which portable generators do people have

90cummins · Jan 4, 2018

Industrial Toys said:
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!!&#55357;&#56842;&#55357;&#56842;

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

buickanddeere · Jan 4, 2018

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 · Jan 4, 2018

buickanddeere said:
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 · Jan 4, 2018

Sawyer Rob said:
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 · Jan 4, 2018

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 · Jan 4, 2018

Sawyer Rob said:
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 · Jan 7, 2018

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 · Jan 7, 2018

blackrams said:
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 · Jan 7, 2018

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 · Jan 7, 2018

Industrial Toys said:
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.