Generator questions

Bluek24a4 · 11-26-2012, 01:22 AM

These are easy things to learn that set a foundation for you to learn other things later on also, and leads to not having to pay people for things that you can do. Knowing how to change oil in a motor is something everyone should know.

I know a lot of terms are being thrown at you, which may make it seem complicated, but its not. Generator maintenance is not letting it gum up, and keeping clean oil in it. These aren't hard to do, I am sure there are a million videos online that can show you visually how to do it. You should take a look at some, and you will see just how easy it is, and you'll be happy you didn't pay someone to do it.

Also, having just gone through all this Hurricane Sandy crap, I can't stress the importance of having some extra gallons of gas on hand. The way that situation was handled here was embarrassing. Do not overlook this fact. Nothing would be more irritating than having a generator to power things but no gas to power the generator.

HypnoticAquatic · 11-26-2012, 02:15 AM

should know and do know are not the same, hell ive ran into people that dont know how to change a car tire just like op said mower wont last more than a couple years, i am one of those people that fixes an flips them as there quite simple. as unless they are super abused its going to be bad oil and a rebuid on the carb 80-90% of the time.

best think i can tell op is that change the oil/airfilter*/sparkplug* every year or more depending on your usage *will vary depending on usage etc. all of this i would expect any able person to do. paying someone to do this is ok but u should learn how to do it just incase of an emergency, an your gettin this item because of one so imo u should learn how it works and why. i would put my faith in that op could do this!! if not your going to spend more $ as shops norm go 60-75 for a simple tune up airfilter,oil,sparkplug for 10min of work tops, so even if it takes u 3x taht u just paid urself $60 an hr and most people dont make that.

watercage · 11-26-2012, 02:22 AM

Shame, there was just a nice Powermate 3000W black friday sale at Home Depot for $199.00

Just stay away from Harbor Freight. Ive heard so many stores of their gennys failing after a few uses.

DogFish · 11-26-2012, 02:42 AM

Wendy when you do go to buy your generator make a list of some the points listed so far. Like how to drain & refill with oil and how to run the carburetor dry.

Then have them show you at Home Depot or where every you end up buying your generator.

Off topic:
I'm on my 4the lawn mower in 30years. I bought one of the new Electric Mowers with rechargeable battery. Simple plug it in overnight. I have a double lot. I get two full cutting of the whole property per charge and I do part of the vacant lot behind my house that is near my Dog kennel run. (20x100'.)

What I like the best is how quiet the motor is, it sounds like a ceiling fan on high. I can cut the grass at 6am in the summer and not wake up the neighborhood. It's much lighter than the gas mower was too.

Merth · 11-26-2012, 03:46 AM

My genny eats powerstrips just a fyi. I use three line splitters just fine tho.

wendyjo · 11-26-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merth

My genny eats powerstrips just a fyi. I use three line splitters just fine tho.

Explain this please.

Shangrila · 11-27-2012, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendyjo

Explain this please.

I personally don't think a generator can "eat" a powerstrip. Powerstrips will melt and burn if they are overloaded. That has nothing to do with the generator.

Merth · 11-27-2012, 12:27 AM

Yea basically every powerstrip I have tried has melted but I have an 8000 watt genny. And even with as small a load as a coffee pot and a lamp. Just be careful if you use them.

Shangrila · 11-27-2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merth

Yea basically every powerstrip I have tried has melted but I have an 8000 watt genny. And even with as small a load as a coffee pot and a lamp. Just be careful if you use them.

Coffee pots are not small loads!!

dbosman@msu.edu · 11-27-2012, 12:37 AM

If outages are a fact of life for you, get a natural gas or propane unit.
Preferably wired to the correct auto disconnect switch. After living on a farm, my folks moved to a paved road. After the nth three day outage they had one installed. Now the neighbors come to visit them when the powers out. That's mixed.

Bandit1200 · 12-07-2012, 07:50 PM

Here's what I was looking at when I get some cash to buy a generator. Looks like a good idea, at least to me it does. This way you don't have to worry about storing gasoline and/or refilling it. I can't think of any time I've had an interruption in my natural gas service.

http://www.propane-generators.com/

You can use these conversion kits to run off either natural gas or propane.

