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Posted: 9/7/2010 1:13:28 AM EDT
[#1]
Has anyone figured out a way to hack a 12v DC receptacle into the Harbor Freight model?
Cabela's has a 1kW generator that comes with a DC receptacle. The DC receptacle is one the left side of the machine, above the generator unit. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0068982523661a&navCount=6&podId=0068982&parentId=cat20167&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20167&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=&cm_ite=netcon&rid=2146251080&hasJS=true My generator has a rubber plug in that same place and it would be awesome to be able to charge up a battery using DC instead of having to plug an AC battery charger into the AC outlet then charge a battery. |
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Posted: 9/7/2010 1:28:10 AM EDT
[#2]
Originally Posted By Gixxersixxer: Has anyone figured out a way to hack a 12v DC receptacle into the Harbor Freight model? Cabela's has a 1kW generator that comes with a DC receptacle. The DC receptacle is one the left side of the machine, above the generator unit. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0068982523661a&navCount=6&podId=0068982&parentId=cat20167&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20167&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=&cm_ite=netcon&rid=2146251080&hasJS=true My generator has a rubber plug in that same place and it would be awesome to be able to charge up a battery using DC instead of having to plug an AC battery charger into the AC outlet then charge a battery. Man that design looks really familiar. Not sure if the generator this thread is about has a DC side at 12V but if so it should be an easy do. Maybe its time to look under the hood of these things. Paging Skibane, or others more knowledgeable than myself, what say you? |
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Posted: 9/7/2010 1:33:02 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Skibane]
[#3]
Originally Posted By Gixxersixxer:
Has anyone figured out a way to hack a 12v DC receptacle into the Harbor Freight model? The versions equipped with a 12VDC receptacle have a second, low-voltage AC winding on the alternator stator. A diode (or pair of diodes) then converts this AC into DC. So, unless you're willing to re-wrap the wire on your Harbor Freight generator's stator so that it includes this second winding, you're SOL. The 12VDC receptacle isn't much use in charging 12 volt batteries anyway. It's unregulated, which means that the output current drops drastically as the battery starts to accept a charge. It would take many hours of generator run-time to do a decent job of recharging your average deep-cycle battery with it. Best approach for recharging batteries is to use a good AC-powered battery charger. The Vector/Black & Decker VEC1093DBD is superb for this purpose - It's designed to deliver full charging current even when the AC voltage sags, and can be used with a small generator like the HF 2-stroke to quickly bring a large battery bank up to full charge. |
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Posted: 9/8/2010 4:00:36 PM EDT
[#4]
Well the little generator got the call up for active duty again last night/this morning.
 Power went out about 0345. With the biblical rains we're having it was no surprise. Woke up around 0500 and got the generator hooked up to the main refrigerator (side-by-side and big but not sure of the power requirements) a 150W halogen light and a coffee maker. Ran it until 0930 when power was restored. The fridge and the light were no problem but when the heating elements for the coffee maker kicked on you could really tell it but the generator never tripped. After the wife woke up I turned off the coffee maker. I topped off the tank before hooking it up and didn't refuel the entire time. Not sure how much fuel was used but it was probably getting pretty low. 4.5 hours active duty and zero problems. |
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MS, USA
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Posted: 9/8/2010 5:04:11 PM EDT
[#5]
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
Well the little generator got the call up for active duty again last night/this morning.
