SoundGuy wrote:
Naio wrote:
Boy, I cannot believe how much gas those little generators use.
"How much gas ..." ?? :h Geez, my Honda EU2000i is rated to run anywhere from ~ 3.4 to 9 hrs, depending on speed, on just 3.6 litres (~ 0.9 US gal) of gas. I'd call that miserly...
According to Naio post, his truck engine is running from 2 to 4 hours on a gallon. A bit more than 2000W generator, but not unacceptably more, if this makes for less noise. Yes, there is a matter of wearing out more expensive truck engine, but then, not all of them are that expensive.
To me, it sucks either way - fumes and constant humming/rumbling of even the quietest generator is not what I'm looking for, when going out there. People are learning now - though slowly - all these basics, i.e. that charging at the end is very slow, and solar can finish the charging off silently, and that with enough solar you may not even have to run this machinery at all, or on most days. And that generators noise levels and lifespan are overstated by manufacturers. I still see people running it a few hours to charge a cell phone or watch a small TV - don't even understand why, when a small $30 inverter would do this without making a dent in battery SOC.
For somebody who doesn't have a generator yet - and spending winter in some place warm - there is a lot to think before buying it. Upfront cost of generator - don't forget about charger as well - exceeds the cost of a midsize solar system a few times, and then there is a fuel and maintenance costs. If truck can do, I would wait and see. The way I see it, solar is a must for an offgrid snowbird, generator is optional.
