01-19-2018, 11:46 AM | #1 |
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Shop question
After years of having my 24x36 shop we have now retired to FL. I now am working in a 9x18 rented storage unit with NO power. I am slowly getting used to it and have even mounted my work bench and vise on hinges so they can be out of the way when not needed. The one thing I REALLY miss in 110 power. I'm about to go on a search for the least expensive option AND size of a portable generator. My guess is I am not alone with this problem. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Jim
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01-19-2018, 11:58 AM | #2 |
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Re: Shop question
I think you will find, you get what you pay for. If you are going to be using it frequently for hours, a cheap generator will be a disappointment, and noisy. I'm sure there are other good ones, but you can't beat a Honda.
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01-19-2018, 12:17 PM | #3 |
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Re: Shop question
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01-19-2018, 12:23 PM | #4 |
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Re: Shop question
Try and find a used-equipment place for RV equipment, you should be able to pick up a used power plant at reasonable cost. The most common is Onan, they are reliable but noisy. Honda, Yamah and some others are quiet. Good luck!
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01-19-2018, 12:41 PM | #5 |
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Re: Shop question
Do you have propane or natural gas available? Some have dual fuel capacity as at Home Depot though they rent Honda probably for good reason.. Jim in post 4 is correct, i.e, Cresco in our area has some with low hours , some run on bio diesel, etc.
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01-19-2018, 01:08 PM | #6 |
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Re: Shop question
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01-19-2018, 01:29 PM | #7 |
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Re: Shop question
Thats my problem also, storage unit :-( there is an outlet on the light post, I haven’t tried yet. I have a small 75 watt cigarette plug in converter for a drop light. What about a larger converter mounted in your daily driver, it could also be used when you have power outages at home :-)
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01-19-2018, 01:34 PM | #8 |
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Re: Shop question
Of course, the first question that must be answered is: What equipment do you hope to run off the generator? Then base the size on that.
I'd suggest a Honda 2000i... the inverter generators run much quieter and use less fuel. Pretty much any of the cheaper generator options will require you to wear hearing protection. In addition, the Honda 2000i is pretty small, so easy to store, or to take home with you to use when a storm takes out your electricity. |
01-19-2018, 02:00 PM | #9 |
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Re: Shop question
or the Honda 3000 a good choice too!
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01-19-2018, 02:15 PM | #10 |
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Re: Shop question
I join those who have suggested a Honda.
Our Honda EU2000 is amazing! Very quiet. Always starts on pull 1 or 2. Cheap to run. Starts after sitting for months at a time. And they hold their value pretty. Good luck. Gil. NoCal |
01-19-2018, 02:49 PM | #11 |
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Re: Shop question
Make sure your rental agreement you signed doesnt outlaw workshops first.
2nd is what do you plan to run? if just lights get battery powered LED things. Table saw or something like that will draw considerable power. I also agree honda generators are great and quiet. Storage units get very echoy. ALso like someone else look around at the lighting - usually they have an outdoor outlet tied into them you could borrow from.
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01-19-2018, 07:26 PM | #12 |
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Re: Shop question
I've seen a lot of generators come and go while up in Alaska living off the grid. I recommend a Honda also. I have a 2000i that I have had for years and still runs perfect. If you plan to run an air conditioner the 2000i is not big enough but the 3000 will.
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01-19-2018, 07:39 PM | #13 | |
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Re: Shop question
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01-19-2018, 07:59 PM | #14 |
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Re: Shop question
I still live off the grid in Alaska and have owned many different generators. You can't go wrong with a Honda. The EU2000 is a good generator but won't run anything but smaller 110 tools. An EU3000 will run more and will make a small air conditioner run in a motorhome but won't run it for a long time. An EU6500 will run almost anything you want and has 220. If you can get power for a reasonable amount its a nice thing to have. I have owned Generac and they are garbage. I tried a Yamaha because it was sold locally and while it still works its been a POS. I have three Onans and would never willingly have another. They are an overpriced undependable POS.
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01-20-2018, 02:08 AM | #15 |
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Re: Shop question
I bought my Honda EU-1000 off ebay for $400. It's quality, quiet, and very fuel efficient. It runs all my power tools fine.
