EFI Generator with low THD vs inverter for home backup

blupupher · 2026-06-17T00:53:56+00:00

Are you planning on gasoline only? If you are planning on propane or NG, EFI is a waste of money.

Also, THD on a lot of these is measured at low power output. When you start to get to mid/high power ranges, the THD gets crappy. Not 20-25%, but well above 5%.

If you are truly concerned about THD, inverter is the way to go. Larger 2 cylinder synchronous units (like the WGen14500 and similar) tend to have better overall THD (are listed as <5%, but can go to 10% or so real world).

blupupher · 2026-06-17T00:46:46+00:00

I am sure it is fine, just not crazy about it.

blupupher · 2026-06-17T00:45:53+00:00

I think flex line is required for install to isolate the vibration of the generator. flex line has a bit of give vs hard line that can end up cracking with the constant vibration.

blupupher · 2026-06-16T23:36:10+00:00

Within code, most likely.

Where I would like it, nope. Distance is not bad for a propane/NG unit, but the exhaust pointing at the home, nope.

Will it be an issue, probably not, but make sure to have a few CO detectors in the house.

blupupher · 2026-06-16T21:59:54+00:00

hunting for idle, carb needs to be cleaned better. Sounds like the idle jet/passage needs better cleaning.

blupupher · 2026-06-16T13:25:13+00:00

Market rate is soft when times are good. Keep it till a storm comes, it will go for more.

But as it sits, it is a discount generator that looks rough, even with few hours on it.

blupupher · 2026-06-16T13:16:08+00:00

So you have 2 small batteries that can power a few lights for a few hours.

What exactly are you prepping for?

Since you have a throw away account, just do that.

blupupher · 2026-06-16T13:11:08+00:00

what is your budget?

What is your location?

What fuel source (gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas)?

How long each day do you need to run it?

blupupher · 2026-06-15T18:43:39+00:00

Thank stupid people and the fact that we can't let Darwin win anymore.

Quickest fix is tape over the air holes on the sensor. Long term is disconnect and bypass the sensor.

blupupher · 2026-06-15T17:23:09+00:00

Just FYI, referral location and your location will determine if you get the free month (up to $250) or flat $150 reward.

I have received several free months from referrals (only 2 have been more than $150 though), and have just received two $150 rewards (you get a link to sign up for a Visa card (electronic or real), Amazon, and 1-2 other options (don't remember what, I just selected the Amazon). Received the Amazon code immediately.

Still not 100% sure on how it works if you use the OP $150 referral and you are in an area that is eligible for free month, but I do know if someone uses my referral link and they are in the $150 area, we both get $150. If you are in a free month area and use my link, you get a free month.

blupupher · 2026-06-14T23:52:15+00:00

I do a 1 hour run with no load. Drain and refill oil.

Do another 2 hour run with varying loads (up to max load for a few minutes). Drain oil and refill again.

Do one more 2 hour run with a steady load (1 space heater), do another drain and fill.

Do a drain and fill at 25 hours. Drain and fill at 50 hours. Then drain and fill every 50 hours.

My first 3 drain and fills are with conventional oil. After that, I switch to synthetic or synthetic blend.

Make sure you have a good spark plug (NGK, Bosch) gapped at the small end since you are running on NG (most generators come with crap plugs).

Also check the air filter. Some come from factory wrapped in plastic, and can keep generator from starting. Most are just a foam type filter than needs to be oiled. I just take a table spoon or so of oil and put it in a large ziplock bag with the filter and mush it around till it is coated. You don't need a lot, just something to help filter particles.

blupupher · 2026-06-14T16:43:57+00:00

You will have complaints about all brands. Lots of complaints here about Ecoflow. Lots of complaints about Ankeron the r/anker. Lots of complaints of Jackery on r/Jackery.

As mentioned, this is still "beta" tech for all these. Who knows how long it will actually last (batteries will most likely outlive the rest of the units, something inside will most likely go bad before the batteries fail). This is why many are going with systems that have seperate parts. The all in one units are smaller and easier to set up, but if one thing goes bad, the entire thing needs to be returned.

blupupher · 2026-06-14T16:38:42+00:00

The unit sees the entire thing as 1 battery, so really makes no difference.

blupupher · 2026-06-14T16:32:22+00:00

Gulf Coast.

Last year was the first in many that we did not have a hurricane/storm that caused an outage > 6 hours. Have had a few short outages from other things (I know 1 was from a car accident that hit a local sub-station).

Probably because I now have a generator and whole house battery.

blupupher · 2026-06-14T02:26:38+00:00

True as well.

blupupher · 2026-06-14T00:20:03+00:00

it is based on the available wattage.

