Portable Generators and "dirty power"

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Crotulus

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Sep 2, 2008
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BoomerD said:
That's one of the Champion models I've been trying to find without paying some kind of "premium" price. The pass-through is also what I'll PROBABLY do since the house is all electric...including range, water heater, and Cadet wall heaters. It would require AT LEAST a 24kW generator to provide whole house power.
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Same situation with me. Full electric house but the costs were just to high to justify a big generator and transfer switch. As long as I can keep the refrigerator running we'll be good. Can cook with either the toaster oven or on the charcoal grill outside. We have a water tank to get through a few days without the well. Just have to haul water to the house for washing up or filling toilet tanks. No big deal for a day or two. Part of the cost of rural living.

Keep your eye out for restocks of that Champion. Never did get a notice that it was in stock. Just happened to check the web site one day and there it was.
 
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highland145

highland145

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Oct 12, 2009
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Pulled the trigger on the champion 4250, $606 on amazon.

Guess I'm selling the generac gp5500 so I won't be too much in the hole. Might have 20hrs on it.
 
C

Crotulus

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Sep 2, 2008
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And just like that the Champion 4650 is back in stock at Home Depot. It was out of stock when I posted the link yesterday.
 
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Crotulus

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deadlyapp said:
What'd you buy at? It's showing $1030 for me. Oof.
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Paid $999 few months ago. Looks like other vendors are now at $1049. This model has always been about $1000. Doesn't seem that far out of line with how all prices are climbing.

There is a gas only version that runs around $850.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

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May 24, 2003
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www.anyf.ca
Most standard UPSes are only standby, which means the electronics will get the brunt of the dirty power, if it's very dirty the UPS might trip into battery mode but then it won't be charging.

What I'd recommend is to add a AC-DC-AC stage. Could be as simple as a battery charger powered by the generator and then a pure sine inverter running off the battery. Still keep the UPS, as it will provide backup until you switch everything over to generator. When I'm working from home if power goes out I basically just unplug the UPS then plug it into a backup source (solar) then I'm good to go.
 
deadlyapp

deadlyapp

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Apr 25, 2004
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Crotulus said:
Paid $999 few months ago. Looks like other vendors are now at $1049. This model has always been about $1000. Doesn't seem that far out of line with how all prices are climbing.

There is a gas only version that runs around $850.
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I had seen someone else mention $600 but that looks like it was the gasoline only, manual start. The dual fuel 4250 is 750. Amazon has the gasoline only 6250 for 989.
 
K

killster1

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
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Red Squirrel said:
Most standard UPSes are only standby, which means the electronics will get the brunt of the dirty power, if it's very dirty the UPS might trip into battery mode but then it won't be charging.

What I'd recommend is to add a AC-DC-AC stage. Could be as simple as a battery charger powered by the generator and then a pure sine inverter running off the battery. Still keep the UPS, as it will provide backup until you switch everything over to generator. When I'm working from home if power goes out I basically just unplug the UPS then plug it into a backup source (solar) then I'm good to go.
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i could see that being important for your MRI / server machine :) but what would virtual Larry use it for? i personally use dirty power 3 hours a day at one of my houses, i am powering a 55" nu7200 samsung and a slim samsung fridge, security cameras, a few fans / laptops and portable ac at times. I also use laptops from the power but no full desktops. I guess even if the tv and fridge died they have lasted like this for a few years so seems like they are holding up fine. i also backfeed the power all the time (not illegal here) but its different when you live in a rice field, no one is going to come fix my power when it goes out so we are all safe.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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Crotulus said:
And just like that the Champion 4650 is back in stock at Home Depot. It was out of stock when I posted the link yesterday.
Click to expand...


