Portable Generators

[sl1966]

i'm looking into a 900-2000 watt unit. Maybe one 900 and then a 2k unit. Once I actually start working out of the trailer with lots of power consumption, like a compressor, I will get the 2000 watt one but the 900 should work for the beginning.

You know I was gonna get the 1k watt one, but the price diff was about $200 between it and the 2k genny. 1000 watts more for only $200 more? Is it really worth the skimp? These specifically are the Honda's though.

 

[arizonatruck]

You know I was gonna get the 1k watt one, but the price diff was about $200 between it and the 2k genny. 1000 watts more for only $200 more? Is it really worth the skimp? These specifically are the Honda's though.

The home depot ones are about $100 when on sale. Although, I do understand where you are coming from. I think I may just get a 2k.

 

[sl1966]

The home depot ones are about $100 when on sale. Although, I do understand where you are coming from. I think I may just get a 2k.

Oh, ok. I don't know the first thing about the HD gennys. I did look and think I found it. For the price they're selling at, you can't beat it. I didn't take into account what your needs are, and superimposed mine on them.

I use all kinds of high end tech hardware and need what the Honda's provide. On top of that I'm gonna be living more off grid than on and need the kind of reliability that brand offers. If your needs aren't the same then save the money. I mean as long as the reviews on it are decent. But if you need what I need, then don't skimp. I only say this as someone who wasn't going to get one and rough it until I told my little sister. I was summarily scolded (mom style) by her for trying to live my life any less than what I how I need to.

 

[arizonatruck]

I actually meant harbor freight, they are the ones that occasionally have the genny's on sale. Sorry about that. I guess I was tired.

 

[Zil]

It hasn't been mentioned. The small inverter generators can be bought for $100 through $1000 and more for the larger watts. But the cheaper ones do not provide a clean ac wave. They have cheaper almost junk inverters. You do get what you pay for with the Honda and Yamaha inverter generators.

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The "nato" metal gas cans can be found in Army navy surplus stores. I had much experience with them. The screw on cap is very secure. The flex spouts screw in also but poring a 5 gallon gas can is difficult and can be messy. I prefer the smaller OSHA safety cans.

 

[akrvbob]

Zil wrote:
The "nato" metal gas cans can be found in Army navy surplus stores. I had much experience with them. The screw on cap is very secure. The flex spouts screw in also but poring a 5 gallon gas can is difficult and can be messy. I prefer the smaller OSHA safety cans.
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The Nato cans don't use a screw-on, it's a clamp-down system that seals very tightly. This has a very good picture so you can get an idea of how it works:
http://www.amazon.com/NATO-Jerry-Fuel-Spout-Nozzle/dp/B009HJMY8Q/

I've had a 2 1/2 gallon can in the van for 5 years and never smelled gas.
Bob

 

[akrvbob]

I had a friend who bought a $100 HF generator and thought she could run it a big part of the day. The first one quickly failed but HF gave her a new one. The second quickly failed, but HF gave her a replacement. The third one quickly failed and she got her money back and bought a Honda. Now shes a happy camper

Many times paying extra doesn't really pay off, but when it comes to generators, I believe it does. Yes, you will cry when you buy the Honda, but then you will smile every time it starts on the first pull for the next several decades. I do!!!!

The lives of cheap generators are measured in months, maybe a year if you are lucky. Honda's are measured in decades. :heart:
Bob

 

[Zil]

Ah, yes. I guess I,m showing my age. It was a couple of lifetimes ago when I was in the armored artillery. My point was the military cans are the very best for gasoline storage. The osha cans are easier to handle.

 

[akrvbob]

The big advantage of the Nato cans besides their air-tight seal, is they vent very well. When you pour them, they don't air-lock, they pour nicely. Most of the screw-on Jerry cans I've used air-locked real bad. But maybe I've only had bad ones?
Bob

 

[Zil]

The old military cans with the screw on lid had small holes that were uncovered when the spout was screwed on and sealed when the closure cap was screwed on. I'v seen them fall off a truck and bounce down a ditch with no damage or leakage. I can only think the newer NATO type are even better. One of my jobs was cleaning and inspecting the cans and gaskets and vent holes before filling with 5 gallons heavily leaded gasoline.

