Excellent Generator Findings

[creationode]

I am a (newbie) member of <em>www.survivalistboards.com.</em><br><br>I highly reccomend the website for all kinds of information.<br><br>Here is a link to a recent generator thread about:<br><br><strong>Honda vs. Yamaha (red vs. blue).</strong><br>http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?p=5572408#post5572408<br><br>And here is a really neat Yamaha-provided chart about typical power requirements:<br>http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/powerproducts/generator/sizing.aspx<br><br>I plan on having a small generator, just because.<br><br>I will go with Yamaha because they offer a 2400 starting watt model, continuous 2000.<br><br>Honda does not offer this.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I think i am going to go with a yamaha as well.&nbsp; Now just to come up with the money <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[creationode]

The generator will cost more than I paid for the van...what a life! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[James AKA Lynx]

I plan on doing without (i hope).<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Noah]

I love my Honda. I've never needed more power than it provides and the resale value is as good as it gets.

 

[Ziggy Moon]

I plan on being out in the middle of nowhere, so no one can hear my $80+ dollar 900w Harbor Freight generator when and if I ever need it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tounge2.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> - <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Salida Scarlett]

<br>I'm not familiar with Generators, but lets just say I want to be out in the middle of nowhere, boondocking and need a good generator to power up my stuff, what would be the most powerful generator one could buy, and what brand and possible cost? Boy howdy, these are things I need to know and don't....yet? <br><br><br>Scarlett <img src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>PS:&nbsp; Oh yeah, almost forgot...what's the difference between a generator and an invertor generator? I see guys talking about invertors. Are they talking about invertor generators? Please don't shoot me, (yet). I may be a slow learner but I'm a serious one. <br> <img src="/images/boards/smilies/redface.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Zil]

Hey. Ziggy. right, no one will hear that $80 harbor freight job. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Ziggy Moon]

<span id="post_message_1278306476">

</span><span id="post_message_1278306476"><span id="post_message_1278306476">Inverter or Sine type generators produce a constant level of power, <strong><em>a regular generator like the cheap Harbor Freight ones produce a wildly fluctuating level of power and will damage electronics and other sensitive equipment.</em></strong></span>

<br><br>You are absolutely correct! <br><br>But why would you need a generator to operate these things anyway? I think of my cheap HF gen. as something to use for power tools and emergency lighting - "If Ever Needed".<br><br> I've had this, slightly loud <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> cheapo for a while now and it hasn't failed me yet (when using power tools on my sailboat) - In my simple thrifty opinion, I'd prefer to spend high dollar on other, more critical things. &nbsp; <br></span>

 

[DollarJoe67]

Do generators have a strong residual smell?&nbsp; I would like to buy&nbsp;a small&nbsp;gen.&nbsp;but when&nbsp;its not in use&nbsp;and stored in my van I don't want to smell like a grease monkey.

 

[Zil]

Eventually due to spills and stuff, they smell like the gasoline you use in them. Smaller ones can be cooled off and then stored in sealed plastic container.

 

[creationode]

There is a thrift store/antique store here in Denton that has a basement section full of .50 caibre ammo cans, jerry cans, water cans, and big old green plastic military equipment boxes with full seals.<br><br>The boxes are around $80, and really sturdy.&nbsp; If I had a generator, I would probably want to stick it in that box, in it's own little section with air intake and exhaust, so that I would be able to virtually eliminate any smell of gasoline ever coming out of it.<br><br>It would not be more than a couple hours of work.

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Hey creationode, I've thought about getting a cargo carrier to mount on my hitch - something like the one below;<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://a.cdnbrm.com/images/products/large/hitch_accessories/curt_basket_style_cargo_carriers.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>And then getting a tool chest, similar to the one below;<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://www.uniquetruckaccessories.com/images/ConsumerPics/TB435open.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>drill a few vent holes - and place things that can put off fumes within.<br><br>This was a thought of mine, not sure if it would be a good idea to have such a setup on the back of a vehicle when trying to be low key and unnoticed. Any feed-back on this, from anyone?<br><br>

 

[creationode]

ZiggyMoon,<br><br>Bradford, AKA Vantrekker http://vantrekker.blogspot.com/ has done this to great success.<br><br>He actually had a custom made box to fit the exact dimensions of his Honda generator and Aquacube (I think).<br><br>I will not be doing it like that, but if I were in more rural areas, actually boondocking, I would do it in a heartbeat.<br><br>The tool chest should work just fine.&nbsp; You could add material for vibration resistance and some insulation to make sure the actual box does not get hot from the generator, and to prevent the sun from heating up the generator unnecessarily.&nbsp; I would have to cut holes in it for intake and exhaust, and power cords.<br><br>If you seal up the box efficiently, and make sure it has a good vent to let out any trapped combustible vapor, I would just keep it under the bed, or in a similair space inside the van.&nbsp; You could easily add little rolling bearings to let it slide in the van for access if needed.<br><br>On a trailer hitch, it would be noticed, though.&nbsp; I do not see contractors chosing that method to store their equipment; they keep it all in the van.&nbsp; But, plenty of members here are not as worried about hiding out in plain sight like I am.&nbsp;