Back Up Power

[patricimo54]

We came across a deal we couldn't walk away from. Cabelas was running a add in one of their catalogs for a Champion 3500 watt portable generator for $399. About the same time TSC was having a four day sale which ended the 8th for the same unit at $299. On top of the $100 difference TSC was offering a $50 mail in store rebate. We didn't have any money ear mark for such, but we were in need of a generator. Would have preferred to have gotten one that was propane powered, but we felt like this deal was too good to walk away from. We pooled our money together and made the purchase on the last day of the sale. They didn't have any in stock, but to receive the sale price discount we had to pay up front and the unit was on back order. We took delivery yesterday.



The $50 rebate will go along way on the feed bill.

[patricimo54]

Share what you know downhome?

[patricimo54]

Karma for your "leg work" downhome. Thanks for your help.

[badger]

Some good info there. Have some karma downhome! ;D

That's what I call helping out! ;D

[jacktheknife]

Patricimo54,


Just today,
I was looking at a 'generator' for the new
{used} G.Q.F. Incubator I found.

I am electrically challenged,
but I live out where the electricity goes out
for days at a time every winter.
I am interested not only in a generator to keep from loosing 200 eggs in the incubator
but the food in the fridge too.
And there's no point in sitting around in the dark
with no computer either.

Since I started this question,
I found out my 'fridge' isn't 220 either
and 'three plugs' is just the 'ground'.
Also I found out 'the incubator is 110'!

So... if both are 110 then...
A $300.-400. generator will do.
{right?}


Thank you...


J. Knife and Sandymay

[patricimo54]

Jack
I haven't uncrated the thing yet, but from looking at the box I believe it 110 only which fills my needs at this time. What downhome is saying about the info plate and electrical formula, etc. is right on. You can build from there.
For an example, our big frig with a 5.66 cubic feet freezer out on the storage porch is 4.75 amps x 115 volts=546.25 watts plus 20% safety factor 109.25 plus 546.25= 655.5 watts. This leaves 2844.5 of power left to be used. Another way to look at it is after powering the frig you still have enough power in reserve to power 22 100 watt light bulbs with the 20% safety factor=2640 watts and you still haven't totally max the thing out.
What my hope is and what I am building towards is a wind/solar combo with a propane powered back up to keep a bank of batteries charged to lower my power bill now and have a system in place when and if the grid goes out for what ever reason.
I hope this helps.

[hillbillyken]

Do you get more for your money useing LP then Gasoline?...do you use less LP in motors when using it?......is the only reason to use LP is that its cheaper?......sorry for all the questions but I no almost nothing about LP use in motors and would like to learn why the use of it over gasoline...I know its cheaper per gallon but is there any other reasons? thanx guys...not trying to hijack the thread thought this would be a good time to get some answers.

[patricimo54]

I don't have all of the answers to the questions asked. My primary desire for propane powering the gen. is one of convenience. You don't have to worry about propane going south like gasoline during long term storage. The other plus in my opinion is that I'll have 150 plus gallons of fuel plumbed up to the thing and won't have near the worry of running out of fuel.
I don't know the hours per gallons comparison between the two, but I am thinking that they will be similar. This thing is a work in progress/hold at this time.

[Admin]

I think switching to LP would be a good thing even if it's just for the fact of long term fuel storage like you said. You could really stockpile the propane without the worries of stabilization like gasoline. ;D Excellent idea ;D