Elm can be a PITA. Try splitting Am. Elm from the "outside in" not heartwood splitting. Easier, since it has a tough stringy grain.
Not a great firewood but adequate and plenty around dead.
Gas Generator Recommendations
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Elm can be a PITA. Try splitting Am. Elm from the "outside in" not heartwood splitting. Easier, since it has a tough stringy grain.
Not a great firewood but adequate and plenty around dead.
Just make real sure it'll start the well pump if you have one before you buy it. I wonder if the place you buy it from would help there, like take it back if it doesn't cut it, or come out with the same unit and test. Startup load on a deep well pump can be a lot, and you don't want to be holding that 4 grand bag.
Got the Honda, gave it a trial run with the new transfer switch, all systems go. And, sold the Craftsman 3250w to a mechanic friend for $100. fully operational......just too small.
The 3250 did the water pump but shut down electronics and dimmed, big time, the few lights when surging for the pump startup.
This Honda is near silent, easy batt start, and drops RPM when lower loads for gas savings. Total installation cost for the 10 circuit transfer switch including an awkward PITA getting to another panel was $800. And not to hard to pull out of the shed, plug it in, start, then switch circuits.
Great comments all.
Light in the Dark
Feeling the Heat
I wouldn't say "nice", but a diesel generator sure. Remember this is an inverter 240 genset that runs at some super low dB level.
Light in the Dark
Feeling the Heat
Diesel is a superior fuel source for backup generators, in my not so humble opinion. Excellent storage life, ease of storage (275g home heating oil tank will work just fine), and prime power units run at only 1800rpms. There is a reason that all commercial and medical facility backup power solutions are diesel based.
Gasoline powered sets can be designed to run at 1800 as well. Some do. Also some diesels run at 3600 rpm. It's just a matter of cheap gas gensets vs. expensive diesel gensets.
Land prime power units are not what this thread is about. This is not unlike asking why semi tractors use diesel engines and my passenger Honda car uses a gasoline engine.
Diesel does have storage problems: algae, water, debris in diesel engines as well as gelling (sp.) in cold climates like where we live.
Gas for smaller gensets is readily available, can be siphoned out of our vehicles in an emergency, has more BTUs than diesel per unit, can be stored with additives (like diesel). The Honda EU7000iS we got is $$$$$, but is fuel injected, inverter, and variable RPMs when low loads. We shall see.
Gas for smaller gensets is readily available, can be siphoned out of our vehicles in an emergency, has more BTUs than diesel per unit, can be stored with additives (like diesel). The Honda EU7000iS we got is $$$$$, but is fuel injected, inverter, and variable RPMs when low loads. We shall see.
Light in the Dark
Feeling the Heat
Who woulda known ? You are both correct, appreciate the info.
I am wrong, I am wrong, I am wrong, I......
I am wrong, I am wrong, I am wrong, I......
TonyVideo
Feeling the Heat
The i at the end of Honda EU generators indicate that it is inverter generator and give you a sine wave for clean power to use for sensitive electronics and motors. They also have an eco setting with the rpm's ramping up and down automatically as needed. Sure they may cost more up front but the gas savings is huge and they are quieter.
Yup, it is a slick machine. You have one ?
The inverter, the ECO option, electric starting, and quiet were the major factors in the choice of Honda besides the rep for reliability. I built a special "Honda shed" near the house outlet; either of us can simply pull it out ~10', start it, and run almost the whole house. The choice as said was between a Kohler LP standby system, or this Honda. So, as long as we're able to pull the portable out, plug it in, move the circuits on the transfer switch, this will do the job.
As someone who has a fixed-speed generator that I've had to run for 8 days -- I suggest you don't underestimate the gas savings feature of a variable speed generator.
Buying and hauling gas as well as having to shut down for refills can be very time consuming and downright inconvenient.
A quiet and clean running engine is also important. Our biggest outage was in the summer and we had to run fans with windows open - no place for stinky loud generator.
Buying and hauling gas as well as having to shut down for refills can be very time consuming and downright inconvenient.
A quiet and clean running engine is also important. Our biggest outage was in the summer and we had to run fans with windows open - no place for stinky loud generator.