Anyone out there have any experience retro-fitting something like this?

11-26-2012, 02:42 AM	#19
DogFish Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ChicagoLand Posts: 5,192	Wendy when you do go to buy your generator make a list of some the points listed so far. Like how to drain & refill with oil and how to run the carburetor dry. Then have them show you at Home Depot or where every you end up buying your generator. Off topic: I'm on my 4the lawn mower in 30years. I bought one of the new Electric Mowers with rechargeable battery. Simple plug it in overnight. I have a double lot. I get two full cutting of the whole property per charge and I do part of the vacant lot behind my house that is near my Dog kennel run. (20x100'.) What I like the best is how quiet the motor is, it sounds like a ceiling fan on high. I can cut the grass at 6am in the summer and not wake up the neighborhood. It's much lighter than the gas mower was too. __________________ ToxicTen/DogFish's 40/Aquaponics for Vegans

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11-26-2012, 01:22 AM	#16
Bluek24a4 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 733	These are easy things to learn that set a foundation for you to learn other things later on also, and leads to not having to pay people for things that you can do. Knowing how to change oil in a motor is something everyone should know. I know a lot of terms are being thrown at you, which may make it seem complicated, but its not. Generator maintenance is not letting it gum up, and keeping clean oil in it. These aren't hard to do, I am sure there are a million videos online that can show you visually how to do it. You should take a look at some, and you will see just how easy it is, and you'll be happy you didn't pay someone to do it. Also, having just gone through all this Hurricane Sandy crap, I can't stress the importance of having some extra gallons of gas on hand. The way that situation was handled here was embarrassing. Do not overlook this fact. Nothing would be more irritating than having a generator to power things but no gas to power the generator.

11-26-2012, 02:15 AM	#17
HypnoticAquatic Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: arvada, co Posts: 1,272	should know and do know are not the same, hell ive ran into people that dont know how to change a car tire just like op said mower wont last more than a couple years, i am one of those people that fixes an flips them as there quite simple. as unless they are super abused its going to be bad oil and a rebuid on the carb 80-90% of the time. best think i can tell op is that change the oil/airfilter/sparkplug every year or more depending on your usage *will vary depending on usage etc. all of this i would expect any able person to do. paying someone to do this is ok but u should learn how to do it just incase of an emergency, an your gettin this item because of one so imo u should learn how it works and why. i would put my faith in that op could do this!! if not your going to spend more $ as shops norm go 60-75 for a simple tune up airfilter,oil,sparkplug for 10min of work tops, so even if it takes u 3x taht u just paid urself $60 an hr and most people dont make that.

11-26-2012, 02:22 AM	#18
watercage Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Phila Suburbs Posts: 117	Shame, there was just a nice Powermate 3000W black friday sale at Home Depot for $199.00 Just stay away from Harbor Freight. Ive heard so many stores of their gennys failing after a few uses.

11-26-2012, 03:46 AM	#20
Merth Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Denham Springs, La Posts: 577	My genny eats powerstrips just a fyi. I use three line splitters just fine tho.

11-27-2012, 12:27 AM	#23
Merth Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Denham Springs, La Posts: 577	Yea basically every powerstrip I have tried has melted but I have an 8000 watt genny. And even with as small a load as a coffee pot and a lamp. Just be careful if you use them.

11-27-2012, 12:37 AM	#25
dbosman@msu.edu Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Lansing, MI, USA Posts: 2,710	If outages are a fact of life for you, get a natural gas or propane unit. Preferably wired to the correct auto disconnect switch. After living on a farm, my folks moved to a paved road. After the nth three day outage they had one installed. Now the neighbors come to visit them when the powers out. That's mixed.

12-07-2012, 07:50 PM	#26
Bandit1200 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 423	Here's what I was looking at when I get some cash to buy a generator. Looks like a good idea, at least to me it does. This way you don't have to worry about storing gasoline and/or refilling it. I can't think of any time I've had an interruption in my natural gas service. http://www.propane-generators.com/ You can use these conversion kits to run off either natural gas or propane. Anyone out there have any experience retro-fitting something like this?