which portable generators do people have

[3930dave]

There are other considerations that Southerners don稚 usually have experience with.

After Hurricane Sandy, there were lots of people with the cheap construction generators who ran out of fuel after a few days. There was no fuel within 50 miles.

We plan for an 8 day outage because in the snowbelt during a northeaster, no power means no travel, no heat means frozen pipes means water damage. Our tenants turned down the heat and went away during a cold snap and the damage was $17,000.

C'Mon Gman.... Winter's a laff a minute !

frozen pipes in the garage - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

(Pic's been around a very long time......)

Rgds, D.

 

[buickanddeere]

How do you prevent floods into the buildings ?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I too was going to mention peoples choices and priorities. But an Escalade or Granite Counter top really does quite little to enhance the quality of life. Having some serious back up power, on the other hand, mostly for a hobby, can really pay off and put quite a smile on ones face when things go dark.

Maybe kind of like asking what's a better buy? Some Fine Italian Gucci (sp?) loafers or a sturdy high quality pair of work boots?

 

[90cummins]

I too was going to mention peoples choices and priorities. But an Escalade or Granite Counter top really does quite little to enhance the quality of life. Having some serious back up power, on the other hand, mostly for a hobby, can really pay off and put quite a smile on ones face when things go dark.

Maybe kind of like asking what's a better buy? Some Fine Italian Gucci (sp?) loafers or a sturdy high quality pair of work boots?

Well put!!
90cummins

 

[RSKY]

I too was going to mention peoples choices and priorities. But an Escalade or Granite Counter top really does quite little to enhance the quality of life. Having some serious back up power, on the other hand, mostly for a hobby, can really pay off and put quite a smile on ones face when things go dark.

Maybe kind of like asking what's a better buy? Some Fine Italian Gucci (sp?) loafers or a sturdy high quality pair of work boots?

We gave a high price of our quartz counter tops. They are used every day. Installer took a screwdriver and used it to scrap the tags off. Wife nearly stroked out but he laughed and was making a point. They are indestructible in anything near normal use. On the other hand a generator, in my location, is something to prevent a minor inconvenience. In my 63 years there has only been one instance that the power was off for more than a half day. We survived for four days with a 2000-watt generator. Then for two more weeks with a 4000-watt one. Both were cheap Chinese built generators that were shut off once every two or three days to change the oil.

After the 2009 ice storm people around us bought and installed whole house systems that cost them a month or more income. Why would somebody do that? I have other uses for my money. I can get by with my $630 Sam's Club special. I will take care of it. Change the oil twice a year and only burn no-alcohol fuel. I will drain the carb every time it is stored for more than a few days. It will last me as long as I need it.

In my location I just don't need an expensive generator. And buying one just so I can say I have a (fill in your favorite brand name) is a waste on money. Now, if I used it all the time in a camper, or on a job site I would buy a brand name, quietest, most fuel efficient, longest lasting one made. But I don't have those needs.

RSKY

 

[John White]

About seven years ago we had a major power outage (storm) in our area. (two weeks) No elec. for stations to run pumps, stores were hauling meat and produce out with forklifts and dumping it in dumpster. Had a 7k gen to run lights and friges. Had to shut every thing off to run well pump. Used about 5 gal or more a day. Getting fuel was a real hassle. I ran on to a construction light tower. It had been in a accident and destroyed two of the four lights, knocked one fender off and tires bad. It has a 4 cyl Kubota, 8 K. Leroy Sumer gen. I got it for around $1,100. Set of new fenders off E-bay about $50. A couple of tires. It sure is a nice set up. Very fuel efficient and quiet. If needed I can tow it out of the shop raise the tower and light up the whole back yard. I usually keep at least 15 gal of diesel in cans and I have three pieces of eqpt. that I could siphon fuel out in a emergency, probably 100 gal. A lot of people in my area have lift stations or aerators or mound systems for their septic. Talk abut a smelly mess. Glad I have a gravity flow.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Nice setup. Those light tower machines make me salivate!

What can I say? People are just different. I know a guy with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis court, indoor and outdoor riding arena and a golf course! But he doesn't think he "SHOULD" have to spend money on back-up power. The utility should fix any issues in a hurry. In fact, he cannot understand why they don't feed an area from more than one direction? Too funny!

And YES, a gravity septic system is a big plus. Don't understand people who build in a swamp, relying on sump pumps or the sewage pump thing. Nuts! Talk about building a trap!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

We gave a high price of our quartz counter tops.
RSKY

There's the REAL waste of money...

A couple sheets of ply and a sheet of Formica will do the same job for WAAAAAAY less money... lol

SO, YOU waste your money on counter tops, I waste MY money on a better generator!

SR

 

[dragoneggs]

There's the REAL waste of money...

A couple sheets of ply and a sheet of Formica will do the same job for WAAAAAAY less money... lol

SO, YOU waste your money on counter tops, I waste MY money on a better generator!

SR

:drink:

 

[two_bit_score]

To each his own with how he chooses to spend his own money. It's just good that we have money to spend and choices to make.

