If you are powering anything but a rectifier to charge batteries, look for a generator with inverter technology such as the honda EU series. Most portable generators don't have the voltage or frequency regulation stability to keep UPSes or sensitive electronics running. Inverter generators produce their AC waveform with power electronics that keep it at a constant voltage and frequency even if the engine runs like crap. I bought a kipor inverter generator (chinese honda clone) that seems to be a pretty good unit. It kept the NOC essentials running during a simultaneous utility power and standby generator failure a few weeks ago. Also, you can add external fuel tanks to get 36 hours of runtime.
Patrick -----Original Message----- From: John Valenti <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:40:41 To:WISPA General List <[email protected]> Subject: [WISPA] Small generators - cheap or inexpensive? I was looking around for a method to keep at least my backbone running during an extended power outage. (we have had ice storms take out power for 4 - 7 days). It seemed like the small generators might be a solution, the Honda/ etc name brand ones seem to be ~$600 for 1000 watts. And I found a company that sells Yamaha 1000W generators converted to dual fuel (NG or propane) for about $1000. They also sell a 2400 watt generator that is triple fuel, gas/NG/propane that is tempting, even at $1600. But then I ran across some imported 2 stroke, 1000 watt generators. Harbor Freight has them in their catalog for about $150. I found a similar one in a local store that is on sale for $99. The box says it will run for 8 hours on tank of gas (at half load, 1.25 gallons). These imported ones just seem like they are too cheap. And I'm not too fond of 2 stokes. That Yamaha dealer warns that the cheap generators are only designed to last 150 hours - but maybe 150 hours for $100 isn't too bad a deal. Just wondering if anyone has thoughts or experiences on this issue. thanks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
