insidethebunker
Marksman
If you've looked into generators you know the holy grail of generators is a diesel generator or a honda generator. Most of us can't afford either. However next to the Honda I've learned that any generator with a Subaru engine is supposed to be the next best thing to a Honda. The Subaru engine has a reputation of running forever. (The engine used to be called the Robin in the US) The only one's I found locally with a Subaru engine are a 1850 watt Homelite and a 7000 (maybe was a 9000) watt Rigid generator both at Home Depot. The larger Rigid generator was about $1600 in September. I couldn't talk the wife into that so I bought the small Homelite for about $385. A few months later I bought a second one for offsite storage (because I believe in redundancy). Though you can get 5000kw generators all day for around $600 I figured I would rather have the Subaru engine in a small format I could tote around then a bigger generator that I didn't have confidence in. I also wanted a small enough generator that I can get it in my bug out vehicle, which I can.
Anyway, Home Depot carry's a 5000kw Husky Generator with a Briggs & Straton engine for $599 for a while. I have no interest in Briggs & Stratton engines as the don't have a reputation for long term durability. So today I walk into Home Depot, and there are dozens of the 5000kw Husky's for $599, but wait, they all have Subaru engines! 5000kw, durability and just $599. The irony is the display model is still the Briggs engine, so I really think this is just a limited run. If I hadn't already bought the two smaller units I'd be all over this.... I still might have to pick up one, but where do I hide it so the wife doesn't find out?
By the way if you buy a generator make sure to run it a good two hours, continuous, in the first 30 days under load (something plugged in). If it breaks down in those 30 days you can probably take it back where you bought it. After 30 days you probably have to deal with the manufacturer. Then you should run your generator 1 to 2 hours each month, under load again, to keep it performing in top shape. Also if you keep it sitting too long you'll need to use gas stabilizer, but if you run it monthly you won't have to worry about that. Also when you run your generator don't run it in the house, or even the garage, the carbon monoxide will kill you. Also don't place it near a fresh air intake outside or your house or the fumes will be sucked in and you have to deal with that death thing again.
Anyway, Home Depot carry's a 5000kw Husky Generator with a Briggs & Straton engine for $599 for a while. I have no interest in Briggs & Stratton engines as the don't have a reputation for long term durability. So today I walk into Home Depot, and there are dozens of the 5000kw Husky's for $599, but wait, they all have Subaru engines! 5000kw, durability and just $599. The irony is the display model is still the Briggs engine, so I really think this is just a limited run. If I hadn't already bought the two smaller units I'd be all over this.... I still might have to pick up one, but where do I hide it so the wife doesn't find out?
By the way if you buy a generator make sure to run it a good two hours, continuous, in the first 30 days under load (something plugged in). If it breaks down in those 30 days you can probably take it back where you bought it. After 30 days you probably have to deal with the manufacturer. Then you should run your generator 1 to 2 hours each month, under load again, to keep it performing in top shape. Also if you keep it sitting too long you'll need to use gas stabilizer, but if you run it monthly you won't have to worry about that. Also when you run your generator don't run it in the house, or even the garage, the carbon monoxide will kill you. Also don't place it near a fresh air intake outside or your house or the fumes will be sucked in and you have to deal with that death thing again.