Master thread for disasters and generators.

[idleprocess]

If you haven't already filled in the trench, you might consider lying in the 12/2 cable beside your 6/3. If at a later date you want to update, you can drill another hole in the wall, and feed the 12/2 cable through.

Rain is expected tomorrow and I really needed to get that trench filled before the piles of clay spoil dried and the compaction I would be able to realize would be even worse than the ~60% I realized; I will be combating subsidence along that trench for some time to come - likely with a number of lifts of sand so the grass grows through.

Even just 18 inches for 30 feet, depending upon the soil, rock content, or tree roots, can be quite a challenge.

It took me three evenings to do the trenching, then this evening to bury the wire.

BTW... I really like power tools

Same here. I don't want to replicate this project well over twice as far for the future work.

I don't know what the code is for burying electrical cables, but if it is below the frost line, which around here is 3.5 feet, then a power tool rental would be an immediate YES.

I read 18 inches for burying UF-B as NEC. This cable is expected to be energized for tens of hours a year, code for irrigation lines is a mere 12 inches, and freezing weather here is normally not continuous ... so I YOLO'ed it.

 

[turbodog]

After running and re-running lines... I'd put conduit of some sort. 4" pvc or 6" pvc. Note: this requires different insulation as the wires are not able to reject heat to the earth. Conduit acts as an insulator.

Construction project coming up this spring/summer. Conduit everywhere...

 

[Poppy]

Since 1988 I put a class III receiver hitch on every car I owned. They are just so handy to have. So to rent a ditch witch, for me would only be the cost of the rental. Shall I hope that your next project is grand enough that it is worth your while to rent a ditch witch?

 

[idleprocess]

Shall I hope that your next project is grand enough that it is worth your while to rent a ditch witch?

Plenty of lesser trenchers that I could transport in the bed of my Ranger that would suffice for my purposes.

 

[Poppy]

Plenty of lesser trenchers that I could transport in the bed of my Ranger that would suffice for my purposes.

From 1988 to 1998 I had an Aerostar built on a Ranger Frame. Great truck, except the rear seat didn't fold down and weighed 100 pounds and was a bit of a ++++ to remove. There wasn't four feet between the wheel wells, but with a couple of milk crates I could carry 4x8 sheets of what-ever.

Good luck with your next project.

 

[electrolyte]

I only realized very recently as I looked over my back yard that the unused swing set (it is a tall/big wooden one) near the back of my house can make a darn nice generator shelter if I fasten a tarp over it. Presto, what swing set? That's an A-frame generator shelter. There will be no sound attenuation, but at least I don't have to wring my hands over rain. The only problem is that it is over a low spot that will puddle up very quickly. Maybe I will just slide the genset onto a pallet.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Using available materials (purchased some hurricane clips and joist hangers)

 

[KITROBASKIN]

"Solar Closet" in previous image

 

[orbital]

+

Just checking to see if there were any new generators,, noticed the WEN 56225i was on sale for $385.
If you got two for parallel setup & the connector kit GNA36i = $826 total.

Good parallel setup for not too much $
{plus, you can easily take just one for camping ect..}

WEN 56225i Super Quiet 2250-Watt Portable Inverter Generator with Fuel Shut-Off

EPA III and CARB-Compliant 79.7cc 4-Stroke OHV engine produces 2250 surge watts and 1800 rated watts Extremely quiet 53 dB operation comparable to the sound of a normal conversation according to the US Department of Health and Human Services Fuel shutoff maximizes the generator’s lifespan by...

wenproducts.com

edit: wording

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

Honda EU32i is the one to look forward to. Have to wait at least until March for Europe. Later, in the year for everyone else. Has fuel injection, remote starting and stopping with app and 3200 watts.

 

[turbodog]

No electric start on the new one... only stop. Fuel injection should fix the carb problems though.

 

[Flashlightmaster2021]

I am looking at getting a generator this hurricane season and am torn between Honda and Yamaha.

