Posts: 1,217
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Joined: Jan 2014
quote:
Originally posted by terracore
I have the 7000w/9000w peak dual-fuel Champion from Costco and have been very happy with it. More output per dollar than anything else I've seen. Not really advertised is that it has a clean sine wave output (less than 5% distortion). It has an LED display to help you track the hours its been running so you know exactly when to change the oil. It also tells you the voltage output. It is an electric start but does not have remote control and probably can't be wired to turn on automatically. It seems very solidly built and there are a lot of little details to its construction I appreciate (for example, it's REALLY easy to change the oil, literally takes only seconds, and there is no struggling to reach any components to do it). Also it has no-flat tires and even though its a heavy unit over 200 pounds its fairly easy to move around.
Here are the technical specs etc:
http://www.costco.com/Champion-7000W-Run...12008.html
I know most people are "Honda Honda Honda". I bought a Honda lawn mower and it's a piece of crap.
Got the same one TC and she is a beaut! Love that dual fuel option. This is actually my 3rd Costco genny as the first two got old and were returned. It might be on the otherside but their return policy is worth the drive!
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Your 4400 watt generator will run your washing machine and your propane dryer with no problem.
Posts: 1,217
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Joined: Jan 2014
quote:
Originally posted by mmbvd7
Thanks for the replies. Already have propane dryer, oven, range top, and on demand propane water heater. Yes, want what is available on island and familiar to people who may have to service it. Unfortunately, we were swayed to get a Midnite system. Good system, but not too many folks familiar with it. If had to do again, would have gone with Outback, as it appears the people I have spoken with, it is used more on this island.
Ideally, the next generator will be one that automatically kicks in before the battery bank gets too low, yet can be ran to bring the battery bank charge high enough to equalize the batteries. Although the one we have is an electric start, it needs the choke to start. It was purchased years ago, paid for, and practically new...so we brought it from the mainland. Decided to at least give it a try. It worked wonderfully for needs (except the washer and dryer) before we got the system up and running. I think what we are wanting is called a standby generator.
The only time we've had issues is when it has been cloudy and clothes HAD to be washed, or when my teenage step daughter was in (with her hair care arsenal!). lol!
Is there any recommended stores or dealers on island?
Can anyone share their experiences with brands? So far, Honda appears to be a winner. Any brands to avoid? Generac brand appears to be the most reasonably priced for the size wanted, but I would like to know if anyone in the area has used one, and would they recommend or not. I read online reviews, but interested in a "neighbor's" experience, if available.
Big mahalo for the input!
Best wishes
If you got the coin and the security then go Generac by all means. It runs off a large propane tank (the bigger the better) and operates on auto. If you get it installed correctly and dialed in right you can “set it and forget it”.
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I have a Honda eu2000i and it certainly runs my washer, even with the on-board heater running. The biggest mistake most people make is oversizing the generator instead of finding ways to work around that. For example I have a 48 volt system based on eight 6-volt costco golf cart batteries. I also have a 48 volt golf cart battery charger. I can plug that into the EU2000i, turn on the economode so it throttles back to just what is needed, and forget it. It charges the batteries directly so it works like a double conversion UPS. If the genny runs out of gas I would never know. There is no flicker of lights. During high draw periods the batteries gradually discharge but not as fast as if the charger were not running. When the large loads cycle off the batteries gain ground.
My gut reaction is that 4,400 watts is already "too large" for an efficient system.
My golf cart charger is actually smaller than I would like. Its capacity maxes out before the capacity of the generator does.
Most inverters for off grid use incorporate a programmable charger for charging with a generator. What model do you have? I think your money would be better spent on an inverter that would allow you to run a small generator a long time. Myself, I am using a re-purposed APC Smart-UPS 3000. It will put out 2,700 watts and will either feed the genny power straight through which limits me to the capacity of the generator (2,000 watts minus losses like what it siphons off to charge the batteries with its small on-board charger) or it will go to battery power which gives me 2,700 watts but discharges the batteries. It was never meant to do what I am trying to do with it. Its charger was sized for the original tiny batteries and is more a nuisance than anything else. A real off-grid inverter has a programmable charger so you can tune the system to work best. The ultimate would be an inverter with generator support. That's where a 3,000 watt inverter can take an extra 2,000 watts from a generator and carry a 5,000 watt load. That way you can get by with a small efficient inverter and a small efficient generator and still handle the large loads while running lean and mean the other 90% of the time.
Sorry if I seem to be preaching but there are certain things in your post that set off alarms. No way should your generator be not charging the batteries. That's a given. No point talking about anything else till you sort that out.
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I would also look into Alaska Diesel. Their lines of diesel heavy duty gensets marketed under the "northern lights brand"
I get about 15,000 20,000 hrs between overhauls on one of their 20kw units. No. lights do not have all the nagging circuitry of some of the other brands (rhymes with O no An )
http://www.northern-lights.com/
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i've got 8 260watt panels, 4 6volt 350ah batteries, and a 24 volt outback inverter with a midnite cc. i think ..
if you want more panels, you just need to get an additional charge controller to handle the current
you should look into a better fridge. we had a sunfrost rf12, but that broke, so we were using a mini fridge. we then got a vissani 9.9cf fridge from home depot. it was less than $400, delivered. it uses less power than both the previous fridges.
your system should be sized in such a way that the generator doesn't need to run unless you haven't gotten sun for at least a couple days. the generator ideally would be a northern lights diesel generator with auto turn on based on battery voltage.
you should only use your washer and dryer during the day when your system has gone to float. trying to run a washer and dryer at any other time is silly.
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My fridge always the largest draw .... I went with a danby first generation propane fridge and 500 watts in panels for a lot of years ...
Servicing large marine gensets taught me how the other side lives, its all determined by ones desire or aversion to burning fossil fuel. Its the auto transfer switch costs that bite .......grin
My personal off grid choice is a 2 kw honda, 2 kw in panels and 8-10 kw in 6 volt us battery units (cheap and I have 7 years on the last set) ....but I also use a maytag 700 watt wringer type washer - and never buy any fuel at my off grid place.
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a simple way to save would be to put a timer on fridge so it goes off at night (6pm-6am).... or to get a propane fridge.... natural gas for things like fridge, stove, water heater, washers driers, etc. can help you save power at night... I only have 2 panels, but we only use it for charging stuff, lights and some TV/Stereo time, and Excede internet and wifi now......
PS.
agree with using thing like washer and drier ONLY during the day as said above...
******************************************************************
save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
Posts: 197
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Joined: Aug 2014
quote:
Originally posted by terracore
I have the 7000w/9000w peak dual-fuel Champion from Costco and have been very happy with it. More output per dollar than anything else I've seen. Not really advertised is that it has a clean sine wave output (less than 5% distortion). It has an LED display to help you track the hours its been running so you know exactly when to change the oil. It also tells you the voltage output. It is an electric start but does not have remote control and probably can't be wired to turn on automatically. It seems very solidly built and there are a lot of little details to its construction I appreciate (for example, it's REALLY easy to change the oil, literally takes only seconds, and there is no struggling to reach any components to do it). Also it has no-flat tires and even though its a heavy unit over 200 pounds its fairly easy to move around.
Here are the technical specs etc:
http://www.costco.com/Champion-7000W-Run...12008.html
I know most people are "Honda Honda Honda". I bought a Honda lawn mower and it's a piece of crap.
Thanks for the info. I saw this one at Costco. Have a couple questions...do you use propane or gas? If you use propane, do you have to choke, pump, or flip any switches ahead of time?
Also, do you charge a battery bank with it?
Thanks so much for the link and information.
Best wishes
Best wishes
Posts: 197
Threads: 16
Joined: Aug 2014
quote:
Originally posted by lavalava
quote:
If you got the coin and the security then go Generac by all means. It runs off a large propane tank (the bigger the better) and operates on auto. If you get it installed correctly and dialed in right you can “set it and forget it”.
Thanks for the feedback in this reply and the other. I love the idea of the standby, but so far the Champion is looking more appealing...especially the price. I did not realize the return policy was that good at Costco. Did you purchase an extended warranty?
Best wishes
Best wishes
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