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Post by avordvet on Nov 30, 2010 12:27:31 GMT -5
Getting down to some "nice to have" items for prepping, now I'm looking for a good dependable generator for emergency use or in the event of a long term "disruption", just keeping stuff frozen until I can get it canned or used.
Been looking at a unit that will power up a couple of freezers at the same time, from what I understand someone would need to run the Fridge/Freezer for an hour every 12 hours to keep the contents frozen.
Most of the info I have found says to get a 3000 watt peak for running two freezers and I've been looking around at options.
I'm sure some here have already been digging around through the info... so what advice do you have?
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Post by brocktownsend on Nov 30, 2010 15:13:55 GMT -5
I know the one I have at Dixieland is larger than the one I have here since I wanted it to be able to run one of the three zones of heating/AC, but I have a Troy 5500 here which was recommended by my electrician. He hot wires his right into the fuse box, but I would simply run a few extensions cords to power the minimum.
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Post by avordvet on Dec 1, 2010 5:43:38 GMT -5
I know the one I have at Dixieland is larger than the one I have here since I wanted it to be able to run one of the three zones of heating/AC, but I have a Troy 5500 here which was recommended by my electrician. He hot wires his right into the fuse box, but I would simply run a few extensions cords to power the minimum. Yeah, I was looking at the large units, but I also want to easily take it elsewhere, should the need arise. I've wired in some of the larger auto-switching back up generators, I like 'em but not the expense.
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Post by brocktownsend on Dec 1, 2010 12:59:25 GMT -5
I know the one I have at Dixieland is larger than the one I have here since I wanted it to be able to run one of the three zones of heating/AC, but I have a Troy 5500 here which was recommended by my electrician. He hot wires his right into the fuse box, but I would simply run a few extensions cords to power the minimum. Yeah, I was looking at the large units, but I also want to easily take it elsewhere, should the need arise. I've wired in some of the larger auto-switching back up generators, I like 'em but not the expense. Two people can carry my larger one, but the smaller one has wheels and electrical sockets which my old one doesn't.
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Post by midnightrider on Dec 1, 2010 13:31:15 GMT -5
I just purchased a Winco diesel 5500. I expect it will take care of the whole house as we don't have central air or high amp draw appliances. I generally just used a dead man cord (carefully).
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Post by avordvet on Dec 1, 2010 15:25:59 GMT -5
I just purchased a Winco diesel 5500. I expect it will take care of the whole house as we don't have central air or high amp draw appliances. I generally just used a dead man cord (carefully). Talked to a friend this morning about the diesel generators, he didn't like 'em, said the engine had hard "warmups" in cold weather, same as diesel trucks. I ended up ordering a Powerhorse generator with 4000 peak watts and rated for 3100 watts, one thing I liked about it, is that it has eight 20amp 120v and one 30amp 220v outlets. Also 12vdc outlet and built in meter to track the load. Most of the other units in and above that range only had one or two 120v outlets. So now should SHTF and the country descend into complete economic collapse and civil war, I can still run the hot tub, sauna AND the smoothie blender at the same time... who's using the old noodle now?!
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Post by brocktownsend on Dec 1, 2010 15:58:45 GMT -5
So now should SHTF and the country descend into complete economic collapse and civil war, I can still run the hot tub, sauna AND the smoothie blender at the same time
Have you stored gas?
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Post by avordvet on Dec 1, 2010 16:06:12 GMT -5
So now should SHTF and the country descend into complete economic collapse and civil war, I can still run the hot tub, sauna AND the smoothie blender at the same time Have you stored gas? Oh, yeah... Last year we had a MAJOR shortage around the Atlanta region, as soon as a fuel station was resupplied, it was emptied in an hour. we struggled for weeks to locate fuel and get some before it ran out. I started to make sure that wouldn't happen again, I'll have to crunch the numbers and see how long I could keep it going. I could really use one of the old FARP fuel bladders... got any handy?
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Post by avordvet on Dec 1, 2010 16:09:21 GMT -5
And that is a very good question for all to consider: Gasoline Diesel Kerosene Lamp Oil Motor Oil Bar and Chain Oil Two Cycle Oil Are you going to have enough to keep you going for a little while, until things stabilize.
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Post by brocktownsend on Dec 1, 2010 16:20:38 GMT -5
I remember when they used to have gas wars in Virginia Beach and it actually paid for people to buy huge, in-ground containers to store gas. Probably illegal now. I'd rather have a hand pumped well than a generator if I had to choose only one.
