On Mon, 21 May 2007 03:21:06 +0000, Larry wrote:

The numbers look different at 15,000 hours

That's *not* going to happen with a 3600 RPM air cooled diesel. I'll
be surprised if it makes 1500 hours at half load, even if you change
the oil every day.

On Mon, 21 May 2007 03:21:06 +0000, Larry wrote:

There's at LEAST 4000
hours on my Honda EU3000is gas genset on an air-cooled gas engine

That's different. The EU3000i uses a variable speed engine if my
memory is correct so it's not always running flat out at 3600.

On Sun, 20 May 2007 22:44:01 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sun, 20 May 2007 05:51:09 +0000, Larry wrote:

at $1500, approximately 1/4 the cost of the usual diesel
genset in this class, you can replace it 4 times to the break-even point,
spreading out your operating cost over many years, not at at the outset.

Here's my take on the numbers.

Let's assume a 1500 hour life which may be optimistic. That means you
are paying $1 per hour for equipment amortization which is more than
20 cents per kwh even if all your fuel is free. Fuel at current
prices would add another 20 or 30 cents.

Generating your own electricity is not cost effective if you can buy
it for 10 cents per kwh.


Let's take another shot at this one.
$1500 for 6kW of electrical power for 1500 hours
AND
6kW PLUS of heating over 1500 hrs
represents a combined heat and power capital cost of
8.3 cents per kWhr
Hence:
Generating your own power and heat can be cost-effective
if you buy power for 10cents/kW.hr

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

On Mon, 21 May 2007 06:44:30 -0500, Brian Whatcott
wrote:

Let's take another shot at this one.
$1500 for 6kW of electrical power for 1500 hours
AND
6kW PLUS of heating over 1500 hrs
represents a combined heat and power capital cost of
8.3 cents per kWhr
Hence:
Generating your own power and heat can be cost-effective
if you buy power for 10cents/kW.hr

That assumes you always run at full power and can take advantage of
the heat, and further assumes zero fuel and maintenance costs.

I rest my case.

* Brian Whatcott wrote, On 5/21/2007 7:44 AM:
On Sun, 20 May 2007 22:44:01 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sun, 20 May 2007 05:51:09 +0000, Larry wrote:

at $1500, approximately 1/4 the cost of the usual diesel
genset in this class, you can replace it 4 times to the break-even point,
spreading out your operating cost over many years, not at at the outset.
Here's my take on the numbers.

Let's assume a 1500 hour life which may be optimistic. That means you
are paying $1 per hour for equipment amortization which is more than
20 cents per kwh even if all your fuel is free. Fuel at current
prices would add another 20 or 30 cents.

Generating your own electricity is not cost effective if you can buy
it for 10 cents per kwh.


Let's take another shot at this one.
$1500 for 6kW of electrical power for 1500 hours
AND
6kW PLUS of heating over 1500 hrs
represents a combined heat and power capital cost of
8.3 cents per kWhr
Hence:
Generating your own power and heat can be cost-effective
if you buy power for 10cents/kW.hr

Brian Whatcott Altus OK


If you can get electricity at $0.10/kWh, send some to me. I'll pay
you $0.12! (Our current cost is $0.186.)

There are some obvious problems with this type of analysis - mainly,
the genset is probably happy to deliver at one rate, but the typical
user's rate will vary considerably. And how does the heat factor in?
How much heat can a genset gen? Or are you thinking of reverse
cycle A/C?

On Mon, 21 May 2007 06:44:30 -0500, Brian Whatcott
wrote:

On Sun, 20 May 2007 22:44:01 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sun, 20 May 2007 05:51:09 +0000, Larry wrote:

at $1500, approximately 1/4 the cost of the usual diesel
genset in this class, you can replace it 4 times to the break-even point,
spreading out your operating cost over many years, not at at the outset.

Here's my take on the numbers.

Let's assume a 1500 hour life which may be optimistic. That means you
are paying $1 per hour for equipment amortization which is more than
20 cents per kwh even if all your fuel is free. Fuel at current
prices would add another 20 or 30 cents.

Generating your own electricity is not cost effective if you can buy
it for 10 cents per kwh.


Let's take another shot at this one.
$1500 for 6kW of electrical power for 1500 hours
AND
6kW PLUS of heating over 1500 hrs
represents a combined heat and power capital cost of
8.3 cents per kWhr
Hence:
Generating your own power and heat can be cost-effective
if you buy power for 10cents/kW.hr

Brian Whatcott Altus OK


Then browsing the flyers, I saw a gasoline generator from Northern
Tool or Harbor Freight rated 5.8kW for $999 powered by a Subaru
Robin.... this might be an econimic possibility too.....

Brian Whatcott Altus OK