Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Now that sounds like a great plan - I'm going to do just that, thanks! On Tue, May 12, 2015 at 9:38 AM, Mitch Haley via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com wrote: Sometimes it pay to search Craigslist every week for generator subaru|robin|honda|onan|wisconsin|kohler and be prepared to grab the bargains that pop up once or twice a year. Mitch. -- OK Don NSA: The only branch of government that actually listens to US citizens! *“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”* – Mark Twain There are three kinds of men: The ones that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. WILL ROGERS, *The Manly Wisdom of Will Rogers* 2013 F150, 18 mpg 2012 Passat TDI DSG, 44 mpg 1957 C182A, 12 mpg - but at 150 mph! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
We've got one of the Champion brand generators. I was thinking at first it was a 3k unit but it might be a 5k. We use it at camp to power tools and such. Its run the circular saw a lot, pumped water charged tractor batteries, run the vacuum cleaner etc. Its really oversized for what we need but its worked out really well. When we had an addition added to the came our contractor left his contractor grade generator in our garage and I used it a couple times. The only things I liked better about his were the electric start and wheels. It was much louder than ours which I dislike and considering we've never loaded ours to the point where it even kind of bogged down I could probably put an additional muffler on it for added sound reduction. I'd bet my dad didn't pay much for it and its served well. -Curt From: Mitch Haley via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Cc: Mitch Haley mi...@mitchellhaley.com Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 10:38 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall OK Don via Mercedes wrote: I did find these two generators on CL that look interesting - - http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/tls/5016446899.html for the dual fuel and smaller loads. http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/fod/4978584521.html for the larger loads. I suspect DuroMax is similar to the Champion/Predator etc stuff at Harbor Freight. Here's a DuroMax the size of the Northern Tool one you mentioned: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Duromax-10-000-Watt-16-HP-Gasoline-Powered-Electric-Start-Portable-Generator-with-Wheel-Kit-XP1E/203729623 That Northern Tool generator seems to say Vanguard on it, which is a BriggsStratton model name. The current version costs over $2k and has a Honda V-twin in it. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200467367_200467367 Do these look familiar? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Duromax-4-400-Watt-Hybrid-Dual-Fuel-Propane-Gas-Powered-Electric-Start-Portable-Generator-with-Wheel-Kit-XP4400EH/203729909 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Duromax-4-850-Watt-Dual-Fuel-Propane-Gas-Powered-Electric-Start-Portable-Generator-XP4850EH/205299872 Seriously, if I were in the market, I'd either buy used with Subaru or Honda power from a homeowner who only used it during power failures, or I'd get something like this, especially if I could find a 30% off coupon, the reviews are surprisingly good, including people who run vacation cabins and concession trailers and a couple of off grid residents: http://www.harborfreight.com/8750-peak7000-running-watts-13-hp-420cc-generator-epa-iii-69671.html Check out this Predator review, it appears those Chinese engines are fairly solid these days: http://www.harborfreight.com/4000-peak3200-running-watts-65-hp-212cc-generator-epa-iii-69729.html This is my main power source for my house in the winter because i live off grid and there is not enough sun for my solar! I have had this generator running about 8 hours everyday for the last 3 months for a total of around 720+ hours! I am writing this review with my generator powering my internet and laptop and lights and fridge at this moment! This generator has not failed me! Better then my Northstar/Briggs and stratton! oh and its quieter as well! BTW, I just bought yet another 5kw generator Saturday. This one is a contractor grade Subaru/Robin, about 12 years old. Bought it from original owner, just a homeowner using it for backup power, so it hasn't seen much use for a commercial style generator. Has a nice brushless generator head. I suspect the $250 I paid him was about 10% of what he paid. Sometimes it pay to search Craigslist every week for generator subaru|robin|honda|onan|wisconsin|kohler and be prepared to grab the bargains that pop up once or twice a year. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
