Re: OT - Generators

On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 23:16:47 GMT, wmbjk <wmbjkREMOVE@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 17:34:36 GMT, "Dan" <junkmailacct@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>wrote:
>
>>We ar considering buying a small portable gas powered generator, but know
>>very little about what we really need. Simply looking for something to
>>power a couple of lights and the TV if the power goes out.
>>
>>What size would be needed?

How high is up? The Magic 8 Ball says "Answer Uncertain - Need More
Input..." Tell us what you need to do, how big are the loads, can you
handle the hookup and operation by yourself or do you need a fully
automatic system...

>A Honda EU2000 will power anything that plugs into a standard
>household outlet. It's remarkably quiet, and its speed varies with the
>load, a feature that's really nice if you have it running for many
>hours to power small loads. About $900, which is pricey considering
>the capacity, but the features are worth the premium.
>http://www.mayberrys.com/honda/generator/models/eu2000i.htm

I have a 1944-ish Army signal Corps 10KW generator with a Willys
flathead and a solid Cast Iron generator that seems to always start
and work when I need it ;-) but as always Your Mileage Might Vary.

Your criterion are Reliable, Quiet, Large enough for your loads.
And do you want to do your own load management (through switching the
extension cords by hand between the refrigerator, freezer, and
furnace) or just hook it straight to the house and handle the whole
thing like normal. (That takes a whole lot more generator, so it
won't stall in case several large loads kick on at once.)

Reliable leaves out all the No-Name Far-East imports with a no-name
motor. You want Honda, Kawasaki, Wisconsin/Robin, Briggs & Stratton,
Onan, Kohler. If you've never heard of them, chances are you'll still
have problems in the future - especially in 2 to 5 years when you
start needing maintenance & repair parts and they say 'Cheng Hua' Who?

As the above post by Wayne says, you can't go wrong with the fully
enclosed Honda's, especially the EU 'Inverter' series - if the load is
low, the engine speed drops back to near idle and really stretches the
fuel consumption and overall engine life. And you get a rock solid
clean power output - the kind that computers and electronics like
seeing.

If you can't pull start the larger units, they make them with
electric start. There are even some large Honda portable units in the
10Kw to 12 Kw with enclosed water-cooled diesels, and they'll run
darned near forever.

And don't walk past a good deal on a RV-enclosure-mounted style
generator from Onan, Generac or Kohler if you find one - you will have
to do a bit of work to hook up a battery, boat-style gasoline tank,
muffler kit, and a power outlet panel - but then you have a quiet and
long life unit for your house. You can "build it in" in the garage,
venting the compartment through the wall.

The same style unit is sold enclosed in a soundproof outside cabinet
(with all the accessories attached, and an automatic transfer switch)
at places like Home Depot and Lowe's - anyone who has a resident with
medical issues should strongly consider getting one of these installed
before the next (insert disaster here). All automatic - the lights go
out, the engine starts, and your lights snap back on in about 10 - 15
seconds. Even starts and runs itself for exercise once a week.

Leave the open-frame 'Contractor Model' 4Kw generators at the bottom
of your list - they are cheap, sure, but they fail the Quiet criterion
and often fail the Reliable, also. They are noisy as heck when
running, and it takes a lot of effort to muffle them down with add-on
enclosures and still provide proper ventilation.

On a construction site they can handle a lot of noise, but your next
door neighbors at night are a different situation altogether. Unless
you have some extra watts to share with the neighbors, then they won't
complain. ;-P

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: ups installation question
    ... > surge) which means electronic appliances power up slowly. ... > inrush limiter inside electronics; ... I was refering not to the user end restart, ... circuits be dropped at the generator and then the equiptment be restarted. ...
    (alt.sys.pc-clone.dell)
  • Re: Diesel electric canal boat.
    ... >provide electrical power - but IIRC it generates 300Hz AC, ... My diesel-electric system has fancy electronics - ... which first draws from the generator and then adds ... >charge the batteries. ...
    (uk.rec.waterways)
  • Re: Generator RPM question
    ... the DeWalt generator is not a welder. ... > only for home power backup. ... frequency is determined by crystal controlled electronics in the inverter ... power to the line instead of absorbing it as is the usual case with a motor. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: light switch tax
    ... generator that you keep handy and gassed up because you are smart ... It will idle down to minimum engine speed with no ... The voltage regulator senses the increased power draw ... almost always is) your power company is STILL spinning it's turbines ...
    (rec.martial-arts)
  • Re: Freezing Rain
    ... Their power had gone out about 2 AM last night. ... Dad got the generator out, ... ** Lesson: Run the generator every year, even if you're sure it works fine. ... We got back to Jason's house, and his dad suggested that he go to the ...
    (misc.survivalism)
Loading