On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:58:20 -0500, wrote:

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:05:58 -0500, GuzzisRule
wrote:

If we need it at home, I'll put it in the outside basement stairwell. It'll be 8' below ground
level, outside, well-ventilated, and easy to keep out of the rain.

That is not well ventilated. You will get CO in around the door. The
noise will be focused towards the house.

Well, I can always just put it on the patio with sandbags around it. That's the Army way.

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:10:48 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 1:41 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:19:29 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 1:05 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:54:55 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 11:36 AM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 10:47:39 -0500, BAR wrote:

In article ,
says...

I just ordered this thing, on sale for $279.99. Anyone ever used or had one?

http://tinyurl.com/cz9eobb

This will be used primarily for camping trips and, if necessary, emergencies.

How quite is it while in operation?

Supposedly, 70dB. A few of the reviews commented on how quiet it was. I'm sure it's much louder than
the Honda of the same size, but I didn't want to spend over $2000 for a 3KW Honda!


No, like I said I think 70 isn't bad. Our home gen I think is in the low
80's but it runs the whole house. We keep in under the roof outside and
it's not too bad inside. During storms we can run 24/7 and nobody can
hear it... then again, we are on wooded half acre lots here.

If we need it at home, I'll put it in the outside basement stairwell. It'll be 8' below ground
level, outside, well-ventilated, and easy to keep out of the rain.


Might be a pain in the ass to work with there.. Quite frankly, in a
power outage or storm, at 70 db I wouldn't be too worried about where I
ran it. You might hear it in a room adjoining the part of the yard it's
in, but one room over you probably won't hear it at all. Doubt if your
neighbors will either, unless your houses are real close.

Not much of a hassle. Just for gas every few hours.


Is it a step down bulkhead? Could CO2 be an issue in the basement?

Yeah, I guess that wasn't a great idea either. Like I said, maybe I'll just put it on the patio with
sandbags around it.

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:16:09 -0500, ESAD wrote:

On 12/23/12 1:05 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:54:55 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 11:36 AM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 10:47:39 -0500, BAR wrote:

In article ,
says...

I just ordered this thing, on sale for $279.99. Anyone ever used or had one?

http://tinyurl.com/cz9eobb

This will be used primarily for camping trips and, if necessary, emergencies.

How quite is it while in operation?

Supposedly, 70dB. A few of the reviews commented on how quiet it was. I'm sure it's much louder than
the Honda of the same size, but I didn't want to spend over $2000 for a 3KW Honda!


No, like I said I think 70 isn't bad. Our home gen I think is in the low
80's but it runs the whole house. We keep in under the roof outside and
it's not too bad inside. During storms we can run 24/7 and nobody can
hear it... then again, we are on wooded half acre lots here.

If we need it at home, I'll put it in the outside basement stairwell. It'll be 8' below ground
level, outside, well-ventilated, and easy to keep out of the rain.


I know this won't concern you,

Well, ESAD, then why post it, unless you simply need attention.

but the code requires a permanently
installed generator to be kept a certain number of feet from any house
openings, I forget whether it was 5' or 8', because of the danger from
exhaust gasses. Ours is 10' away from the house because it also has to
be kept a certain distance away from heat pumps, AC units, et cetera.
But heck, it's only you...run it adjacent to an open window, eh?

On 12/23/2012 2:03 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:07:17 -0500, GuzzisRule
wrote:

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:44:16 -0500, JustWait wrote:


I buy the long term protection on everything I buy at harbor freight. I
have one literally 750 yards from my house so they are convenient.

For this generator, two year's worth of insurance is $79, which doesn't seem too bad.

I would read that contract very closely. I bet they have an out if it
simply wears out. Otherwise contractors would be burning up a couple a
year and getting them replaced.
A prairie builder usually won't get a year out of a very good
generator but they may put 1500-2000 hours on one by then.


That's exactly what I do at HF.. I buy stuff, and I use it. They know me
and know when I go out the door, I will be back if the tool won't do
what is is guaranteed to do. Never any questions, never any hassles.

