probably the best value.  The Honda eu2000s etc are a
very good value if you need it to be smaller and have a very high quality
output.  I can see no reason whatsoever to buy a used gasoline generator
(5000 watts or less) when you can buy a new Chinese model for probably less.
My 2000 watt UST (Pep Boys) genny costs $200 and I have about 2300 hours on
it.  I change the oil about every 70 hours.  It still starts with one pull
when it's below freezing.  I've seen the 5000 watt models for as little as
$329 on Black Friday but they are generally around $400.  I have one that I
depend upon to pump my water into my storage tank.  I like it better than my
Honda-powered Lifter 5000 watt genny that sells for around $1300.  My
neighbor has a Generac with a POS Tecumseh engine on it.  Maybe some
Generacs have better engines but I would not buy one.  I also would not buy
anything that says Coleman on it.

I can lift my 2000 watt UST into my pickup bed by myself.  I'm 54.  If I
don't do it just right I will suffer for it.  It is an open frame type.  An
eu2000 is much easier.  How many watts do you need?

Overall I prefer the OHV engines over the OHC types because the OHVs can
usually be rebuilt several times and have no belts or plastic cams inside.
Any engine that does not have adjustable valves is a lawnmower engines and
should only be used on lawnmowers.

 
Anyone else?

I can't believe that everyone buys new generators. ;<)

TMT