3500 Watt 8 hp Briggs & Stratton motor generator

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3500 Watt 8 hp Briggs & Stratton motor generator

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We have a chance to buy a 3500 Watt 8 hp Briggs & Stratton motor generator for around $250-$300. It's been used quite a bit, but the sellers say it's reliable and I trust them. Is that a good price? We just started looking for one and haven't had time to do much research. Dh is a carpenter and we are wanting to build on our new land using a generator to power his tools. After the house is built we will be off the grid and probably not use the generator much. Trouble is, dh isn't home until next week; I can't reach him, and the people won't hold it for me. I have to decide on my own whether to buy it or not this weekend. Any thoughts? Thanks, Elizabeth

-- Elizabeth Price (kimprice@peoplescom.net), September 24, 2000

Answers

Does the unit have an hours counter? Gas generators have a shorter lifespan than diesel. If its been run less than 1500 to 2000 hours and properly maintained, it should be o.k.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), September 24, 2000.

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Elizabeth! Personally, I wouldn't invest in it. Several reasons - 3.5kw is more than you need to work with, it's also a 3600rpm unit and they have a VERY short lifespan. If I was wanting one I'd take that amount of money, put a little more with it and buy a new one [2kw] from somebody like Harbor Freight, Northern Hydrolics. If one was to be used later for extended run check out Chinadiesel [California] or Imperial Diesel [N.E. Ohio] in Countryside Magazine advertisments. A diesel will cost a bunch more but only one is all you'll ever need! A friend [small engine mechanic] says if 500 hrs are on a Briggs or equiv. the hours remaining are limited. Exceptions of course, Briggs Vangard or other commercial cast iron cyliners/sleeves will have longer life. The killer of all these smaller units is the RPM's. The diesel gensets are mostly 1800 rpm as opposed to the 3600 rpm jobbies. My .02 worth! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), September 24, 2000.

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Thanks, guys; like I said, I haven't had time to do much research on the subject, and I had no idea gas generators had a short lifespan. Since last night I searched online and found several new-in-the-box units that people got for y2k and now are getting rid of. I'll wait 'til dh gets home and show them to him. Thanks again for your advice. Elizabeth

-- Elizabeth Price (kimprice@peoplescom.net), September 24, 2000.

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I dont agree with, Its to much of a generator. It all depends. 3500watts is only 15amps at 220v or 30amps at 110v. Many generators dont provide full power outlets for 110v, so you end up with 220v at 15amp or 110v at 15amps. Even if there is two 110 outlets on the generator they often connect to only one side of the generator.

While 15amps is the same as most home outlets, its 5amps shy of what you would find in a garage where tools are used. You would most of your tools off 15amps, but only 1 or two at a time and any high current start tools such as saws would pull the generator down during startup. It may also not run an air compressor due to startup loads.

The $300 price tag is no bargin, You can get brand new units for slightly more. Many stores over ordered y2k stock and are clearing out at reasonable prices. Check out Northern, harbor freight they both have some nice deals right now. Even your local hardware store have deals

As noted a gas engine will not last as long as a diesel motor, but diesel is a lot more expensive. A quick check shows 3500 watts in gas around $400 and diesel at $3000. You also now have to store a new fuel if you dont already have other diesel engines in use on your homestead.

B&S engines are not the best, but are the easiest to find parts for and Its the engine the small engine guys work on the most and know how to make run the best.

One note about the magic 500hr mark for small gas engines. An engine will last based on how well its kept up. Now most low end, generators are not designed for continous duty. You should be able to use it for building a home. Keep in mind it doesnt need to run 24x7. Figuring 5hr/day thats 100 days it would run before it hits the mytical 500hr mark. Can you home be built in 100days? At that point you rebuild the engine and use it as your backup generator.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), September 27, 2000.

-- (animalwaitress@excite.com), June 23, 2001


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