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Generators

J

Judith

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Joined
Dec 29, 2005
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2,428
Location
BC
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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.......
 
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!
 
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!
 
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!
 
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!
Click to expand...
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.
 
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!
Click to expand...
Portable ones don't come in propane to my knowledge. Diesel ones are nice.
 
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.
 
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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