'Even have an MD-3, don'tcha, Jim? I powered B-47E's on the ground with 'em and saw many of 'em powering B-52's on the ground. I do. The intent was to couple a motor to the end. Maybe someday! -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Adaptation is key, when we had the ice storm of '98 I was living with my parents, we went 69 hours without electricity. In that case we were completely without short of flashlights. They have a coal burning stove in the basement which provided all the heat for the house. My bedroom on the second floor was getting mighty cold so I slept in my -15F rated sleeping bag and was toasty warm. We cooked on the propane stovetop. In '08 Angie and I went through another ice storm here, that time we were only without power for 36 hours. Our wood stove kept the house warm, a one story house is much easier to keep warm. We cooked on the Coleman stove, and watched videos on my laptop powered by the lawn tractor battery and inverter. I have since bought a 1200w generator that will run the sump pump or refrigerator but I've never run it in anger it mostly sits... -Curt From: Curly McLain via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Cc: Curly McLain 126die...@gmail.com Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2015 6:35 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall Curly wrote: Once again the Cathey solution is good. I thought the Cathey solution I recall from pictures at the Cathey compound was a very large vintage military generator, Jim? Maybe that wasn't Cathey? Cathey is Spokane, correct? mao Jim is the VOICE of experience! He found out firsthand that generators suck a lot of go juice. Yes, he has a monster generator, and some others. The sensible thing to do when the power is out, is to adapt. We've been through lots of power outages up to maybe 12 hours. Hardly Katrina proportions. A wood stove (with wood), a 24 LP gas stove, and candles are all we've ever needed. If OKieDonn puts in the soft start for the heat pump, a 5500W generator should pul the load. A second could power the pump and other household necessities In a Katrina Situation, the most important thing is to keep the refrigerator going. A little extra juice for a couple lights is nice. Air cond to keep things from molding becomes a nice thing after 2 days or so, but is not needed to support life. I always looked on a power outage as an adventure and a chance to test out the situation. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
OK Don via Mercedes wrote: I did find these two generators on CL that look interesting - - http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/tls/5016446899.html for the dual fuel and smaller loads. http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/fod/4978584521.html for the larger loads. I suspect DuroMax is similar to the Champion/Predator etc stuff at Harbor Freight. Here's a DuroMax the size of the Northern Tool one you mentioned: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Duromax-10-000-Watt-16-HP-Gasoline-Powered-Electric-Start-Portable-Generator-with-Wheel-Kit-XP1E/203729623 That Northern Tool generator seems to say Vanguard on it, which is a BriggsStratton model name. The current version costs over $2k and has a Honda V-twin in it. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200467367_200467367 Do these look familiar? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Duromax-4-400-Watt-Hybrid-Dual-Fuel-Propane-Gas-Powered-Electric-Start-Portable-Generator-with-Wheel-Kit-XP4400EH/203729909 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Duromax-4-850-Watt-Dual-Fuel-Propane-Gas-Powered-Electric-Start-Portable-Generator-XP4850EH/205299872 Seriously, if I were in the market, I'd either buy used with Subaru or Honda power from a homeowner who only used it during power failures, or I'd get something like this, especially if I could find a 30% off coupon, the reviews are surprisingly good, including people who run vacation cabins and concession trailers and a couple of off grid residents: http://www.harborfreight.com/8750-peak7000-running-watts-13-hp-420cc-generator-epa-iii-69671.html Check out this Predator review, it appears those Chinese engines are fairly solid these days: http://www.harborfreight.com/4000-peak3200-running-watts-65-hp-212cc-generator-epa-iii-69729.html This is my main power source for my house in the winter because i live off grid and there is not enough sun for my solar! I have had this generator running about 8 hours everyday for the last 3 months for a total of around 720+ hours! I am writing this review with my generator powering my internet and laptop and lights and fridge at this moment! This generator has not failed me! Better then my Northstar/Briggs and stratton! oh and its quieter as well! BTW, I just bought yet another 5kw generator Saturday. This one is a contractor grade Subaru/Robin, about 12 years old. Bought it from original owner, just a homeowner using it for backup power, so it hasn't seen much use for a commercial style generator. Has a nice brushless generator head. I suspect the $250 I paid him was about 10% of what he paid. Sometimes it pay to search Craigslist every week for generator subaru|robin|honda|onan|wisconsin|kohler and be prepared to grab the bargains that pop up once or twice a year. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