TBS

 

[goeduck]

There's the REAL waste of money...

A couple sheets of ply and a sheet of Formica will do the same job for WAAAAAAY less money... lol

SO, YOU waste your money on counter tops, I waste MY money on a better generator!

SR

I waste my money on both .

I have heard that you can’t take your money with you when you go feet first so you might as well get what you want.

 

[sw99]

My HF Predator 6500/5500 is doing great at 3.5 years. Last I checked I had 140 or so hours on it. Price was right and it has always worked for my needs. Main use originally was to power equipment for when the house was being set up. I was never able to get temp power so this was a life saver. I have used it a few times when the snow storms knocked out the house power. I could run the fridge and deep freezer, well, furnace and a majority of the lights and outlets. IIRC, it was something like $525 out the door. I do wish it had electric start but that's not a big deal. This thread reminds me that I need to run the rest of the fuel out of it.

 

[KubotainNH]

Not me. I had a house in the big city in 2015 that was empty while I was selling it. $250 per month for the privileage of being connected to city water with NO usage. By the time they added storm water, metro, base fees, etc. I was paying that much.

Plus there is the added benefit of uranium in your water you may or may not not get in the city. Makes it so you glow in the dark and don稚 need a flashlight. Extra benefit :thumbsup:

Walk away for a couple days and the thread blows up. That is crazy money for water, mine usually maxes at $50 a month with 4 of us taking showers. I filled my 15k pool from nothing for under $80. Now electricity around here is costly, it might cost the same amount to run the pump.

I filter the water because I can't stand the taste of town water. When I was a kid we had a gravity fed mountain spring, cold and tasted the best. Around here a well often tastes bad, has hard water and probably radon. As always it depends on the circumstances.

 

[goeduck]

All this talk about quiet generators made me cringe when I went to pull the cord on my air cooled diesel 3000W generator when going out to fix fences. As it turned out it was much quieter than I recalled...... Until I took off my 85 dB ear muffs

Having said that, it started in one pull after sitting for 2 years. GREAT engine.

 

[90cummins]

Here is a link to a test report of the military’s MEP diesel generators ranging from 2kw’s to over 100kw’s
Very good unbiased information here on our mighty little Yanmars also.

90cummins


https://www.steelsoldiers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=549988&d=1427389066

 

[Turbys_1700]

About 10 or 12 years ago Northern Tool was liquidating their All Power generators. I picked up a 10 KW unit with electric start. I have 13 running hours on it and to be honest with you I spend more time maintaining it to make sure it runs than actually running it. But it's nice to have in an emergency. I have been looking for a used pto unit but no luck. I would prefer one of those and just hook it up to the tractor.

 

[two_bit_score]

interesting:http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/truc...)&he=b086b04be1d8f9c82c60254b9addbef0320561da

>>>The Multi Mini will be produced in India as part of a joint venture by Eicher Motors (India; makes trucks, buses, and motorcycles) and Polaris Industries (U.S.A.; makes ATVs, snowmobiles, and the Indian Motorcycle). It will be powered by a single-cylinder 510cc diesel engine mounted under the bed (hmm, where have we seen that before?), has seating for five, and is said to be able to haul 1,100 pounds. The most interesting thing about the vehicle—besides the price—is that it is designed to function as a generator once it gets where it is going. The idea is not as wacky as it sounds; if Tesla can branch out from electric cars to a modular battery system designed to power a house, then why not this?

The Multi Mini is an example of getting what you pay for. You don't pay much, and you don't get much. Would I want to drive one of these things? Well, maybe just once, but well away from any normal size vehicles that might flatten me. Read more at the Fast Lane Truck.<<<<



>

 

[aczlan]

interesting:http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/truc...)&he=b086b04be1d8f9c82c60254b9addbef0320561da

>>>The Multi Mini will be produced in India as part of a joint venture by Eicher Motors (India; makes trucks, buses, and motorcycles) and Polaris Industries (U.S.A.; makes ATVs, snowmobiles, and the Indian Motorcycle). It will be powered by a single-cylinder 510cc diesel engine mounted under the bed (hmm, where have we seen that before?), has seating for five, and is said to be able to haul 1,100 pounds. The most interesting thing about the vehicle—besides the price—is that it is designed to function as a generator once it gets where it is going. The idea is not as wacky as it sounds; if Tesla can branch out from electric cars to a modular battery system designed to power a house, then why not this?

The Multi Mini is an example of getting what you pay for. You don't pay much, and you don't get much. Would I want to drive one of these things? Well, maybe just once, but well away from any normal size vehicles that might flatten me. Read more at the Fast Lane Truck.<<<<

At under $4k, I would buy one if it were road legal.

Aaron Z

 

[two_bit_score]

At under $4k, I would buy one if it were road legal.

Aaron Z

I was thinking it would be better than a $12,000 Mule or Gator.


TBS

 

[aczlan]

I was thinking it would be better than a $12,000 Mule or Gator.


TBS

That too, I wouldn't want a closed cab around here for 3/4 of the year though.

Aaron Z