Funny enough, Champion has come out with a newer version of that. Dual fuel, and CO monitoring...Looks (so far) to only be a Home Depot item...but, of course, not available.

www.homedepot.com

Champion Power Equipment 4650-Watt Electric Start Gasoline and Propane Powered Dual Fuel Inverter Generator with CO Shield and Quiet Technology 201120 - The Home Depot

The Champion Power Equipment 4650-Watt Inverter Generator with CO Shield is ultra-quiet. With a 0.5-quart oil capacity (included 10W-30) and a low oil shut-off sensor, this inverter operates at an ultra-quiet
www.homedepot.com

 
C

Crotulus

Senior member
Sep 2, 2008
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BoomerD said:
Funny enough, Champion has come out with a newer version of that. Dual fuel, and CO monitoring...Looks (so far) to only be a Home Depot item...but, of course, not available.

www.homedepot.com

Champion Power Equipment 4650-Watt Electric Start Gasoline and Propane Powered Dual Fuel Inverter Generator with CO Shield and Quiet Technology 201120 - The Home Depot

The Champion Power Equipment 4650-Watt Inverter Generator with CO Shield is ultra-quiet. With a 0.5-quart oil capacity (included 10W-30) and a low oil shut-off sensor, this inverter operates at an ultra-quiet
www.homedepot.com

Click to expand...

An extra $100 for a feature that should not be necessary on a generator. Why do you need a CO monitor on a generator? Are that many people running them inside their house?
 
deadlyapp

deadlyapp

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Apr 25, 2004
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Crotulus said:
An extra $100 for a feature that should not be necessary on a generator. Why do you need a CO monitor on a generator? Are that many people running them inside their house?
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Yes. Because they're idiots.

I suspect it's more for people who try to run it in their garages or a shed where the CO can build up without adequate ventilation (because again people are idiots). The monitor would alert you before you entered (or as you entered).

Don't forget, a few people die every single year for running a propane heater or something inside their house when its cold.
 
J

jmagg

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2001
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deadlyapp said:
Yes. Because they're idiots.

I suspect it's more for people who try to run it in their garages or a shed where the CO can build up without adequate ventilation (because again people are idiots). The monitor would alert you before you entered (or as you entered).

Don't forget, a few people die every single year for running a propane heater or something inside their house when its cold.
Click to expand...
I run our gen in a detached garage, If too much CO the gen shuts itself down.
 
J

jmagg

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2001
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killster1 said:
curious how long does it take to shut off from to much monoxide, maybe never since yours is vented.,
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Ours (Generac)shut itself down while in a 14 ft open garage door, with exhaust pointing out. Had to open a casement window in the back of the garage. Seems very sensitive.
 
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deadlyapp

deadlyapp

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killster1 said:
curious how long does it take to shut off from to much monoxide, maybe never since yours is vented.,
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I haven't run it at any great length yet since we haven't had any power outages since purchase. I have intake on one side and exhaust on the other and try to port it directly out to prevent it, also having some venting at the back side of the "roof" for it.
 
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BoomerD

BoomerD

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Feb 26, 2006
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I'm sure there are people stupid enough to run a generator inside a house or enclosed garage, but there are other scenarios where CO build-ups can happen, especially if the generator is in an area that doesn't get good ventilation, or in a low spot...HAZMAT training taught me a shit ton about enclosed spaces...but, yeah, stupid people do stupid stuff.
 
C

Crotulus

Senior member
Sep 2, 2008
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Hadn't even thought about small generator sheds and the like. Could easily open up the shed to check fuel levels and be quickly overwhelmed by CO.
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
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highland145 said:
Pulled the trigger on the champion 4250, $606 on amazon.

Guess I'm selling the generac gp5500 so I won't be too much in the hole. Might have 20hrs on it.
Click to expand...
Came in today...and the new price is $532....:rolleyes:. On hold now, trying to get a refund.

edit: Cause I'm such a good customer....:D

Hello, Jim.

I've requested a refund of $75 to your gift card balance.
 
Last edited:
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BoomerD

BoomerD

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Feb 26, 2006
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highland145 said:
Came in today...and the new price is $532....:rolleyes:. On hold now, trying to get a refund.

edit: Cause I'm such a good customer....:D

Hello, Jim.

I've requested a refund of $75 to your gift card balance.
Click to expand...

The only things that I don't like about that one is that it's gasoline only...no propane...and pull start . (oh my fckn shoulders) BUT, at that price...I might be able to teach my wife how to............wait...that's stupid. Never happen.
I think I'm gonna grab one myself.
 
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sdifox

sdifox

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Sep 30, 2005
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BoomerD said:
The only things that I don't like about that one is that it's gasoline only...no propane...and pull start . (oh my fckn shoulders) BUT, at that price...I might be able to teach my wife how to............wait...that's stupid. Never happen.
I think I'm gonna grab one myself.
Click to expand...

You don't need the generator if you have power to use the electric starter...
 
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