To paraphrase the Bible, my house has _many_ generators! He was referring only to that most recent suggestion. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Curly wrote: Once again the Cathey solution is good. I thought the Cathey solution I recall from pictures at the Cathey compound was a very large vintage military generator, Jim? Maybe that wasn't Cathey? Cathey is Spokane, correct? mao ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Good to know, I have 2 LG units, will have to keep that in mind --R (sent from my miniPad) On May 11, 2015, at 8:00 AM, Mitch Haley via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com wrote: Rich Thomas via Mercedes wrote: I have a generator on wheels that the PO of our house left us, last time I used it was when my temp power panel was arcing and sparking and it took awhile to get the powerco here, but it fired right up after not using it a coupla years. (I know I should really tend to it...). It has 220V and 110V output and is like 6000W or so, so it can run a fridge and other stuff easy enough, maybe even one of my mini-split units now as they are not too much of a load. My Fujitsu inverter drive mini-split would easily run on just about any generator except the little 1000W things, but I never tried it. I read somewhere that the electronics (especially in the LG brand units) were quite sensitive to voltage spikes and ground issues, so I drove a dedicated ground rod right under the unit and never subjected it to homemade power, and always turned it off during storms, and I'd often cut the breaker to it when the lights started blinking during a storm. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
I did find these two generators on CL that look interesting - - http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/tls/5016446899.html for the dual fuel and smaller loads. http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/fod/4978584521.html for the larger loads. On Mon, May 11, 2015 at 7:10 AM, Mitch Haley via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com wrote: OK Don via Mercedes wrote: Ha! Oklahoma does not admit to the existence of solar power. The hangar roof ridge runs E-W, so I have a good 1000 ft2 to mount panels on. As is, the HVAC wants 83A on start, 15A running. I will need the Intellistart soft start thing to reduce that start-up current. Sounds like a scroll compressor about twice as big as mine. Mine is about 7A running, takes a 20A HACR breaker, and 47 LRA. I think I started it on the 3650W Homelite, but I can't be sure. The 5000W/10-11hp class generators all run it easily, the ones I've had were rated at 20-24A. I've got a hard start kit but not a soft start. The hard start drastically reduces spin-up time but doesn't change peak amps. Mitch -- OK Don NSA: The only branch of government that actually listens to US citizens! *“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”* – Mark Twain There are three kinds of men: The ones that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. WILL ROGERS, *The Manly Wisdom of Will Rogers* 2013 F150, 18 mpg 2012 Passat TDI DSG, 44 mpg 1957 C182A, 12 mpg - but at 150 mph! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Hard to argue with the cost/benefit ratio of the basic rope-pull 5-6kW genny. WAY better than no power at all, and will run most anything you need to. Can even heat up the hot water tank for a shower, if you turn off everything else. (About 4kW for most hot water heaters, IIRC.) -- Jim Once again the Cathey solution is good. the battery bank with a big solar array will make a good backup system. It will cost big $ but reduced load use from the powerco and tax breaks may make it more attractive. A crunched electric/hybrid car or forklift batteries may make for inexpensive battery power. You might build it as a separate system, so it won't / can't feed into the grid, but it will be expensive. one or two small gas engine portable generators of 5-6000 watts should power what you need. As you say, you can cook on a propane grill. Another option for heat is a outside wood furnace, but installed cost is $5-10k and it won't keep you cool. For my daughter's house in Katrina country, we looked at several options, but ended up with a generac 5500w portable and the little kohler 125v as a backup to the generac. She has a gas grill and good neighbors, so I am sure by working together they can get through anything. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Curly wrote: Once again the Cathey solution is good. I thought the Cathey solution I recall from pictures at the Cathey compound was a very large vintage military generator, Jim? Maybe that wasn't Cathey? Cathey is Spokane, correct? mao Jim is the VOICE of experience! He found out firsthand that generators suck a lot of go juice. Yes, he has a monster generator, and some others. The sensible thing to do when the power is out, is to adapt. We've been through lots of power outages up to maybe 12 hours. Hardly Katrina proportions. A wood stove (with wood), a 24 LP gas stove, and candles are all we've ever needed. If OKieDonn puts in the soft start for the heat pump, a 5500W generator should pul the load. A second could power the pump and other household necessities In a Katrina Situation, the most important thing is to keep the refrigerator going. A little extra juice for a couple lights is nice. Air cond to keep things from molding becomes a nice thing after 2 days or so, but is not needed to support life. I always looked on a power outage as an adventure and a chance to test out the situation. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