 

[sl1966]

I'm torn on what size to get. Mainly it's because I don't want to lug around a 5G can, but on the other hand I also don't wish to make frequent trips to the gas station.

I'm still kind of working out usage, and have a rough draft. Here's kind of how ...

Day (Run generator anytime between 10am - 9pm)
Recharge house battery and electronics (laptop, phone, tablets, hotspot, bike light)
TV/Xbox if I feel like a movie or a game

Night (House Battery Only)
TV, stream tv show or movie from tablet or laptop (both have their own batteries)
Lights

 

[Lucky mike]

I have a small coleman 2000 watt that is a sipper......I run it 2hours in the morning to top off the batteries and charge Items onboard.....make coffee , and basically get the day going...I might run it an hour at nite for the micro and TV ....it is more than sufficient.

I have a 4000watt onan onboard and it will eat fuel 3 x faster than the little one to do the same job....I only run it when A/C in needed or put it on autoswitching incase the batteries go low at nite, it will start and begin charging

I guess it will depend on your needs , but to be safe 2000 to 2500 would be my minimum

 

[sl1966]

I guess it will depend on your needs, but to be safe 2000 to 2500 would be my minimum

Thanks. Yes, I'm picking up the Honda eu2000i in a day. Also extra oil.

 

[Lucky mike]

good choice!!!.........the extra oil is always good , I change the oil in my portable generator every 10 to 15 gallons of gas, it might seem excessive but I have also been using it for 6 years and bought it used !.........best 100 I ever spent and 3 bucks a month to pamper it is cheap!!!

 

[arizonatruck]

It would be good to find out how much each device uses, add them together and add 10% to that figure. This way, you can plan for power needs. My trailer has two of the 13 watt lights and 6 of the 40 watt tube lights, Lighting = 266 watts. Plus I have a 500 mw charger for my two way radio, I will have a second one here soon, so x2 which is 1 watt total, then I will be purchasing a mobile ham unit as money comes available, that will consume about 50 watts when transmitting. Communication = 301 watts. Kindle 9 watts, laptop 100 watts, network stuff about 30 watts for computer = 139 watts. All the radios that I mention have multiple transmit settings and they won't be on all the time or transmitting all the time.

AC: 266 watts/120 volts = 2.22 amps
If using a dc to ac inverter, I suggest x10 for amps to make sure you have enough reserve power.

DC: 440 watts/12 volts = 36.7 amps

For a generator, this would be 706 watts and 38.92 amps. I calculate for mostly highest need. This way, I can make sure I have enough power.

Seeing as though these things won't be on all the time, I probably won't need all this all the time or all at once. So, I turn things off that I am not using. Like the radios will only be turned on when needed, as will the generator in that case. 9 watts for the kindle while charging and maybe 100 watts misc. 120 watts at any given time.

I am looking up and saving up for a generator and solar. I would prefer solar because of the quiet power, but generator for large need is good.

 

[Lucky mike]

Solar is only as good as the battery bank you store it in......so you have a weight factor to add in to your solar ....4 12 volt or 4 6 volt batteries are an added weight and eat up space.

basic onboard lighting DC can be handled with 1 battery and a 120 watt panel with good conditions but start adding conveniences and its going to grow quickly........

 

[sl1966]

Thanks guys for the solid advice/info!

Yeah 4 batteries just ain't gonna happen for me. I'm in a 16' TT. This is also why I'm going for the more expensive, but higher output solar panels from www.amsolar.com. They came highly recommended to me by a few people. Sorry I forgot to explain why. They're lighter and give me a little more energy bang for the buck.

 

[Lucky mike]

I run 4 160 watt panels on the roof and have 2 160 fold outs that I put out while sitting for a while.......Am solar is a choice operation!!!!

 

[user 423]

That Honda 125cc could power a large generator. Or multiple car alternators.

Yes, 125 cc and 9 hp is more than you need but running at 1/3 or so max RPM should have it just loafing along and sipping fuel. 90cc's would be better but those engines didn't offer electric start.