Powerhouse inverter

[caseyc]

Soooooo, how are you guys filling the generator with gas?&nbsp; Going to a local Chevron and place the hose directly into the generator to fill?&nbsp; Or fill a say 5 gallon gasoline container first, then use the container to fill the generator?&nbsp; Or buy some type of special canned gas at a local Lowes store?<br><br>I'm confused. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif"><img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif"><img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[caseyc]

<p>Where is the alleged cannisters of gasoline for sale? <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"></p>

 

[Zil]

<p>First check the link I posted above. That is one brand. Craftsman brand is available in the lawn and garden part of sears. Lowes has it near the lawnmower parts. It ain't cheap! I use it to run the last on my small engines before storage. Cans are available as 40:1, 50:1, and no oil added. MY equipment runs very much better using these products.</p><p>You should just buy the cheapest unbranded pump gas you can possibly find in a red plastic gas can and add a stabilizing product to the gas in your can. </p>

 

[RJCooper]

I keep four gallons of gas on the truck at all times.&nbsp; Two one gallon containers and one two gallon container.&nbsp; Yes on the no E gas, hard to do in some places.&nbsp; Maintain it and it will last.&nbsp; <br><br>Casey, you should have a spare belt, a quart or pint of these (Brake and Power steering fluid, oil, tranny fluid, fix a flat),&nbsp;gallon of anti-freeze and at least a one gallon container of gas on your vehicle at all times.&nbsp; <br><br>1) Belt $30-40<br>2) Gas and container $15<br>3) Anti-freeze $15<br>4) Misc fluids $30<br>Total $100 <br><br>One tow call, one 10 mile walk or a missed appointment would cost you more.&nbsp;

 

[caseyc]

Hi Zil,<br><br>Is this the same&nbsp;canned&nbsp;gasoline&nbsp;you're referring to?&nbsp; So just get this stuff, and pour into the generator?<br><br><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/VP-Small...nol-Free-8-Pack-6208/203528942#specifications" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.homedepot.com/p/VP-Small...nol-Free-8-Pack-6208/203528942#specifications</a><br><br><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202604...H=REC-_-product-1-_-203528942-_-202604386-_-N" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202604...H=REC-_-product-1-_-203528942-_-202604386-_-N</a><br><br><br><br><img class="bbc_img" alt=" VP Small Engine Fuel 4-Cycle 94 Octane Ethanol Free (8-Pack)" src="http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/fa/fa7a05c4-d2de-4a6c-a5b2-e1495d7453ae_300.jpg" rel="lightbox"><br><img class="bbc_img" alt=" Trufuel 50:1 Pre Mixed Fuel (6-Pack)" src="http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/f2/f2a2b7ca-7970-4708-8b0b-1eab81a914f9_300.jpg" rel="lightbox"><br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[caseyc]

Hi RJCooper,<br><br>Thanks for the advice. But I'm confused. Do you mean these items for my van in general? Or for the Honda generator?<br><br>Thanks,<br>Casey<br><br>1) Belt $30-40<br>2) Gas and container $15<br>3) Anti-freeze $15<br>4) Misc fluids $30<br>Total $100

 

[Ziggy Moon]

I'd also carry 2 gallons or more of water....... if you have a radiator leak, I wouldn't want to be wasting anti freeze in it - but to top off is fine (and I do carry a gallon).<br><br>The gas I wouldn't carry unless I'm gonna be&nbsp; away from home, and only if I'm in, or traveling through an area that may have long distances between gas pumps (don't want to smell the fumes unless necessary ..... although, an empty gas can should be carried at all times.... but that's just me

 

[RJCooper]

