What Generator to Buy

Before this storm rolls thru the Boston area, I was thinking of investing in a new generator. I want to power my VistaFlame VF-55 and maybe the refridgerator and TV. Any suggestions?

Yamaha or a Honda both make a 2000wt inverter for around a $1000

www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com

looking for something a little bit cheaper...no more than $500

how many watts does it take to power just the stove?

mine needs 350 to start and 250 to run.

I've got a 5500 watt geny that runs a few lights, tv, stove, and hot water.

I think the 2000 watt unit is what you want.
I get by with a HF 800 watter, but I have a wood insert and don't have the power quality needs that you might with the pellet stove.

For under 500 tough call. Sears may have some units in stock but I cannot attest to the quality. You may want see what is available in your area for the 12V pure sine inverter variety that you can connect to your car battery. Cheaper and in some cases the car can use less gas than a generator. However the wattage ratings will be smaller. You will be able to run some lights and the stove with an 800 watt model. Your getting short on time and a lot of folks are thinking the same thing.

While your out shopping, get a cooler. Stuff the cooler, put it in the snow and let nature be your fridge. Much cheaper than running a gen.

and plenty of adult beverages

Making a pit stop tomorrow. One case on the garage floor chilled to 28 deg of perfection wont last long around here.

I use my garage floor at this time of year too one case is only an appetizer

The new 2000 watt Champion inverter looks like a nice generator. It may be all you need. I saw them at Sams club for $500. Don't think bigger is better. Get by with the smallest generator you can. 3/4 to 1 gal an hour will kill your budget in a hurry during a prolonged outage. Something to think about.

We bought the champion 3500. Called the company and they assured us it would power the stove and our sump pump. Also called Englander and they seemed ok with it. It sells for @ $300. at tractor supply or camping world.

I would not use it for a refrigerator.

You get what you pay for Pay me now or pay me later .

Get an inverter generator the cheap stuff may work fine with no issues ,but if they F up and fry your 60" tv or control board on your stove or lap top did you really save any $ . I'm in the market for a genny and I'm getting a Yamaha may cost more but confident it will perform when I need it.

Champion 2kw Inverter Generator... New or I purchased refurb via Ebay.. Real nice unit IMO. Or Honda or Yamaha 2kw for around $1000. I'd get one asap

Beer and whiskey run tomorrow. Gotta get prepared, the wife already picked the wings for tomorow night and stuff to make pizzas on Friday.gonna be a good weekend.

aahh! adult beverages. similar to a stove, service may be important.you don't want to drag a cheap generator 50+ miles each direction
if it needs repairs.

Highly recommend the Honda or Yamaha inverter/generators. To a limited extent, "bigger is better" when purchsing a generator/inverter. This should be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. Be certain the unit can be serviced and repaired (parts) by a factory authorizd local, reputable service facility able to perform warranty work.

Be sure to install a UL Certified transfer switch for safety (yours and utility linemen) and convenience.

Hope you have reliable and safe power supply with whatever unit you purchase.

Even though I have a Honda 2000, I still ran the wood insert, fridge (cycled-oudoor thermometer sensor inside), tv and some lights on the HF 800. I don't know, I just like that little blue guy. (Again, I don't have a pellet stove.) Would testing your pellet stove with a generator destroy anything right away, or would it just run funny, beep, etc?

I have a Honda liquid cooled electric start I got it during the Ice Storm of 98 that thing had done nothing but put asmile on the wifes face ! Well worth the extra I paid for it and Im not looking back ! the only things it doesnt run are the Stove (GAS ) and the dryer Im fine with that !

Northern Tool's Powerhorse brand well priced and less than 5% H.D. safe for sensitive electronics

Save your money and go to TS and go with the Campion the most you can afford. Yea it will eat gas but there are significant benifits.

#1 power more stuff.
#2 more power available makes the genny more stable when there are spikes
#3 While the little honda and Yami units are really great units you are paying for the inverter tech and it is great but you accoplish the same thing if you do the following:
DO NOT let the thing run out of gas.
Unplug before turning off or starting the genny
DO NOT let it run out of gas
Know your loads and make sure you have twice as much power available as you think you need.
Use clean fuel with stabilizer in the fuel and do not leave fuel in the tank for more than a week or so.

I needed 220V for a well pump so this was really the only option. The little inverters are not made for my needs.

Did I mention not to let the genny run out of fuel?

I have posted a couple times with the technical reasons why you do not need inverter tech for home use but you do need to understand the true cause of why electronics can be dammaged by improper use of a generator.

Honda or Yamaha you can't go wrong. I have a Honda EU6500 for my house during power outage and a EU2000 when I'm at the track that does not provide power I use it for my tire warmers.

If you want inverter to protect your sensitive electronics those are the 2 brands that I like, they are very quiet. I'm sure there are other brands for less money but you'll get what you'll pay for.