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Northstar 8000 W Honda generator, feedback
Hello:
I've been trying to do some research on generators, and Honda has been highly recommended. I was curious how the Northstar 8000 Watt Honda 13 HP generator rates (item #165914-1501). I was curious how clean its power is (would it be safe for sensative equipment like computers; the description at Northern mentions using it for computers). I've seen some talk about the models that have inverters & voltage regulators, and wasn't sure if this Northstar model has either. Personally, I would be using it for emergency purposes to run a couple computers, well, furnace fan, etc. I would appreciate all feedback on this generator, good or bad. Thank you very much for all responses! -- Chris |
Are looking at a Northstar generator with Honda motor or a Honda
generator sold by Northstar. The Honda EU series is computer safe the Northstar is probably not. Notrhstar will have the specs and ck out Hondas site. Hondas cost 2.5 times more, but also last alot longer |
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Sure the Northern is cheaper , get their specs on voltage swing % and
sign wave and voltage stabilation, if any. Honda EU can last 4 times as long since motor operation Rpm is voltage dependant. You will get superior electronics with probably any honda. Honda EU are also much lighter as the gen is part of the motor. Also Honda sells 2 grades of motors. Northern will help as they sell both. But if you have the $ look into Onan, Kohler, Yamaha. And dont forget DB ratings, sound level. Many are loud, EU series you may not even hear at 30ft. My Generac can be heard 3000 ft away. There are many other online dealers that just specialise in generators, Northern is very limited in what they offer. If I were to do it again Id go Honda EU. Unregulated units can swing 35% in V and HZ, regulated apx 6-7% , Honda EU 1% = grid power. You really get what you pay for. I personaly would not even run a TV on unregulated gens. My friend blew out 3 |
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To get 6% it must have a regulator, so someone is giving you wrong info.
6% isnt bad but you will need to do your own test upon purchase. I used electric space heaters to easily and acuratly load it to full load. And set it to 120v 60Hz at my normal loading. Look at other units, Yamaha is worth a look. But a Honda EU can outlast anything at 50% load because it will be turning 1800 rpm. 10000- 14000 hrs you could get running it easy. Compare that to 2-3000 hrs for 3600 rpm units. Again Honda costs 2.5x more but can outlast all small units if run at low load because amps are rpm dependant. |
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If you use it alot consider NG or a Tri fuel unit. Conversions are
offered. A unit on Ng will last even longer. |
Use a small UPS.
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In article ,
(Chris Szilagyi) says... According to the catalog specs for the Northstar 8000, it has "6% total harmonic distortion for use with voltage-sensitive equipment like computers...". I am assuming this means the voltage swing is around 6% as you mentioned for regulated units. No, THD is a measure of harmonics distorting the mathematically pure sine wave. Through Fourier transforms, you can describe any wave form as the sum of a perfect sine wave and its odd and even harmonics. Getting within 6% of a perfect sine wave is pretty common for any rotating field brushless generator. No regulation required. The THD says nothing about the stability of frequency or voltage. -- http://home.teleport.com/~larryc |
OK larryc, his gen may be CRAP - for home electronics, if I
understand you. |
In article ,
(m Ransley) says... OK larryc, his gen may be CRAP - for home electronics, if I understand you. It depends on the electronics. A computer, for instance, uses a solid state switching power supply that is good for almost any wave form, anywhere between 90 and 230 volts, anywhere between 50 and 100 Hz. An APC UPS puts out what they euphemistically refer to as a "modified sine wave", which is actually a square wave with rounded edges, about 50% THD. With a generator, as with commercial line power, the electronics killer is a high voltage transient. Any high power switch opening, like a pump switch or water heater switch, can create transients large enough to fry solid state power supplies. Your little $9.95 Wal-Mart surge protector will not do the job, assuming the generator is even grounded. Buying an expensive generator buys you nothing for protection. If you want to run sensitive electronics, buy one of the solutions available for conditioning dirty power in an industrial installation, or keep your heavy loads off the generator while you are using your electronics. Continuous loads are fine. It's the switch opening that creates the transients. -- http://home.teleport.com/~larryc |
Honda does make a genset with a built in inverter .... I don't know
about the "Nortstar 8000W" unit. The inverter puts out pure sine wave and is supposed to be very well regulated. BTW, I just replace a traditional genset in a TV production truck with an Auragen unit. This generator belts off the truck engine and puts out some high voltage which runs an inverter. Wow, what a great unit. Power is very, very clean, even when the AC is starting. The problem is that the Auragen is pretty pricey, about $5K wor a 5.5KW unit and the vehicle must be modified. Auragen people did the install included in the above price. Larry Caldwell wrote: In article , (m Ransley) says... OK larryc, his gen may be CRAP - for home electronics, if I understand you. It depends on the electronics. A computer, for instance, uses a solid state switching power supply that is good for almost any wave form, anywhere between 90 and 230 volts, anywhere between 50 and 100 Hz. An APC UPS puts out what they euphemistically refer to as a "modified sine wave", which is actually a square wave with rounded edges, about 50% THD. With a generator, as with commercial line power, the electronics killer is a high voltage transient. Any high power switch opening, like a pump switch or water heater switch, can create transients large enough to fry solid state power supplies. Your little $9.95 Wal-Mart surge protector will not do the job, assuming the generator is even grounded. Buying an expensive generator buys you nothing for protection. If you want to run sensitive electronics, buy one of the solutions available for conditioning dirty power in an industrial installation, or keep your heavy loads off the generator while you are using your electronics. Continuous loads are fine. It's the switch opening that creates the transients. |
Northstar 8000 W Honda generator, feedback
replying to Chris Szilagyi, florida wrote:
how much oil does the generator take need to change -- for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...ck-564746-.htm |
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