For the van.&nbsp; The container double for fuel for the genny and the oil too.&nbsp; I am weird and keep a spare solenoid (size of a beer can) and a alternator (Softball) in my grab box (a 20 gallon Brute tote).&nbsp;I even have a small 70 amp 110v welder in there (about the size of a small lunch box).&nbsp; That welder in one week paid for itself in a campground in VA.&nbsp; Seemed everybody had something that needed fixed.&nbsp; <br><br>Electric and duct tape, fuses, 12v wiring, some springs and rubber tubing with some&nbsp;small hose clamps can't&nbsp;hurt either and they take up no room at all.&nbsp; <br><br>I rebuilt my power washer pump on the tailgate of my truck today, with youtube, $15 in parts and an hour of my time.&nbsp; The shop wanted 120.&nbsp; Worst case scenario for me was buy another power washer (big money maker) and get the pump rebuilt.&nbsp; I worked with enough millwrights to understand shafts and pumps so I figure why not.&nbsp; You tube is amazing for learning.&nbsp; For free I think you could do minor surgeries.&nbsp; LOL

 

[RJCooper]

Ziggy, if I was in an enclosed vessel no way would I want the smell of gas either.&nbsp; I am in a truck with a home built plywood/diamond plated cap.&nbsp; No windows, subbed the windows for real security with rebar bars and angle iron frames.&nbsp; You'd need a cutting torch to get in and it lets in plenty of air in the bed, yet keeps out rain.&nbsp; I have 15 gallons of potable water on the truck at all times also.&nbsp; Maybe if I am out and about away from camp, I have 7 gallons but always have water.&nbsp; <br><br>Speaking of water, I also have a spare hose, hose clamp and thermostat in the grab box.&nbsp; Like I said, I am weird.&nbsp; LOL

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Note - from my understanding every 10 decibels is 2x louder. <br><br>Big debate between Honda and Yamaha gens. About the same except Honda has more accessories.

 

[caseyc]

Sorry to bring this up again. Is the below canned fuel the stuff you can put into a generator? &nbsp;<a style="color: #000000; text-decoration: none; line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/VP-Small...nol-Free-8-Pack-6208/203528942#specifications" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br><br>http://www.homedepot.com/p/VP-Small...nol-Free-8-Pack-6208/203528942#specifications</a><br style="line-height: 16px;"><br style="line-height: 16px;"><a style="color: #000000; text-decoration: none; line-height: 16px;" href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202604...H=REC-_-product-1-_-203528942-_-202604386-_-N" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202604...H=REC-_-product-1-_-203528942-_-202604386-_-N<br><br></a>

 

[RJCooper]

Casey, high octane fuel is for higher compression motors.&nbsp; People think running high octane gas that there vehicle will get better gas milage etc.&nbsp; It is all about compression.&nbsp; A souped up street rod/drag car with 9:1 or 10:1 compression needs high octane.&nbsp; Not a little&nbsp;genny.&nbsp; Honda recommends 86 octane or above and warranties up to 10 % e gas.&nbsp; Spend your money wisely.&nbsp;

 

[caseyc]

Hi RJCooper,<br><br>Thanks for the info. But will that canned fuel from Home Depot work to run the generator? &nbsp;<br><br>Thanks,<br>Casey<br><br>

 

[bee]

Don't get hung up on canned fuel.&nbsp; So it doesn't contain alcohol.... Yes alcohol is a pain, but you can deal with it without spending a fortune.&nbsp; This is how I would deal with it.<br><br>Personally I would look at the yamaha because it has a fuel shutoff going to the carb.&nbsp; When you are done using the generator, you unplug/shut off your electrical loads and turn the fuel shutoff to off.&nbsp; The engine will continue to run until it uses up all the fuel in the carb.&nbsp; You will still have fuel in the on-board tank, but no fuel in the carb to gum up the passages.<br><br>RJcooper is partially correct in saying that you should store fuel in the carb.&nbsp; This statement is true with carburators that have diaphrams.&nbsp; This usually includes chainsaws and some small engines.&nbsp; I am pretty sure this does not apply to either the honda and yamaha because they do not have diaphrams.&nbsp; But honestly don't take my word for it.&nbsp; I am sure you can download the manual for both these machines and it will have instructions on how to store the generator.<br><br>Neither the honda or the yamaha are designed to power 12v appliances.&nbsp; More like a oh crap I killed my car battery and I need to charge it up enough to get my car started.<br><br>You can buy the honda or yamaha pre-converted to run on gasoline or propane.&nbsp; Propane is more expensive, but doesn't go bad, isn't as messy.&nbsp; Propane is ideal if you only plan to run the generator occasionally and don't want to deal with the hassle of gasoline. (note having your carb cleaned is not covered under warranty and not cheap)<br>If you plan to run the generator a lot then the cost effectiveness of gasoline usually out ways the convenience of propane.&nbsp; I am guessing that a propane conversion will also void the warranty that comes with these generators.<br><br>Oh and decibels are not linear at all, you would have to look at chart, I want to say they increase exponentially.&nbsp; pretty sure its not as simple as&nbsp; "every 10 decibles is 2 times louder", but again don't just take my word for it just google it, if you care,&nbsp; then you will know for sure.<br><br><br>Oh and on what fuel to use, again download the manual, Honda and Yamaha will tell you exactly what they want you to use, no need to ask us and get 10 different answers.

