which portable generators do people have

[Industrial Toys]

The 770 Normally ran everything just great. I once turned on every baseboard heater in the place. All the stove burners and oven. No problem. BUT, putting in a 2:1 PTO gearbox and running at half speed would not even turn over the alternator. Mind you it was a high speed chain driven Onan set, which I'm sure didn't help. Possibly one could fiddle with the governor, but then what about normal operation?

I know people on here beg to differ, but there would be no way I could get a minute of sleep with a nice tractor driving a PTO set all night long without any provision for hi temp, low oil, low fuel shut down. I mean, I abandoned the PTO set, but if I did it again, I would install some Murphy or other shut down gauges/switches.

I almost bought one of those 2 cycle Detroit Diesel generators that came out of rail car reefer service. They ran at 1200 RPM. SWEET! GM Alternators. But still way too big to run a light bulb and fridge through the night!

 

[ultrarunner]

LouNY These things I have tried. Changing speeds on an Onan 15K PTO set. I thought for a few lights and fridge the little JD 770 with a 2:1 PTO box would do it. No way. Disappointing. The PTO set must run close to 60 HZ. I'm sure 50-70 would work except your UPSes might not accept that power. Your not syncing up with anything.

I use a 500# 3000 Watt telecom inverter for night use, using the 48 volt batteries in my E-Gator. Just lights, which are out when sleeping, the fridge, and water heater shut off. I did get a small freezer this summer so I have to reevaluate that matter.

I would like to have a Listeroid for night use!

Great tie in with the E Gator 48v batteries...

 

[LouNY]

Yes, I also have looked and considered the listorids, it's a shame they aren't available any more and I also like the old detroits at 1200 rpm.
My mine problem for nights is the well pump if much water gets used the low pressure safety cuts in and then its a trip down to the basement
to reset which isn't hard but is a pain. The starting inrush on a 3/4 hp high volume pump kills a lot of small light duty gen sets.
I have worried about the tractors on the generator at night but I'll still run them, most times they don't run continuously at night.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My Yanmar 3.7 (3600 rpm) air cooled portable has no problem starting our (I believe) 2HP jet pump.

I always wondered how small one could make a listeroid type engine and still be efficient.

My dream set up:

Transformer based inverter, straight 220 out, 24 volt in, 3000 watts
Two 12 volt deep cycle batteries
Listeroid with 24 volt generator that stops and starts to keep the batteries charged.
Transformer to supply 110/220 distribution. I have that now, and all my generators and inverters only put out 220. So they are always balanced. That can be a problem with a very small generator in particular when you plug a large load on one side.

 

[Rustyiron]

Well with 40-50mph winds with this snow storm we're getting tomorrow & single digit highs this weekend, I'm not playing.

We usually don't see high enough winds in the winter and my Kubota that usually does the job (non heating season) is a risk that worried my enough, especially with -20's at night to spend a few rental bucks. Almost hoping to loose power now.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Makes me salivate! What's in the BOX? Bet it purrs like a kitten. And you will be a "soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur" More Pleasure than a belly rub!

Go ahead! Go throw some old wire across the utility lines!

After using that, you won't ever be able to stand listening to a 3600 rpm generator again! Trust me.

Man, I love a nice generator!

 

[Rustyiron]

It was running when I walked up to it in the rental yard. I had to touch the cabinet to make sure it was so quiet.
The worst thing is I have a tow behind I/R 30KW with a little Cummins in it back at my other place, 600 miles away. We rarely have power trouble (high wind) in the winter. I'm real interested in the Kubota "lowboy" series, they have an 11k that would do all I need it to do winter or summer.

 

[Industrial Toys]

When I went to amusement parks as a kid, I was mostly interested in two things. Cotton candy and listening to that BIG CAT, DETROIT, DEERE or CUMMINS generator PURR!

 

[ultrarunner]

Power could be out for a very long time if power lines are snapped due to wind and ice...

Only happened to me once... power out for a week in Olympia with daytime single digits..

 

[Sawyer Rob]

When it's really cold, I just put my Honda genset in my back hall...

When I run it, it's on the back porch anyway, so just open the door, put it on the porch and start it...

It's nice and warm, so I never have to worry if it will start.

SR

 

[90cummins]

When I went to amusement parks as a kid, I was mostly interested in two things. Cotton candy and listening to that BIG CAT, DETROIT, DEERE or CUMMINS generator PURR!

