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Old 03-23-2011, 06:03 PM   #1
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generator?

Does anyone have any experience buying a generator online from Wisesales.com? We've decided to get one, our first, a Honda 3000i Handi. We'll need the 3000 watts to get the AC going in our 19, and I also plan to use it to keep the fridge and deep freeze running during power outages at home. Wisesales is quoting $2000 including shipping, and our local shop wants $2400. Ouch.
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Old 03-23-2011, 06:31 PM   #2
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Re: generator?

I never bought from wisesales.com - I got my Yamaha 2400is from Cabala's, which had no problem running our 13.5btu AC unit in the Airstream, and we did use it to run our fridge in a power outage once as well.. I probably going to sell it if you're interested, we we're going to wait to camping season to put it on craigslist.. We got the generator in the RV and since we park it next to our house, we can use it in case of a outage here (plus it draws from the 55 gal RV tank.. so no worries on running out of fuel in the middle of the night)
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Old 03-23-2011, 06:34 PM   #3
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Re: generator?

I paid $1,250 for a Honda 1000, but this is Canada here.

At your home, I presume you would just plug the fridge and freezer into the generator. For my home, I looked into using a more powerful generator to power my gas furnace ( won't run without electricity ) and other appliances like fridge and freezer and I would have to bring in an electrician at some considerable expense to safely do that.
I decided, in the next power outage ( last one was three days in the dead of winter ), I will just abandon the house and move into the trailer.

Obviously, you have different issues in California, even in winter.

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Old 03-23-2011, 09:09 PM   #4
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Re: generator?

For the house, I'm going to do a bit of "ghost wiring" -- a secondary system not connected to the main house wiring -- with an inlet-outlet in the garage for the generator, wired to a new outlet in the kitchen (and maybe a line to a new outlet in the basement for the gas furnace) that I can plug the fridge and small chest freezer into. The Honda 3000 should be able to handle the current draw if my calculations are right. Thanks for the offer of the Yamaha, Jeff, but the info I've gotten off of other forums suggest it might be iffy for the 19's AC. And, Honda seems to be the gold standard.
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Old 03-23-2011, 09:23 PM   #5
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Re: generator?

Bruce,

Better read up before you start re-wiring. My memory is vague, but I think the issue is with power running back through the wires to the generator when the power comes back on.

I would look into the matter thoroughly before I did anything. Which is why I'm doing nothing.

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Old 03-23-2011, 10:55 PM   #6
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Re: generator?

I bought a Honda 2000I from Wise Sales they were great to deal with.
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Old 03-23-2011, 10:59 PM   #7
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Re: generator?

Baglo- my wiring won't connect in any way to the existing house wiring. It will be a small, separate system, therefore no worries about my generator feeding back into the grid.
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Old 03-23-2011, 11:04 PM   #8
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Re: generator?

I feel better now.

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Old 03-23-2011, 11:11 PM   #9
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Re: generator?

Bruce;
As I understand it you are going to run some circuits totally seperate from the house wiring, so you will not have any back feed onto the mains when the power comes back on.
That is totally safe and seperate from the utility system, basicly a parellell system.

My house here in Whitehorse is wired through a transfer switch that is according to code when there is a power failure (We had one for two hours yesterday) all I have to do is start the generator (6.5 KW) and throw the switch, it will run for seven hours on a tank of gas.

Your system is much safer for someone who is not electricaly inclined.

You will have to do one thing that is contrary to code, and your local electrician is not allowed to do it for you here in Canada. You will have to open the circuit going to your furnace as it is wired directly in. On the feed side install an outlet box on the wall or on the side of your furnace. On the wiring from your furnace install a plug in.
Plug it in to the outlet and your furnace will run on the mains. When the power fails and you start your generator pull the plug and plug it into your "Ghost" wiring.

The remainder, your fridge and freezer, ac unit or micro wave can then be just plugged into your parrellel system.