Yamaha model: EF3000iSE/B

Honda model: EU3000is

There is a bi and tri-fuel option available for Yamaha

Option for the Honda is a little different only offers 2-fuel operation.

Any input will be helpful. Or should I get say screw it and buy a Coleman Powermate 3750?

Thanks

Curtis

Have you considered a large portable power station like the westing house I gen 300 or the blueddi or the jackery 1500 ??

 

[idleprocess]

Have you considered a large portable power station like the westing house I gen 300 or the blueddi or the jackery 1500 ??

OP was almost 17 years ago.

Lithium 'power stations' are fine for some purposes, but they're quite limited in terms of runtime and power delivery. For occasional-use backup power delivering kilowatts for continuous hours the economics of portable generators are hard to beat.

 

[Poppy]

I noted today that harbor freight has their 3500 super quiet inverter Gen $100 off (with a coupon) until 3/3/22 $749 idk if you get an additional discount as a member. Their 2000 surge watt (1600 running watts) super quiet inverter generator can be had for $479 with a coupon until 3/3/22.
The coupons are available online at their site.

I hope this will be a trend in lower cost quiet inverter generators. Except for the runaway inflation we are experiencing, it has to happen that costs come down. Ah... wishful thinking with current events in Europe.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

I hope this will be a trend in lower cost quiet inverter generators. Except for the runaway inflation we are experiencing, it has to happen that costs come down. Ah... wishful thinking with current events in Europe.

I bought a Firman generator at Costco on sale last year for $350. Now it's $490. In California, they are banning generators so the cost is going up further since new ones are not being made. You have to get ones with fuel injection or hybrid generators to be compliant with the new law. Otherwise going green with batteries and solar or wind are your only options. With the U.S. trying to ban fossil fuels before Russia going to war in Ukraine, we aren't exactly energy independent. Then you have the ongoing shipping problems from China. If you have a generator and fuel, you're in good shape. If you see a generator, be grateful it's available and don't wait for the price to come down to get it if you need one.

 

[BVH]

I just love my EU7000 with injection. No valves to turn, no running until out of gas to shut down, fires immediately. I feel very lucky that I got one when I did. They are still extremely difficult to get, if at all.

 

[idleprocess]

I bought a Firman generator at Costco on sale last year for $350. Now it's $490. In California, they are banning generators so the cost is going up further since new ones are not being made.

Been seeing price bumps like that in TX as well where there is no such looming regulation. Trade policy + inflation are taking their toll on the price of imported goods.

 

[idleprocess]

Just checking to see if there were any new generators,, noticed the WEN 56225i was on sale for $385.
If you got two for parallel setup & the connector kit GNA36i = $826 total.

Good parallel setup for not too much $
{plus, you can easily take just one for camping ect..}

In a similar vein, Harbor Freight is running some coupons valid through March 3:

• Predator 3500 : $750
• Predator 2000 : $480

 

[idleprocess]

Monthly generator test:

My doghouse project is clearly still in flight.

Didn't bother with carefully selecting 120V breakers this time - just flipped them all back on after closing the interlock then set the generators to eco. Ran a little bit of everything - furnace, microwave, coffeemaker - and the generators obligingly throttled up and down as needed. ~30 minutes of operation barely dented the nearly-empty fuel levels in the generators.

The jerry cans are full, but I've got some smaller poly cans I'm considering filling given the present geopolitical situation.

This spring I'll finish the doghouse. And maybe do a soft start on the air conditioning compressor so I can slot in a 50A 120/240V generator.

 

[Poppy]

The last time I started my generators might have been in December. I try to do it quarterly, with the change in seasons. The battery in my 3500 unit was dead! That very much surprised me, I guess there must be a parasitic drain. So I pulled it and put it on charge. I just now checked it and it has maintained a 12 V charge. The unit has a pull start, so I don't need it. Also I had to use a shot of starting fluid. At least now that I have looked up how to open the carburetor filter cover I'll be able to do it again if it is necessary. It has plastic clips that I am sure will snap/break off easily if one is not careful.