power generator

[space-time]

Clearly space-time wants to run a generator indoors, but I agree that he shouldn't.

sorry, I am not sure where you got that idea. I want to keep it indoors new in box, but once I need it, i will take it outside. I would never run it indoors.

Now I have to go back and re-read my original post to see why you are under the impression that I want to run it inside.

[Ombligo]

Generator conversion kits to run on gas, propane or natural gas

$If you want a whole house unit, consider Military Surplus diesel units.

[michaelb]

What do you need a generator for? I would like one too, but it wouldn't power what I need power for, mainly water. 8 hours of runtime on 4 gals, so you would drain your car in a day or two. Is that really useful and worth the expense? Are you going to have everything else you need to last in the home, but somehow having a generator for a day or two would make a difference in that decision? I am just not sure how that adds up. Without a lot of gas, a generator provides limited power.

If you power needs a limited, why not just an inverter for the car. Or something like this as a battery back up:

http://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-23000-So...B00D5RVMAM

[Speedy]

To run the refrigerator.

michaelb wrote:
What do you need a generator for? I would like one too, but it wouldn't power what I need power for, mainly water. 8 hours of runtime on 4 gals, so you would drain your car in a day or two. Is that really useful and worth the expense? Are you going to have everything else you need to last in the home, but somehow having a generator for a day or two would make a difference in that decision? I am just not sure how that adds up. Without a lot of gas, a generator provides limited power.

If you power needs a limited, why not just an inverter for the car. Or something like this as a battery back up:

http://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-23000-So...B00D5RVMAM

[Grateful11]

For about the same money you can get an LP powered generator. Then you wouldn't have to worry about
crappy ethanol gasoline ruining it.

http://www.amazon.com/Sportsman-GEN4000L...awn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1401768888&sr=1-1&keywords=lp+generator

[Ombligo]

If your needs are strictly limited to refrigerator and a few lights (portable led shop light will be your friend), a large solar panel may do the trick. Just leave the refrigerator closed at night when no power is going, it will stay cold overnight.

Cost is about the same, no fuel needed, storage is easier, no noise.

[OWC Jamie]

space-time wrote:



You can guess that I am trying to find am easy way to store this, wihout storing gas and oil in my house.

store it at home depot
gamble the night before the storm and buy the stuff then or just before they sell the last one

[tenders]

I have a Chinese generator a lot like that, perhaps a touch larger, also bought from Amazon, and converted it to natgas myself. The carb kit, plumbing, and semi-portable natgas line cost as much as the generator. The optional installation of a bypass circuit breaker box onto my house's main panel allowing us to run nearly the entire home from the generator without stringing extension cords all over the place cost A LOT MORE than the generator.

If you know how to change oil and use a hacksaw, you'll be able to do the conversion yourself - basically all that is involved is bolting a natgas regulator onto the mouth of the carburetor, which might require cutting part of the tubular frame to accommodate the regulator, and replacing the lost structural integrity of the frame with a steel bar and a couple of bolts. Switching between natgas and gasoline involves flipping one valve. It was a thrill to run the engine off of natgas with an empty gasoline tank - my generator started on the second pull.

I would say the desire to keep the generator around but unused is incompatible with the desire for the dual fuel setup. You need to run the engine with the natgas setup to make sure you have the right plumbing attachments.

Even with the gasoline-only setup, I would not give an untested, unknown, Chinese generator the dignity of being stored in my house. Anything mechanical should be tested first, and all small engines need to be broken in by running at moderate load for 4-6 hours and having an oil change.

Assuming you don't do the natgas conversion I'd suggest a four-hour breakin period, running the tank nearly dry, killing it with an increasing concentration of Seafoam to avoid gumming the carb in storage, changing the oil, and storing it as you see fit.

I should also recommend he wheel kit. Generators are inconvenient to lift and need to be moved often. Now that you could leave in the box until you need it.

[mrlynn]

space-time wrote:
Clearly space-time wants to run a generator indoors, but I agree that he shouldn't.

sorry, I am not sure where you got that idea. I want to keep it indoors new in box, but once I need it, i will take it outside. I would never run it indoors.

Now I have to go back and re-read my original post to see why you are under the impression that I want to run it inside.

My mistake; somehow I got the impression that's what you wanted. I was also confused by the idea of buying a generator and not using it, or letting a neighbor use it, and not having anywhere to store the fuel. . .

Anyway, if disaster strikes, you may need your car(s), so I would not count on siphoning out their gas for the generator. And you shouldn't store gasoline in the house. A few cans of oil would not be a problem. No garage?

But, as others say, you have to find a place to bolt the generator down outdoors to run it—ideally in its own enclosure, as you don't want to have to find a place to put the generator with three feet of snow outdoors. And if you have an enclosure, then you might as well store it there. And even better, connect it to the natural-gas line. . .

Do you have a pickup truck? You could mount the generator in the bed. Then you could drive around and sell power to the neighbors. $x for an hour. . .

/Mr Lynn

[testcase]

Another advantage to propane: virtually unlimited shelf life (as opposed to gasoline at a month or three). There are gas oline powered generators that can be rigged as dual fuel.

As for leaving it in the box; if you're in a humid area, rust could develop in the cylinder / valve area which might cause a problem with reliability.