Be careful on ebay, as lately there are one or two scammers with feedback of only 0, 1, 2, or 3. I don't know what there game is, but I've followed them, and they don't have a generator to sell. |
01-20-2018, 02:22 AM | #16 | |
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Re: Shop question
Quote:
Even if you run it outside the door, the wind could blow the exhaust back into your unit. |
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01-20-2018, 03:07 AM | #17 |
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Re: Shop question
Here's an example of what I just posted about a scammer.
Follow the seller's feedback for the next few weeks, and see if this guy ever gets his Honda. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-EU100...vip=true&rt=nc |
01-20-2018, 08:34 AM | #18 |
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Re: Shop question
How often will you need power? If it’s just lights, you might get by with a solar panel and an inverter and rent a generator if you plan on needing to use a 240v welder or ? As mentioned, Honda’s are the best and the inverter generators are real quiet
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01-20-2018, 09:19 AM | #19 |
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Re: Shop question
Will someone explain the EU in front of the number and the i after the number on the Honda generators? Jack
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01-20-2018, 10:06 AM | #20 |
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Re: Shop question
Well heck, I can see the problem from here.
You retired to the wrong State. For what you are probably paying for a crackerbox house in florida you could have gotten a comfy little ranch house with a barn or double garage sitting on a couple of acres here in Okie Homa. And then you'd be happy like Mama and me. And the Grandkids like it here too.
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01-20-2018, 10:52 AM | #21 |
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Re: Shop question
The main thing you should be concerned about is noise. The Honda EU2000i is rated as being hospital quiet and it just hums along. I have two of them that can be hooked together to put out 4000 VA, and when the two are running the sound is not much more than just one. I still can’t believe how dependable and efficient these things are. I’ve had mine for almost twenty years, and they still look almost new and run like new. They each weigh 46 pounds and are easy to move around. I bought the two so I could have a lot of power with out having a bigger unit, or just use one of them for camping or whatever.
If you get any brand of generator remember to run all the gas out of it each time you use it, then it will last you a long time without problems. Mike |
01-20-2018, 11:11 AM | #22 |
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Re: Shop question
RV generators are INVERTER type units for RVs at twice the price. Look at your needs and consider a contractor type. RVs need very clean power for computers and TVs but you likely could get buy with the more efficient, cheaper unit.
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01-20-2018, 12:14 PM | #23 |
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Re: Shop question
Who conned you into accepting a rented storage as a shop?no,lemme guess,I have one of them too.You have to get a little 'quid pro quo' going when relocating,she gets this,you get that..as the old Jerry Reed song goes,'she got the gold mine,I got the shaft'..
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01-21-2018, 12:01 AM | #24 |
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Re: Shop question
I don't know what the EU stands for, but the "I" stands for inverter, which means the generator power is sent through an inverter to turn it into clean 60 cycle power, just like the house current. These also have the 12 volt battery charging plug, and when power isn't being used the generator idles down.
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01-21-2018, 01:03 AM | #25 |
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Re: Shop question
Oh and FYI brake cleaner will eat the sealer used on concrete floors... dont ask how i know or why theres now newspaper permanently adhered to the floor of my old storage unit. (turns into tacky as hell stuff but as the brake clean evaporates it hardens back up....)
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01-21-2018, 10:36 AM | #26 | |
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Re: Shop question
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01-21-2018, 12:50 PM | #27 |
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Re: Shop question
This reminds me of when we had to get rid of a car from a friends shed back in the early 80's. We had no power and the car was in the middle of the rear end being worked on. We thought about just dragging it out, but the owner was trying to fix it and not destroy it.
Well, it was his wife who came up with the genius idea. We bounced light wherever we needed it with mirrors. Yes, it looked pretty funny, but the work went like clock work. As the sun would move his wife would adjust the mirrors. Regards Bill |
01-21-2018, 06:24 PM | #28 |
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Re: Shop question
Consumers Reports rated the Kohler Pro 2.81 inverter and the Kohler Pro 7.5E gas powered portable the highest but a little noisier than Honda. One Honda had recent recall for gas leak.
Last edited by duke36; 01-21-2018 at 06:31 PM. |
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