[105216] in Cypherpunks
Re: Electric power generators ?
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (attila)
Sun Nov 8 18:34:21 1998
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1998 23:17:59 +0000 (GMT)
From: attila <attila@hun.org>
To: Tim May <tcmay@got.net>
cc: cypherpunks@cyberpass.net
In-Reply-To: <v03130302b26aa5be4c10@[209.66.101.228]>
Reply-To: attila <attila@hun.org>
On Sat, 7 Nov 1998, Tim May wrote:
> [snip]
>If one's need is for very short-term, occasional use, the B & S-based
>generators are OK. Cheap, that's for sure.
>
have seen more than one go down under steady load in less than a
few days --B&S engines should be considered subject to duty cycle
limitations. quite often they have inadequate cooling and a fan
with a shroud can do wonders. use the automotive booster fans
which are now very cheap --and are certainly cheaper than failure.
a second "improvement" to the B&S engines is to circulate the oil
[you need a pump] through a cooler and filter.
>Better engines are Honda and Kohler (and a few of the Coleman generators
>are now starting to feature Honda overhead valve (OHV) engines.
>
Honda is excellent, but grossly overpriced. their 5 KW continuous
duty units were in the $3,500 to $5,000 range last time I looked
frankly, the best buy I have seen is the Hobart Champion 16 220Amp
Stick/MIG/TIG welder or 8,000 watts of continuous duty AC power -
220V @ 35A. 2 cylinder Onan Engine.
rated continuous at 8KW with intermittent peak loading at 12KW.
well regulated 60 Hz and slow speed mode with no current draw.
it will start my 3 HP air compressor -gives its governor a
jolt, but it recovers fast.
I paid $2,100 for a new one a little over a year ago --I've given
it a rather hard time with an AirArc cutter and also 3/8 rod;
when power fails out here in the desert (most every thunderstorm,
like one going down now], the UPS holds on long enough for me to
walk to my truck, turn the auto-start (electric starter sure
saves the shoulder) and plug it to the feed.
the current portable welders and their predecessors have seen
years and years of abuse bolted to trucks. Miller and Lincoln
make very similar units.
it aint much for portable except bolted to a truck: 560 lbs with
a single eye lift bolt.
[snip]
attila out... the door to get wet again {i thought this was
real desert up here}
