Generator question

[bx24d]

My barn has no electricity service and is quite aways from the house. I would like to have a generator there that I can use as a power source for various power tools, temporary heating devices, etc. (Approximately 5000-8000 Watts). I like the electric start models with a recoil back up and have one at the house for emergency power outages. My understanding is that the electric start models need to be plugged in when not in use to charge the battery. Is there anyway to accomplish this at the barn without a power source most of the time. For example, can I use an inverter (and charge it when I'm using the generator) and plug it into the generator battery when I'm not using the generator. Don't know if that makes any sense at all or if there is another way to accomplish this. Thanks,

 

[Manitou]

Good Morning.......You could use a small solar panel they use for charging batterys. They are quite reasonably priced. When we purchased a VW Jetta it arrived with one in the front windshield but when they serviced the car the keep them. Check with a VW dealer they must have quite a collection of them. Garry

 

[hdbikercouple]

solar tickel charger will do what you want . and if you run the generator enought you don't need that. does you riding mower need to be plugged in all the time? same princaple.

 

[dqdave1]

I agree; solar charger will do what you want. Not sure of the distance from your power source but a underground line may be cheaper in long run. A piece of 10/3 UF tied into 240 volt to barn and a small box in barn will power small items no problem.

 

[LBrown59]

why not just run elect. to it?

 

[chh]

If you are going to use it as much as a couple of times a month I wouldn't worry about the battery charger. I have a Ranger 10 welder that I use as a backup generator and as a welder. I can sit a month or longer and still start like a top. Be sure to put Stabil in the gas if you aren't running a lot. If you just looking to run lights and small power tools, (I'm guessing no more than 25 to 30 amps) you can run an underground direct burial cable quite a long ways. We had 2 sets of lines run 500' to run well pumps set in ponds for part of our operation. Never had any trouble out of it and is pretty easy and economical to run. (NOTE; I am not an electrician!)

 

[Red55]

Just bought a Coleman Powermate 5000 with 10 hp subaru for $360 @ home depot ( on sale from $599 to $400 & used 10% off coupon) Nice unit but not battery start. Went to three stores before found one in stock -Ed

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Just bought a Coleman Powermate 5000 with 10 hp subaru for $360 @ home depot ( on sale from $599 to $400 & used 10% off coupon) Nice unit but not battery start. Went to three stores before found one in stock -Ed

Hey, I bought the same one 2 summers ago for $500! Ugh, welcome to my world. Anyway, this thing starts on 2 pulls at the very most and has run 12 hours on a tank of gas, 5 gallons.

CHH is right, even if you use it every 6 months, just disconnect the battery and leave it. It will have plenty of power to start a little gas engine.

 

[tommu56]

How much will you use it fuel is getting expensive
If you are looking at an electric heater that is going to suck up some fuel.
I would figure cost of fuel verses running the wire
How far is the barn from the house?

tom

 

[firefighter9208]

I have a Generac (Briggs and Stratton) 5500W - 8500W that I bought at HD that is a pull start. Have had it about 4 years. Always cranks on the first or second pull. I always cut off the gas and run it until it quits. Put Stabil in the fuel.

We have a Honda (Electric Start) on our firetruck 6500W . Paid about twice as much for it. After about a year we "threw away" the battery and just pull the rope.

I bought my mom a 15,000 watt Generac Electric start. She's not strong enough to pull the cord on a pull start.

For a small generator if your able to pull the cord I think an electric start is a waste of money. You can buy several thousand more watts of power for the amount of money you pay for a starter. That is if you can pull the rope.


Chris