Master thread for disasters and generators.
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Yes. For many (most) of the time I've seen people using typical 5500w gensets, something smaller would have been more appropriate.
Even if you do need it, there are better options out there. Honda EU7000 is 52dB at 1/4 load, 58dB at full load. Note, decibels are a logarithmic scale, so going from 62dB down to 58dB is a 60% reduction in noise energy. 62dB down to 52dB is nearly a 90% reduction in noise energy. Now for perceived sound difference I usually ballpark half of what the numbers say, so you're still looking at a ~30% and 45% reduction in sound there.
HarryN
Flashlight Enthusiast
Just following up on what I said above: Smaller generators are often what people need.
I'm focused on disaster recovery. I'm in Florida, the place where 143 million people decided to vacation last year. I get to live here 365 days a year. Hurricanes come with the territory.
So, I'm focused on extended power outages and fuel efficiency.
Cheap 5500w generators will burn about 0.5-0.8 gal/hr. When they're only selling 5 gallons of gas at a time after a disaster, those generators are too thirsty to be useful.
With an EU2000, I'm going through 1-2 gallons per day. Much more sustainable after a storm.
I'm focused on disaster recovery. I'm in Florida, the place where 143 million people decided to vacation last year. I get to live here 365 days a year. Hurricanes come with the territory.
So, I'm focused on extended power outages and fuel efficiency.
Cheap 5500w generators will burn about 0.5-0.8 gal/hr. When they're only selling 5 gallons of gas at a time after a disaster, those generators are too thirsty to be useful.
With an EU2000, I'm going through 1-2 gallons per day. Much more sustainable after a storm.
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Yep
1 Gallon 12hrs runtime for each unit. 4 gallons a day for 10 days no power = 40 gallons for the ice storm. I could have gotten by with 30 gallons on these inverter generators by running only one for a large part of the time. When you parallel them it is recommended to take them off Eco Mode. I ran them the whole time in Eco Mode so they would ramp down to very little fuel usage for most of the 12hr shift...
Hot fueled them and never missed a beat and they would cranked on first pull if I ever shut them down. The key is most of these types of units allow you to turn the gas knob right before it shuts off and it cuts the fuel flow and allows carburetor to run dry by running out of fuel (some units require adding a switch to do that). Paid $205 each on a price mistake deal.
I need to get around to changing the oil as 10 days is too long to run them. I bet the magnetic dip sticks are full shaved metal!
Piles of debris lining whole front and far side of yard for FEMA to pick up. Took 6 weeks to pick it up! $950 3 guys to clean up!
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Yep
1 Gallon 12hrs runtime for each unit. 4 gallons a day for 10 days no power = 40 gallons for the ice storm. I could have gotten by with 30 gallons on these inverter generators by running only one for a large part of the time. When you parallel them it is recommended to take them off Eco Mode. I ran them the whole time in Eco Mode so they would ramp down to very little fuel usage for most of the 12hr shift...
Hot fueled them and never missed a beat and they would cranked on first pull if I ever shut them down. The key is most of these types of units allow you to turn the gas knob right before it shuts off and it cuts the fuel flow and allows carburetor to run dry by running out of fuel (some units require adding a switch to do that). Paid $205 each on a price mistake deal.
I need to get around to changing the oil as 10 days is too long to run them. I bet the magnetic dip sticks are full shaved metal!
Piles of debris lining whole front and far side of yard for FEMA to pick up. Took 6 weeks to pick it up! $950 3 guys to clean up!
Attachments
Sadly New Orleans taught us that FEMA is about as effective as a one-legged man in an HAAS kicking contest.
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Sounds about right.... They're willing to help, but ONLY on their terms.
So many businesses and agencies with the very same mentality. Genuinely need something done? Even willing to pay for it? Here's a list of folks or companies you hire for the job. No one else. Otherwise, no assistance from us at all.
Play the game. Work with the corruption, since the job needs to get done. It sounds like I'm describing an episode of the Sopranos involving Tony's construction racket. Unfortunately, I'm not. It's all perfectly legal.
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
Yes, and that's only one reason why disagreeing with someone over their choices on the internet can lead to discussions that have little to nothing to do with their needs or choices.
Suggesting a 260lb, $4.5k generator to someone looking to buy a 90lb. $1.5k generator is only a little like suggesting that instead of a flashlight that they could buy two of for a grand would be better replaced by a Tri-V or that the guy that can live happily in a 1200 square foot house really needs a mansion with multiple garages.
