CHEAP Generator review

[twyacht]

Alf is correct regarding inductive vs. resistive loads..... It's also called inrush or start up current (amps)...

Voltage drop, acceptable,... according to ABYC, ABS, Lloyds, and NEA, is 3% for AC loads, for critical systems,..... hardly a consideration for residential use from a generator. The voltage drop is actually more of a factor for DC loads.

It always comes down to load management. You can't run your window unit, fridge, micro, lamps, blender, and deep freezer on a china made 14/16g ext cord, with a genset rated for 9 amps.

Something will kick out.

Keep your priorities simple, rotate your loads, or buy bigger kw.

[Badgersmilk]

I hate to get back on subject or anything (gave up on reading posts).  But for anyone still interested in a cheap generator, that will run a fair amount of time, using a small amount of fuel...
 
This is a nice looking option to!
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100637533&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&srccode=cii_16776730&cpncode=22-108000195-2&cm_mmc=shopping-_-pronto-_-25-_-100637533&locStoreNum=1110

"9hrs run time on 1.3 gallons of gas"!  and 1,500 watts continuous supply...  NICE!  


$200 price tag is still pretty good looking to!

[Badgersmilk]

http://www.amazon.com/All-Power-America-APG3014-Generator/dp/B00265M9TM/ref=pd_sim_ol_1

Similar, but has dual outlets.  I question the amperage and HP rating accuracy on ALL the Chinese genys...  Note this one is apparently much less efficient (on paper) than the Home Depot geny.  I'd wanna bet their both the same motor and generator unit though.  Just different paint and control panels.   

[Badgersmilk]

Don't ask me why I'm indulging drift...  But I accidentally just found this going through a geny manual.  

[alfsauve]

Don't ask me why I'm indulging drift...  

Ah come now Badger, this isn't real drift.  I mean if you're buying a generator then proper use/installation would be close to topic.

Real drift would be discussing the types of beer best suited to a power outage.   

I was thinking some Dogfish Palo Santo Marron would be might tasty even if the fridge went without power for a day.

[Sponsor]

[philw]

I was thinking some Dogfish Palo Santo Marron would be might tasty even if the fridge went without power for a day.

DAM IT,  I want some of there 120 IPA  or some of there other stuff,  they don't ship OS though 

[Badgersmilk]

Ah come now Badger, this isn't real drift.  I mean if you're buying a generator then proper use/installation would be close to topic.

Real drift would be discussing the types of beer best suited to a power outage.  

I was thinking some Dogfish Palo Santo Marron would be might tasty even if the fridge went without power for a day.

   Before I bought a little generator the first thing I checked was that our fridge only draws 150 watts running with a surge of 220 at startup!  

For the guys really wanting a fuel thrifty 4 stroke (don't blame you, but you'll pay twice as much as a 2 stroke), I'd actually buy this one over others I've seen.  The review somebody gave it on amazon is worth reading to.

http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/richmedia/images/cover.gif



Either a pale ale, or a dark lager would be my first choice.  Second choice?  Anything cold!  

[Solus]

Anyone find good buys on LP/NG generators? 

Don't like the long term/large supply problems associated with gasoline.

[Badgersmilk]

Home Depot's got a few.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=202222977&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC-_-product-2-_-100637527-_-202222977-_-N&locStoreNum=1110

A few years back I converted our 3,000 watt geny to propane, and plumbed it into the tanks on our camper.  The conversion takes about an hour if you doing it the first time, reading over the instructions several times, and all nervous about it  .  It's actually about a 15 minutes of work.   

I ordered my kit from here.  http://www.propane-generators.com/  Worked GREAT!  I usually used a remote electric start button, but if you used the pull start the worst I ever had to do was three pulls.  Even in 20 deg weather.  Supposed to extend the life of the motor several times, and run way cleaner to.  I only had the setup a little over a year before selling the whole camper though. 

[Solus]

Thanks, Badger.

Take care.