On 12/23/2012 2:47 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:10:48 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 1:41 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:19:29 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 1:05 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:54:55 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 11:36 AM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 10:47:39 -0500, BAR wrote:

In article ,
says...

I just ordered this thing, on sale for $279.99. Anyone ever used or had one?

http://tinyurl.com/cz9eobb

This will be used primarily for camping trips and, if necessary, emergencies.

How quite is it while in operation?

Supposedly, 70dB. A few of the reviews commented on how quiet it was. I'm sure it's much louder than
the Honda of the same size, but I didn't want to spend over $2000 for a 3KW Honda!


No, like I said I think 70 isn't bad. Our home gen I think is in the low
80's but it runs the whole house. We keep in under the roof outside and
it's not too bad inside. During storms we can run 24/7 and nobody can
hear it... then again, we are on wooded half acre lots here.

If we need it at home, I'll put it in the outside basement stairwell. It'll be 8' below ground
level, outside, well-ventilated, and easy to keep out of the rain.


Might be a pain in the ass to work with there.. Quite frankly, in a
power outage or storm, at 70 db I wouldn't be too worried about where I
ran it. You might hear it in a room adjoining the part of the yard it's
in, but one room over you probably won't hear it at all. Doubt if your
neighbors will either, unless your houses are real close.

Not much of a hassle. Just for gas every few hours.


Is it a step down bulkhead? Could CO2 be an issue in the basement?

Yeah, I guess that wasn't a great idea either. Like I said, maybe I'll just put it on the patio with
sandbags around it.


Yeah. Although you think it's gonna' be a breeze... when you haven't
have power for a week and you are keeping one or two rooms warm, eating
off hot plates, sleeping in piles of dogs and such. It's nice to have
very easy access when you go outside to change oil in the thing, or even
pour in gas and such... I really think most of the early failures are
from folks who did not think it was important to change the oil as often
as the manual states. I changed ours twice during the last big outage,
and change it pretty much every time I have to pull it out and power the
home. I mean, I don't pull it out till I know it's gonna' be a longer
event, but my small contractor is almost 15 years old...

On Sunday, December 23, 2012 2:58:20 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:05:58 -0500, GuzzisRule

wrote:



If we need it at home, I'll put it in the outside basement stairwell. It'll be 8' below ground

level, outside, well-ventilated, and easy to keep out of the rain.



That is not well ventilated. You will get CO in around the door. The

noise will be focused towards the house.

SNERK...that's like putting the generator in an echo chamber. It'll seem to amplify the sound.

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:00:54 -0500, GuzzisRule
wrote:

I'm thinking of new batteries for the truck before much longer. Any reason you particularly like the
Diehard you referenced? They're expensive as hell, and made by the same company that makes WalMart,
Costco, and other batteries.

===

The reason why the 31M Diehard Platinums are so expensive is because
they are AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) technology. It's the latest and
greatest for long term durability in heavy duty, deep cycle usage.
Unless you deep cycle your truck battery, probably not worth the
expense. For inverter batts however, yes. The Diehards come with a
very good warranty of course, and are spill proof. They are also
available on sale from time to time which makes them a bit more
reasonable.

I just replaced an 8D diesel engine starting battery (155 lbs, $325)
with a pair of the AGM 31Ms in parallel (75 lbs each). The 31Ms are
much easier for my wife to lift over the engine. :-) I've been
averaging about 2 years of life out of the 8Ds so the AGMs will
eventually pay for themselves if I can get an extra year or two out of
them.

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:55:50 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 2:47 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:10:48 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 1:41 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:19:29 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 1:05 PM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:54:55 -0500, JustWait wrote:

On 12/23/2012 11:36 AM, GuzzisRule wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 10:47:39 -0500, BAR wrote:

In article ,
says...

I just ordered this thing, on sale for $279.99. Anyone ever used or had one?

http://tinyurl.com/cz9eobb

This will be used primarily for camping trips and, if necessary, emergencies.