I think you're trying to help, but features that matter to me will more likely influence my purchase decisions. I like the Honda and Yamaha generators, and also know that Champion generators have been serving me well for years now. Soon I'm have a K&S 6kW unit.
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I by no means said the K&S was garbage, just that it's far from quiet.
As far as appropriateness for the task, I've made it clear on the forum that my needs are focused on natural disasters and recovery. My childhood home has been hit by 3 separate tornadoes since I've been alive. Two while we owned it. The third tornado strike was 4 years ago. Exact same house, 3 separate tornadoes in 3 separate years. I've stopped counting how many hurricanes and tropical systems we've had. At least one of each: Cat 5, 4, 3, 1.
Do you need a top-tier Yamaha or Honda for camping? no. Construction? no. A kids party? no. I never said that people do. I'd probably argue against it for those uses, actually.
I've used Caterpillar, Onan, Kohler, Honda, Yamaha, Yanmar, Northern Lights, Firman, and probably some others along the way. The 131 yacht we had in a case for awhile had twin Northern Lights diesels AND a Honda EU2000 in case SHTF. Again, depends on your use case.
My EU2000s are 22 years old. They're abused when they're running, totally neglected when they're stored. Starts on the first pull. Buy once, cry once was my though when I bought them back then. I don't regret buying them, even though I was a (truly) poor college student at the time.
As far as appropriateness for the task, I've made it clear on the forum that my needs are focused on natural disasters and recovery. My childhood home has been hit by 3 separate tornadoes since I've been alive. Two while we owned it. The third tornado strike was 4 years ago. Exact same house, 3 separate tornadoes in 3 separate years. I've stopped counting how many hurricanes and tropical systems we've had. At least one of each: Cat 5, 4, 3, 1.
Do you need a top-tier Yamaha or Honda for camping? no. Construction? no. A kids party? no. I never said that people do. I'd probably argue against it for those uses, actually.
I've used Caterpillar, Onan, Kohler, Honda, Yamaha, Yanmar, Northern Lights, Firman, and probably some others along the way. The 131 yacht we had in a case for awhile had twin Northern Lights diesels AND a Honda EU2000 in case SHTF. Again, depends on your use case.
My EU2000s are 22 years old. They're abused when they're running, totally neglected when they're stored. Starts on the first pull. Buy once, cry once was my though when I bought them back then. I don't regret buying them, even though I was a (truly) poor college student at the time.
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
Please don't start a reply that suggests something I never said. You didn't quote me this time, for some reason, but it's apparent you were replying to my post. Not sure really why you felt the need to introduce the word "garbage" as if it had been in my reply.
My 2k watt Champion kept my mom's house with lights, heat, cooking for three weeks during a power outage and is still run virtually every day.
Whatever your rationale, just accept that some of us really want an HDS, and some of us are happy with an old 4Sevens light.
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
I guess your post could be more perfectly addressed to yourself. Everything you're throwing at me is much more applicable to your post. Go outside, take a deep breath and do everything you've just posted. Good?
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I will dismantle your trollership/instigatory remarks here, you are basically Wacbzz.
You made the inference, as referenced below:
Your phrasing and thinly veiled self righteousness is revealed, especially with the comparison against a Tri-V. Clearly, TPA's intention was made clear with this:
And yet, you felt the need to respond to this, and the irony that some people are using cheapo 3×aaa lights instead of 4/7's is lost on you:
There's all the receipts, within proper context. So welcome back, but are you done being combative?
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
Funny that I was thinking the same of you. Sorry to have gotten you so riled.
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likewise. Nothing like finding common ground, I guess
ironhorse
Enlightened
All of the "quiet" generators are fully enclosed. Seems to me the engines would run hotter than an open unit. I wonder how that affects the engine lifespan.
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150cc motor inverter gen. open frame.
Two in parallel would only be $800 (7000W running,, combined)
or, just one for $399
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My advice is to not go overboard. We live in a time where our ability to survive disasters is far more simple than previous generations.
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Don't ask how I came across this
,, anyway it's a smaller single inverter/gen that'll do 240VAmazon has them,, links don't work any more in CPF
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The Honda EU series all have cooling fans built into them. In some of the hurricanes, we put containers of water behind the generators and let the hot air heat it up. Hot/warm showers after a storm, especially after cleaning up all day, is quite the luxury item.
