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Subject: Lets talk Generators

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steveVa    Posted 01-07-2017 at 02:05:46 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [No Email]  
  • Lets talk Generators
  • What kind of generator do you have, how do you hook it up, and how do you like it??

    Sitting here after preparing for the "blizzard" we are expecting, I feel confident that if we loose power I am somewhat prepared because I have 2 new generators.
    Instead of buying a big whole house generator, I decided to buy 2 smaller ones that are lighter so I can easily carry them around. They are also very quiet and very fuel efficient.
    They are Champion Inverter 2000 watts each. I especially like the fuel saver mode. I use 1 to run refrigerators and the other to run the well pump and a small heater, or two heaters when the well pump is not going. The well pump would not run on the old generator because it did not produce pure sine wave power. The Inverter ones do make pure sine wave power and are also safe for computers and TV sets. They are simple to use and easy to start and will run all night on a single gallon of gas, and I cannot hear them running. I installed outlets through the walls in several rooms so I can connect to generators without running cords through windows. I also use these outlets for my solar powered inverters.
    My first 5000 watt generator was a Devilbiss with a Tecumseh engine. It works fine but is hard to start when cold, very heavy to move around, and not real fuel efficient. Most of all it is really loud.
    My second 5000 watt is a Generac with a Briggs motor. It is much easier to start when cold and is more fuel efficient. Still heavy to move around and still loud, but not as bad as the Tecumseh.

    dave#1    Posted 01-15-2017 at 12:22:14 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [No Email]  
  • Re: Lets talk Generators
  • Better late than never LOL

    We rarely loose power around here so not much need for a unit like Ed has, I have several Generators, All used for down at the camper, I too had bought a 5000 Watt with the Tecumseh engine, Found out real quick just how loud and inefficient it is, I then got a like new Onan 2800 watt from a RV from work, Problem was it was not self contained , It got it's fuel and 12 volt for the starter from the RV, I had to make a wheeled cart for it using a Boat 6 gal gas-tank and lawn mower battery, then I hooked up a 5 amp 120 volt battery charger plugged into the "Generators" 120 volt, Worked great til it finely crapped out last summer.
    I was never big on Chinese generators but had a friend and a nephew that had one and had great luck with them so decided to buy one, Bought a refurbished duel fuel Champion Inverter Generator for $700.00 off Ebay This thing works great but the fuel tank is a little small.

    That's my life story on Generators
    LOL

    later,dave

    steveVa    Posted 01-15-2017 at 19:55:56 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [No Email]  
  • Re: Lets talk Generators
  • I really like the champion ones So much I got 2 Of them. I read you can get a gas cap with a fitting for a gas line that you can connect to a boat tank. Also read that the honda conversion gas cap fits the champion as well.
    Thanks for the input.

    dave#1    Posted 01-15-2017 at 22:12:24 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [No Email]  
  • Re: Lets talk Generators
  • No kidding??, I drilled and tapped my gas cap so I could run a small gas line to a gas jug, You have to plug the vent that is inside the tank/below the gas cap..

    I'll have to research the Honda gas cap deal Thanks.

    later,dave

    steveVa    Posted 01-15-2017 at 22:37:43 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [No Email]  
  • Re: Lets talk Generators
  • https://www.google.com/search?q=honda+generator+gas+cap&client=tablet-android-samsung&sa=X&biw=962&bih=601&noj=1&tbs=vw:l&tbm=shop&srpd=4963741207704284798&prds=epd:4532660333037550571,paur:ClkAsKraX-gewEhMijFqGzbOsB_der5B8I3p8elFXWHJu0WY0wEeJXMcPw4uii6tXIis-MnWGe9uAkjfLvBb8Hs5egrcoPr9uqGdSZxazNgLAqis3QEor3Bo5hIZAFPVH70SL4aWnIrm-GFUCnujG7Rg01Kcxg,cdl:1,cid:2495008750532765687&ved=0ahUKEwi08c2j3cXRAhWJ4IMKHeU0B_4QgTYIpAQ

    Here is one from ebay. I have not tried yet.
    I was thinking of just buying a spare champion cap and drilling it like you said.

    steveVa    Posted 01-15-2017 at 22:49:21 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [No Email]  
  • Re: Lets talk Generators
  • Here is one for $20,

    dave#1    Posted 01-15-2017 at 23:10:47 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [No Email]  
  • Re: Lets talk Generators
  • Cool , Thanks
    "But" I'm not sure those will work on the Champion Generators , When I drilled and tapped my cap for a gas line and ran it to a fuel jug the generator would quit long before it would create enough vacuum to pull gas form the gas jug to the generator fuel tank, I have to have my jug just a little higher than the generator fuel tank to make it work.
    I would feel better using that aluminum gas cap than my drilled and tapped "Plastic" gas cap. Would really like to know if it would fit?

    Thanks for the info

    steveVa    Posted 01-15-2017 at 23:53:47 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [No Email]  
  • Re: Lets talk Generators
  • Champion generators are not self priming. The gas tank needs to be above the generator so that it will gravity feed. If you look at your model generator on amazon and look at the questions section, they will say if the honda cap will fit. I googled champion extended run gas cap and see several that say they fit both. But I have not tried it yet.

    Ed Gooding (VA)    Posted 01-07-2017 at 19:38:11 [URL] [DELETE]        [Reply] [Email]  
  • Re: Lets talk Generators
  • We upgraded to whole house after Hurricane Isabel. A Generac 15,000 watt unit that runs off LP. 2 220v circuits and 10 110v circuits. Transfer switch is next to our breaker box. Starts up every Sunday and exercises itself for 12 mins. When the power goes out, you can starting counting down.... 10-9-8-7-6.... the generator cranks up and the transfer switch snaps on. It's loud, but not a big deal when we have power to the house. When power is restored, it cuts off automatically. We find ourselves listening for it to crank up on Sunday afternoons - kinda comforting to know it's working fine.

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