One problem may arise when your furnace man comes to work on your furnace, he may not like the fact you have cut the circuit to your furnace and report you or just ignore it.

Or you can do the modification away from the furnace so it is not visible.

You might try Costco for a generator, they have good pricing.

A Square "D" manual transfer switch at "Home Depot" is worth about $180.00.

Simple to install.

Doug
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Old 03-23-2011, 11:27 PM   #10
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Re: generator?

I just had a relapse.

I presume you carry home owner's insurance.

I presume you would like them to pay you in the event that your house burns down or you electrocute somebody.

Don't count on it if you don't follow code and acquire permits.

You might as well cancel your insurance and save the payments.

And, maybe I worry too much, but an investigator would now have this thread on this site for evidence.

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Old 03-24-2011, 10:18 AM   #11
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Re: generator?

Bruce, I understand that you understand the implications, but others may not, so I post this:

You don't want to run a generator in a garage for more than a few minutes unless you have a properly designed ventilation system. During a power failure, you are going to run the generator for hours. The buildup of carbon monoxide in the garage would be a very serious health and safety concern. Better to have a little shelter on the side of your house for the generator, with some device to prevent theft. Thieves love power failures.
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Old 03-24-2011, 06:56 PM   #12
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Re: generator?

Yukon- My furnace is just plugged in to a regular outlet. All I'll have to do is go to the basement, unplug and replug to the secondary system. Ronstew- My generator will be chained on my back stoop at the garage's back door, under a big eave. Hopefully all bases covered
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Old 03-24-2011, 09:52 PM   #13
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Re: generator?

Bruce, don't light up a smoke when fillin' the gen set, m'kay?
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Old 03-24-2011, 09:58 PM   #14
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Re: generator?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
Bruce, don't light up a smoke when fillin' the gen set, m'kay?
and don't run with scissors while going to plug in the furnace..
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Old 03-24-2011, 10:29 PM   #15
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Re: generator?

I got it

But, I used to have a wood-burning stove in the living-room, until the insurance company asked about it. They wanted to see the permit etc. I have no idea how it came to their attention.
So, I went to the city and got the requirements and the permit and did some measurements and then I ripped out the stove, sealed the hole in the roof where the chimney had been and dry-walled.

I bought an oil-filled electric heater and no longer spend hours outside, freezing while I cut up scrap 2X4s for firewood ( with an electric table saw ). I put the power into the heater instead of the saw.

What I learned from that experience is that you better read the fine print in your insurance policy. You might have to notify your insurance company if you replace the shag carpet in your living-room with something tasteful. And, you don't want to find out afterwords.

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Old 03-25-2011, 12:13 AM   #16
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Re: generator?

Hi: All...On or off the topic, liability insurance companys...don't want to take any liability!!! Never let them know by survey or in a phone conversation that your house is wired with aluminium. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 03-25-2011, 12:32 PM   #17
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Re: generator?

Al
My insurance company found out that I have aluminium 220 volt wiring.
Every 5 years they do a customer survey.
(in their best interest) but they sell this survey as custmer service.
Well this was the start of a lot of problems?
In the end I had to pay for a Qualified Electrican with a copy of his seal number.
This will now happen every 5 years at a cost of 500.00
If you do any improvments to your house my moto is keep your mouth shut!
Or pay, Pay, Pay
I just keep all receipts for proof.
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Old 03-25-2011, 06:41 PM   #18
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Re: generator?

Personally, I'd love to have a propane fired generator....like one of the Yamaha models (gas, propane, natural gas) sized for the camper. But, I still think my limiting factor off grid is the water tank.
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Old 03-25-2011, 07:20 PM   #19
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Re: generator?

If off grid, I just carry another container or two of water, and could survive a quite a while. We used to keep a stick trailer parked out at our land that has no services, and just carried a couple large cans of water that would last us for 4 days, no problem.
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Old 03-25-2011, 09:06 PM   #20
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Re: generator?

Hi: All...The great escape for me is I don't like water!!! Now bee* is another matter. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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