FLrider Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 Harbor Freight has a sale on small 800w generator. Ridiculous price, I feel like I need to buy one but have no idea as to what i would use it for. Never missed not having one in the past but maybe you guys know something I don't. What do you use your small gene for?
upflying Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 I have a Honda 2000 watt to run essential appliances like the frig during EQ, fires, storms, world wars and Armageddon. That HF generator is probably one of those cheap two stroke Chinese deals that won't be very reliable. You get what you pay for. 800 watt won't be enough to run the frig.
MT Wallet Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 What are you planning to power? 800 watts isn't that much. How many watts for the average coffemaker? Like Bob I've got a larger generator for power outtages so I can run the furnace and lights and appliances during the winter and handle the AC, appliances and make coffee during the warm weather. I have an electric stove. Before you throw the money away on a irresistable deal maybe you should see waht your power needs really are. Of course if tailgaiting is the only think you're probably golden.
Lone_RT_rider Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 That HF generator is probably one of those cheap two stroke Chinese deals that won't be very reliable. Probably? I am sure it is. Not that I have visited the factory in Nanjing or anything.
Tank Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 save your money..... If you find that you really do need a generator, invest in one that is reliable. Quiet= Honda Reliable= Honda Dealer support= Honda This is just my experience... so far, only worth $0.02, except when the power goes out.
ltljohn Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 That not much bigger than the alternator on the RT is it?
AviP Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 800w is useless. You need a minimum of 2000w for home use. Coffee makers are 1000-1500w. Fridges are 1000-2000w. Toasters are 750-1500w. And you can run only one at a time. +1 on what Tank said about Honda. And remember NOT TO USE your "handy" generator INSIDE the house.
enfoman Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 save your money..... If you find that you really do need a generator, invest in one that is reliable. Quiet= Honda Reliable= Honda Dealer support= Honda This is just my experience... so far, only worth $0.02, except when the power goes out. The differences between generators are almost like buying a car or a truck, so many choices for so many uses and need. Like a previous post said, What do you want to use it for? Honda again hands down the best. Others are making the mark and are getting close to Honda. For consideration if you are looking for lightweight and a big bang for the buck, there are inverter generators available. They are lightweight and put out a good amount of amperage for their size. These are taking the RV scene by a storm as I am told. If you are looking to save a buck, ignore the HF but concentrate on a used Honda or Yamaha and check out those inverters!
Ron_B Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 Uses for a small generator? Why, AC on the cheap of course!
FLrider Posted January 7, 2012 Author Posted January 7, 2012 For $80, there has got to be something worthwhile I can do with this little gene !!
Quinn Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 For $80, there has got to be something worthwhile I can do with this little gene !! bring it on your next camping trip to annoy your neighbors while you connect your laptop or recharge your phone and bluetooth headset. Only useful things I can think of are powering electric tools or chargers if you're too far from power for an extention cord. ----
CarrotNC Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 Wait for the next hurricane and put it on Craigslist at a profit.
FLrider Posted January 7, 2012 Author Posted January 7, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKl9b7YpwZE Picture is worth a thousand words..... Thanks for finding this video. While I don't think this is a bad unit for what it is, I just don't see myself using it to run a chain saw, leaf blower, hot plate or anything like that. I can see where it might be useful to power a bunch of christmas lights on the boat for the boat parade!! Need to go see how many amps those lights draw....
elkroeger Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 Mine sits in the garage. It's a glorified paperweight. Save your money. IMHO your best bet is to get one to run the gas or oil furnace in your house, for extended mid-winter power failures... I don't know what a typical furnace uses, but seems like it'd be more than 800W anyway. Hell, my wife's hair dryer is 1200.
tallman Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 elk, not a lot of midwinter outage in his neighborhood. Larry, Send me $80. You'll get a lot more return and energy getting worked up about that. If you're serious and gen do your HW and determine draw vs output needs. I think that'll help ya. Best wishes.
jviss Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 An 800W generator could be used for a remote communication and data gathering power source; it could run a laptop, communications gear, etc., for as long as the gas lasts. It might also be useful to charge a battery in an emergency, also remote location, to start a larger engine. It could also serve as a hunting or fishing camp power source for lights at night, charging up phones, etc. As others have pointed out it's not much use for household power in an outage. I second the recommendations for Honda generators. I bought the eu3000is, which is an inverter-based generator. The slick thing about this inverter based generator is that a mode can be selected so it slows down when the demand drops, getting very quiet and using very little fuel. I ran my oil burner, two refrigerators, all of the lights, TV, internet, etc., and over 24 hours it consumed 1/6 gallon per hour. I was amazed at how easily it started, how quiet it was, and how little fuel it used. It's expensive compared to commonly available 3kW generators, at $3000, but it is far more sophisticated than those, better supported, and has a reputation for much higher reliability. I exercise it once per month for 20 minutes, no load. So far, so good.
jviss Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 Correction: the eu3000is was $2,000. List is $2,330.
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