Generator?

[tygger]

I just got a 10% off at Lowe's coupon in the mail that expires on 10/19/06. Now might be a good time to buy a generator (hopefully the coupon will work for generators).

 

Which one would you get from Lowe's? (if any)

 

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=prod...p;Ntt=generator

 

 

 

 

 

I also got a 10% off coupon via email at Sears. I dont think its a one time use, just click on the link and you get 10% off when you use your sears card.

 

Here's what Sears offers:

 

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?B...p;vertical=TOOL

 

 

Plz let me know what you think. Thanks

[flowerseller]

It's going to depend on what you plan to power with it.

If it's primarily to run circulation for a tank, go small and quiet.

 

I have a 10hp - 5500w and can power quite a bit but it's loud.

For me, I power circulation pumps, furnace, fridge, freezer, lights and TV/Nintendo and neighbors also get a

hook up. But it's loud therefore I can't run it all night.

I plan to buy a small quiet one to run at night because I can.

[squiddly]

Ours is a whole house one that definitely is also quite loud. We had to pour a concrete slab for it. It has come in VERY handy over the years.

[Rascal]

I got the Troy-Built 5500 from Lowes a month and a half ago. Haven't had to use it yet, but I fired it up to make sure it worked (it did) and it did sound loud to me. I guess it's all relative. I found a consumer reports site (that I can't seem to find right now or I would give you the link) that rated this as a best buy--quieter and better performance than the Honda. My tank runs on 2 15 amp circuits, so this is way more power than I need, but I didn't want to have to explain to my wife why we couldn't use the toaster or make coffee until the metal halides went off.

[tygger]

What's the noise differential between a 10HP vs 7HP engine?

 

The primary purpose was to run the tank, but if I could run the tv, lights and computer, that would be a plus.

 

Where do you guys put the generator when in use?

 

A comparable Sears generator is about $100-150 more than one from Lowe's. What's so speical about the Sears generators?

[jwildman]

I got one from Costco for just over $300. I believe it is 650W. I have tested it and run all my pumps, heaters and Tunze's. Full tank will run for 7 hours. Luckily I have not had to use it yet.

 

John Wildman

 

 

What's the noise differential between a 10HP vs 7HP engine?

 

The primary purpose was to run the tank, but if I could run the tv, lights and computer, that would be a plus.

 

Where do you guys put the generator when in use?

 

A comparable Sears generator is about $100-150 more than one from Lowe's. What's so speical about the Sears generators?

[flowerseller]

Do a search here on generators because someone posted a link to a pretty nice little generator.

This is on Ebay for the rest of the day.

I'm not reccomending this one just found it as food for thought.

[tygger]

I got one from Costco for just over $300. I believe it is 650W. I have tested it and run all my pumps, heaters and Tunze's. Full tank will run for 7 hours. Luckily I have not had to use it yet.

 

John Wildman

 

That seems expensive for 650w. For about $200 more ($150 more with 10% off), a Troybilt one is 5x more watts. How loud is it?

 

 

 

Do a search here on generators because someone posted a link to a pretty nice little generator.

This is on Ebay for the rest of the day.

I'm not reccomending this one just found it as food for thought.

 

Hmm. Those look tempting, esp. if we can win one for around $150 shipped.

 

It lists a 10-15hr run time at 50%, but its only a 1.5g tank. Is this because its such a small engine? The ones at Lowe/Sears are 5g with about same run time.

 

 

How are you guys sheltering these generators for the elements? I don't have a car port or anything like that I could put it underneath while in use.

[emissary]

I bought a 5000W generator from HD for about $600 IIRC that was said to run a 50% load for 11 hours. The idea being I wanted to make sure I could run the following:

* return pump

* skimmer air injector & feed pumps

* 1 heater

* quarantine tank heater and filter

* chest freezer

* internet gear (so the laptop worked)

And have things run overnight without having to refill the gas tank. It was capable of this and can do more if I want. I'm not well versed in loud and I guess I'm one of those jerks that just runs it all night anyway (there was at least one other guy in my neighborhood that was running his all night). I didn't think it was too loud and I was sleeping basically right next to it with a wall in between.

 

No cover or anything -- they're designed to run outside and even in inclement weather from what I understand. I'll probably get a cover for when it's not in use and I need to get a chain & lock so nobody wanders off with it.

[tygger]

I recall people in my area running them all night as well, but you can barely hear them from inside your house. Not sure where I got the idea that they need to be covered from the elements while in use, but I swore I read it some where.

 

Anyone have preferences with the different engines they offer? I know Honda's are expensive. Briggs & Stratton's a popular one. And I saw Lowe's carries one w/ a Subaru engine... any good?