Power went out about 0345. With the biblical rains we're having it was no surprise. Woke up around 0500 and got the generator hooked up to the main refrigerator (side-by-side and big but not sure of the power requirements) a 150W halogen light and a coffee maker. Ran it until 0930 when power was restored. The fridge and the light were no problem but when the heating elements for the coffee maker kicked on you could really tell it but the generator never tripped. After the wife woke up I turned off the coffee maker. I topped off the tank before hooking it up and didn't refuel the entire time. Not sure how much fuel was used but it was probably getting pretty low. 4.5 hours active duty and zero problems. This amazes me. Are you saying that you were running all 3 items at the same time?? Are we still talking about the little 800W HF generator here? How many starting watts does the average side-by-side refrigerator pull? I wouldn't expect these generators to run more than one of the items you listed at a time, if that. 150W light, sure, but I'd expect a refrigerator to surge at about 2000 W, and I was thinking coffeepots were more like 1200-1500 watts. |
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Posted: 9/8/2010 5:17:59 PM EDT
[#6]
Originally Posted By Canoer: Originally Posted By SeanTX: Well the little generator got the call up for active duty again last night/this morning. Power went out about 0345. With the biblical rains we're having it was no surprise. Woke up around 0500 and got the generator hooked up to the main refrigerator (side-by-side and big but not sure of the power requirements) a 150W halogen light and a coffee maker. Ran it until 0930 when power was restored. The fridge and the light were no problem but when the heating elements for the coffee maker kicked on you could really tell it but the generator never tripped. After the wife woke up I turned off the coffee maker. I topped off the tank before hooking it up and didn't refuel the entire time. Not sure how much fuel was used but it was probably getting pretty low. 4.5 hours active duty and zero problems. This amazes me. Are you saying that you were running all 3 items at the same time?? Are we still talking about the little 800W HF generator here? How many starting watts does the average side-by-side refrigerator pull? I wouldn't expect these generators to run more than one of the items you listed at a time, if that. 150W light, sure, but I'd expect a refrigerator to surge at about 2000 W, and I was thinking coffeepots were more like 1200-1500 watts. Same generator. Like I said, when the coffee pot heater kicked on you could hear the generator load up quite a bit but it never tripped. The wife commented that the coffee took longer than usual to cook this morning but who knows if she was just paying more attention than usual. Honestly the fridge didn't seem to load it much at all. It is a 4 year old "energy star" GE Profile unit FWIW. The halogen light is a spot I use in the garage. No doubt if I would have used something with CF bulbs like in the house i could have lit the place up really well but it wasn't needed and I didn't feel like stretching cords all over the place. The wife even heard the freezer dump ice once. I assure you what I stated is true but I'm curious what the coffee pot draws. I will give it a look tonight and see. It is a two prong connector with small gauge wire but I will confirm actual watts. |
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MS, USA
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Posted: 9/8/2010 5:29:00 PM EDT
[#7]
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
Originally Posted By Canoer:
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
Well the little generator got the call up for active duty again last night/this morning.
Power went out about 0345. With the biblical rains we're having it was no surprise. Woke up around 0500 and got the generator hooked up to the main refrigerator (side-by-side and big but not sure of the power requirements) a 150W halogen light and a coffee maker. Ran it until 0930 when power was restored. The fridge and the light were no problem but when the heating elements for the coffee maker kicked on you could really tell it but the generator never tripped. After the wife woke up I turned off the coffee maker. I topped off the tank before hooking it up and didn't refuel the entire time. Not sure how much fuel was used but it was probably getting pretty low. 4.5 hours active duty and zero problems. This amazes me. Are you saying that you were running all 3 items at the same time?? Are we still talking about the little 800W HF generator here? How many starting watts does the average side-by-side refrigerator pull? I wouldn't expect these generators to run more than one of the items you listed at a time, if that. 150W light, sure, but I'd expect a refrigerator to surge at about 2000 W, and I was thinking coffeepots were more like 1200-1500 watts. Same generator. Like I said, when the coffee pot heater kicked on you could hear the generator load up quite a bit but it never tripped. The wife commented that the coffee took longer than usual to cook this morning but who knows if she was just paying more attention than usual. Honestly the fridge didn't seem to load it much at all. It is a 4 year old "energy star" GE Profile unit FWIW. The halogen light is a spot I use in the garage. No doubt if I would have used something with CF bulbs like in the house i could have lit the place up really well but it wasn't needed and I didn't feel like stretching cords all over the place. The wife even heard the freezer dump ice once. I assure you what I stated is true but I'm curious what the coffee pot draws. I will give it a look tonight and see. It is a two prong connector with small gauge wire but I will confirm actual watts. I didn't mean to imply I didn't believe you; I am just surprised you were able to power that much. I haven't played with mine enough to test its limits (still in the break-in period), but I had just read that refrigerators average about 700 watts running and surge at around 2000. I guess I need to get a kill-a-watt meter and experiment with my stuff. Obviously that is great news that yours worked out that well, and indicates that these things are even more useful than I thought. |
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Posted: 9/8/2010 9:05:46 PM EDT
[#8]
I am seriously thinking of getting one (especially if I can order it online with 20%off). I really want to know more about it, as it seems to meeting and exceeding everyone expectations. I've been watching this thread a while and want to know what real world results ya'll come up with.
