Powertech 8k generator -- would you or wouldn't you?

Brian Diehl · February 12, 2009, 10:07:42 AM

I'm working with a fellow bus nut who happens to know of a 8kw PowerTech generator I could buy for $5000. It has exactly 30 minutes of run time on it. I do not know if it has a Kubot or Cat engine yet as I'm waiting for more information from the seller. I don't have very large generator needs since I spend most of my time in the northern 3rd of the US. I have a 2000 watt honda generator I use now for battery recharging while boondocking. So, I think I would only really need the generator 3 or 4 times a year at most. However, it would make an excellent backup generator for the house. Of course, I've only had one 30 minute power outage for the past 4 years. I'm struggling with the 5 large ones to get the generator against the actual usage of it.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Len Silva · February 12, 2009, 10:21:24 AM

It's a fine machine but the price doesn't sound like that great a deal. Once you have the exact model and serial number, talk to PowerTech about it. I could be wrong but I think that that is close to list price.

H3Jim · February 12, 2009, 10:22:02 AM

Great gernerator, ok price. Only you can make the $ to usage tradeoff. Does not sound too useful to the bus unless you want to get to single fuel setup. I hear those Hondas are very quiet and reliable.

So if not for the bus, then only for the house? Its a lot of coin for such a small percentage of outage. Just bring that ol Honda inside to run a few lights and refrigerator.

zubzub · February 12, 2009, 10:27:38 AM

http://www.nashvillesuperads.com/Tools_Classifieds/C524A357934P1/8kw_PowerTech_Generator.aspx
seems like you can get one when/if you want one.

belfert · February 12, 2009, 10:32:58 AM

If it is the Ultimate series a new one costs at least $7,000 shipped to Minnesota from what Craig Shepard told me.

Powertech has discontinued the Cat engines, but that shouldn't matter. I have the Cat engine in mine because they had it in stock at the time.

Edit: Make that a Cat engine, not a Cart engine.

Stormcloud · February 12, 2009, 10:34:48 AM

Hi Brian:

When we moved out of the city a few years ago, I purchased a new 5000watt standby generator, a Coleman Powermate at Walmart for under $700 Canadian ( I think thats about eighty bucks US these days, lol). Since it is an emergency only unit, I wasnt overly concerned about noise,etc. Our power interruptions here are brief (under 1 hour) and rare.

Ideally, I would have preferred a 20kW generator to run our electric heat as well but too much $$ to put out for such a rare occurrence. Our 5kW unit will provide everything we need except heat, and we have an emergency heat source in case the outage is long.

If I had to do it again, I would do the same...and if your neighbours are close enough to complain about the noise, you could offer them a bit of power for their frig or furnace fan without going over the 5kW in most cases.

Best regards.

Mark

ps (We also have a 3kW 'quiet' gen for the bus, for batteries and boondocking.)

Damn Yankee · February 12, 2009, 11:05:17 AM

I just use the generator on the bus for outages. It has a 30 amp buddy outlet I use. But if I still wanted one I'd just buy gas one at 1/2 the price. Heck, I know where you can get a complete conversion with a kabota driven 8kw for less than that.....

RickB · February 12, 2009, 11:52:51 AM

Brian,

After reading your intended uses for the Genset I have to agree that it doesn't seem like you need one all that much. That's alot of money as well.

As far as the price the guy has documentation saying he paid over 7k for it.

Can't wait for spring and that open road...

Also, my parts are supposed to arrive today!!! I am super excited.

Rick

gus · February 12, 2009, 04:58:45 PM

A week ago I just went through an 8 day power outage because of a humongous ice storm. I have a 3KW Army surplus gas generator I bought for $500. It has both 120 and 240v outputs and saved our bacon.

I live in the sticks so needed 240v for my well pump. I had my 3KW gen hooked up to the well, the fridge and a battery charger to my Jeep and it showed 30% of load.

Your 2KW Honda will provide a lot of power for a house. All most people need is enough to keep fridges and freezers cold unless you have a pump which requires 240v. I don't know if those small Hondas provide 240v but I know they are great gen.

I have a water cooled 6KW Honda in my bus and it is great but is only 120v. However, I couldn't get to it during the ice storm so it did me no good!!

You don't really need elect lights, we used candles, lamps and an LP camping lantern.

If you have central AC it takes a bunch more power and central heat takes some more but not nearly as much as AC. You have to figure out how much power it takes if you have those.

Luckily we have power independent LP heat in the house.

If your Honda is too small get another one plus the kit to combine two of them and you have a nice 4KW, plenty of power for most anything.

I would not spend $5K for the limited use you say. It would probably sit around unused and not run when you needed it. Gen sets really need to be used to stay in good condition. Don't ask me how I know??

buswarrior · February 12, 2009, 07:24:53 PM

The bus makes an excellent source of back-up power and shelter in times of emergency.

In fact, it lends considerable justification to some of the expences of the systems on the bus.

A diesel generator and a full bus fuel tank will be a great comfort as the days go by without electricity.

Remember, the gas station won't have power either, and if they do, how much will they be charging?

Going with the twin Honda idea, keeping a sufficient supply of gasoline on hand is possible, with the added challenge of stock rotation and/or fuel conditioner.

That darned water pump at 240V messes with the desire of having the coach generator wired for 120V to eliminate the load balancing act....

difficult decision you have, good luck!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Brian Diehl · February 13, 2009, 07:14:40 AM

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

The cheap part of me doesn't want to spend 5 large ones.

The "be prepared" side of me really wants the security of having it sitting in my bus!

Well, I'm still waiting for more information from the sellers. So, I still have time to decide.

Len Silva · February 13, 2009, 09:25:30 AM

Quote from: buswarrior on February 12, 2009, 07:24:53 PM
The bus makes an excellent source of back-up power and shelter in times of emergency.

In fact, it lends considerable justification to some of the expences of the systems on the bus.

A diesel generator and a full bus fuel tank will be a great comfort as the days go by without electricity.

Remember, the gas station won't have power either, and if they do, how much will they be charging?

Going with the twin Honda idea, keeping a sufficient supply of gasoline on hand is possible, with the added challenge of stock rotation and/or fuel conditioner.

That darned water pump at 240V messes with the desire of having the coach generator wired for 120V to eliminate the load balancing act....

difficult decision you have, good luck!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Using a 120/240 transformer might be simpler that reconfiguring the bus power.

Tom Y · February 13, 2009, 10:33:10 AM

Brian, I find it intresting some have Gens that are worth more than their bus engines. I bought my 7.5 from the other Brian. I wish I could have found a smaller one 5-6 kw. The way the weather is, backup is good. Packing for a couple days in Erie now to work on storm restoration. I was without for 48 hrs here once and did not care for it. I now have a hot tub (240v) and would hate to lose it over lack of power. I have not seen any cheap transformers, so the gen is wired 120/240. I do like the diesel Gen. Had enough of the gas ones, but I never had a Honda. Used bus, used gen,and a used driver and I still have to much in it. Good Luck Tom Y

JackConrad · February 13, 2009, 12:05:29 PM

We purchased a re-conditioned 8 KW from PowerTech, it had 619 hours on it. We were told it was traded in on a larger generator. We paid $4500.
After Hurricane Charlie, we lived in our bus for about 1 month. We were without power for 3 weeks. We found it easier to just move into the bus . The house was not livable anyway, but our house has an electric range as well as 240 dryer and AC. It is easier to live in the bus and run an extension cord to the house refrigerator and freezer, which was all we really needed in the house. We recently had a 18 hour power outage, we were moved into the bus in about 20 minutes. Just our way, YMMV. Jack