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I know this is a lawn mower forum but I feel like there are several people on here that would be willing to help a student out.

I am an industrial design at Auburn University in Alabama and we are currently conducting research on portable consumer generators. By portable, I mean any generator that isn't meant to be stationary on your property such as home standby generators. From this research, I will take any useful information and apply it to the design.

So I come here to hopefully get some input from those of you that own or have used generators. I would really appreciate anyone giving me some help.

So as for what I'm looking for, any input or opinions on brands as far as what you've used, what you'd buy, what you bought but wish you didn't, what you would never buy, and why. Also, I'm looking for problems that people have faced with their generators and any solutions that you may have come up with to address that problem.

I'm not ONLY looking for issues with the mechanics of the generator, but also with use, transportation, quality, construction, etc.

If any of you have any ideas, simple or extravagant, to improve a generator I am very interested in hearing from you.

Please feel free to private message me or post here. I will be checking back regularly.

Thank you all very much and I look forward to hearing back.

Also, I'm very interested in any ideas using new and upcoming technology as well as opinions of using alternative fuel sources.

Hello and welcome to the Forum...
portable generators are most likely on a lot of peoples minds right now... weather related power outage during the winter is more than unhandy...

There have actually been power generators available from mower manufactures in the past... Cub Cadet had a belt PTO driven one for their garden tractors back in the 70's. Not the most portable, but the whole rig is on wheels... :smile:KennyV

Just a few general suggestions -

It should be easy to start - either VERY easy pull or electric starter. I had one that I could start easy, but my better half could not pull satrt it.

Might want to think about dual fuel - Gasoline / LPG --- Diesel / LPG

Quiet (maybe provision for extending exhaust away form unit)

Nice to have both 115 / 220 AC and 12V DC

Rust resistant materials (they tend to be exposed to weather) I had one that was stored on the porch and never rained on, but the Gen Head got rusty just from being outside.

"clean power" if it will be used for electronics - some components are sensitive to surge and high or low voltage.

I know i'm not getting it all -- may think of other things later.

Thank you all very much.

I had heard of PTO generators. I believe they still make them for farm tractors if I'm not mistaken.

We made a survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XDTTFW2

It would be great if anyone would complete the survey.

I am curious to know how your research project will turn out to be. You can be sure to find exhaustive and useful information here.

So far my favorites are the Honda 2000 w inverter generators because they are light at 46 lbs, start easily, fuel efficient and quiet. Did I mention QUIET? These little units are tough to beat imo.

Portable units need to be light and compact enough for a woman to carry and have proper shielding to prevent burning your leg when moving a warmed up unit.

I have four so called portable gensets ranging from the Honda 2kw to Onan diesels and the little one gets the most use simply because it is so handy.

AU_Design said:

Also, I'm very interested in any ideas using new and upcoming technology as well as opinions of using alternative fuel sources.

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I think the HHO Hydrogen fuel cell looks so good... the ability to convert directly to electricity without having to be mechanical first is nice... But I am not sure it's going to be affordable or very portable just yet... :smile:KennyV

I appreciate all of your incite.

I have seen some Hydrogen powered concepts which seem pretty cool. I'd be interested to see which companies try to jump on board with producing such generators.

jenkinsph said:

I have four so called portable gensets ranging from the Honda 2kw to Onan diesels and the little one gets the most use simply because it is so handy.

Click to expand...

What do you normally use the diesel generator for? Do you ever use off-road diesel fuel? Would you consider using biofuel? Are there any benefits to a diesel generator that the average consumer wouldn't know much about?

AU_Design said:

What do you normally use the diesel generator for? Do you ever use off-road diesel fuel? Would you consider using biofuel? Are there any benefits to a diesel generator that the average consumer wouldn't know much about?

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Off Road diesel is the same as On Road, except it has not been dyed to change it's color, for tax ID purpose...
I use from 5 to 99% BioDiesel all the time, best lubricity you can get for the injector pumps.

SOME of the advantages of using a diesel engine:
Diesel is:
Safer to handle (Much less volatile, less apt to have a fire).
Less expensive to operate (more work per gallon of fuel).
Generally designed to run much longer without wearing out.
Cooler operating, both engine and exhaust.
More reliable, less to be maintained.
Fuel is more stable, can be kept for years with no special additives.
:smile:KennyV

AU_Design said:

What do you normally use the diesel generator for? Do you ever use off-road diesel fuel? Would you consider using biofuel? Are there any benefits to a diesel generator that the average consumer wouldn't know much about?

Click to expand...

I use the diesel genset to run tools and equipment on my service truck at remote locations, it is plumbed into the truck fuel tank. Never use offroad diesel in it. I would consider biofuel not a big deal to me. Storage of fuel is a big issue in most cases, gasoline today is difficult to store for long periods. More of an issue is residual gas in equipment tanks, the new fuels absorb water vapor from the air and eat up older equipments fuel lines.

another problem with some i seen is that the receptacles and circuit breakers are not in a protected location. some have them highly exposed where if something does happen to fall the right way it can damage the plugs or break the handles on the circuit breakers, thus making it a danger to use the generator. make the plugs and switches easy to use, but in a safe or covered place to prevent damage to them.