'Even have an MD-3, don'tcha, Jim? I powered B-47E's on the ground with 'em and saw many of 'em powering B-52's on the ground. Wilton - Original Message - From: Jim Cathey via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Cc: Jim Cathey jim.cathey...@gmail.com Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2015 5:54 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall To paraphrase the Bible, my house has _many_ generators! He was referring only to that most recent suggestion. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Rich Thomas via Mercedes wrote: I have a generator on wheels that the PO of our house left us, last time I used it was when my temp power panel was arcing and sparking and it took awhile to get the powerco here, but it fired right up after not using it a coupla years. (I know I should really tend to it...). It has 220V and 110V output and is like 6000W or so, so it can run a fridge and other stuff easy enough, maybe even one of my mini-split units now as they are not too much of a load. My Fujitsu inverter drive mini-split would easily run on just about any generator except the little 1000W things, but I never tried it. I read somewhere that the electronics (especially in the LG brand units) were quite sensitive to voltage spikes and ground issues, so I drove a dedicated ground rod right under the unit and never subjected it to homemade power, and always turned it off during storms, and I'd often cut the breaker to it when the lights started blinking during a storm. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
OK Don via Mercedes wrote: Ha! Oklahoma does not admit to the existence of solar power. The hangar roof ridge runs E-W, so I have a good 1000 ft2 to mount panels on. As is, the HVAC wants 83A on start, 15A running. I will need the Intellistart soft start thing to reduce that start-up current. Sounds like a scroll compressor about twice as big as mine. Mine is about 7A running, takes a 20A HACR breaker, and 47 LRA. I think I started it on the 3650W Homelite, but I can't be sure. The 5000W/10-11hp class generators all run it easily, the ones I've had were rated at 20-24A. I've got a hard start kit but not a soft start. The hard start drastically reduces spin-up time but doesn't change peak amps. Mitch ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Rich and Mitch - thanks for the input. While today is a no heating/cooling needed day, we get below 0 and over 100 here every year, plus the tornadoes and earthquakes. I do have a 500gal. propane tank that is only being used for the gas grill now, so propane is an option, but those 10 - 12 KW generators suck the liquid propane at a high rate, and propane is an EXPENSIVE fuel. I also keep 55 gals. of gasoline on hand for the airplane, as well as the gas in the plane and truck tanks, so I'm thinking gasoline is the better fuel source now, but being able to use either and demand would be even better. The well pump is submerged 300 ft. down a hole, a belt won't run it :-) I can do without the electric hot water, and use the gas grill for cooking, so the major loads are the 1/2 HP well and the geothermal heat pump. I need to get a soft-start kit installed on the heat pump, the initial starting load is pretty high. A generator runs regardless of the load while the grid is down. I'm thinking that the battery would run all the time, and the generator only as needed to charge the battery. I also have the roof of the 40X50ft. hangar to mount solar cells on. Maybe between solar, a generator, and a battery, I can lose the electric company all together? After having the ½ HF drill burst into flames in my hand while mixing mortor for a floor tiling job, I won't be buying any more power tools from them, and I'm putting their generators into that category. A big tank on a stand is a good idea - I have a food grade plastic 55 gal. tank that my wife was going to use to collect rain water for the garden in. Just need to get it up and in the system. Maybe mount it on top of the well house. On Sun, May 10, 2015 at 12:25 PM, Rich Thomas via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com wrote: I have a generator on wheels that the PO of our house left us, last time I used it was when my temp power panel was arcing and sparking and it took awhile to get the powerco here, but it fired right up after not using it a coupla years. (I know I should really tend to it...). It has 220V and 110V output and is like 6000W or so, so it can run a fridge and other stuff easy enough, maybe even one of my mini-split units now as they are not too much of a load. I'd think having a generator like this would be fine for your occasional needs, and doesn't cost $3k or whatever those Tesla thingies will be, plus whatever the install cost is. Harbor Freight has those little units for not much, if all you need to run is a well pump. Most work you could have to do is rig up a switch on your well pump to run it off mains or your generator with a cord. Or just put a belt on it and run it off a little engine? Or put a big tank on a stand! If you are located in serious weather area though, it might make sense to install a whole-house backup system running off propane or diesel or whatever. I looked into those a coupla years ago, a number like $10k is what I recall. Out here where I live at the end of the grid on the coast I should probably look into that again, but there are always other priorities... if worse comes to worse I guess I could just rough it or get by with the occasional generator run if I need power for something. --R On 5/10/15 12:59 PM, OK Don via Mercedes wrote: Is anyone paying attention to these? A power outage of 2.75 hours this morning got my attention. We are on a water well, no power, no water. We have threatened to purchase and install a back-up generator for three years now, but always hesitate when it comes time to size one, and realizing that we want it all - which costs a lot to purchase, and more to operate. I'm wondering if installing a powerwall would allow a smaller generator to run periodically instead of continuously, thus lowering the operating costs. If a generator is auto, or on demand starting, it would only run when it sees the powerwall losing capacity, charge it up, and shut off. I guess the generator would have to be able to both power the house and charge the powerwall, so might still have to be big? