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1. Buy a generator that is underpowered or not suitable for the task.
When shopping for a generator, it is important to understand your power needs. Whether it’s camping, home backup, or workplace use, it’s important to understand which generator is right for the job and which one will meet your needs most efficiently. It is also important to know the type of elements that the generator is going to power. Power tools used on construction sites have different needs, wattage, and amperage than those used in campgrounds. Generators that are construction oriented also have built-in GFCI taps, which means they don’t perform well in home standby applications. That being said, understanding the types of generators out there and what they are capable of should be something someone should consider when purchasing a new generator.
2. Buy an unbranded generator.
With hundreds of different brands on the market, some good, some bad; It’s easy to be fooled by cheaper cat-type products looking to mimic brand name products. While imitation cat type generators may be cheaper up front, these cheap brands rarely have the longevity of more expensive brand name products. What you end up with is that even though the initial purchase was cheaper, you will spend more time, money, and energy running a cheaper generator than the guy who just bought the brand name product. Sometimes the old saying, “you get what you pay for”, is actually true. It’s also important to consider the length of your warranty, service, and parts availability. If a generating company is only willing to back their product for 6 months, or if you have to wait weeks or even months for parts, that should tell you something about the quality of the product they are trying to sell.
3. Buying from the wrong store or retailer.
Consider this scenario: You are looking for a super quiet camping generator. You check an online dealer locator and discover that there is a great store down the street that sells the model you are looking for. However, you will also find a small electrical equipment store with the same model; the small horsepower equipment store is priced slightly higher. Your first instinct would be to buy it from a retailer that has the cheapest price. What you really need to think about is the fact that there is a very slim chance that you will find an employee at the large retailer who has the knowledge to answer your questions intelligently. They also won’t have the parts and service available to you, should you need them. So chances are, if something goes wrong with the machine, they’ll send it off to the small electrical equipment shop for any necessary repairs anyway. Now, consider if you had shopped at that little store from scratch. You may have paid a bit more upfront, but you likely get the small shop knowledge and service you need to buy the right generator for the job. Why? -Because they are specifically an electrical equipment store. This is what they do, what they specialize in, what they study on a daily basis. Your employees are trained and equipped with the knowledge you need to help you in any way; including service and spare parts.
4. An understanding of jetting and lift problems.
Most small generators and motors are built at sea level. This means that the generator is factory set to operate in the densest air at sea level. When bringing a jet fuel generator to average camp elevations of 5000-7000 feet; where the air is not so dense, they run into trouble. With fuel jets at higher elevations, the generator will run rich, increasing the risk of fouling the spark plugs. It also won’t work as efficiently as it would if injected correctly, you won’t get the advertised fuel efficiency or horsepower because of this problem. Of course, the problem can be corrected by re-injecting the generator. It is relatively inexpensive and does not take long. If you have any mechanical inclination, you can do it yourself. The other issue to understand is the overall power loss at higher elevations. Regardless of jet propulsion, all small engines lose a certain amount of power the higher you climb. A good rule of thumb is that generators lose 3.5% of their advertised power for every 1000 feet of elevation. If the company you are buying from does not have a service department, then it is a good idea to take it to a store and have it jetted for the altitude you will be using it at the most.
5. Misunderstanding of the different models.
Almost every big name generator company out there has a ton of different generator models, all designed to be used in specific ways. When looking to buy a new generator, no matter what brand you have chosen, it is important to understand which models are designed for what. You don’t want to buy a super quiet inverter series generator if you plan to take it to a construction site, you could easily get a fine from any safety company that regulates your area because most inverters don’t have GFCI outlets. in them. On the other hand, you wouldn’t bring a generator from a construction site to a quiet camp, you would have your camp neighbors bang on the door to turn it off. Take care when selecting the right model for your application. Do you need something like a clean power inverter to be able to connect sensitive electronic equipment? Is the noise level a problem? Or are you in a workplace, where everything needs to be circuit-protected according to safety regulations, but noise doesn’t really matter? These are all things to consider before making a purchase.
6. Misunderstanding about portability.
The fact that some generators are equipped with wheels and handles does not necessarily make them portable. Most generators in the 3800 watt range and above are equipped with handles and wheels. Not for convenience, but because it is necessary. These machines are heavy and generally require the help of another person to move them or load them onto trucks. All of this has to do with choosing the right machine for the job. When you’re camping, you don’t want to constantly harass your friends to help you lift and carry a 250-pound beast until you place it where you want it. A small 50 pound portable generator would work well in that application, pick it up, place it where you want it, and get on with your camping trip.
7. Overcomplicating the process.
Of course, if you’ve read this entire article, buying a generator would seem incredibly complicated; it really isn’t. While there are many things to consider when purchasing one, if you just remember a few of the things in this article, you can’t go wrong. And if you are shopping from the right company, you should have a trained sales staff on hand to answer any questions you may have. Also remember, you don’t need to become a master electrical engineer to buy one. Keep the process simple, don’t overthink it, and buy the generator that best suits your needs. Stick with a trusted brand, with a good warranty, buy from a reputable company, that has its own parts department, and you should get the service you expect at the end of your purchase.