05.30.07
Posted in Affordable Generators, Quality Generators at 12:42 am by admin
Quality Generators
Many people have taken on the search to find an affordable generator for a cabin back in the woods, camping, or just for some power tools. It is a dream of some to simply be off the grid and not have to be at the demand of the utility. While taking on the search for a good but affordable generator you find an overload of information. A good place to start is a forum I happened upon during my own search - physics forums. This forum has many engineers not to mention electrical engineers that actually build generators from scratch. They can help in many ways in making the process of finding the right generator solution for your need.
I was going to buy a honda EU branded generator. The great thing about these is that they can run on just a gallon of fuel for a day. This of course is if you are using it for basic camping needs. It will power an a small window unit air conditioner and a few other things. The interesting thing about Honda generators is that they are easier to start then the other brands and much quiter. They are more reliable but they are also very expensive. MSRP is $2000 for the following specs:
| Specifications: |
| Engine |
| |
6.5 HP, Single Cylinder, Overhead Valve, Air Cooled |
|
| Displacement |
|
| AC Output |
| |
120V
3000W max.(25A)
2800W rated (23.3A) |
|
| Receptacles |
| |
20A 125V Duplex
NEMA Plug Number:
5-20P30A 125V Locking Plug
NEMA Plug Number:
L5-30P |
|
| DC Output |
|
| Starting System |
|
| Fuel Tank Capacity |
|
| Run Time on One Tankful |
| |
7.2 hrs. @ rated load
20 hrs. @ 1/4 load |
|
| Dimensions (L x W x H) |
|
| Noise Level |
| |
58 dB @ rated load
49 dB @ 1/4 load |
|
| Dry Weight |
|
The great thing about this generator is that it will only produce the amount of energy you need. This means you don’t spend uneeded cash on energy being produced that isn’t being used.
We still have to deal with the cost. You are spending $2000 for a generator that is 3000 Watts max. This is not much if you are wanting to use this for a house. You then have to consider other options if it is out of your price range for what you need.
Diesel Generators
There are natural gas and propane generators but these are usually pretty expensive. Finding an affordable one of these can be as big of a challenge. You can get a DELB Diesel Generator that produces 6000 Watts max for $1,399 but this is still a lot of money when you consider the fuel you will need to buy to keep it running. If you feed the generator heated vegetable oil you can actually power it with this stuff after it is strained and basically have free electricity. There is a risk you could ruin your generator if you do not know what your doing so this alternative means is not for everyone.
Gasoline Generator, inverter, and deep cycle batteries
My affordable solution is to buy a Brigg and Stratton gasoline generator from Home Depot that produces 8,000 max watts and 13,500 running watts. This is plenty of power for a house off the grid. Next you buy an inverter and 4 deep cycle batteries at a cost of about $1,200. You then power up the generator, charge the batteries and run the batteries through the inverter to your circuit box. By doing it this way you only use the energy you produce and no more. When the generator is running you don’t have to worry you are waisting the energy being produced. This will allow you to live off the grid at a semi affordable cost.
My suggestion is to read up on the Honda EU3000 to see what its benefits are and basically make a bigger more affordable one using my suggestions.
Permalink