Same here, funny you mentioned that!!����

I always had to take a couple laps around the big generators in the trailer to listen to them.
90cummins

 

[buickanddeere]

One of those 459cc Champion generators is in the future . Can稚 decide gasoline only or the derated propane/gas 459cc generator . Darned auto spell check on my phone . Had to correct this post twice .

 

[Gem99ultra]

One of those 459cc Champion generators is in the future . Can稚 decide gasoline only or the derated propane/gas 459cc generator . Darned auto spell check on my phone . Had to correct this post twice .

If you have an economical choice, I sure suggest that you go with the propane fueled generator. No muss, no fuss. No carburetor problems to contend with. Clean burn, and probably similar fuel cost.

 

[DieselnHooters]

When it's really cold, I just put my Honda genset in my back hall...

When I run it, it's on the back porch anyway, so just open the door, put it on the porch and start it...

It's nice and warm, so I never have to worry if it will start.

SR

If its an inverter model you may not need to keep it warm.

My Honda 2000i has a sticker that reads ''COLD WEATHER TECHNOLOGY'' on the casing....dunno what that entails but it starts easily on the 2nd pull on -25C temps, not sure what that translates to on American F scale but it is about as cold as it gets in my area.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have started it in cold weather and it does start ok, but this way the oil is warm, and when it starts after being in my back hall way, it's "summer" warmed up and ready to make power...

I don't have to worry about moisture in the fuel or anything else, and it's no bother at all to have it sitting there.

SR

 

[dragoneggs]

I have started it in cold weather and it does start ok, but this way the oil is warm, and when it starts after being in my back hall way, it's "summer" warmed up and ready to make power...

I don't have to worry about moisture in the fuel or anything else, and it's no bother at all to have it sitting there.

SR

That is one advantage of a pair of 2000i vs. my one 3000i. Easier to transport and can be in two places at the same time. I needed the 3000i to power my house during an outage. I am one of those that has had a giant (250gal+) saltwater reef tank that needs constant power for lights, heater, water circulation and filtration pumps, etc. to keep the coral and fish alive.

 

[blackrams]

I've got an Onan generator out of an older RV that I've kept for emergency use. It runs and powers all of the necessary stuff in our home but, is not capable of powering the entire needs of the house (heat). Seriously considering getting a PTO Generator for my tractor but, I'm having a hard time justifying it. I've only used the Onan once in five years. Shrug. :2cents:

Rams :drink:

 

[3930dave]

I've got an Onan generator out of an older RV that I've kept for emergency use. It runs and powers all of the necessary stuff in our home but, is not capable of powering the entire needs of the house (heat). Seriously considering getting a PTO Generator for my tractor but, I'm having a hard time justifying it. I've only used the Onan once in five years. Shrug. :2cents:

Rams :drink:

Electricity rates really got out of hand here (and, will be back there soon enough.....) so if natgas is not available, then most people go propane or some form of wood heat.

A buddy of mine has both a high-efficiency propane furnace and a wood-pellet stove. He prefers the pellet stove - nice even heat, and a full hopper can run quite a while.

The auger and fan on a pellet stove take very little power to run; even a 2kw gen should be plenty. Unless my electricity rates were still dirt cheap, up here I'd take a serious look at pellet stoves.

Rgds, D.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Running an auger and fan on a 2K gen is an incredible waste still. Way more fuel is being used to make heat and noise then power the fan and auger.

 

[3930dave]

Running an auger and fan on a 2K gen is an incredible waste still. Way more fuel is being used to make heat and noise then power the fan and auger.

Agreed, relatively speaking, but not usually the first concern in an emergency. For extended use, generator noise gets old quick though.

I was just yammering on about good rural solutions I've seen for Ram's issue, heat, and being mindful of what he has in place already.

Kentucky Electricity Rates | Electricity Local

KY rates are not what I'd call low, but as their Winters are probably mild by Canuck standards, I can see electric baseboards being common.

A small modern suitcase gen is pretty quiet, and definitely way quieter than any tractor I'm familiar with - Ram's option listed was going PTO.

We have many options available today - That's why it's fun to play Fantasy Power System Designer, on a cold Winter day

I'm definitely a fanboy of inverters+batteries, so that's what I have in place for light loads here.

If selecting a new pellet stove, I'd be looking for one that runs on 12vdc, so may not even need an inverter for that application. For off-grid/alternative systems, direct 12vdc operation is something I'd be looking for in most applicances.

Rgds, D.