Everlast 6500 silent diesel generator

[Le Mirage]

Hi Folks

Anybody knows this generator? I want to buy this generator (Montreal, Quebec, Cnd) and I don't know if it's a "good deal" (here the link for your interest:
http://www.lespac.com/d-outils-materiaux-outils-laval-ste-rose-genertrice-diesel-6500w-LPCaZZ22002269

The Everest link:

http://www.outlawpowersports.com/Everlast_6500_Silent_Diesel_Generator_p/ogm6500.htm

Do you know a dealer on the East Coast? (Maine, New Hamshire, Vermont, Mass) There is no dealer in Quebec.

Thank you guy!

[bevans6]

That looks very much like the generic import diesel generator.  I looked into them last year and was warned off, by the distributor in Toronto, believe it or not, of a different brand label of about the same thing.  they are air cooled, and won't have enough air flow to cool in a bus bay.  They are very loud and vibrate a lot - 418 cc single cylinder air cooled diesel running around 3000 rpm is going to get old pretty fast.  Anyway, that's what I found when I looked into it. 

http://www.auroragenerators.com/diesel-generators/silent-diesel-generator/

Brian

[Le Mirage]

Thank you Brian. It's a real "puzzle" for to choose a generator. I'm confused...

Look this one. The price is good but....made in China (?)

http://www.lespac.com/d-outils-materiaux-outils-blainville-generatrice-diesel-apache-motors-vg5000ln-csa-approuved-35-unites-LPCaZZ21222243

[bevans6]

it's the exact same generator, just painted a different colour and with a different label.  My conclusion when I was trying to make a decision was that they are not suitable for bus use at all.  I talked to people that had them, it was a barely suitable fixed install for power backup use.   The problems were noise and vibration.  65 - 68 dB is loud, and you can't really quiet them down because they are air cooled, they need a lot of air-flow because they throw off a lot of heat.

Choosing a generator for your bus comes down to three choices. 

One, you decide to basically put off the real decision and get a portable like the Yamaha EF3000iSEB.  Small, relatively light, very quiet and economical, runs on gasoline, powerful enough to run a 15Kbtu AC.  you either cobble a semi-permanent install, or you take it out of the bay when you want to use it.  I have mine semi-permanently mounted in my AC bay, I take it out and put it on the ground if I am going to run it for a few days, for a few hours I will move it half out - I have a perch for it kind of just outside the bay, or if I need to make a cup of coffee I can run it inside the bay for  20 minutes max (it has remote exhaust).

Two, you buy a Onan RV generator, liquid or air cooled, but designed to be mounted in a permanent RV install.  Wattage 4,000 to 6,500.  Pricey, but available used if you feel like taking a chance.  Reliability reports all over the map.  Advantage - designed to do what you want it to do, service available everywhere.  Disadvantage: usually gas, sometimes propane, some may be diesel powered.

Three, you get a proper bus generator designed for that application by a specialist.  Liquid cooled, two to four cylinder diesel engine, as much power as you want or need, uses the same fuel as the bus, industrial design and high quality means reliability, but more costly.  One idea that I am really taken with is the DC power plant concept recently discussed here, using a small diesel engine  to power one or more high current DC alternators which would in turn power two or more inverters.  Advantage - using the same inverters for over the road power with the bus engine/alternator supplying the DC, or using the small power plant to run the inverters when camping.

Cheers, Brian

[Le Mirage]

Oh thank you Brian for this post. I will read at home tonight. Actually, I'm at work.

Thank you again....

[ojgetaway32]

Brian, that is a great post.  Great because it hits the main points of all three but keeps the reader on a need to know basis of all the whys involved.  I'm printing it and sticking it in my three ring binder marked "Upgrade Info and Research."

Josh

[gus]

Four,

You get a gas, water cooled Honda EV6010 for about half the cost of a diesel. Quiet and smooth.

Love mine!!

[Slow Rider]

I saw a DC set up at the first rally we attend at Bruce Knees a few  years ago.  It was run by a small three cylinder cubit with a large gen head from a military vehicle if I remember correctly.  It was a sweet set up.  During the discussion Ray pointed out the only major disadvantage was if the inverter failed.  About an hour later he lost power, his 4K inverter had gone south. 

I like the idea of the DC generator system but can see where it might be to your advantage to have two smaller inverters to split up your load just in case.  Or for those with deep pockets a spare inverter mounted ready to go

Frank

[buswarrior]

A big key is the RPM of the engine.

3600 rpm usually means noisy, and shorter engine life.

There are exceptions, but.....

1800 rpm usually better.

I have the same Yamaha as Brian, it will run two roof airs through a Trace 4024, just be sure the Trace has lots of air available...

happy coaching!
buswarrior