How quite is it while in operation?

Supposedly, 70dB. A few of the reviews commented on how quiet it was. I'm sure it's much louder than
the Honda of the same size, but I didn't want to spend over $2000 for a 3KW Honda!


No, like I said I think 70 isn't bad. Our home gen I think is in the low
80's but it runs the whole house. We keep in under the roof outside and
it's not too bad inside. During storms we can run 24/7 and nobody can
hear it... then again, we are on wooded half acre lots here.

If we need it at home, I'll put it in the outside basement stairwell. It'll be 8' below ground
level, outside, well-ventilated, and easy to keep out of the rain.


Might be a pain in the ass to work with there.. Quite frankly, in a
power outage or storm, at 70 db I wouldn't be too worried about where I
ran it. You might hear it in a room adjoining the part of the yard it's
in, but one room over you probably won't hear it at all. Doubt if your
neighbors will either, unless your houses are real close.

Not much of a hassle. Just for gas every few hours.


Is it a step down bulkhead? Could CO2 be an issue in the basement?

Yeah, I guess that wasn't a great idea either. Like I said, maybe I'll just put it on the patio with
sandbags around it.


Yeah. Although you think it's gonna' be a breeze... when you haven't
have power for a week and you are keeping one or two rooms warm, eating
off hot plates, sleeping in piles of dogs and such. It's nice to have
very easy access when you go outside to change oil in the thing, or even
pour in gas and such... I really think most of the early failures are
from folks who did not think it was important to change the oil as often
as the manual states. I changed ours twice during the last big outage,
and change it pretty much every time I have to pull it out and power the
home. I mean, I don't pull it out till I know it's gonna' be a longer
event, but my small contractor is almost 15 years old...

I'm pretty good about following the maintenance instructions. Lack of electricity won't affect the
BBQ or smoker. Those are the important things!

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:28:30 -0500, Wayne.B wrote:

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:00:54 -0500, GuzzisRule
wrote:

I'm thinking of new batteries for the truck before much longer. Any reason you particularly like the
Diehard you referenced? They're expensive as hell, and made by the same company that makes WalMart,
Costco, and other batteries.

===

The reason why the 31M Diehard Platinums are so expensive is because
they are AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) technology. It's the latest and
greatest for long term durability in heavy duty, deep cycle usage.
Unless you deep cycle your truck battery, probably not worth the
expense. For inverter batts however, yes. The Diehards come with a
very good warranty of course, and are spill proof. They are also
available on sale from time to time which makes them a bit more
reasonable.

I just replaced an 8D diesel engine starting battery (155 lbs, $325)
with a pair of the AGM 31Ms in parallel (75 lbs each). The 31Ms are
much easier for my wife to lift over the engine. :-) I've been
averaging about 2 years of life out of the 8Ds so the AGMs will
eventually pay for themselves if I can get an extra year or two out of
them.

I don't deep cycle them, at least not on purpose! But I'll keep the advice in mind.

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:09:12 -0500, wrote:

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:49:43 -0500, JustWait
wrote:

On 12/23/2012 2:03 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 13:07:17 -0500, GuzzisRule
wrote:

On Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:44:16 -0500, JustWait wrote:


I buy the long term protection on everything I buy at harbor freight. I
have one literally 750 yards from my house so they are convenient.

For this generator, two year's worth of insurance is $79, which doesn't seem too bad.

I would read that contract very closely. I bet they have an out if it
simply wears out. Otherwise contractors would be burning up a couple a
year and getting them replaced.
A prairie builder usually won't get a year out of a very good
generator but they may put 1500-2000 hours on one by then.


That's exactly what I do at HF.. I buy stuff, and I use it. They know me
and know when I go out the door, I will be back if the tool won't do
what is is guaranteed to do. Never any questions, never any hassles.


My experience at Harbor fright is if you buy their top of the line
tool, it is OK for casual homeowner use but their economy stuff is
only worth the melt weight of the steel.

It's a great place to buy stocking-stuffer stuff for the daughters and sons-in-law!