Generator purchase ?

[mutley29]

Edited July 17, 2007 by mutley29

[cbashaw]

That will be more than enough:

 

Amp master: 218W

 

2 Sedra's @ 50W each 100W

 

Assuming you have the biggest heater on that link 800W

 

You're using just over 1100W so you should be able to run your lights as well.

 

That generator will probably give you enough run your entire setup and maybe a few things in your house as well. Keep in mind that when your power goes out and the temp in your house goes down you may need an extra heater to keep your tank temp up. I found this out last year when my power went out. Luckily I had an extra on hand for my water changes.

[flowerseller]

I have a 5500w 10hp generator.

I run an Iwaki 100, heater, 03's and all the wave control.

I also run a 90+ gas furnace (blower motor/control panel)

Powershot rapid recovery gas water heater

Run lights for the kitchen

Run a full outlet for the dungeon

ALLOW NEIGHBORS on each side of me 1 extenstion cord each.

 

 

My unit is pretty loud and I lost a neighbor over it,

mostly because they were jealous and out of reach of a hook up.

F-em *

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I bought a cheap 1000w generator for a little over $100 IIRC for about the same or

probably more load than you have.

 

It runs about 8-9 hours on 1 tank of gas.

 

In my opinion, you are overkilling.

[mutley29]

Edited July 17, 2007 by mutley29

[jwildman]

I also bought one, don't remember the size, think 5500 or so. But it is enough to run, pumps, tunzes, heaters and actinic with room to spare. One tank for 8 hours. It is noisy, but like Chip said ... screw em. I got mine at Costco for about $350 give or take.

 

John

 

 

Cool, thanks for the info everyone

 

Only been in the house just over a year, so don't really know the neighbours yet, not that that's a reason to upset them, but i'm sure they'd be ok if they had some power from it.

 

Little worried about you powering your dungeon Chip, do you have an electric Iron Maiden or Thumbscrews your not telling us about?

 

My bad CBASHAW , i have the 500w heater, and i have 4 X 400w MH's with actinics

 

Having spare would be great, we could hook up a freezer, that would save a ton of aggro

 

Thanks for the Info

 

Anton

[cbashaw]

This is the one I use.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=54896

So far it has worked great for me.

 

The next thing I plan to get is a transfer switch. They allow you to hook the generator to your house's breaker panel so you can power anything in your house without having extension cords everywhere.

[dbartco]

get the quietest one you can afford. have a 5500 and my neighbors hate me too. I build sound barriers with cardboard everytime I run it to deflect some of the sound. If you have to drop a few watts to get a quieter one, might be worth it. I run a honda on our disaster relief trailer at work, sweet and quiet (but also a $2K gen).

[tygger]

This is the one I use.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=54896

So far it has worked great for me.

 

The next thing I plan to get is a transfer switch. They allow you to hook the generator to your house's breaker panel so you can power anything in your house without having extension cords everywhere.

 

What makes the harborfreight generator cost so much less than a comporable spec'd generator from homedepot, lowes, or sears???

[Jarosh]

pm sent

[BeltwayBandit]

What makes the harborfreight generator cost so much less than a comporable spec'd generator from homedepot, lowes, or sears???

 

 

Generally speaking you get what you pay for. The harborfreight stuff is usually ok for occasional use, but if you really push it it won't hold up to hard use.

[dandy7200]

What makes the harborfreight generator cost so much less than a comporable spec'd generator from homedepot, lowes, or sears???

 

Your buying an engine. Cummings makes one of the best in the industry for generator applications, most commercial generators is the US are Cummings diesel engines. Harbor freight specializes in cheapo knockoffs from China and good luck getting parts or a rebuild or someone to service it.....aint gonna happen and your actually are going to want it to start on that cold day in February when the power fails. I would't hook anything sold by harbor freight to my tank although I do buy other things there. I am in the market for one myself and I assume mutley, you are getting one at Costco? Good idea, keep the reciept and ALL of the original packaging nd you can return it 10 years from now if it ever flakes on you.....I love Costco for these kinds of items

[fab]

I've used the Onan generator. Yes it is loud, but it is reliable. Unfortunately you need quiet and reliable.

 

You really do need to deal with the sound issue. It can become a legal issue in most northern virginia locations. You will lose the legal battle if one ensues, guaranteed. Then you will still own the generator, be out some bucks for fines, be out of sorts with more neighbors than just those who heard the generator and not be able to use the generator.

