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Generator recommendations?
Posted on 7/6/15 at 9:45 pm
Posted on 7/6/15 at 9:45 pm
I'm trying to put together an inexpensive rig to run a window AC unit, our fridge, a few lights, and our phone chargers. I've never used a generator before and have no idea what to look for. I need to keep the budget low on this so I don't have to sell any guns :D
Any recommendations?
Any recommendations?
7
Posted on 7/6/15 at 10:06 pm to NewtonD
How much do you want to spend?
If all you want is 120v for a window unit ice box and lights that doesn't take much.
If all you want is 120v for a window unit ice box and lights that doesn't take much.
Posted on 7/6/15 at 10:09 pm to NewtonD
main thing that you need to know is how much power your window unit uses...nothing else that you have listed uses much power at all. I am thinking you could get by with a 2000 watt unit of some type.
ETA: you also need to check to be sure of what voltage your window unit uses...
ETA: you also need to check to be sure of what voltage your window unit uses...
This post was edited on 7/6/15 at 10:11 pm
Posted on 7/6/15 at 10:26 pm to Spankum
Haven't picked up a window unit yet, that will be part of the package. I'm considering a Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 (5000 BTU 115V), not sure of power draw besides that it's a 115V unit. We just want to be able to cool one bedroom that we'll all sleep in during outages.
I'm hoping not to go over 600 with everything.
I'm hoping not to go over 600 with everything.
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:02 pm to NewtonD
For your 600 budget I would look at the Champion generators. TSC has them on sale regularly. WEN also has some low budget generators on Amazon. They have a web site with all the replacement parts available to purchase online. WEN is one of the few companies that offers a 3500 watt gen with a 220 output. I have a WEN 3500 that I use to power rental properties that are empty to make repairs. So I don't have to pay to have power cut on.
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:03 pm to NewtonD
Just get the little one that is at Home Depot. I have two, and they work well.
I'd be comfortable with a 3500 running that stuff. Gives you some wiggle room
I'd be comfortable with a 3500 running that stuff. Gives you some wiggle room
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:06 pm to NewtonD
Just make sure it's a Honda. Quietest generator I have and I have several. They're expensive though.
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:19 pm to stout
He's trying to keep a $600 budget. If you're offering to sell one for $200, sign me up.
I just thought of something. You can get cheap 5000/5500 generators for just about the same price as a 3500. They are gonna burn more gas though.
Someone here knows how to calculate the starting wattage of an A/C. Can't remember who it was, but they helped me out a while back
I just thought of something. You can get cheap 5000/5500 generators for just about the same price as a 3500. They are gonna burn more gas though.
Someone here knows how to calculate the starting wattage of an A/C. Can't remember who it was, but they helped me out a while back
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:26 pm to Hammertime
quote:
He's trying to keep a $600 budget.
Missed that part. He's only $1000 or so short from a good Honda unit.
I bought a few Champion units from Tractor Supply for $200 for my guys to do winterizations with. They will run a little pancake compressor and skill saw no problem and each of those draw decent amps.
LINK
Not sure how good the larger models are but they seem to offer decent wattage for the price. Of course, I bought them with the understanding that they are throw away models for me if they crap out from us using them like we do.
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:27 pm to Hammertime
You can run a 5000 btu A/C off a $99 800 watt harbor freight generator. I have one and they're decent little generators for what they are. I haven't run an A/C off mine but youtube folks have.
LINK
LINK
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:30 pm to weadjust
A guy that works for me has one of those harbor freight units and he can't even cut a 2x4 with a circular saw.
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:42 pm to stout
I guess not. A circular saw draws about 13-15 amps or 1560-1800 watts. The Harbor Freight generator is rated at 800 watts. The AC he listed uses 4 amps or 480 watts.
Posted on 7/6/15 at 11:47 pm to weadjust
Ahh...I thought they were rated for 1200 watts. Never paid attention to them too much.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 12:38 am to stout
quote:
I bought a few Champion units from Tractor Supply for $200
Have you killed one of those generators you linked? I have thought about buying one. 10 hours @ 50% load on 1.5 gallons of gas is not bad. I see them on sale for $149 a couple of times a year.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 12:44 am to weadjust
If this is something you may have to bet your life on then spend the money and get a honda. Spend once, cry once.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 6:07 am to mallardhank
quote:
may have to bet your life on
If he's made it this long without a generator I think he can survive without pissing away money on an inverter generator.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 6:36 am to weadjust
quote:
Have you killed one of those generators you linked?
Nope and we run them ragged. My guys don't exactly baby them either. They get thrown in tool trailers and the back of trucks all the time.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 10:13 am to stout
Thanks everybody. Stout, how long has it been since you picked up those Champions at TSC and began using them that way?
Posted on 7/7/15 at 10:29 am to NewtonD
Multiquip we run em hard everyday and they can take it.
Posted on 7/7/15 at 10:32 am to NewtonD
Pops has one of those cheap champions. It's cheap and raggedy but it's always started and make power when we needed it.
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