Guest wrote:CapnLoki wrote:Also, in spite of guest's frequent comments, owning a genset does not obligate you to run it all night long.
You are gonna have to show me where that was said...I think you are known to your friends as "quite the fabricator" <smile>.
I know you have trouble taking responsibility for what you say, but someone named "guest" wrote:
"It may be just my opinion but I think that battery power it the way to go if you need to power something after dark "
and
"Imagine trying to sleep while your neighbor(s) run one (many) of those all nite to keep the fridge cold?"
Guest wrote:I also doubt that this genset will have enuff to supply you + neighbors.
Again you're implying there's no value to a small genset because it won't power enough. If all a genset does is recharge a number of batteries it may earn its keep. The particular problem where I live is that most heating systems require circulating pumps; my small genset could probably power the pumps for several houses. In other areas it might be needed just for running water, or pumping out a basement. For people with these needs even a few minutes of genset time would be a God send.
Guest wrote:Sure they are nice to have but bring in a new set of problems & concerns. Don't overplay it then down play the work required to use one (and the danger).
A genset is certainly not for everyone - if keeping a lawn mower or snow blower running is too much, then a genset probably will be also. As for the risk, if you leave it outside and not next to an open window, its pretty safe. There are only a small number of accidents each year (compared to the number in use) and almost all fatalities are from using one indoors. Though tragic, these are avoidable deaths, especially since generators have labels that read "Using a generator indoors can KILL YOU IN MINUTES." I'm surprised that you are so concerned about this risk, but poo poo'd my issue of making sure that batteries are protected with a battery box, given that there are several thousand injuries a year from exploding car batteries. Most are from charging, but a quarter were simply from adjusting cables. For the record, there is very little risk when using a sealed AGM battery if its in a box so the terminal can't get shorted, and the charger is high quality so it won't overcharge. For long term maintenance, a low output trickle charger is best.
Remember, I started on this genset thing by pointing out that for the purpose of making sure you could recharge a large batterry use for a CPAP, a genset might be a better value than a solar panel. I still stand by that.