 

It would be most unlikely for your neighbors would turn a kind ear to you after all that when you show up again with one that is supposed to be "quieter." Best you find the quiet and reliable generator or a sound control kit up front and never even get onto the slippery slope of the noisy generator.

 

Voice of experience signing off...

fab

[tygger]

Isn't McCulloch a good brand of engines as well? Hmm, could be thinking of something else...

 

Has anyone actually ever tried returning something to costco after years of use? I would feel pretty retarded... And too bad the costco one is loud. Dont need to %$#* off any neighbors.

[cbashaw]

The good thing about the harbor freight one is it comes with a 3 year warranty. If it stops working you bring it in and they give you another one. It's like Craftsman tools they're not the best but if they replace it when it breaks who cares.

 

If you do need any parts for it the engine is a mcculough, so any mcculough dealer can get the parts and service it and the generator head uses an international standard bolt pattern so you can replace it as well. I agree that isn't as good as many other brands but so far it has held up fine for me and it cost me a whole lot less than any comprably rated generator that i have found.

 

It is loud but my neighbors don't complain when I pass an extension cord to them when the power goes out

[YBeNormal]

Has anyone actually ever tried returning something to costco after years of use? I would feel pretty retarded... And too bad the costco one is loud. Dont need to %$#* off any neighbors.

 

There was an article in the newspaper a couple of months ago discussing the COSTCO guarantee and how some people were returning flat panel TVs that were several years old, getting all of their money back and buying a brand new one. The head of COSTCO said he is aware of this but he still believes in the inherent good of most people and had no intention of placing a time limit on the satisfaction guarantees. Bottom line is that you can still take the generator back and get a full refund, even if it is several years old.

 

Here is the wording of the guarantee from their web site:

 

Costco.com has a 100% guarantee on all of our merchandise. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we offer two convenient return methods. Costco.com refunds include shipping and handling fees.

 

1. You can return the item to the nearest Costco Wholesale location. To find a location,

please click here.

 

2. If you are unable to return your order to one of our warehouses, please e-mail us at

customer service. Please include your name, order confirmation number, phone number, and

reason for return. You will be contacted regarding your return within 5 to 7 business days.

 

Please note, as of November 4th, 2002 , the return policy for all desktop and notebook computers are six months from the date of purchase. Six months after purchase, all computer services and technical support will be subject to the applicable remaining manufacturer's warranty.

[ArtC]

If your neighbors are worth more to you than your money, then look at the Honda generators.

 

Twice the price, but a fraction of the noise. www.hondapowerequipment.com

 

I'm looking at getting a generator for that pearshaped moment we all dread

 

so i thought i would ask for the assistance of those who know what they are talking about, with regards to power consumption, rated loads, wattage, etc, etc.

 

I would only be looking to run my return pump AmpMaster 2100 and maybe my skimmer ER CS12-1 which runs 2 SEDRA KSP5000's and my heater ,the CL and lights can wait.

 

I'm looking at this generator, Cummins Onan HomeSite

[fab]

Unless I missed something, you're only needing about 1 kWatt of power and you're buying a 5 kw generator. What is your rationale for "CL and lights can wait"?

 

fab

[tygger]

Ok, what's a good quiet portable generator for around 500-600?

 

I really only need it to sustain the necessities to keep the tank going during a power outage. It just needs to be quiet...

[Guest tgallo]

Honda 1000, but worth it.

[lanman]

I'm looking at getting a generator for that pearshaped moment we all dread

 

so i thought i would ask for the assistance of those who know what they are talking about, with regards to power consumption, rated loads, wattage, etc, etc.

 

I would only be looking to run my return pump AmpMaster 2100 and maybe my skimmer ER CS12-1 which runs 2 SEDRA KSP5000's and my heater ,the CL and lights can wait.

 

I'm looking at this generator, Cummins Onan HomeSite

[tygger]

The problem with the Honda 1000 is that it's only rated for 3.8hrs at the rated 900w load.

 

How do I figure out how many watts I need? Is it as simple as just adding up the watts from all the equipment I plan on running?

[ridetheducati]

That simple.

 

Ideally if the generator is rated for 5000 watts you do not want to exceed 2500 watts of actual draw.

[tygger]

Thanks.

 

So 50% draw is recommended. That means the Honda1000 should only be used for 450w. Are Honda's the only quiet ones? Who sells them locally?