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- OK Don NSA: The only branch of government that actually listens to US citizens! *“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”* – Mark Twain There are three kinds of men: The ones that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. WILL ROGERS, *The Manly Wisdom of Will Rogers* 2013 F150, 18 mpg 2012 Passat TDI DSG, 44 mpg 1957 C182A, 12 mpg - but at 150 mph! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Does your electric co have a solar option now? SC just passed the law a year or so ago allowing home solar systems to tie into the grid and now various companies are doing leases with no upfront costs. Not too many in yet but those who have done them report they are saving money on electricity what with the panels and sell-back to the utility. If you have 200ft2 of good clear roof space, and whatever on your house, you could probably get by with solar and batteries, unless of course the storms destroy your panels... in which case you would need some fuel-based generation anyway. You would have to look at demand on your HVAC to see what solar/battery could do. As far as the water pump, any small generator could get that thing running, HF or not. BTW I had a very nice expensive Milwaukee battery drill blow up in my face once while up about 25ft on a ladder working on a gutter. THAT was a fun experience, I seriously thought someone had shot me. I contacted Milwaukee and they were all over that like a duck on a frog, fedexed a new battery pack and a box to send mine back in. Sometime later I saw there was a recall on the batteries for explosion hazards. NiCd or NiMH, I forget which, tended to generate hydrogen into the closed battery pack and a good load would cause an arc and BAM! I took my 2 back for replacements, never had any problems with them other than they pretty much failed after not long. With HF stuff I figure if it has more than one moving part it will fail sooner rather than later. That said, I have had a $20 recip saw I have beat on extensively and it is still going strong. The $200 tile saw is pretty decent too, no problems with it. --R On 5/10/15 1:58 PM, OK Don via Mercedes wrote: Rich and Mitch - thanks for the input. While today is a no heating/cooling needed day, we get below 0 and over 100 here every year, plus the tornadoes and earthquakes. I do have a 500gal. propane tank that is only being used for the gas grill now, so propane is an option, but those 10 - 12 KW generators suck the liquid propane at a high rate, and propane is an EXPENSIVE fuel. I also keep 55 gals. of gasoline on hand for the airplane, as well as the gas in the plane and truck tanks, so I'm thinking gasoline is the better fuel source now, but being able to use either and demand would be even better. The well pump is submerged 300 ft. down a hole, a belt won't run it :-) I can do without the electric hot water, and use the gas grill for cooking, so the major loads are the 1/2 HP well and the geothermal heat pump. I need to get a soft-start kit installed on the heat pump, the initial starting load is pretty high. A generator runs regardless of the load while the grid is down. I'm thinking that the battery would run all the time, and the generator only as needed to charge the battery. I also have the roof of the 40X50ft. hangar to mount solar cells on. Maybe between solar, a generator, and a battery, I can lose the electric company all together? After having the ½ HF drill burst into flames in my hand while mixing mortor for a floor tiling job, I won't be buying any more power tools from them, and I'm putting their generators into that category. A big tank on a stand is a good idea - I have a food grade plastic 55 gal. tank that my wife was going to use to collect rain water for the garden in. Just need to get it up and in the system. Maybe mount it on top of the well house. On Sun, May 10, 2015 at 12:25 PM, Rich Thomas via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com wrote: I have a generator on wheels that the PO of our house left us, last time I used it was when my temp power panel was arcing and sparking and it took awhile to get the powerco here, but it fired right up after not using it a coupla years. (I know I should really tend to it...). It has 220V and 110V output and is like 6000W or so, so it can run a fridge and other stuff easy enough, maybe even one of my mini-split units now as they are not too much of a load. I'd think having a generator like this would be fine for your occasional needs, and doesn't cost $3k or whatever those Tesla thingies will be, plus whatever the install cost is. Harbor Freight has those little units for not much, if all you need to run is a well pump. Most work you could have to do is rig up a switch on your well pump to run it off mains or your generator with a cord. Or just put a belt on it and run it off a little engine? Or put a big tank on a stand! If you are located in serious weather area though, it might make sense to install a whole-house backup system running off propane or diesel or whatever. I looked into those a coupla years ago, a number like $10k is what I recall. Out here where I live at the end of the grid on the coast I should probably look into that again, but there are always other priorities... if worse comes to worse I guess I could just rough it or get by with the occasional generator run if I need power for
