🚀 go-pugleaf

Since we live "in the country" by California standards (well, _not_
city water; septic system _not_ sewer; Electricty doesn't run all day,
every day), we are looking for a backup generator. (The thought of
waiting 2 or 3 days to 

1st criteria:
	Gotta run the water pressure booster pump (1 hp, start
	capacitor, 220V @ 15A breakers). My well guy says 3500watts
	min, I'm thinking 5kw. ( we have a 5000 gal tank: we don't
	need to run the well pump and the pressure pump at the same
	time).

2nd criteria:
	RELIABLE! (Since the power hardly ever goes out when the sun is
	shining on a warm and dry day).  I don't want to be out in the
	rain swearing at the *#)($&@ generator, just so I can take a
	warm shower. 


Other criteria:
	Should run on gasoline. Propane is available, but plumbing it
	could be a problem.  I have no experience with diesel, but
	that might be doable.

	Noise is not a big deal: it's going to be out back, away from
	the rest of the house. Quieter is nicer, but if it's REALLY
	LOUD, we'll just put it near this neighbor that .... :-)

	Should not cost more than my last new car! (that 20kv WINCO in
	the paper was tempting, but my wife started saying "I don't
	think so, Tim"!).

	We will look into some sort of switchover/isolation relay
	stuff, but we'll go manual for right now. How should I connect
	this thing?


Questions:
	What brands are recommended? (Honda is good: Honda is
	expen$ive).

	What brands to avoid?
	
	I'm certain that Honda engines are good, but why do some
	brands (e.g. generac, coleman, ...) cost so much less?? 


	What features to look for? (e.g. How do I determine that the
	generator will do a good job at maintaing voltage, put out
	good 60hz, ...).

Thanks much in advance