Light in the Dark
Feeling the Heat
Who woulda known ? You are both correct, appreciate the info.
I am wrong, I am wrong, I am wrong, I......
It is not about being wrong... it is about having the best information possible. I just love diesel, and wish more folks used it in day to day lives.
All fuels have problems of some kind. In your region and ours, cold temps a good part of the year make diesel high maintenance.
Quality of the diesel available e.g sulphur content.
Gelling below 0 C.
Algae growth.
Water absorption.
Injector maintenance.
Need for power (in cold climates) to heat glow plugs.
More problems in small and medium engines compared to gasoline.
We do use diesel in boats and tractors.
We're looking at a Honda inverter gen @ 7000 surge watts : EU7000iS. It's pricey at $4000. BUT fuel efficient, safe for electronics, quiet, batt start, etc.... What do you have ?
DUMF, I just purchased the Honda EU7000iS inverter generator and used it for the first time yesterday, during a day and a half power outage. I got it because it was the only one I could find that would provide 240v with a true sine wave which I needed. The price was a lot, $4000 as you stated. Barring the cost, I think you'd be happy with this inverter/generator if you can possibly purchase it. It is solidly built. It is way quieter than my old Coleman generator which has always run poorly, and loudly, all the while guzzling fuel.
The Honda can automatically throttle itself down with its ECO switch, saving gas. It ran it all night and it didn't run out of fuel. There is an attention to detail on the Honda from the gas cap to the fold up handles for moving it, beyond the generator itself. I hated to spend that much money, but am impressed with what I've got. I am going to connect it directly to the service panel with an interlock soon as I get a chance. You get what you pay for.
Let us know which way you go and how it turns out.
Mike
DUMF, I just purchased the Honda EU7000iS inverter generator and used it for the first time yesterday, during a day and a half power outage. I got it because it was the only one I could find that would provide 240v with a true sine wave which I needed. The price was a lot, $4000 as you stated. Barring the cost, I think you'd be happy with this inverter/generator if you can possibly purchase it. It is solidly built. It is way quieter than my old Coleman generator which has always run poorly, and loudly, all the while guzzling fuel.
The Honda can automatically throttle itself down with its ECO switch, saving gas. It ran it all night and it didn't run out of fuel. There is an attention to detail on the Honda from the gas cap to the fold up handles for moving it, beyond the generator itself. I hated to spend that much money, but am impressed with what I've got. I am going to connect it directly to the service panel with an interlock soon as I get a chance. You get what you pay for.
Let us know which way you go and how it turns out.
Mike
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Mike,
Where are you in VA that I can come by and borrow that generator?
Just kidding. I have one, though not nearly as nice. I love Honda equipment in general.
I'm in Montgomery County near Blacksburg BTW.
Where are you in VA that I can come by and borrow that generator?
Just kidding. I have one, though not nearly as nice. I love Honda equipment in general.
I'm in Montgomery County near Blacksburg BTW.
Got it a week ago Mike. At -6 F push the starter, no hesitation on start up. Right about the attention to details. And, the only negative was the $$$.
The RPM downshift with the ECO switch is near 1/2 at full. Neat tool. So quiet I can hear myself sing.
Just be sure to start the Honda with ECO off.
Sprinter
Minister of Fire
I just came across this thread and didn't read it all but I'll unhesitatingly agree with the above. It powers every single thing we need except for the deep well pump but we have stored a lot of potable water and a lot more for toilets, etc. I may convert it for use with a gas/propane kit just because propane doesn't degrade over time and we have a large propane tank for the range.
There are some good threads on this subject in the "gear" forum too.
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That's my approach too. We can and have had 5-7 day outages. We need something I can run at least a week or two on, intermittently to keep perishables frozen and refrigerated. The rest is gravy. I had 4.8kW Coleman contractor's generator because it had 220V out so I could power most anything (no well here). Now I have a 2.4kW Yamaha converted to also burn propane and rewired the panel so that the key 110v loads I need powered (fridge and freezer and kitchen lights), are on the same leg of the panel. Like the Honda eu2000i, the Yamaha is quiet, reliable, has an eco mode and it luggable. Mainly it sips fuel compared to the old Coleman.
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