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Sounds complicated just for water. Get one of the really small generators to power your well pump, maybe pay an electrician to install the proper hook-up. Include provision for heat in the winter (furnace blower/ignition?). -- Max Dillon Charleston SC '87 300TD '95 E300 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Ah, that's the issue - heat is from the Geothermal heat pump - a big pump motor and smaller compressor motor needs to start/run to keep the pipes from freezing. Once we're that far, might as well power the whole house. On Sun, May 10, 2015 at 12:03 PM, Max Dillon via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com wrote: Sounds complicated just for water. Get one of the really small generators to power your well pump, maybe pay an electrician to install the proper hook-up. Include provision for heat in the winter (furnace blower/ignition?). -- OK Don NSA: The only branch of government that actually listens to US citizens! *“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”* – Mark Twain There are three kinds of men: The ones that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. WILL ROGERS, *The Manly Wisdom of Will Rogers* 2013 F150, 18 mpg 2012 Passat TDI DSG, 44 mpg 1957 C182A, 12 mpg - but at 150 mph! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
The most efficient portable generator I ever had was a Husky (Homelite 3650) with a Subaru engine. It could run my entire house except for my water heater. It bogged down and only put about 200v into the water heater. I figured that was abusive and didn't use it for that. If you have electric range or oven, you can pretty much forget about running those on any generator I'd want to pay for. I can find them on CL for $200-300, the $300 ones are in mint condition. The current version can be had at HD under the Ridgid name for $499, maybe $400 on sale. The Harbor Freight copy is well below $300 new with a good sale and a 25% off coupon. Here's a couple of examples of the next size larger: http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tls/4994573134.html http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/for/4982589156.html http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/for/4997829453.html Oh, I forgot about your heat pump. What's the starting amps on that? I could run my 1.5 ton air source heat pump on the 6.5HP Husky, but maybe you'd be better off with something like this with a propane kit, or maybe get a 10-15kw backup system? http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tld/5014181994.html ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
I have a generator on wheels that the PO of our house left us, last time I used it was when my temp power panel was arcing and sparking and it took awhile to get the powerco here, but it fired right up after not using it a coupla years. (I know I should really tend to it...). It has 220V and 110V output and is like 6000W or so, so it can run a fridge and other stuff easy enough, maybe even one of my mini-split units now as they are not too much of a load. I'd think having a generator like this would be fine for your occasional needs, and doesn't cost $3k or whatever those Tesla thingies will be, plus whatever the install cost is. Harbor Freight has those little units for not much, if all you need to run is a well pump. Most work you could have to do is rig up a switch on your well pump to run it off mains or your generator with a cord. Or just put a belt on it and run it off a little engine? Or put a big tank on a stand! If you are located in serious weather area though, it might make sense to install a whole-house backup system running off propane or diesel or whatever. I looked into those a coupla years ago, a number like $10k is what I recall. Out here where I live at the end of the grid on the coast I should probably look into that again, but there are always other priorities... if worse comes to worse I guess I could just rough it or get by with the occasional generator run if I need power for something. --R On 5/10/15 12:59 PM, OK Don via Mercedes wrote: Is anyone paying attention to these? A power outage of 2.75 hours this morning got my attention. We are on a water well, no power, no water. We have threatened to purchase and install a back-up generator for three years now, but always hesitate when it comes time to size one, and realizing that we want it all - which costs a lot to purchase, and more to operate. I'm wondering if installing a powerwall would allow a smaller generator to run periodically instead of continuously, thus lowering the operating costs. If a generator is auto, or on demand starting, it would only run when it sees the powerwall losing capacity, charge it up, and shut off. I guess the generator would have to be able to both power the house and charge the powerwall, so might still have to be big? ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Ha! Oklahoma does not admit to the existence of solar power. The hangar roof ridge runs E-W, so I have a good 1000 ft2 to mount panels on. As is, the HVAC wants 83A on start, 15A running. I will need the Intellistart soft start thing to reduce that start-up current. On Sun, May 10, 2015 at 1:35 PM, Rich Thomas via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com wrote: Does your electric co have a solar option now? SC just passed the law a year or so ago allowing home solar systems to tie into the grid and now various companies are doing leases with no upfront costs. Not too many in yet but those who have done them report they are saving money on electricity what with the panels and sell-back to the utility. If you have 200ft2 of good clear roof space, and whatever on your house, you could probably get by with solar and batteries, unless of course the storms destroy your panels... in which case you would need some fuel-based generation anyway. You would have to look at demand on your HVAC to see what solar/battery could do. As far as the water pump, any small generator could get that thing running, HF or not. BTW I had a very nice expensive Milwaukee battery drill blow up in my face once while up about 25ft on a ladder working on a gutter. THAT was a fun experience, I seriously thought someone had shot me. I contacted Milwaukee and they were all over that like a duck on a frog, fedexed a new battery pack and a box to send mine back in. Sometime later I saw there was a recall on the batteries for explosion hazards. NiCd or NiMH, I forget which, tended to generate hydrogen into the closed battery pack and a good load would cause an arc and BAM! I took my 2 back for replacements, never had any problems with them other than they pretty much failed after not long. With HF stuff I figure if it has more than one moving part it will fail sooner rather than later. That said, I have had a $20 recip saw I have beat on extensively and it is still going strong. The $200 tile saw is pretty decent too, no problems with it. --R On 5/10/15 1:58 PM, OK Don via Mercedes wrote: Rich and Mitch - thanks for the input. While today is a no heating/cooling needed day, we get below 0 and over 100 here every year, plus the tornadoes and earthquakes. I do have a 500gal. propane tank that is only being used for the gas grill now, so propane is an option, but those 10 - 12 KW generators suck the liquid propane at a high rate, and propane is an EXPENSIVE fuel. I also keep 55 gals. of gasoline on hand for the airplane, as well as the gas in the plane and truck tanks, so I'm thinking gasoline is the better fuel source now, but being able to use either and demand would be even better. The well pump is submerged 300 ft. down a hole, a belt won't run it :-) I can do without the electric hot water, and use the gas grill for cooking, so the major loads are the 1/2 HP well and the geothermal heat pump. I need to get a soft-start kit installed on the heat pump, the initial starting load is pretty high. A generator runs regardless of the load while the grid is down. I'm thinking that the battery would run all the time, and the generator only as needed to charge the battery. I also have the roof of the 40X50ft. hangar to mount solar cells on. Maybe between solar, a generator, and a battery, I can lose the electric company all together? After having the ½ HF drill burst into flames in my hand while mixing mortor for a floor tiling job, I won't be buying any more power tools from them, and I'm putting their generators into that category. A big tank on a stand is a good idea - I have a food grade plastic 55 gal. tank that my wife was going to use to collect rain water for the garden in. Just need to get it up and in the system. Maybe mount it on top of the well house. On Sun, May 10, 2015 at 12:25 PM, Rich Thomas via Mercedes mercedes@okiebenz.com wrote: I have a generator on wheels that the PO of our house left us, last time I used it was when my temp power panel was arcing and sparking and it took awhile to get the powerco here, but it fired right up after not using it a coupla years. (I know I should really tend to it...). It has 220V and 110V output and is like 6000W or so, so it can run a fridge and other stuff easy enough, maybe even one of my mini-split units now as they are not too much of a load. I'd think having a generator like this would be fine for your occasional needs, and doesn't cost $3k or whatever those Tesla thingies will be, plus whatever the install cost is. Harbor Freight has those little units for not much, if all you need to run is a well pump. Most work you could have to do is rig up a switch on your well pump to run it off mains or your generator with a cord. Or just put a belt on it and run it off a little engine? Or put a big tank on a stand! If you are located in serious weather area though, it might make sense to install
Re: [MBZ] OT: Tesla Pwerwall
Hard to argue with the cost/benefit ratio of the basic rope-pull 5-6kW genny. WAY better than no power at all, and will run most anything you need to. Can even heat up the hot water tank for a shower, if you turn off everything else. (About 4kW for most hot water heaters, IIRC.) -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
