I have used 10 cents per watt as a good value for manual start, small generator. 15 cents per watt for larger units with electric start. (10 kW and larger) 20 cents per watt for larger units with automatic start (new without transfer switch). 25 cents to 30 cents per watt for larger units with automatic start and transfer switch, crankcase heaters, trickle chargers etc etc.
I formulated this rule of thumb pricing about 10 years ago, so it may be off a little. I use a similar rule of thumb for storage batteries. 10-20 cents per watt hour. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Kerns" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 4:04 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Small generators - cheap or inexpensive? > John, > We had to run for over a month on generator at the end of last year. (long > story but the place where we contract for one of our towers defaulted on > their loan and the bank took over.... it took over a month and a break in > to > get the power restored). > > My point was we used one of the 1000 watt generators from harbor freight, > the one with the Subaru engine. We ran this round the clock, the tank on > them will run about 5-6 hours depending on load. We took a 5 gallon can, > made a spout and connected this to the engine input, bypassing the tank. > This gave us plenty of run time, but still needed to refill daily. The > first > generator lasted about 2 weeks before it was stolen (remember the break-in > above), we replaced with the same model and ran it for another 2 weeks. > > I was really surprised at it's ability to last that long and expected it > to > die after a few days. We found it did use oil and the automatic "low oil" > sensor did shut us down once. After that we added oil every 2-3 days. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Valenti" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> > Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 2:40 PM > 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: wireless@wispa.org >> >> 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: wireless@wispa.org > > 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: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
