small generator

[frumpy]

Just looking for feed back from people with small generators. I found one that is 800 watt (950 peak) that I am looking at buying for $180. Mainly would be for running a space heater when (not if) we loose power this winter. Last winter the power was usually out for a day or less but at one point we lost power for 2-3 days.

The generator is a 2 stroke and very small (so would be great for camping/wheeling as it also has a 12v hook up). Any thoughts? There is also a 1300 watt one for $300.

 

[Northern Explorer]

Are you talking about powering an electric space heater? If so I would say that 800 watts will not be enough. I would even say that 1300 watts won't do the job.

Earlier this fall a fellow camper had a furnace malfunction in his camper. He had a 1000 watt Yamaha generator and I had a small electric space heater that I use when I have shore power. Even on the low (low = 750 watts, high = 1500 watts) setting it just didn't seem to be kicking off much heat. I would just get a Mr. Buddy heater if I was you.

I was thinking about getting a Honda 3000 watt generator to plug my forced air furnace into if I lost power for an extended period of time. Fortunately we have a reliable power grid around here.

 

[frumpy]

The space heater I have is 750 watts and kicks out some good heat. Also it would allow us to use the tv/net assuming the cables not out (which it never seems to be) as well as other things like low watt lights, toaster, etc. The 800w one has got quite a few good reviews and people running more stuff than they should be off of it.

 

[frumpy]

Anymore input or other ideas in the same price range ($200ish)

 

[w squared]

Your 750W space heater might draw more than that when it's starting up.

Another thing to keep in mind is that two strokes tend to be less civilized than four stroke engines. They are normally louder, they require a gas/oil mix, and they need more maintenance in the long run than a four stroke.

They have the advantage of being compact and inexpensive, but they also have their shortcomings.

I've got a 1KW 2 stroke generator as well...but it's there as a "just in case" and as a "luxury when in the woods" item - not as a "I'm going to have this running until the lights come back on" item.

 

[frumpy]

I found another one for $300 thats 4 stroke and 1300w. I think I am leaning towards that one now. Not looking for something to run 24/7 for days on end. Just looking for something to give us a bit of heat and light in the house and something thats good for taking camping.

 

[Bcghosttowns]

Check walmart if ya havent.I bought a 3500 watt genny for $350 canadian and its done 4 years hard duty.Its a 4 stroke and weighs about 60lbs so maybe a little bigger than you want but it has loads of power and the price was right.

 

[Ireland]

Bear in mind that genny will be working hard to run a space heater that size so will be very noisy, get a good sleeping bag for your heat and use your genny for other things like lighting ect

Or get a 30m cord and dig a hole for the genny to cut down on the noise

 

[frumpy]

already thought of the hole idea lol. Most likely will just run heat in the day if it gets really cold and good sleeping bags at night. Last year wasn't too bad, just had one outage that was 2.5-3 days and a few 24 hour ones.

 

[charlieaarons]

Mainly would be for running a space heater when (not if) we loose power this winter.

I like my Blaze King woodstove. The fan doesn't work in an outage but it still puts out lots of heat (80,000 btu/hr = 23,000 watts, a bit more than a small electric generator) with out any moving parts except the door and thermostatically controlled air intake.
More heat, more reliable.

Charlie

 

[frumpy]

Trust me, if I weren't in military housing I'd already have a woodstove.

 

[Mike S]

I would not consider a domestic stand by generator less than 5KW. I have had outages (hurricane) that melted down the fridge, eliminated the pressure pump for the water system (no showers or running water in the kitchen) and no lights - this was in the tropics, so add in the need for heat in colder areas.

Even my 2000 Honda is taxed by the demands of cold weather living in my Airstream trailer.

 

[frumpy]

I'm not looking for something to power the house, just something to provide some extra comfort for the outages. I also have no where to keep a large generator at my place other out in the elements (and where it can be easily seen by others). With a portable one I can just throw it in the back of my jeep or the basement.

 

[1Engine]

I'm not looking for something to power the house, just something to provide some extra comfort for the outages. I also have no where to keep a large generator at my place other out in the elements (and where it can be easily seen by others). With a portable one I can just throw it in the back of my jeep or the basement.

Basically a 850w will not run a 750w heater.
As all manufacturers do is the rating is a best case scenario.
The small generators like this only have about a 30% duty cycle.
Also when these generators get to there max output, the voltage drops off & the current rises.

Spend the money & buy a 2kva inverter Honda or similar, you could run the heater, & watch a TV or have your computer on & be on the internet to fill in the hours

 

[frumpy]

the generator for $180 is 800watts, 950 peak. The other one for $300 that I'm leaning towards is 1000watts, 1300 peak.

I like the idea that I can just throw a portable one in the back of the rig and have power anywhere but not much point if it can't power anything.