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Posted: 9/8/2010 9:38:31 PM EDT
[#9]
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
... That's pretty damned impressive! I'd guess that your coffee pot pulls over 1,000 watts, just by itself. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/8/2010 9:42:01 PM EDT
[#10]
Dumb question -
Can I feed the 115 power outlet on this generator into the 240v/30 amp plug-in on my transfer switch? |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 9/8/2010 10:14:55 PM EDT
[#11]
my little harbor freight generator is still going strong. I am probably at about 20 hours now and have learned one thing. Mine has a slight knock when running cheap 87 octane gas... It runs smoother with 89 octane gas. Has anyone else noticed that about low octane gas?
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Posted: 9/8/2010 10:19:05 PM EDT
[#12]
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Dumb question - Can I feed the 115 power outlet on this generator into the 240v/30 amp plug-in on my transfer switch? You forgot the little smilie at the end of your post... 
You were joking, right?... 
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Posted: 9/8/2010 10:28:33 PM EDT
[#13]
Originally Posted By Skibane: Originally Posted By SeanTX: ... That's pretty damned impressive! I'd guess that your coffee pot pulls over 1,000 watts, just by itself. According to the label on the bottom, 1,000 watts. I know this sounds completely bogus but so help me it's true. The burner (warmer, hot plate thing that the pot sits on) seemed to be connected to a thermostat that cycled on and off. When it was on the generator would load up pretty good. But there was also a 150W light attached and a refrigerator. No doubt the fridge cycled on and off but the 150W and 1 KW were constant (when the burner was on). Where can I find a kill-a-meter? Seriously. The internet is no place for assertions of grandeur and half-truths.  I want to know what the true load to this thing is/was. |
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Posted: 9/8/2010 10:34:27 PM EDT
[#14]
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
Where can I find a kill-a-meter? Kill-A-Watt? Nowadays, they're going for real cheap on ebay. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/8/2010 10:37:29 PM EDT
[#15]
Originally Posted By hawk1:
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Dumb question - Can I feed the 115 power outlet on this generator into the 240v/30 amp plug-in on my transfer switch? You forgot the little smilie at the end of your post...
You were joking, right?... Nope, not joking. I seem to recall RV guys plugging into 30amp service plugs from 115 outlets on their little generators. I just don't know enough about it. All I know is that on my big generator it has an l1430 outlet and my transfer switch has the same receptacle. |
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MS, USA
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Posted: 9/8/2010 10:59:40 PM EDT
[#16]
Mark your calendars, guys, I was in Harbor Freight over the weekend and picked up a flyer...
October 1-3, they are having the "Gigantic Parking Lot Sale!" and the flyer has these things on sale for $79.99. The flyer isn't showing it as a "coupon" price, just a regular sale price, so I am thinking about trying a 20% coupon down on top of the sale price ($80 - 20% = $64!!!11!) If these things can be had for $64 (with coupon), that is crazy good. Worth picking up an extra one or two to keep as loaners for the neighbors, in-laws, etc.
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Posted: 9/9/2010 12:17:31 AM EDT
[#17]
Originally Posted By Canoer:
Mark your calendars, guys, I was in Harbor Freight over the weekend and picked up a flyer... October 1-3, they are having the "Gigantic Parking Lot Sale!" and the flyer has these things on sale for $79.99. The flyer isn't showing it as a "coupon" price, just a regular sale price, so I am thinking about trying a 20% coupon down on top of the sale price ($80 - 20% = $64!!!11!) If these things can be had for $64 (with coupon), that is crazy good. Worth picking up an extra one or two to keep as loaners for the neighbors, in-laws, etc. Worth a try to get a second one, thanks for the heads up. http://www.harborfreight.com/retail-flyer?utm_source=prospects&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3610A |
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Posted: 9/9/2010 12:25:39 AM EDT
[#18]
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Originally Posted By hawk1:
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Dumb question - Can I feed the 115 power outlet on this generator into the 240v/30 amp plug-in on my transfer switch? You forgot the little smilie at the end of your post...
