What to do with your generator

I'd prefer a diesel in order to utilize alternative fuel options. Over that...solar all the way.

[Lowdown3]

Originally it was about $1200. IIRC. A "Con Serv" model by Vest Frost.

[Spock]

had a customer who was without power for 4 days last week. cost him $125 in gas to run his generator. FOR 4 DAYS. everyone whines about the power bill till they have to generate their own juice.

LD3 the fridge you have how much was it?

[barfife]

I have a contact on another forum site that built a water wheel for when his creek is running. built it out of fairly easy parts to locate, and he's very descriptive about how he did it, even posts pics. If anyone is interested I'll get the info for ya.

Have a close friend wanting to exactly that. Any info would be appreciated. thanks

I'm too cheap for a generator. I've forced myself to use less power.

Anyway, if one ever needs a generator, if you got the right tools, simply make one from an old lawn mower, alternator and lots of wires and batteries. ;)

[Lowdown3]

No problem. Also diesel stores better, is safer and for the longest time (not lately however) it was considerably cheaper. I think you'll find they use less fuel than gas engines in this sort of setup also. The ugly China Diesel 12KW set we bought in 98 is still working just fine, that being said, we have to use it less and less over the years as we expanded our solar arrays.

[Romulus]

LD3, thanks. Think I'll look into a diesel genset.

[Lowdown3]

Romulus- this is why I was talking in the OP about avoiding the $99. "inverters" from the auto parts store. They will NOT act as a CHARGER.

A real designed for AE system inverter WILL act as a charger also.

Their is no "plug in", you would wire the AC outputs of the genset to the AC in puts on the inverter. Then when the generator is running the inverter still also acting as an inverter, would also act as a charger and charge your battery bank from the power coming in from the generator.

You would run your genset long enough to pump your water, charge your batts and then shut it off. Thereby cancelling the need to run it all the time, saving fuel, wear and tear and noise.

A lower RPM diesel genset would be ideal. However you could work out a small system with a standard home or contractor grade high RPM gas genset- it just wouldn't last as long and you'd be storing more volatile fuel (gas vs. diesel).

[Romulus]

I'm ready to purchase a generator and found one that has a plug-in for "battery float charger" (i think that's what it said).

Questions: Is this to plug an inverter into to charge batteries while the generator is running?
Does the generator HAVE to have something similar to this in order to charge a bank of batteries?

I'm looking into a genset using a bank of batteries to run small items, computer, for short periods of time, in a SHTF situation the computer would serve as a DVD player to watch movies,etc. That's my thinking at least. My budget won't allow for solar panels, etc at this time.

question: Realizing this is probably not the most efficient use of a battery bank, how long would it take to charge a bank of say 4 -6 volt batteries with a generator? The generator would mainly be used for pumping water from my well into a holding take for later use.

Thanks for any advice.

[chancemft]

If you are a member of Daves Garden you can pull him up "freedom_sailor". look under the homesteading forum called, I think, living self sufficiantly in Al. If you cant find it I'll look up the link.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I have a contact on another forum site that built a water wheel for when his creek is running. built it out of fairly easy parts to locate, and he's very descriptive about how he did it, even posts pics. If anyone is interested I'll get the info for ya.

I am, thanks

[chancemft]

I have a contact on another forum site that built a water wheel for when his creek is running. built it out of fairly easy parts to locate, and he's very descriptive about how he did it, even posts pics. If anyone is interested I'll get the info for ya.

[Romulus]

Ditch the electric dryer and you could probably do something really cheap (well as far as AE goes) You could get started for probably well under $5K with a nice system. What state are you in? You have a genset already?

I live in NW Arkansas. Not sure what you mean exactly by a "genset", but if that means a generator and batteries, no. Any tips on what to look for when purchasing a generator would be very helpful. I have an electrician friend who tells me a 4KW system would be sufficient, but I am hesitant to go by one persons advice only. Figured I'd get advice from someone who has BTDT.

[Klayton]

Thanks so much, this is the exact type of information I am alway craving. Keep up the great work!! 5stars!!

[Lowdown3]

Ditch the electric dryer and you could probably do something really cheap (well as far as AE goes) You could get started for probably well under $5K with a nice system. What state are you in? You have a genset already?