<VV> Emergency Generator (no Corvair)

[Padgett]

Part of the benefit of living so far from the coast is that in 21 years in 
this house we have lost power only once for more than a couple of hours. 
Still we have UPSs on most electronics since temporary drop outs are 
common. After the series of hurricanes two years ago we did buy a unit on 
sale (during the Charlie peoiod everyone bought generators. The aftermath 
was that just about every store had generators for sale to a population 
that already had them.

After some study I decided that two 120v 10 amp circuits would be enough 
for basic comfort and looked for a 3000-3500 watt generator. The market was 
flooded with Chinese portable generators that were small and quiet but 
finding a really good deal on a Coleman Powermate (3500 watt max, 3000 watt 
continuous) that was USA made was an easy choice. These have been around 
forever and spare parts are available.

It does not have a 220 outlet but all we need is 110 and it has 2 of those. 
I also plan to fit a quieter muffler someday.

The odd things is that all of the generators in this capacity seem to have 
195 cc OHV engines (Coleman has a Tecumseh, Chinese are said to be Honda 
clones) but the Coleman is rated at 5.5 hp and the Chinese are all 6.5. Are 
Chinese horses measured differently ?

ps has anyone fitted a real muffler to one of these ?

Padgett