Cummins Onan Portable Generator (Costco sale thru 10/18 $800 shipped) Advice Please

[TucsonMax]

Cummins Onan P5450 Portable Generator:
Costco has this item on sale, w/ $200 rebate brings it to: $800 w/ free ship (offer good until 10/18/09 in the US.)
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11333486

It's not reviewed here, on Amazon, or anywhere else I can find.

I am cluesless about generator makes and models. 5,000 Watts is good for me, so is (I think) the 6 gal tank and overall size & weight. (I can't handle anything much larger.) Though I'll test it every 6 months, I really need something that will sit for years and power-on reliably when needed. Is that a Cummins Onan? Please take a look at the specs and tell me if you think this is a good model and a good deal. Thanks.

[crashdive123]

Seems a little steep for a 5kw, even with the rebate.

[TucsonMax]

Thanks Crash.

Let me add this: I don't own a truck, so I can't pick-it-up. I'd need to pay extra for delivery. And I can't fix it, so I don't mind spending a little more for the Mercedes manufacturer, but I don't know if that's Cummins Onan or not.

[crashdive123]

What do you want to power with it?

[Rick]

I recently bought a Coleman 5000Kw/7500 surge for $450 used. It seems to me to be a bit pricey, heavy on fuel and low on the surge end. I can run my Coleman for 10 hours on 5 gallons where the Onan is 9 hours on 6.5 gallons. And it only has a surge rating of 5400 Kw.

Mine is NOT electric start and I'm sure that accounts from some of the price difference.

[Sourdough]

There is a world of difference between 1,800 RPM's and 3,600 RPM's. and that looks like 3,600 & Air cooled.

[crashdive123]

My Troy-Bilt is rated at 5500 with surge to 8550. Runs about the same as yours Rick. Can't remember exactly what I paid. It was a display model (and it's not like they were starting it up). I think it was around $400. I also have a little Coleman 1850 that sees more use.

[TucsonMax]

What do you want to power with it?

Small appliances, microwave, laptop, mini TV.

[crashdive123]

Small appliances, microwave, laptop, mini TV.

If that's it, the little Coleman 1850 I've got would work for you. They're light, can fit inside your car for the ride home, cost under $200. Of course, it is nice to have the extra power available.

[TucsonMax]

Where I live, we don't have Mother Nature issues regarding power: no huricanes, ice storms, tornadoes, floods, etc. In nearly a decade the power only went out once, for only a few hrs, due to local constuction splicing a line.

Whatever I buy is meant to help us for 1-2 weeks max, get through a grid issue.

[Rick]

Check the wattage rating on the microwave. They can be hogs.

[TucsonMax]

Check the wattage rating on the microwave. They can be hogs.

You're right! Mine is 1,100. Was thinking about buying one of those little dorm type ones Walmart sells at Christmas for $59 as a back-up, if their wattage is significantly less.

[Sourdough]

My Troy-Bilt is rated at 5500 with surge to 8550. Runs about the same as yours Rick. Can't remember exactly what I paid. It was a display model (and it's not like they were starting it up). I think it was around $400. I also have a little Coleman 1850 that sees more use.


DITTO...Ditto I own both of those same generator, and feel the same way. I have used the 1,850 Coleman PM (PM= night time use= quiet) more than any generator, and I own six generators, only five run. I would buy another Troy-bilt.

[Rick]

Soooo......if you hook all five together you could give new meaning to the term "Northern Lights".

[oldsoldier]

I bought a briggs 7kw genny at home depot for $625.oo had it delivered because it wouldn't fit in either jeep. Cost me $25.00 for delivery. You may want to check there or Lowe's they may have something bigger/better there and something else to consider. If you buy local chances are better for warrenty/service work than something you ordered "through the mail"

[KhonHd]

I bought a Honda http://mayberrys.com/honda/generator/models/eu2000i.htm A little more money than some Costco brands but quiet and (hopefully) very reliable. $899 shipped in the US.
Inverter unit so it is good for laptop or other electronic. And will run a long time on a tank of gas.

[Old GI]

About 1 1/2 years ago, I found a new 5K at Walmart for about $450.

Question: Is it worth trying to put a 5K into the house system. I can power everything with cords except the well. Any advice?

[Rick]

That's what I'm using. My Coleman is 5K run with 7500 surge. I can't power my electric furnace or heat pump but I run just about everything else.

[Old GI]

That's what I'm using. My Coleman is 5K run with 7500 surge. I can't power my electric furnace or heat pump but I run just about everything else.

Do you have it wired into the whole house?

I have very little electric, mosty propane.