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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Need help picking and new generator to power are off grid cabin
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Ejm
Member
# Posted: 9 Jul 2019 09:47
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I have been running it with a Honda EU3000 and it has done a great job, but as we added more appliances we are now unplugging stuff to not overload the generator. I am ready to upgrade and am having a problem picking what would work best

I am thinking either Honda EU7000 or Kohler 14RESA 14kW Generator. The kohler says it is made for off grid, but trying to figure out how I would make it work being it is made to come on when the electric is out. We use this cabin for 6 weekend trips and one full week out of the year. I was reading somewhere you could use the Kohler to back up a solar set up and it will kick in to charge your batteries, maybe that is an option as well. I would think the backup generator would be off most of the time because we will not be using any of the electric when we are not there. Does anyone have any experience with either one of these generators?

Thanks,

Ej

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 9 Jul 2019 13:47
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What are your loads? 7kw sounds like overkill unless your running central air or have a electric water heater. 14k sounds like way overkill for a 6weekend and 1 week a year cabin.

SCSJeff
Member
# Posted: 9 Jul 2019 13:53
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Agreed, I'm surprised you're needing to unplug things with your 3000. The only things I can think of that would top out your 3000 is AC + coffee pot + microwave + vacuum cleaner....

Ejm
Member
# Posted: 9 Jul 2019 14:01
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The Honda is a surge of 7000 with 5500 running watts. We do get by with the 3000 watts that we have, but we would have to always watch what we are running if the fridge kicks on when the well pump starts to go on it would be a problem and it would surge. The next step up for invertor generator is the EU7000 = 5500 watts. I think the 14k is overkill I just liked that it ran on LP and figured It would be easier to use and last longer. After speaking to a few people I am strongly leaning towards the Honda. I don’t want to run it too much, so I am getting a quote on a battery bank that my generator would charge when it is running, so when I shut it I could use the lights and well pump from the battery bank. I may add a few solar panels just to keep the battery’s charged when I am not around. Thank you for the reply : )

cspot
Member
# Posted: 9 Jul 2019 19:03
Reply 


One downside of the larger Generator is that thing will weigh about 300 lbs when loaded with fuel. If hauling to camp that is going to be a pain. Not sure if you are in an area that you can leave it at camp.

With the EU3000 can't you get another one with a parallel kit? That would double your output. You could also hook one to the fridge and one to the well pump. If you wanted to you wouldn't need to run the well one at night when everyone is sleeping.

Another option is to put in a tank that you could pump your well into and then have a small shurflo pump to put pressure into your cabin.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 10 Jul 2019 08:31
Reply 


If you need all those things running most of the day you should really look at power management. Personaly i wouldnt want to be in my cabin and hear a generator running away most of the day.

A propane fridge is going to cost less than even another eu3000 to parallel to your current one.

At our former cabin we took hot showers, cooked on a 10 burner stove, baked a apple pie, made ice and kept the fridge cold all for 5 days and didnt run the generator once. We didnt have solar pannels, a wind turbine or micro hydro. Everything ran off propane and a single deep cycle car battery that we charge at home.

I really suggest you look at the power your useing and find better ways get the same final use out of it. Propane fridge, IBC tote with 12v water pump and a whole bunch of other ideas. I bet you could spend $1,500 on a few key components and your eu3000 will be more than adequate.

These eu7000 are not cheap at over $4k

Ejm
Member
# Posted: 10 Jul 2019 09:16
Reply 


Thank you for the replies...

Cspot: Weight is not an issue it will stay at the cabin. It is a one time move unless I have to take it for service. I am not looking forward to moving it.

Brettny: I looked into the LP fridge and heard to many problems, so I stayed away from it. My EU3000 is about 8 years old and it is time for an upgrade I don't want to trust something that is getting up in age. You would be very surprised how quit these generators are, you cant hear them, especially that I will have mine 75 feet away for safety reasons. Most people that visit think I have electric hook up, till the power goes out and I have to refuel it lol. The eu7000 is not cheap, but my power needs is pushing me to make the splash. I don't have a big cabin and its not bad when it is just a few of us, but we have 50 plus people over each 4th july and my poor eu3000 cant take it anymore or me running around telling people to unplug something before they take a shower.

neckless
Member
# Posted: 14 Jul 2019 18:21
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i would go broke putin gas in that genny in two weeks....loli think u bin talkin to the wrong people about propane stuff.... just sayin....

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 16 Jul 2019 10:28
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Hello all, I purchased a duel fuel 7000 w from HD for around 500 bucks last year. I just looked at their web and they have a sportsman model for around that. I read a few reviews, seemed ok. I need another smaller one for our cabin is why I looked. I really liked the propane option because I don’t have to worry about the carburetor getting gummed up. And not having to deal with refueling with gasoline.

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 18 Jul 2019 08:33 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
Reply 


ejm, I have the Honda EU6500is, this is the carb version or pre EU7000is, its just as quiet as the EU2000i.

Dont think your EU3000is is about to expire, at 8 yrs old, its young. I have an EU2000i and its closer to 20 yrs old, I have a almost new EU2000i I will use when it dies, but I dont think it will. I do take good care, ie oil changes etc.

You will love the EU7000is

comanche
Member
# Posted: 13 Aug 2019 22:12
Reply 


I’ve been happy with my Duromax dual fuel XP hybrid.
I run only propane in it because of the fumes and other issues from gasoline but I could if I wanted to.

It has electric start and a back up pull start.
They also make larger units.
I almost bought a 10,000 watt unit for $750 because I liked the 4400 XP so well.

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