NorthStar Generator - 10 HP, 6500 Surge Watts, 6120 Rated Watts, Diesel, Model# 165930
4.4
5
14
14
Northstar Diesel Generator
I bought this generator Jan 2011 mostly because I wanted the reliability and long term fuel storage of a diesel. Northern's staff was great to work with when ordering and arrainging shipping (make sure you have plenty of help or some other way to get this heavy unit off the truck). The unit arrived in perfect condition and after I added fuel, oil and a battery, it fired right up. I am very happy with the way this unit starts and runs. I was a little concerned that being a diesel it would start hard and vibrate a lot but that has not been the case. I mounted the generator on a frame with wheels so I could easily move it around my garage and I thought it would probably tend to walk when in use but it stays put, even without locking the wheels. This unit is loud, but no more so than my gas fuel generator which has a history of not starting when I needed it. So far the Northstar has started easily each and every time I have turned the key! I exercise this unit for ten to fifteen minutes every two weeks or so and that seems to keep the battery charged and ready for use. I am impressed with the quality and appearance of this unit and expect to get many years of service from it. I did a lot of research before buying and found cheaper diesel generators out there but I have other equipment with Yanmar engines and know that they are reliable and smooth running. That, along with Northern's reputation for customer service is ultimately why I picked the Northstar over the cheaper units.
June 15, 2011
great generator/always runs
I bought this generator a few years ago. I use it to run a well pump for irrigation. I run a steam jenny and my house in power outages. It does not get much use in the winter. It always starts right up after sitting, even for months. I rate it four stars, not five, because it is loud.
August 30, 2010
Will last a lifetime
Bought this generator as auxiliary power when Hurricane Isabel hit in 2003.
No electrical service for 10 days and this was primary power for my well , lighting etc during that period. I have since installed a whole house generator and moved this to the barn to run well and freezers located there. I have installed it on a garden cart to make it portable because it says"portable" but try and lift it. LOL Its extremely heavy. I have it set up in shed to back feed breaker for well / barn. Used it last week when T storm knocked out power for 8 hours.
Starts every time its asked if you start it once a month and keep battery on maintenance charger.
Pros - Runs thrifty on diesel and is very durable
Cons- Heavy and initially expensive
May 31, 2010
This is a perfect generator for high altitudes
This generator is excellent in high altitudes
I highly recomemend it for to be used in sub-saharan africa.
February 15, 2010
keeps on ticking
I have had this generator for several years now and it does not get a lot of use but it starts everytime. I bought it with the battery that did not last very long and is extremely expensive to replace but other than having to jump start it a few times it has performed extremely well and I would highly reccomend it.
July 24, 2009
excellent generator
This is an excellent generator, will handle everything for you
March 29, 2009
Constant Problems
We purchased three of these units to power electrical equipment we use in the field. All three have had electric solenoid problems which then destroy the fuel pump. As if that's not bad enough there are no parts to be found for these units. When they run they work great. But don't count on it to start or run for very long. On top of that two of the units already leak oil. Less than 300 hours on any of these units and they all need repairs. Save your money and buy something else.
With all three units having the same problem you would think that Yanmar would address it. They haven't. And you can't get the parts to fix it. I have used Yanmar engines extensively in the past which is the specific reason I purchased these particular generators. They have always been extremely reliable. Not these. I wonder if someone else is manufacturing them and rebranding them as Yanmar. They are that bad.
Northern Tool has been great on two of the repairs, not so great on two of the repairs. They actually had to use used parts to get one of the units running, which I agree to in advance. I appreciate that they did everything they could to get the unit repaired. I was disappointed that there is little if any parts support for these units.
Buy something else. Thank me later.
March 23, 2009
This Generator Rocks
Look...Totally worth the money! Expensine, yes. But it is diesel, get the wheel kit, way easy to move around. Get a transfer switch, and I can power six circuits in my house when the power goes out...sweeet!
November 17, 2008
Heavy Duty
This is a very well built and heavy duty generator. I use it for home standby. It powers my 4500 watt hot water heater and 1/2 HP well pump at the same time with ease. The Yanmar engine starts every time with the electric start on the first try. The only options I wish were available are 2 wire start and a larger fuel tank. If you plan to move it around a lot the wheel kit is mandatory.
November 17, 2008
disappointed
I ordered this genset at the beginning of January and although it was "in stock" it did not arrive till the end of February after I contacted Northern Tool to complain about the tardy delivery.. The generator was very finicky starting in spite of following the simple directions. After less than 100 hours the muffler cracked due to a casting fault, and after a couple of days of haggling, many email photos and correspondence it was accepted by Yanmar as a warranty repair. My parts arrived after two more months. I used the set for about a month and finally the local diesel mechanic diagnosed that the electric fuel solenoid was faulty and was the cause of the starting problems. He ordered the part from the Yanmar distributor here and it still has not arrived after two and a half months. This is September and I have had just about two months of actual use from the generator since ordering it over eight months ago. The service is abysmal which is sad because when the unit does actually get to run, it is excellent. However that is the only reason I have given it a rating above one star. What use is a generator that spends most of its time waiting for parts?
September 5, 2008