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Generators

Judith

Well-known member
I need to purchase a generator that will run power tools and a few lights and such. Is buying second hand a foolish thing to do? I was also considering just renting the darn thing. That way I know it has been maintained etc. Thoughts?
 

Mike

Well-known member
I have a 20KW that runs on the pto of my tractor. No maintenance and no hard starting gasoline engine to deal with. Will run 220 or 120 volt appliances.

It's a breeze to hook up and costs way less than one with an engine.

I think it was around $1500.00 6-8 years ago.

Saved me in the last power outage.
 

Judith

Well-known member
I will be putting a cabin together in an area without power. I have made a panelized system in 4 by 8 sections that I will be putting onto a 20 by 30 concrete pad. I will need to be able to run some air powered tools and a hilti etc. Lights will also need to be run as it is major grizzly country. I want plenty of light so none of the little buggers can sneak up behind me :) I should be able to have it to lock up in a day or two. The panels are small enough that I can handle them easily by myself.
Still not quite sure how I'm going to get the rafters up without getting killed but I will take it as it comes.
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
Under those circumstances, it seems you could use a generator later as well. I'd buy a good welder with a generator. If you know anyone that can weld or if you can weld, they aren't alot more than a strait generator.
 

Judith

Well-known member
I can't weld at this point in my life but I'll try almost anything. I'm alot more comfortable with framing etc. I will be hiring a crew to do the drywall as I would rather die than do it. There is nothing worse in the whole world! I might get someone to do the roof as well. I'm not feeling as bullet proof as I used too. If I slipped off the roof up there I am about 40 minutes to civilization. Here is a link to the panel idea that I copied. Works like a charm but you do use more wood that if you built on site.http://www.countryplans.com/cody.html She made a few minor mistakes on the building such as not blocking th corners and the roof line did not extend over the building but aside from that it is a good plan and simple!
 

Cowpuncher

Well-known member
Honda makes a lot of small generators and they run well. Even start easy.

We have a couple we used for years pumping water. They have 3000 or 4000 hours which is a lot for a gasoline engine. They cost about $400 from Harbor Freight. The ones we use are 2500 watt and have a low oil shutdown. They are also fuel efficient and light enough to put in the back of a pickup by one person.
 

Judith

Well-known member
Red Robin, yer slick :wink:

Chivalry is pretty much dead here in the radical feminist zone we call Vancouver.
Asking a guy to get his hands dirty out here in the west is pretty much a lost cause. You have no idea how many tires I have had to change for guys who get stuck on the roads. I doubt that they would even know what a generator was, let alone actually own one! My male friends have to borrow tools from me :) Pretty sad when you have to show a boy where the stud marker is on a tape measure....uggg.......
 

kolanuraven

Well-known member
I've got a 20KW GenRac and it runs on propane and that baby will run the whole house and then some. I love it!!

When there is an ice storm...even the power company guys come by here as I become the coffee station cause I'll be the ONLY one with power!!!

If you get a BIG one...get the transfer switch...worth every penny!
 

Judith

Well-known member
RR, I'm dead serious. It's just not a skill that is taught to the boys out here. I had to put oil in a buddies car the other day. He did not know which "hole" it went into. Yup, it is truely baffling. I am also surprised at how few know how to use a power tool, something as simple as putting a bit in!(causing poor Judith too turn purple trying not to laugh) Trying to show a guy how to use tools without totally castrating him infront of his friends is an art form in itself!
 

Judith

Well-known member
Kola,
I didnt know they came in propane models! Shows ya I do learn something every day!. I like propane. I'm using my dad's F350 and she is a propane powered beast. Doesnt seem to have the power my chevy 3/4 ton had but it sure saves the money!
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
Judith said:
RR, I'm dead serious. It's just not a skill that is taught to the boys out here. I had to put oil in a buddies car the other day. He did not know which "hole" it went into. Yup, it is truely baffling. I am also surprised at how few know how to use a power tool, something as simple as putting a bit in!(causing poor Judith too turn purple trying not to laugh) Trying to show a guy how to use tools without totally castrating him infront of his friends is an art form in itself!
We're truely from different worlds Judith. My mother, wife , or daughter couldn't change a tire if they had to. My mother barely knows where gas goes and my grandmother thought it beneath women to drive. That was her mans job.
 

Red Robin

Well-known member
Judith said:
Kola,
I didnt know they came in propane models! Shows ya I do learn something every day!. I like propane. I'm using my dad's F350 and she is a propane powered beast. Doesnt seem to have the power my chevy 3/4 ton had but it sure saves the money!
Portable ones don't come in propane to my knowledge. Diesel ones are nice.
 

kolanuraven

Well-known member
Yepper...sure do.

Mine works off the LP heat system for my house. And the best part is that it will start up and run a few minutes each week to run a self ck on itself. That way you know BEFORE the blizzard if you've got any problems with the beast.

Mine is big...but I got a BIG house and when we do get bad weather...which isn't often..it usually comes in the shape of a whooper ice storm and you'll be out of power for a wk or more in my area of the boonies.

If I EVER move from here, which is doubtful, but if so..I'm taking the GenRac with me!! It's the size of a volkswagon though!!!

My parents have a 15 KW .

I think they start at something like a 8 or 10 KW and it could run off a propane tank @ your cabin.
 

Judith

Well-known member
You know, I would almost pass out if a man put gas in my car :) (in a good way, I would be so shocked I might wet my pants though) Probably no second date after that LOL! I don't know what I would do if a man offered to help with things like mowing the lawn or changing a tire. The down side is I am so independant that a traditional fella might not be able to handle it. I really think the bra burners recked it for both sexes! Gosh I'm not sure what I would do with a helpful feller :)
 
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