Inexpensive Generator for Power Backup (or Camping?)

[ChicagoGranny]

$119 sale price

http://www.harborfreight.com/engines-ge ... 60338.html

What do you think? (This is not a Honda.)

[palerider]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYQqI01gBe0

I think that's the same generator, or similar. (later in the video)

[Papit]

What do you think? (This is not a Honda.)

Here's some earlier discussion, ChicagoGranny. OkyDoky seems happy with her choice.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=105261&p=995361&hil ... up#p995361

[ChicagoGranny]

Here's some earlier discussion, ChicagoGranny. OkyDoky seems happy with her choice.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=105261&p=995361&hilit=power+backup#p995361

WT?? That thread is nothing but batteries.

[Krelvin]

What do you think? (This is not a Honda.)

Here's some earlier discussion, ChicagoGranny. OkyDoky seems happy with her choice.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=105261&p=995361&hil ... up#p995361

funny but that isn't about generators...

ChicagoGranny, The unit you are pointing at is quite noisy and doesn't hold up well for long runs. If you are planning on powering more than your CPAP, the one you are pointing at might be a bit under powered as well. Honda units are more expensive but a lot less noisy, typically around 50dB

I use a much larger unit to power the house fridge, freezer and a circuit in my office (which used to have a computer rack in it), to power my CPAP when we have an outage during the summer. But is is a much lager unit, and in an outside cabinet which keeps it quiet. It can run for weeks at a time without any issues. 8500W with 9000 Starting watts....Fridge and freezer pull more than 1200 watts on start up. So 800w is way too small.

[Papit]

Yes, I know. It's another approach for consideration that offers backup electrical power and is useful for a day or two of camping. It's worth a look because price is often lower and it's a whole lot quieter both for you and the neighbors. If you want to power a refrigerator and a number of other house appliances at the same time, that's a different story. But for my xpap and a minor added electrical device, I'd be looking at 2-day battery backup rather than a power generator. Depends on what the power backup need is for.

[ChicagoGranny]

Thanks for the comments Krelvin.

The unit you are pointing at is quite noisy and doesn't hold up well for long runs

Gramps and I talked about this. It's for emergency power failure only and would run two CPAPs and a lamp and charge smartphones.

We would set it up on a first floor patio after the power failed. Then we would drop a heavy duty extension cord out of one of the second floor bedroom windows.

From that distance, I don't think the noise would be a problem. Anyway, both of us can sleep through a steady noise.

(We are beyond ages where we enjoyed camping. )

[Krelvin]

That would easily be enough wattage... you don't sleep 24 hours a day, so the generator could be off during off sleep times. With enough fuel, oil and proper maintenance, it should be fine.

[ChicagoGranny]

Gramps says we should run it for 30 minutes every month. I don't like that idea plus we have to keep mixed gasoline in the garage for the emergencies.

There is a Harbor Freight just a few miles from me in Bricktown Square. I might go over to see the generator and talk to the people.

[Krelvin]

That is what the fuel saver is for (actually it is called a stabilizer or conditioner), I only test once every 6 months unless of course I've already used it. Could easily go a year. The stabilizer keeps the fuel from mucking up for long storage. The tank is actually better protected full with the stabilizer than empty. My extra fuel is outside in a enclosure also with stabilizer in it, not in the house or garage.

BTW I am about to get a battery option for when I need that, not the whole house. Couple months ago, we had a 7hour outage during the winter where turning on the generator didn't make much sense. The generator (mine) is way over kill just for the CPAP....

The battery option is about $150 option but it is a 35 Amp-Hour system and much more durable than some of the stand alone battery systems. Safe to use in the house and use.

I have a page on it:
https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/batter ... collection

[Papit]

Here's an example, ChicagoGranny, of a cpap battery backup that could supply the needed power for up to two days, power a table lamp (there are two 120 volt electrical outlets), and a USB port to charge your cell phones. A cpap user discusses the pros and cons in a video he made. You could probably price various choices at Amazon.com. No gasoline to smell and no noise to bother the neighbors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z11arnAhw7M

[Goofproof]

I bought a 800 watt unit, 2 years ago, in a weak moment. Filled it with oil set it in the bedroom, never used it probably never will. Too small to be practical. Good thing it's a 4 cycle engine, no oil to mix. Too much effort to keep fresh gas around, and the fire safety problem. To set unused,the gas needs to be run out and oil put into the engine for storage. For young fit people generators work, us old weak fogies, not so much. For us battery systems are more friendly, if mine goes out I'll sleep setting up or evacuate to a powered area. To be worth the trouble 5,000 watts can keep the heat on, and food safe, maybe not all at once. Jim

[Sleep2Die4]

Gramps says we should run it for 30 minutes every month.

Yes, you need to do that to keep the parts lubricated. The seals tend to dry out and crack after a few years if you don't do this.

If you are going to sit it out on the patio when you need it, no need to worry about the gas fumes. It's a small unit, won't produce much exhaust and it's not going to get into your second floor bedroom.

I may look into the battery thing. It's a lot easier - less to mess with.

[Sleeprider]

I'm not a fan of a Harbor Freight (Chinese) 2-stroke powered generator as a long-term backup solution. It wouldn't take a lot of additional money to get into a cleaner, more reliable 4 stroke option. Take a look on Amazon, where for $240 to $284 you can find a unit that gets 14 hours on a gallon of regular gasoline, that is 58 dB noise level and CARB approved (clean) Link to Review.

If you decide to go with the 2-stroke, I would simply store it without any gasoline in it until needed, and keep a 5 gallon can of unmixed fuel available that you can use for the mower, or cycle through the car to keep it fresh. Then mix batches of oil/gas as needed. Great idea to have standby power, but I would get a better, cleaner, quieter and more reliable unit than you will find at HF.

[ChicagoGranny]

I may look into the battery thing. It's a lot easier - less to mess with.

Yes, Gramps said that cheap generator is reliable and would do the job, but he does not want to mess with it. He said to think about going out on the patio in the dark to set it up in a snow or ice storm or a heavy thunderstorm.

The battery option is about $150 option but it is a 35 Amp-Hour system and much more durable than some of the stand alone battery systems. Safe to use in the house and use.

I have a page on it:
https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/batter ... collection

Thanks Krelvin, I will get around to reading that and probably buy that battery. It's good to have a recommendation from a person who thinks things through and has experience.