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Post by midnightrider on Dec 1, 2010 19:50:00 GMT -5
And that is a very good question for all to consider: Gasoline Diesel Kerosene Lamp Oil Motor Oil Bar and Chain Oil Two Cycle Oil Are you going to have enough to keep you going for a little while, until things stabilize. 100 gas and 100 diesel.
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Post by jimbravo on Dec 2, 2010 0:13:01 GMT -5
White gas is another good one to have on hand.
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Post by the1badger on Dec 2, 2010 15:08:52 GMT -5
I remember when they used to have gas wars in Virginia Beach and it actually paid for people to buy huge, in-ground containers to store gas. Probably illegal now. I'd rather have a hand pumped well than a generator if I had to choose only one. What tank? ;D
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Post by avordvet on Dec 2, 2010 16:00:47 GMT -5
I remember when they used to have gas wars in Virginia Beach and it actually paid for people to buy huge, in-ground containers to store gas. Probably illegal now. I'd rather have a hand pumped well than a generator if I had to choose only one. I haven't found any negative info on storing a quantity of fuel as long as it is done safely, now if you bury a tank then you may have a problem with the EPA as you can't see seepage and the tank may be "forgotten" and deteriorate.
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Post by philt on Dec 2, 2010 21:40:59 GMT -5
If I'm prepping with a storage tank for gas, and decide to bury it, I don't give a rats ass about the EPA.
Another thing to consider for portable power is an inverter in your BOV. If for some reason you can't grab the generator when bugging out, you still have AC power for power tools. Maybe even a small fridge at the camp to keep some perishables, courtesy of your Motor vehicle.
Not only do you need to store gas but oil. All kinds. Motor oil, bar and chain oil, 2 cycle oil. Synthetic oil costs more but can last virtually forever if drained and filtered through baby diapers. And on the subject of filters, oil filters, gas filters. Especially if you are going to be using blends or old gas, or ethanol.
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Post by avordvet on Dec 3, 2010 5:58:46 GMT -5
If I'm prepping with a storage tank for gas, and decide to bury it, I don't give a rats ass about the EPA. Another thing to consider for portable power is an inverter in your BOV. If for some reason you can't grab the generator when bugging out, you still have AC power for power tools. Maybe even a small fridge at the camp to keep some perishables, courtesy of your Motor vehicle. Not only do you need to store gas but oil. All kinds. Motor oil, bar and chain oil, 2 cycle oil. Synthetic oil costs more but can last virtually forever if drained and filtered through baby diapers. And on the subject of filters, oil filters, gas filters. Especially if you are going to be using blends or old gas, or ethanol. Good catch,. always something getting by.. filters... old style conical coffee filters work great for most filtering jobs.
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Post by avordvet on Dec 3, 2010 6:20:25 GMT -5
While looking at the generators, and after Brocks comment on fuel, I started looking at other options and I came across some stuff on building Solar Power units. so I did a little research... 1 Solar panel 60-70 watt range = couple of hundred bucks each 1 Charge manager = 25-80 bucks 1 Inverter 1500-2000 watt range = 80-125 bucks 1 (or more) Deep cycle Battery = 100 bucks each ...and presto a solar powered back up system, I'll be building a base unit up in a month or so. Not a ton of power, but enough to power most communications, appliances and tools. You can also tie in wind generators and other forms of power supplying options to the charge manager. All the components are off the shelf at places such as Northern Tool. Here's the website that got me started... www.shtfblog.com/how-to-build-a-solar-energy-generator-for-emergency-backup-power/I also hit up youtube, there are some great vids on setting up solar back up units.
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Post by dirtfarmer on Dec 3, 2010 7:43:56 GMT -5
OK check www.planetgreensolutions.com I watched a demo on Tues. Very impressive because it WORKS. Overpriced but........ I bet his product liability insurance is huge. I'm working on building one myself and think it could be done for 1/2 or less.
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Post by avordvet on Dec 3, 2010 15:17:24 GMT -5
OK check www.planetgreensolutions.com I watched a demo on Tues. Very impressive because it WORKS. Overpriced but........ I bet his product liability insurance is huge. I'm working on building one myself and think it could be done for 1/2 or less. Shouldn't be too hard, I watched a show the other day where a guy made a gasification unit, put it in the back of his pickup to run his engine on burned biomass.... sweet. The website you posted uses the same technology, there are numerous types and sizes. Have you found any good "how to" sites?
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