which portable generators do people have

[Industrial Toys]

It would be interesting to know how long a deep cycle battery and medium grade inverter would run a couple of circulation fans in real life.

Out of curiosity, I just checked my fan, that pushes air from the basement through cement coreslab and comes out in the fireplace heat-a-lator upstairs. It's rated at 85 Watts.

It's something I came up with, as the two computer type fans, used to get noisy really quickly and the thought of getting cold air from downstairs seemed like a good idea rather then sucking it off the living room floor.

I do have a UPS right at the fan for my telephone system. Maybe rated at 200 or so watts. So with a 12 Volt, 7 amp/hour battery just running that 85 watt fan, how long would it last?

 

[3930dave]

So with a 12 Volt, 7 amp/hour battery just running that 85 watt fan, how long would it last?

If that's the 20hr rate for the battery, you're probably looking at several hours at a minimum. Older "modern" inverters often had a fixed low-voltage alarm at around 10.5vdc IIRC - you'd need to see the discharge curve for the battery to get an accurate time to 10.5vdc. More modern inverters often have an adjustable LV alarm.

^ Fantasy Power System musings like this are one example of why I'm interested in a fuel-injected gen for my next one - makes auto-start integration with inverters and batteries a bit easier....

Rgds, D.

 

[airbiscuit]

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.

I am intrigued by that approach. Would you be willing to start that as a new thread? I would like to see the responses, and maybe we would see a few prototypes. Might that allow for a smaller generator/charger and still provide for some heavier starting loads?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Yes, definitely, as far as the larger starting load. Providing the Inverter can handle it.

The point is. You can dream about stuff all day long, and then come to the conclusion of, why am I doing this? The power goes off so rarely. It's not like I have all this energy and ambition to actually get projects finished! They all get so dammm complicated!



Like this 12 KW Isuzu Project! Sourcing Rads, hoses, filters! Making it all fit. It wears me down.

 

[ultrarunner]

Photo Com back around 1990 offered a off the shelf Generator Extender...

Small hand truck outfitted with a large battery box and 2000W Statt Power Inverter and a place for YOUR 800W Honda Generator.

The idea was to get the most from your Honda 800W generator by "Extending" usefulness having the battery/inverter providing temp or surge power...

 

[Industrial Toys]

I like compartmentalized systems. They are easier to troubleshoot and get going in an emergency.

I have the 3000 Alpha Telecom inverter (Installed) uses 48 volt batteries.



I have the E-Gator, with the 48 volt batteries.



So, the next time I get some small Diesel Engine/Generator, cheap or free, I may build a 48 Volt DC charger and have that thing running VERY slow like 1200 rpm.

The LOW Battery Alarm on the inverter could be used to start the Diesel, then have it timed to run a while.

 

[ultrarunner]

The 48 Volt Gator gives all kinds of options being multipurpose... similar to Musk is promoting with Tesla...

 

[Industrial Toys]

It beats having a rack in the garage with eight 6 volt golf cart batteries that take up room, need to be watered, charged and just grow old.

My thoughts are, how to best make a regulated 48 volt charger out of a small (formerly) diesel generator?

 

[airbiscuit]

Wouldn't it be cool if John Deere or Polaris would make a special "Back Country Edition" of their UTVs with a modular 2000 W inverter generator that just plugs in to a compartment. It could recharge the batteries and or extend the range, and also serve as its own power source for camp or home. They could also install an inverter for the whole battery bank.

 

[kirkawilson]

Here is a new product for "Fantasy Home Generator' consideration. It uses a micro-turbine.
The EnerTwin is a micro CHP

 

[LittleBill21]

for those of you actually interested in using an inverter, they now make hybrid inverters, that have "generator support", how it works is, when a large load comes on, and the generator dips, the inverter is in passthrough mode. once its see's the dip, the inverter goes into inverter mode and assists the generator via its battery's to power through the surge to allow a smaller generator to power bigger surge loads, i have primary seen them installed in RV's. these inverters also charge the batterys back up at the same time.

be aware these type of inverters are not that cheap

 

[Industrial Toys]

The Utility vehicle/power source seems like a good idea. But like I said, I like a compartmentalized approach. Probably they would have a microprocessor run the whole thing, and when you needed it, nothing would work!

I just came across this LaiDong "Compressor" on E-Bay out of Canada. They also sell the Listeroid "Compressors". LOOK MA! 2018 and NO PLASTIC! Anybody know anything about these? I see from You Tube that they run at 2200 RPM! That's disappointing.



I also see many 48 Volt Turbine Generator Ends, but they are pricey!

 

[airbiscuit]

Here's a working model

 

[goeduck]

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.

Cool. Pictures?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I just saw this awesome genset sell on E-Bay. Was sitting at a grand and sold for 3 grand. 500 something hours, 2 cylinder Diesel, (1800RPM) Air cooled. 5-6 KW, Single or 3 Phase. NEVER seen one like it. Three fuel pumps. Had it's own tank, or you could pump out of a 55 gallon drum.

Now, THAT is a portable generator! Might still be a tad noisy though for being air cooled.

I was tempted but not for 3 grand. Curious if anybody ever had bad experience buying used military gensets. Everything looks so unfamiliar.

 

[dragoneggs]

Cool. Pictures?

Sure... thousands. Don't want to hijack this thread but here are a couple of pics from my giant reef tanks... both over 250gal. SPS, LPS, fish, clams, crabs, etc... having backup power is critical!

 

[airbiscuit]

Aren't nature's colors the best?

 

[goeduck]

Sure... thousands. Don't want to hijack this thread but here are a couple of pics from my giant reef tanks... both over 250gal. SPS, LPS, fish, clams, crabs, etc... having backup power is critical!

WOW! SO COOL! Sorry, back to the thread subject.

 

[ultrarunner]

It's not a hijack... more of an interlude...

Now back to our regular programming...

 

[blackrams]

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.

As I previously stated, I was looking to upgrade from an Onan I currently have. Was hoping to power the whole house but, it appears I don't have sufficient tractor horsepower to do that so, I'll stick with what I've got. BTW, compared to where Dave is, my heat requirements are insignificant.

Spent way more time in cold country while I was in the military that I do not wish to repeat, not my idea of a good time. If that's what you like, I'm all for you but, it's not for me. KY is just about right. Have all four seasons and they are all about 3 months long. I like it that way.

The house is all electric. We have a propane fireplace, won't be adding a pellet, wood or coal option to it. My fireplace is a fake, doesn't even have a chimney. So, the previously mentioned heat sources are not an option.

Rams :drink: