cdre
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Re: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
The casting quality likely also reflects the likely metallurgy of the parts... probably the biggest difference between a true Honda and a Chinese clone. My guess is machining tolerances and quality of material are both off, but the robust Japanese design probably compensates. When you do a good job of designing quality in, it will compensate for downstream processes.262Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
professor95 wrote: cdre wrote: There is. Butane is what is available in Belize as opposed to LPG in the states. I think butane is more prone to issues in freezing temps, not an issue in Central/South America. I think one burns a little hotter than the other as well. I run butane on my refridge, water heater, and stove with no issues, and there are tons of vehicle conversions running butane in Belize without significant issues. All that to say, I think the difference is negligable, and I think the gen should ok... But as stated, I dont think going that route is cost effective right now. Gotcha! And the science lesson is much appreciated. I only saw Phenoix in your member ID and ignored Belize. Thus, I put you in Arizona - my bad! (as the grandkids say). Now, for my questions..... Are the containers different? Or do they still use "propane" tanks for butane? I just paid $2.80 per gallon for propane, gasoline is now back up to $1.65 per gallon. What is the situation there? With a near record low of 4 degrees F predicted for our area tonight, do you ever rent out your trailer in Belize? Happy New Year! The containers and fittings are exactly the same. As of last week, both Butane and Gasoline were around BZ$5 (US$2.50) a gallon. While I'm sure gasoline will shoot back up eventually, butane tends to stay significantly lower. In that scenario, butane may be a more economical fuel for me. Also, I think you get more "power" out of a gallon of gasoline than you do butane, but I'd have to confirm the whole btu comparison thing. Also, if I run the gen alot, I'll have to refill often, which is a bit more of a pain with butane than with gasoline. And if I don't run it that often, the breakeven point after equipment cost gets pushed further and further off. I'll likely not bother with it now, but it nice to know the alternative exists. If I move down to my place full time, my plan is to put up a few solar panels to accomodate my modest electricity needs, and run the genset exclusively for my washing machine and iron.262Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
There is. Butane is what is available in Belize as opposed to LPG in the states. I think butane is more prone to issues in freezing temps, not an issue in Central/South America. I think one burns a little hotter than the other as well. I run butane on my refridge, water heater, and stove with no issues, and there are tons of vehicle conversions running butane in Belize without significant issues. All that to say, I think the difference is negligable, and I think the gen should ok... But as stated, I dont think going that route is cost effective right now.287Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
Reason I ask is that I have a champion to recharge my batteries on my off-grid trailer. Trailer is pretty much permanently in place, so transportation is not an issue. The main reason I would consider butane would be if there were a significant cost savings, but I'm not sure there is right now... And like you said, storing butane requires expensive tanks and its probably not as convenient as is gas for permanantish setup such as mine.286Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
I see the discussion regarding running on propane... Is there a significant cost advantage to doing so? Based on some rough info I pulled based on mfgr supplied consumption data for a slightly larger generator, it looks like in terms of volume, significantly more propane is required than gasoline for an hour at full load.286Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
professor95 wrote: cdre wrote: Regarding the pickup bed hoists, I bought one at harbor freight and had a subframe welded up to through bolt it to. Subframe was basically two 1/4" plates welded at a 90 degree angle with some long gussets. (snip) Will it fold down out of the way for use with a fifth wheel hitch? Can it lift a fifth wheel hitch in and out of the bed of a truck? Can it lift a 100# generator into the bed of the truck? Can it be easily removed? It would rest along the side of the bed rails... I mounted mine on the driver side. I always man-handled my 5th wheel hitch into my truck, but it definitely could have done the job. I just moved it to the side when I towed. It could be removed, but the pivot/anchor post remained bolted to the frame (through the bed). This basically consisted of a section of tube about 4" in diameter and about 12" high. Neatly behind wheel well, so it really didn't get in the way.258Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
Regarding the pickup bed hoists, I bought one at harbor freight and had a subframe welded up to through bolt it to. Subframe was basically two 1/4" plates welded at a 90 degree angle with some long gussets. Bolted these to the frame of my truck, and bolted the hoist to the subframe. This allowed a strong anchor point as far as possible to the side of the bed instead of bolting directly to the frame rails more toward the middle. The hoist worked great for moving engines around and such. I even used it as a cherry picker with the bed removed for installing an engine in a jeep. It was close enough to the bed rails that I would extend the boom, clip the hook to a chain anchored forward of the wheel hump, and lift the boom just enough to take out the slack. Stashed the jack handle in the toolbox, and no-one ever messed with it. One of the better upgrades on my truck.200Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
Assuming the voltage drop from the generator head to the outlet is negligable, the advantage in camperdave's solution is that it eliminates the ability to overload the likely cheap 20amp outlets. Disadvantage is that it eliminates two of the outlets, but that is not an issue for me. Bob's solution requires slightly more complicated wiring behind the panel, but allows the voltmeter to continue working along with all outlets. I think when it is all said and done, I will probably stick with camperdave's gen-head rewire and a 30 amp breaker. I imagine with the new generators coming out, fewer people will be attempting rewires like mine... Picked mine up as a refurb for $99 at Checker, so I can't complain. BTW, thanks to everyone for your inputs... This forum is great!254Views0likes0Comments
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