I Love Bein' Prepared
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- Griff
- Posting leader...
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I Love Bein' Prepared
Electricity went off this afternoon. So... 'about dark I went out to the garage and fired up the little Honda 5K gen. Viola! Lights, TV, internet and refrigerator! Finally back on the grid. Man, but that thing burns some gasoline! But worth it! Neighbors called... "Why ain't your 'lectricity off?" Wife said, "...Honda." 23 years and this happens 'bout 2-3 times a year, and they ain't learned yet... Yep, you can lead a horse to water...
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
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- Senior Levergunner
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- Location: S. of Jackson, Wyoming
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Happens to me a few times a year also. Sometimes for several hours. I have 2 Honda 2000 that I can run together. I usually hook one to my fridge and freezer in my garage. The other will run my TV, computer, fan and a couple small items. And quiet to boot. Those little guys will run about 6 hours on a gallon of gas.
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- Levergunner 3.0
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Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Yep, Honda gennies are the cats meow, that is for certain. Problem is as you found out, they are thirsty when trying to muscle through and power a normal house with standard appliances.
We went off grid about 8 years ago and have never looked back. We powered our home for the first few years with just a EU2000i generator, we went with propane refrigeration/freezer, tankless hot water, propane cook stove and also an Amish made flame view wood cook stove.
But now we have a 4000w pure sinewave inverter, a single 24v industrial battery, a few solar panels, but a EU3000i generator that we run for a few hours once a week to top the battery off and we're good for a week or even longer, depending on how much the wife wants to watch TV!
Only our lights, computer, TV, washing machine and the usual kitchen items like my coffee pot and blender use any AC electricity.
And life is good!
We went off grid about 8 years ago and have never looked back. We powered our home for the first few years with just a EU2000i generator, we went with propane refrigeration/freezer, tankless hot water, propane cook stove and also an Amish made flame view wood cook stove.
But now we have a 4000w pure sinewave inverter, a single 24v industrial battery, a few solar panels, but a EU3000i generator that we run for a few hours once a week to top the battery off and we're good for a week or even longer, depending on how much the wife wants to watch TV!
Only our lights, computer, TV, washing machine and the usual kitchen items like my coffee pot and blender use any AC electricity.
And life is good!
Last edited by 2X22 on Sat Aug 16, 2014 11:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Yes, we did produce a near-perfect republic. But will they keep it? Or will they, in the enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom? Material abundance without character is the path of destruction." - Thomas Jefferson
- Griff
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 20876
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:56 pm
- Location: OH MY GAWD they installed a STOP light!!!
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Gotta admit, I'm reluctant to find out what it would take to go off grid in TX with a 2400sf home, AC demands, etc.
AND PLEASE DON'T TELL ME IF YOU KNOW!!!!
AND PLEASE DON'T TELL ME IF YOU KNOW!!!!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
-
- Levergunner 3.0
- Posts: 933
- Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:08 am
- Location: Salmon Creek, SW Washington
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
I do...Griff wrote:Gotta admit, I'm reluctant to find out what it would take to go off grid in TX with a 2400sf home, AC demands, etc.
AND PLEASE DON'T TELL ME IF YOU KNOW!!!!
And you're right, you don't want to know!
"Yes, we did produce a near-perfect republic. But will they keep it? Or will they, in the enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom? Material abundance without character is the path of destruction." - Thomas Jefferson
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Good on you, Griff.
As for me, I carry my own power source.
As for me, I carry my own power source.
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Griff, a friend who is WAY off the grid fired up a straight six (GM) on blocks in his shop, and runs his whole place on one quart of fuel a day. He is no newcomer to off grid living, been out in the sticks since Nixon. His place has modern amenities.
- horsesoldier03
- Advanced Levergunner
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- Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:32 pm
- Location: Kansas
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
The last time I pulled my generator out and got it hooked up, the lights came back on!
One of these days I need to spend the money on getting it hard wired into the house.
One of these days I need to spend the money on getting it hard wired into the house.
“Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.”
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- Levergunner 3.0
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- Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:19 pm
- Location: South East South Dakota
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
2X22,
Did you know that in Wa. state the state electrical inspector, if he has any reason to suspect out of code wiring he can enter your utility served premises? If you refuse, he goes and gets the county sheriff and he can force you to allow entry. No warrant needed.
Unless you;re not served by grid power. I would imagine most states have the same or similar laws.
But you've foiled them all!!!
Cat
Did you know that in Wa. state the state electrical inspector, if he has any reason to suspect out of code wiring he can enter your utility served premises? If you refuse, he goes and gets the county sheriff and he can force you to allow entry. No warrant needed.
Unless you;re not served by grid power. I would imagine most states have the same or similar laws.
But you've foiled them all!!!
Cat
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
octagon wrote:Griff, a friend who is WAY off the grid fired up a straight six (GM) on blocks in his shop, and runs his whole place on one quart of fuel a day. He is no newcomer to off grid living, been out in the sticks since Nixon. His place has modern amenities.
A quart a day? Amazing...
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- Levergunner 3.0
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- Location: East Texas
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
My 1960 Inline 6 Chevy could run on a quart a day...a quart of re-refined 40 wt oil...Tristan wrote:octagon wrote:Griff, a friend who is WAY off the grid fired up a straight six (GM) on blocks in his shop, and runs his whole place on one quart of fuel a day. He is no newcomer to off grid living, been out in the sticks since Nixon. His place has modern amenities.
A quart a day? Amazing...
rick
- Griff
- Posting leader...