 

[bee]

You will need a pdf reader, here are the manuals<br><br>Honda&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; http://powerequipment.honda.com/pdf/manuals/31ZT3610.pdf<br><br><br>Yamaha&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/service/manuals/0/lit-19626-01-19_1109.pdf

 

[caseyc]

<a href="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><br><br>I</a>&nbsp;like this guy's video on using a Honda generator as a survival tool.<br><br>

 

[caseyc]

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-EF2000...amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=yamaha+2000+generator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-EF2000...amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=yamaha+2000+generator</a><br><br>How about the Yamaha generator, per above link? I was watching the below YouTube video on a comparison between Honda versus Yamaha generators, and the argument in favor for a Yamaha included&nbsp;the following two items:&nbsp; <br><br>1) The Yamaha generator has a separate on/off switch to allow whatever fuel is left in the carb to burn off quickly (the Honda generator doesn't this feature). This means there won't be any residual gas left inside the generator to gunk up the innards to cause problems later if stored for awhile.&nbsp; <br><br>2) The Yamaha generator has a fuel guage to show you the fuel level inside (the Honda generator doesn't have this).<br><br>Prior to watching the&nbsp;YouTube video (next post below), I thought the Honda generator would be better versus a Yamaha.&nbsp; But now I'm swayed in favor of the Yamaha generator for the above 2 features.

 

[caseyc]

Here's the YouTube video mentioned in previous post:<br><br><br><br><br><a href="" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"></span></a>

 

[caseyc]

Any opinions on the Yamaha generator having a separate power switch to cut off the fuel to burn off whatever is left in the carb, in case you want to store the generator for awhile?&nbsp; Isn't this a useful feature that the Yamaha generator has which the Honda generator doesn't?&nbsp; The guy in the YouTube video previously posted&nbsp;gives a demonstration on that feature.&nbsp; I'm not trying to say the Yamaha is better than Honda simply for this one feature, but it does seem to help for convenience I would imagine.

 

[caseyc]

I don't have an "immediate" need for a generator at this moment.&nbsp; However, that said, I like to be prepared for any future eventualities.&nbsp; I live in earthquake territory. The last time there was a major earthquake, there was no electricity for a number of days, but I got through it.&nbsp; Would I buy a generator next month if I knew an earthquake was coming next week?&nbsp; Or how about a huge storm similar to Sandy?&nbsp; Smart money folks would not buy a generator the same day they are in a dire need of one.&nbsp; They buy one prior to any huge emergency or in anticipation of one coming.&nbsp; I'm just glad I don't live in tornado country in the heartland of America. Geez, I'd also have to get an underground shelter if I had to worry about tornadoes! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">&nbsp; I currently have done other preparations such as stocking up on large jugs of bottled water, boxes of Minute Maid rice and Ramen Noodels, plus various canned foods, plus an extra Coleman stove and extra propane heater&nbsp;with extra propane cannisters, plus lots of AA and D size batteries for flashlights and radios, etc.&nbsp; That's why I want a generator, because it's the next logical progression for me in terms of preparing for the next natural disaster.&nbsp;It will come!&nbsp; I prefer to be prepared and self sufficient, as I don't like to rely on anyone if I can help it.