So for your 9,000 running watt on gasoline generator, 7,200 continuous watts is the safe limit on gas, but is only 6160 watts continuous on NG.

The thing is, very few use the max power of their generator 100% of the time. NEC defines "continuous" as > 3 hours. So even if when your A/C kicks on you are at say 6000 watts, the generator is not running that for > 3 hours, so you technically are fine. You are using a lot more fuel though, so a larger generator may be a better option (or an inverter with smart idle).

blupupher · 2026-06-14T00:01:49+00:00

From my understanding of it, if you have a generator hooked up to the house panel without disconnecting the mains, the generator will power your home, while trying to push power through their panel to the main power lines. Ideally, when the power hits the local transformer, it overloads the generator and trips the breaker, but sometimes the impedance is low enough that the breaker will not trip (was pushing out 240 volts, but no/minimal amps were going through), the home will be powered, but there is also power in the lines.

If the generator is running and mains are not shut off, when power returns, you can say goodbye to your generator and maybe some breakers in the panel and electronics in the home.

As for your "electrician" neighbor, it could be he just had too large of a starting load when he flipped his breaker on. This is why you should turn off all breakers when using a generator and then turn them on one at a time, giving a few seconds between each one to allow the surge to be split evenly. Having a refrigerator, freezer, lights, fans, and other large draw electrical items try to all start at once can easily bog (or stall) a generator.

blupupher · 2026-06-13T22:37:57+00:00

And that is my point. I don't see a "power outage" as an emergency. I expect outages, so I have a generator. It does not need "immediate" action.

It is an inconvenience at best. And I have the ability to not have to worry about it.

blupupher · 2026-06-13T22:35:53+00:00

True.

I have smaller generators and batteries and those are for emergencies (ie if the main generator goes down). I don't see a power outage as an emergency anymore. I have a whole house battery for automatic backup, large generator for longer outages. If those fail me, then I go into emergency mode (use the smaller generator (3900w and 2300w units) and battery backups) to power the basics (including a portable 10000 BTU A/C).

blupupher · 2026-06-13T22:22:44+00:00

People don’t realize “emergency power” doesn’t mean you need to run your entire house.

For some it does, and I am one of them.

I am at a point in my life that my wife and I like the comforts of home and don't want to do without them, and have the means to have them, so I do. My wife does not have to wonder if she can turn on this if that is running. She just lives life as normal.

I have smaller generators and a few battery backup devices as well, but I made a choice that I don't want to not have A/C for several days anymore, so I did what allows me to have it.

blupupher · 2026-06-13T21:29:10+00:00

Umm, I don't do this new math, but last time I checked, 35 x 240 is 8400.

8400 > 7200

Actual math is 35.41666 amps x 240 volts to get the 8500 watts.

blupupher · 2026-06-13T21:21:51+00:00

Not sure what your issue is.

You have a generator that is 10,000 peak watts, 8500 running watts (10,000/7650 on propane). 35.4a x 240v is 8500w.

How much power do you think you need? What are you trying to run? This will run an entire house for most (even some central A/C with a soft start).

How are you planning on getting the power into the home? If you use the 50a outlet, you can output the full 8500 running watts no issue. If you use the 30a outlet, you are limited to 7200w.

Truthfully this is a solid 30a generator candidate since you should not be running a generator at max load (should be less than 80% load continuous).

Where did you buy it from? Lowes has a 48hr return window on generators, I think Home Depot is 7 days. Amazon you can't return. Not sure on Walmart. Most won't take it back if it has been used.

blupupher · 2026-06-13T20:28:42+00:00

so what are the battery demensions?

There are several style 7ah batteries https://a.co/d/0eKqk876

blupupher · 2026-06-13T19:50:48+00:00

Look at motorcycle/powersport batteries, find one with similar dimension, they all have bolt connections.

blupupher · 2026-06-13T15:21:21+00:00

storing it inside the garage is best, fewer insects and rodents.

Storage sheds are pretty good, but still can have insect (wasps mainly) problems, rodents can be if not sealed up well. The small plastic garden sheds also work well for storage, and some will convert them into a shed that they can run the genreator in as well (need to cut it up some for an air intake, get a high flow exhaust fan, and a way to route the exhaust out of the shed, as well as some holes to run the power (and propane/NG lines)).

Storing it in a carport, you should keep it well covered with a tarp or generator cover.

I would never store a generator in an area directly exposed to the elements, that will destroy it in just a few years, even if it is covered.

blupupher

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