You were joking, right?... Nope, not joking. I seem to recall RV guys plugging into 30amp service plugs from 115 outlets on their little generators. The "standard" 30 amp 3-prong RV plug is still just 115 volts - Basically, it's a beefier version of the common 15 amp residential plug. There is also a 4-prong 240 volt RV plug, but it's commonly referred to as a "50 amp" plug. There are adapters available that will allow you to plug a 30 amp RV plug into a standard 15 amp outlet - Wal-Mart sells 'em - but you're limited to a maximum of 15 amps when using it. |
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MI, USA
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Posted: 9/9/2010 1:22:37 AM EDT
[Last Edit: bsf]
[#19]
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
Well the little generator got the call up for active duty again last night/this morning.
Power went out about 0345. With the biblical rains we're having it was no surprise. Woke up around 0500 and got the generator hooked up to the main refrigerator (side-by-side and big but not sure of the power requirements) a 150W halogen light and a coffee maker. Ran it until 0930 when power was restored. The fridge and the light were no problem but when the heating elements for the coffee maker kicked on you could really tell it but the generator never tripped. After the wife woke up I turned off the coffee maker. I topped off the tank before hooking it up and didn't refuel the entire time. Not sure how much fuel was used but it was probably getting pretty low. 4.5 hours active duty and zero problems. I think it likely the generator was not supplying power at 120V with that load. I would love to know what your fridge compressor draws at startup. Not certain a kill-a-watt meter samples fast enough to measure this. I am not very familiar w/ the kill-a-watt products. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/9/2010 6:10:12 AM EDT
[#20]
Originally Posted By Skibane:
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Originally Posted By hawk1:
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Dumb question - Can I feed the 115 power outlet on this generator into the 240v/30 amp plug-in on my transfer switch? You forgot the little smilie at the end of your post...
You were joking, right?... Nope, not joking. I seem to recall RV guys plugging into 30amp service plugs from 115 outlets on their little generators. The "standard" 30 amp 3-prong RV plug is still just 115 volts - Basically, it's a beefier version of the common 15 amp residential plug. There is also a 4-prong 240 volt RV plug, but it's commonly referred to as a "50 amp" plug. There are adapters available that will allow you to plug a 30 amp RV plug into a standard 15 amp outlet - Wal-Mart sells 'em - but you're limited to a maximum of 15 amps when using it. Ok, thanks.. that makes sense |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 9/9/2010 1:20:41 PM EDT
[#21]
If someone confirms the generators will be net $62 after coupon during that sale event, I'm in for a second one. That would make a cool christmas gift for my folks.
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Posted: 9/9/2010 2:52:36 PM EDT
[#22]
I'll grab two myself, if they'll let us use two coupons and get them for that cheap. Where is everyone getting the original coupons from or wll they take printouts? I need to call them and make sure they'll let me use them with the sale price before I drive 2 hours. $79 is still cheap though I probably will only get one at that price
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Posted: 9/9/2010 3:39:03 PM EDT
[#23]
I probably should get one of the fiancee's house for the fridge and sump pump.
Already have the backup heat covered and there is no AC. |
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Posted: 9/9/2010 4:31:38 PM EDT
[#24]
Originally Posted By JoeRedman:
I'll grab two myself, if they'll let us use two coupons and get them for that cheap. Where is everyone getting the original coupons from or wll they take printouts? I need to call them and make sure they'll let me use them with the sale price before I drive 2 hours. $79 is still cheap though I probably will only get one at that price Bring a friend with you and have them buy one.
Also, I've never had a problem with the store accepting a printed coupon. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 9/9/2010 5:00:14 PM EDT
[#25]
Originally Posted By hawk1:
Originally Posted By JoeRedman:
I'll grab two myself, if they'll let us use two coupons and get them for that cheap. Where is everyone getting the original coupons from or wll they take printouts? I need to call them and make sure they'll let me use them with the sale price before I drive 2 hours. $79 is still cheap though I probably will only get one at that price Bring a friend with you and have them buy one.
