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techntrek

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Topic: Generator for Pod 177
Posted: 27 Oct 2013 at 9:26pm

I do the same, using a large 4 kw UPS to power most of the house for up to an hour, and then I power the UPS from my Prius once the batteries are drained:

http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/showthread.php?12962-Using-a-Prius-as-a-generator

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

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Posted: 25 Oct 2013 at 3:02pm

There are lots of opinions on this issue. I use a UPS with my system connected to a generator since my UPS will not keep my system "up" for an extended period. In some cases the UPS will not "accept" the power from some generators.

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techntrek

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Posted: 25 Oct 2013 at 9:29am

I'm in the same boat, way out at the edge of the service territory with frequent issues. We were out for 55 hours after Sandy (minor compared to some, I know). Neighbors have stories of being out for weeks after ice storms in the 90's.

"Computers need clean electricity" is happily a myth. They are much more tolerant of voltage and frequency fluctuations than some appliances, like tube-based televisions. A popular computer magazine did a test of computer power supplies in the early 90's, taking them to low voltage, high voltage, wild frequencies, voltage surges/sags, and most of them still supplied steady outputs. Modern computer power supplies are even more tolerant due to European regulations and since they can auto-accept 50 or 60 Hz, 120 or 220 volt inputs (with actual minimum and maximums much lower and higher than their name plate ratings). In fact many of them will also accept DC inputs at similar voltages. Lots of other consumer electronics have the same power supplies in them like flat screen televisions, cable boxes, etc.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

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Posted: 25 Oct 2013 at 5:41am

Doug (Techntrek) makes a lot of good points. We have always used Hondas. They are, as he said, more expensive, but since we also use them as backups for our home outages, I like that inverters are safer for my computer than a traditional generator. We have the Ei2000 and its companion unit. This time of year we can carry only one, since we don't use the A/C. For hotter months, we load both of them and rig them in sequence. Again, its an investment because of the need to be able to work (computers) safely at home during outages. Because we are in "the boonies" we are on the "first out, last on" power grid.

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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down

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Posted: 24 Oct 2013 at 10:03pm

Originally posted by techntrek

Note the cap for the 2000 will NOT work with the 2400.

Glad I didn't bet too much.

2010 176
FJ Cruiser

techntrek

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Posted: 24 Oct 2013 at 9:13pm

This past summer ours always cut out at the 8 hour mark, I wish it did last 11 hours. It was typically in the 80's most of each night. I have been looking at ways to extend the Yamaha run time - shouldn't be a problem as long as the external tank is elevated.

Note the cap for the 2000 will NOT work with the 2400.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

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Posted: 24 Oct 2013 at 8:56pm

Originally posted by Thinker

All things being equal, I would go with the EU2000i. You can put a cap on it that allows it to draw fuel from an outboard motor tank. The Honda has a fuel pump, the Yamaha does not. This means a longer run without getting out of the sack to refuel. I carry a little 3 gallon outboard tank. My Honda runs my A/C or as Tech said will run the Micro, but not both at the same time. I seldom need the microwave while sleeping..

A couple of things: my Yamaha 2400 has run for 11 hour on a tank. If you're camping somewhere you can run a generator at night you just fill it up before bed and you're good until morning.

I don't know if it's made by Yamaha and I don't have one, but there is an aftermarket cap for the Yamaha 2000 (I bet it works on the 2400 too) that let's you draw from an external tank. http://www.amazon.com/YAMAHA-EF2000iS-GENERATOR-EXTENDED-FUEL/dp/B004FPDLFM

TT

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Thinker

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Posted: 24 Oct 2013 at 2:33pm

Originally posted by w4bgbob

Thanks techntrek I understand what your saying and agree with the logic, I have been researching the yamaha model you mentioned and also a honda model eu2000i. For now either will have to wait, too many iorns in the fire and other things taking precedence over my toys, but I certainly appreciate all your input and information.

All things being equal, I would go with the EU2000i. You can put a cap on it that allows it to draw fuel from an outboard motor tank. The Honda has a fuel pump, the Yamaha does not. This means a longer run without getting out of the sack to refuel. I carry a little 3 gallon outboard tank. My Honda runs my A/C or as Tech said will run the Micro, but not both at the same time. I seldom need the microwave while sleeping..

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Pathfinder 4WD R-POD Model 171

w4bgbob

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Posted: 24 Oct 2013 at 2:16pm

Thanks techntrek I understand what your saying and agree with the logic, I have been researching the yamaha model you mentioned and also a honda model eu2000i. For now either will have to wait, too many iorns in the fire and other things taking precedence over my toys, but I certainly appreciate all your input and information.

A bad day hunting/camping/fishing is better than a good day at work, especially in a a 2014 Rpod 177 :)

techntrek

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Posted: 24 Oct 2013 at 1:44pm

Something I didn't mention is you have two basic options - old style generator which always runs at 3600 rpms, or newer inverter-generator which can idle down under no/low load. The old style is always loud and uses a lot of gas. The new style are quieter even under full load, and almost always use less gas since generators are rarely run at full throttle all the time.

Neither can be used in any campground overnight, and even if you are camped where you can use one, if you are near others in a campground or someplace like a Wal-Mart parking lot, you will make enemies running the old style for more than a few minutes. For something like running A/C overnight at Wal-Mart (we prefer truck stops) or for charging batteries in the middle of the day for a few hours, you'll want the new style. It is of course much more expensive, but over time the lower fuel consumption can make it pay for itself.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual