The generator for moderate energy needs

[StillHope]

Hotzcatz,you are amazing!
Is there anything you can not do?
I think you might start wrighting a book about sustainable living!
Solar system for less than $10 K ? WOW!
Well,not everyone is as skillful as you are...
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Bullwinkle ,how quiet is the generator? Do you know how much does it cost?

[Bullwinkle]

I have one in a generator shed at the cabin (2 kw), its 75 feet or so from the main house. I can not hear it run at the house - windows open, they claim them to be quieter than a spoken voice.

I'm pretty serious about my off grid stuff ... and would not consider any other unit... for both my comfort level - no noise, super reliable. and easy on the neighbors - allowing me to run after 10 pm if needed

Hondas use sophisticated inverters - meaning they will not cook your big screen or video gear, should one be so inclined.

You can pick them up on ebay for 800- 1000 or so. Another nice feature of the hondas is that you can run two together to make 4kw if you ever need to do some heavy lifting...

[StillHope]

Thank you,Bullwinkle!
I'll research the subject.I don't like to order on line,unless is absolutely necessary.What kind of stores sells them? Should I get it while I am still on the mainland and ship it?

[Bullwinkle]

Call some Honda lawn mower dealers, I have gotten good deals - ebay prices - from them. Last one in Pomona California of all places (passing through)

[Hotzcatz]

Stillhope, if I can do it, you can do it. Even though technically I'm a college graduate, my degrees are in art and those are not exactly the rocket science courses. That was pre-computer art, too, so I'm sure current high school graduates have more information gathering ability at their fingertips (& keyboards) than I ever did. Age may have something to do with it, too. Having had longer to screw stuff up and then figure out how to do it on the fourth or fifth try makes for an extensive database of what can work as well as what doesn't work so well. So far I've spent a couple decades or so fussing about with strange stuff (living off the grid, scratch cooking, building a house or two, clock repair, drafting, gardens, computers, etc.) so hopefully there was something learned. I'm sure you have all sorts of interesting knowledge databases, too. Most everyone knows a bunch of stuff if you ask them about the things they know. Jay has a lot of the learned experiences, too, since he's done a lot of boating also. Boat folk are pretty much off the grid.

I think the Honda dealer in Hilo is Wire Products over by the port. You could inquire about prices from them to see if it would be economical to bring one over from the mainland.

If you are near Grass Valley California, there is an interesting store which has lots of solar stuff, Sierra Solar. I haven't been to their store, but I've gotten their catalog and solar informational stuff before: http://www.sierrasolar.com/contact.php You can order a free catalog from them and it has a lot of information on how to set up solar systems.

[StillHope]

Thank you,Hotzcatz!
You are always so helpful.
About "If I can do it,you can do it" - did you get it from commercials on your "chicken TV"?[]

[oink]

quote:

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Originally posted by Bullwinkle
its 75 feet or so from the main house

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Do you have any voltage drop issues? What wire do you use for the run to the house?

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[Bullwinkle]

I run a 12-3 wire ... 118 volts at the house.

[heyyou]

Home Power magazine has exposure to all manufacturers of non-utility power sources.

A great website is backwoodssolar. They are only interested in off-grid living, not the systems that would use HELCO as the backup battery. Their info about lowering your electrical consumption is excellent, especially if you are on-grid with HELCO.

Many places in Puna might do well using some solar panels and a wind generator, if the small noise is not a problem. Wind generators work day and night so small, quiet ones are fine. DO NOT ATTACH ONE TO A STRUCTURE. The vibration is not good for the building. The noise sounds like someone shaking a pillowcase, but it is continuous. You can lease a tracker to see if wind power will work on your site.

[StillHope]

Thank you very much,heyyou.Interesting information.
I tried to shake my pillow case - no sound.[]