Does anybody have any experience with a Briggs and stratton 2000 watt portable generator? Sears has them, said they can be linked together if we purchase 2, for a total of 4000 watts, they say very quite. They are made by Craftsman. Want to make sure we are prepared to "rough" it!!!!
If "they" are the Sears sales staff don't believe it. That engine will drive you off your camp site and everyone around you. It's made primarily for construction.
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darlabrad wrote: So I take it..........NOT quite??? Man, I knew the price was to good to be true!!
Thanks for the info
Darla
Darla,
I wouldn't think it would be a bad idea if you guys are out someplace boondocking to use those. That's if you both can put up with the noise. But since most campgrounds and parks have quiet time anyway, you probably wouldn't use it much at those kind of places to begin with.
If they are "cheap" enough, I say buy them if you could satand the noise with no neighbors around. Just think of 2 lawnmowers running right outside your window.
Sounds like my very first generator, back in the 80s. Craftsman with a B&S motor. Ran great. Even had a throttle control so it went to idle with no load. Soon as a load was applied, it spun up to full operating speed (3600 RPMs). Yea, it was LOUD.
Unless it's an INVERTER type generator, you won't be bridging them together. A conventional generator uses mechanical methods to generate the AC waveform, and the RPMs determine the frequency.
With an inverter type generator, the waveform and frequency are electronically produced. Consequently, it'll produce a 60HZ sine wave from idle. And since the waveform is electronically created, it's easy to sync it with another waveform produced by a similar generator.
I went to the Sears website. No mention of this being able to be bridged, or an inverter type. So this one will run full RPMs all the time. It also doesn't specify what the noise rating is. That equals LOUD! If they don't want to brag about the dB...
As always, you want quiet, pay for it up front. I bought two noisy generators in the past before getting what I really wanted. Learn from such mistakes, or repeat them yourself, LOL.
There is a NPS rule (36cfr2.12) regarding permissible noise levels in NPS CGs. if you read it, you will find two important numbers: the db level and the distance it is measured at. From the rule: "That exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet". That's pretty loud but I would bet that the generator you're looking at is louder
My Honda EU3000is produces 54 db at 20 ft (actually, 6 meters but close enough) so by the time the noise gets out to 50 ft, it's more like 20 db (about the noise level of a whisper). Even with that quiet a generator, I've had one neighbor complain in the 2 seasons I've used it (I guess he couldn't clearly hear his constantly barking little dogs).
If you go to sears and check it out, look in the back of the owner's manual for the sound level. It MUST have the level in db and the distance that was measured at.
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Darla, I like having a generator even if I don't use it that often. I hated spending the money for my Honda EU3000is, however I've been glad I did. I've had it places where the noise didn't matter (NASCAR track) as well as places where it mattered a great deal (church parking lot). It's good to know that I can be comfortable using mine anywhere a generator is allowed. Everyone's tolerance for noise is different, but I wouldn't want to listen to a loud generator even if it was powering my own trailer. I've read a number of posts from people who bought one of the cheaper contractor type generators only to end up spending the money later to replace it with something quieter. You might want to rent one of each and compare before buying. You are wise to do some research before buying such an expensive piece of equipment.
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