[jwildman]

When I gete home tonight I will give the exact specs on my generator, I probably have them wrong from memory. Is it loud? I really don't have much to compare it with. It is fairly loud. But to be honest, if the power is out and I need to keep my tank running, I dont really care .

 

John

 

 

That seems expensive for 650w. For about $200 more ($150 more with 10% off), a Troybilt one is 5x more watts. How loud is it?

Hmm. Those look tempting, esp. if we can win one for around $150 shipped.

 

It lists a 10-15hr run time at 50%, but its only a 1.5g tank. Is this because its such a small engine? The ones at Lowe/Sears are 5g with about same run time.

How are you guys sheltering these generators for the elements? I don't have a car port or anything like that I could put it underneath while in use.

[tygger]

When I gete home tonight I will give the exact specs on my generator, I probably have them wrong from memory. Is it loud? I really don't have much to compare it with. It is fairly loud. But to be honest, if the power is out and I need to keep my tank running, I dont really care .

 

John

 

LOL. Same! haha

 

THanks!

[jwildman]

The Costco gen I got cost low $300 and is 3500W Peak, 3000W sustained, 6.5 HP. Run time if I remember (not sure I trust myself) is 7 hours on a tank.

 

John

 

 

LOL. Same! haha

 

THanks!

[jason the filter freak]

i'M waitin for one of you nuts to build an auto top off system for your generator....

[emissary]

i'M waitin for one of you nuts to build an auto top off system for your generator....

ROTFL

 

That seems to be a recipe for disaster! But surely an interesting concept hmm.....

[jason the filter freak]

ROTFL

 

That seems to be a recipe for disaster! But surely an interesting concept hmm.....

 

OH DEAR GOD I can just see it now.

 

HEAD LINE: Local Tristate area reefer meets demise, firemarshal "generator mod to blame"

 

Article: Local Reefer and live stock found baked, due to a failur of a generator mod, involving a top dosing pump and failed float switch. Wife couldn't immedately be reached for comment, later was quoted saying "I told him so"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. Sorry didn't mean to Jack the lead

Edited September 22, 2006 by jason the filter freak

[tygger]

LOL. I'm surpised these portable generators don't have a remote tank of some sort for extended run time.

 

 

 

John, do you know what brand generator it is? And what brand engine? $300 for a 6.5HP 3000w generator is starting to look pretty good.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

i'M waitin for one of you nuts to build an auto top off system for your generator....

 

 

I've actually done it And I didnt use a float switch.

 

I only tested it once to amuse myself.

[jwildman]

Yes it is a Nikota Model 06350 with a Jiang Dong Engine

 

This model

 

 

 

 

LOL. I'm surpised these portable generators don't have a remote tank of some sort for extended run time.

John, do you know what brand generator it is? And what brand engine? $300 for a 6.5HP 3000w generator is starting to look pretty good.

[Rascal]

I've actually done it And I didnt use a float switch.

 

I only tested it once to amuse myself.

 

I figured somebody must have cracked this nut. Care to share how you did it? Maybe open up a new post for "generator mod"?

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I figured somebody must have cracked this nut. Care to share how you did it? Maybe open up a new post for "generator mod"?

 

 

Heh,

 

I don't want to be blamed for anyone burning down their house

 

It was trivial: I used a peristaltic pump, tubing, and a timer.

Gotta use a pump and tubing that are ok with solvents, which

is tricky.

 

I had mine pump 1 gal of gas per 8 hours, because I know my generator

used 1.2 gal of gas in 8 hrs.

 

I dont recommend this, but it does work Don't sue me!

 

This is dangerous. If your generator stops, the gas will still pump,

and probably start a fire when it overflows. Don't do it!

 

 

tim

[flowerseller]

This is dangerous. If your generator stops, the gas will still pump,

and probably start a fire when it overflows. Don't do it!

tim

How will the gas still pump if the generator shuts off?

What would be powering it then?

[extreme_tooth_decay]

How will the gas still pump if the generator shuts off?

What would be powering it then?

 

 

In my setup, I have the peristaltic pump on a computer UPS which will run it forever. I see you are

suggesting plugging it into the generator.

 

 

duh! that makes a lot of sense. for some inconceivable reason, that didnt occur to me before

 

Thanks for the input. Now you're also liable when the lawsuit comes

 

tim

[Rascal]

Interesting. My ideas were more along the lines of a reserve gas tank that would gravity feed into the generator's tank, . . .

[jason the filter freak]

HEAD LINE: Local Tristate area reefer meets demise, firemarshal "generator mod to blame"

 

Article: Local Reefer and live stock found baked, due to a failur of a generator mod, involving a top dosing pump and failed float switch. Wife couldn't immedately be reached for comment, later was quoted saying "I told him so"

P.S. Sorry didn't mean to Jack the lead

 

I'd just like to point the out again, sort of a playing with fire situation (very poor pun intended)