Northern Tool gen sets are pretty good. When I was looking for a generator, I looked at northern tool as well. I needed to run my well, two fridges, and two air handlers. I wanted something powerful enough for that, but still allowed me to watch tv and turn on a few lights. My family is growing and I needed something to support that need. I was looking around 7500watts. My friend who is an electrician told me to get a generator that had a 50amp plug. Most have a 30amp. It was a choice between the 8000watt northern tool generator and generac 7500w. Couldn't find the 7500watt generac anywhere, and the northern tool one was around $1800 plus shipping. Turns out I got a Briggs and Stratton 10000w generator. It was a few hundred more, but I got 10000w, the gen set included wheels, extra tune up parts, a cover, and plugs for the 30 and 20amp outlets. Not to mention free shipping for electric generators direct. I know this is overall for my needs, but the price was comparable to a much smaller northern generator with shipping cost. Haven't had to really use it since I got it, but I start it up every few months and run a few lights to keep it maintained. It starts easily and so far no problems. Going on two years.

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/quick_search.php

den69rs96 - appreciate the input, but was that a special sale deal you got with that Briggs unit? I just looked at it, and it doesn't have anything else included, unless I missed something. I assume if you get the 50amp plug it costs more, right? But why the 50 over the 30 amp...just more power capability?

Anyway, I don't know a 7500w from a 10000w unit, unless it just means more available power, but I assume it burns more fuel too. I've been fiddling around with buying one the last 4-5 years but I haven't got serious on one yet. Probably won't take but one more hurricane and I'll be lined up with all the rest of them. :-)

The problem ? with the cheaper generators I have been told is that they don't stand up for the long haul. The only one I have knowledge of is an old (22 years) from Northern Tool that has a Tecumseh engine. It still runs, is extremely noisy, but the price was right. Rather hard to start and we never could get the oil leak fixed. Our daughter used it quite a lot these past few months due to storms, although never longer than 3 days. A real gas hog according to her. We have been looking for a replacement for our commercial generac (7500W) as it is not electric start. I think we will buy the Cummins Onan sold at Costco. The Coleman Powermates (cheaper) have no warranty as they went out of business and the company which purchased the stock has no legal responsibility to honor past purchases. If you need quiet due to neighborhood ordinances, you are stuck with genuine Yamaha or Honda which are in the 2000.00 range. If noise is something you can live with and you won't need it that often, a cheaper one will work.

Sorry for nto responding...been on vacation.

puzzlefan - how big is that Cummins Onan sold at Costco? I'm not a member, but would be abliged to join for a really good price. I hear Onan's are pretty good, hopefully that is also not a past tense situation due to overseas outsourcing.

jimtnc,

Yes the bigger generators burn more fuel, so determine you power requirements before buying a generator. Given my needs for the money, this unit came with alot more power and spare parts than a smaller Northern Tool unit did. I haven't lost power for more than a few hour since I bought it so I don't know how long it runs. Electric generators direct website has a calculator to determine how many watts you need. For example a to run 3 75watt light bulbs and a 500watt fridge, you may 650 watts. Surge watts is the extra juice needed to get the applicance running. This is the one I bought. Came with the extra plugs for all the outlets except the 50amp one. I bought a 50amp plug at homedepot and a 60 ft cable to attach it to my transfer switch from an electricall supply warehouse. It includes a light duty cover, the wheels, extra spark plugs, air and oil filter. Just add gas and your ready to go.

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Briggs-&-Stratton-30207/p892.html

den69rs96 - thanks for the input. I know nothing about generators other than they provide intermittant power for minimal operation of an appliance or two and lights. I haven't been able to find a ratings chart for the different makes, but I would think the Briggs to be fairly competant. Doesn't the surge watts also come into play when you have say a frig AND a freezer AND a window unit AC running and at one time or other these units compressors start recycling? I guess you would need ample power to accomodate those things too?

What is the transfer switch really for? You don't have this unit plugged into you house power, do you? Or is that for when the power is restored the generator is shut off? I told you I knew nothing. :-)

Try this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Generator power info

Thanks...appreciate it. That coul dcome in handy soon.

Surge watts is basically extra watts needed to get an electric motor going. So say your fridge runs at 750 watts. To start the motor you may need 900 watts so you have 150 surge watts.

The transfer switch allows you to run a number of different circuits in your house from your generator and not back feed the street utilities. Its much safer than running a plug through you dryer outlet and back feeding the system. There are many different switches, but make sure you get one that is rated for the highest outlet on your generator ie 20amp, 30amp or 50amp. My transfer switch is a 50amp switch that holds 12 circuits. My electrican swapped over the 12 circuit breakers from my main pain over to the transfer switch. When I have the switch to run off the street utility everything works like normal. When I lose power, I flip the switch to the generator power and I can now power those 12 circuits with my generator. With a transfer switch you start your generator, plug the power cord in, then flip a switch on the transfer switch. I can choose to run all 12 circuits or just a few and I don't have to worry about sending power to the street utilities possibly injuring a line man.

There is a more convenient (still safe) alternative to a transfer switch. My electrician set one up for me. He moved 2 breakers from next to the main breakers and installed breakers for the generator power in those adjacent positions with a special interlock mechanical lever that prevents turning on the generator breakers unless the main breaker is turned off first.

The advantage other than cost is that you still have access to all other circuits. you usually only need to turn off unneeded heat and air and have sense not to use other items in your house that would overload the generator. Most specifically, this allows you to light your attic or basement to find the stuff you might now need. It also allows experimenting on what you can use rather than having your electrician chose the wrong circuits for you.
I have the COSTCO Boss 700 watt unit and I can run one air condition circuit.

Thanks again for the info, guys. I'm trying to gain all the info I can before going out and buying the wrong thing. I should already have one given the area I live in, but I've put it off for so long.

We decided against the Onan when we got to view it in person. Made in China says it all. We are not trying to decide between a portable B &S and the 7KW standby unit The latter would be more expensive but probably would operate with less hassle.