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Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Barcelona Rick wrote:My 1960 Inline 6 Chevy could run on a quart a day...a quart of re-refined 40 wt oil...Tristan wrote:A quart a day? Amazing...octagon wrote:Griff, a friend who is WAY off the grid fired up a straight six (GM) on blocks in his shop, and runs his whole place on one quart of fuel a day. He is no newcomer to off grid living, been out in the sticks since Nixon. His place has modern amenities.
rick
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
- GonnePhishin
- Senior Levergunner
- Posts: 1952
- Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:23 pm
- Location: Bodecker's BBQ Bar & Grill
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Octagon said
(Dad wouldn't buy the 396 or 327 ha ha ) and while it got great gas mileage, I can't imagine it running a full electrical load all day on one quart of fuel. Not being critical just wonderin'.
How in God's green earth can it run all day on only a quart of fuel? When I was a kid we had a 68 Chevelle with a 230 cu in straight sixGriff, a friend who is WAY off the grid fired up a straight six (GM) on blocks in his shop, and runs his whole place on one quart of fuel a day. He is no newcomer to off grid living, been out in the sticks since Nixon. His place has modern amenities.
(Dad wouldn't buy the 396 or 327 ha ha ) and while it got great gas mileage, I can't imagine it running a full electrical load all day on one quart of fuel. Not being critical just wonderin'.
"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson
"I know not what course other men may take, but as for me, Give me Liberty or Give me Death!" - Patrick Henry
"I know not what course other men may take, but as for me, Give me Liberty or Give me Death!" - Patrick Henry
- Griff
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 20876
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:56 pm
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Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
I suspect there's some battery power and the genset just charges the batteries... no need to run 24hrs if it's set up right.UncleBuck wrote:Octagon saidHow in God's green earth can it run all day on only a quart of fuel? When I was a kid we had a 68 Chevelle with a 230 cu in straight sixGriff, a friend who is WAY off the grid fired up a straight six (GM) on blocks in his shop, and runs his whole place on one quart of fuel a day. He is no newcomer to off grid living, been out in the sticks since Nixon. His place has modern amenities.
(Dad wouldn't buy the 396 or 327 ha ha ) and while it got great gas mileage, I can't imagine it running a full electrical load all day on one quart of fuel. Not being critical just wonderin'.
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
- Old Ironsights
- Posting leader...
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- Contact:
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
This. I have a writeup somewhere from an Off Grid Guy who supplements his PV/Wind system with nothing but a 100amp alternator run by a little 5(?) HP Yanmar engine. Heck, if all you are doing is topping off your battery bank just about ANY motor would work. (Got an old Hit & Miss laying around?)Griff wrote:I suspect there's some battery power and the genset just charges the batteries... no need to run 24hrs if it's set up right.UncleBuck wrote:Octagon saidHow in God's green earth can it run all day on only a quart of fuel? When I was a kid we had a 68 Chevelle with a 230 cu in straight sixGriff, a friend who is WAY off the grid fired up a straight six (GM) on blocks in his shop, and runs his whole place on one quart of fuel a day. He is no newcomer to off grid living, been out in the sticks since Nixon. His place has modern amenities.
(Dad wouldn't buy the 396 or 327 ha ha ) and while it got great gas mileage, I can't imagine it running a full electrical load all day on one quart of fuel. Not being critical just wonderin'.
I like the idea of using an old VW engine set up as a Compressor - 2 cylinders set up to fill your compressor tank 2 cylinders to Fire and the Drive running your regen alternator.
That's a win, win.
C2N14... because life is not energetic enough.
מנא, מנא, תקל, ופרסין Daniel 5:25-28... Got 7.62?
Not Depressed enough yet? Go read National Geographic, July 1976
Gott und Gewehr mit uns!
מנא, מנא, תקל, ופרסין Daniel 5:25-28... Got 7.62?
Not Depressed enough yet? Go read National Geographic, July 1976
Gott und Gewehr mit uns!
Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Uncle Buck, These guys are right, my Buddy uses the inline to top off the charge on a bank of batteries. The refrigerators are propane, further reducing the drain on the batteries. There is additionally a seasonal crick diverted to a concrete trough, with chevy alternator with big fins inverted into the trough. The crick is pretty high up, and has a good head of steam up by the time it gets to the bottom and the water spins the hell out of the alternator, further charging the battery bank.
This is not a stock alternator, he has done some simple rewiring to it to make it serve his purpose, besides the bigger fins.
Solar panels are connected to a solar tracker, that follows the sun, and provides hot water.
He lives in comfort, good sized house with computers, tv's, three kids, a good looking wife, and NO utility bills. The only thing you see, is a meter outside the battery closet that shows the charge.
This is not a stock alternator, he has done some simple rewiring to it to make it serve his purpose, besides the bigger fins.
Solar panels are connected to a solar tracker, that follows the sun, and provides hot water.
He lives in comfort, good sized house with computers, tv's, three kids, a good looking wife, and NO utility bills. The only thing you see, is a meter outside the battery closet that shows the charge.
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
Yep me & wifey..We love our Honda liquid cooled 5.5kw (lectric start) All day on less than 6 gal of fuel... lights TVs refrigerator... I turn something off if I want to run the microwave or whatever...
"IT IS MY OPINION, AND I AM CORRECT SO DON'T ARGUE, THE 99 SAVAGE IS THE FINEST RIFLE EVER MADE IN AMERICA."
WIL TERRY
WIL TERRY
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Re: I Love Bein' Prepared
our house on the lake ' out in the valley' out away from anchorage is on the grid but weather including high winds can knock out power sometimes for days and in the winter. accordingly we had a good sized natural gas powered generator installed . it comes on automatically whenever power goes off and powers everything until power comes on. very nice peace of mind. no wirry about freeze ups etc
cable