Also, I've never had a problem with the store accepting a printed coupon. this +1 Every time I go into the store, I bring a couple of 20% off coupons and a free flashlight coupon....and the old lady. Never had a problem with printing off the coupons. Besides they send them by email, how else are you suppose to redeem it without printing? On a side note, I have about 20 of the free flashlights...they will make great stocking stuffer's for the kids. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 9/9/2010 5:04:47 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Blackoperations]
[#26]
Originally Posted By bsf:
Originally Posted By SeanTX:
Well the little generator got the call up for active duty again last night/this morning.
Power went out about 0345. With the biblical rains we're having it was no surprise. Woke up around 0500 and got the generator hooked up to the main refrigerator (side-by-side and big but not sure of the power requirements) a 150W halogen light and a coffee maker. Ran it until 0930 when power was restored. The fridge and the light were no problem but when the heating elements for the coffee maker kicked on you could really tell it but the generator never tripped. After the wife woke up I turned off the coffee maker. I topped off the tank before hooking it up and didn't refuel the entire time. Not sure how much fuel was used but it was probably getting pretty low. 4.5 hours active duty and zero problems. I think it likely the generator was not supplying power at 120V with that load. I would love to know what your fridge compressor draws at startup. Not certain a kill-a-watt meter samples fast enough to measure this. I am not very familiar w/ the kill-a-watt products. I second this. You def had that thing maxed out. I found that this unit will put out close to 1200 watts but at like 80 volts (it was spiking wildly). Get a multimeter and check out the volts with just the fridge plugged in. The fridge will run for awhile with low voltage, but you will end up burning out the your $1000 fridge with your $80 generator. So be careful. If you were able to kick on the compressor, then you shouldn't have any problems running the fridge (as long as the volts are normal) by itself. |
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Posted: 9/9/2010 6:03:01 PM EDT
[#27]
Originally Posted By pyro6988:
I probably should get one of the fiancee's house for the fridge and sump pump. Already have the backup heat covered and there is no AC. I would check the plate on that sump pump. It may be wishful thinking with this little genny. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/9/2010 11:11:52 PM EDT
[#28]
I'm going to try to get mine tomorrow morning. Should be about $71 + tax.
I've been looking for a backup for my 5500watt gas hog. Heck, when the 2011/2012 cme grid killers hit, it'll probably be my primary just to save gas. Might pick up a second one during the Oct 1-3 sale.. |
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Posted: 9/9/2010 11:46:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Skibane]
[#29]
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
I'm going to try to get mine tomorrow morning. Should be about $71 + tax. You might want to call your local store beforehand, to make sure that they're honoring the sale price shown on their web site. I checked my local store this past weekend - they were still selling 'em for $139.95!
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Posted: 9/10/2010 5:24:16 AM EDT
[#30]
Originally Posted By Skibane: Originally Posted By GTTacoma: I'm going to try to get mine tomorrow morning. Should be about $71 + tax. You might want to call your local store beforehand, to make sure that they're honoring the sale price shown on their web site. I checked my local store this past weekend - they were still selling 'em for $139.95! If you print it out and take it in, my local HFs honor the web site prices. |
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Posted: 9/10/2010 10:24:23 AM EDT
[#31]
I just checked shipping to my address and it is only $10. Think I may save the gas and let them mail it to me.
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/10/2010 11:15:44 AM EDT
[Last Edit: GTTacoma]
[#32]
Got it!! $71.99!!
Seems pretty darn well built.. engine runs good, and it's quiet! Thanks guys - I feel a little better about my down-grid preps now 
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FL, USA
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Posted: 9/10/2010 3:09:14 PM EDT
[#33]
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Got it!! $71.99!! Seems pretty darn well built.. engine runs good, and it's quiet! Thanks guys - I feel a little better about my down-grid preps now that's a great deal. I am going to hold off on buying a third one until the October side walk sale, I will try to buy it a $64 (sale price of $79-20%coupon=$64) and bring a friend to buy two. If I can get two more, I will have my big ticket Christmas presents purchased! Family will think I bought them a $140 generator, when in reality I bought two for less than that. If that works out, I will have to change the name of the thread to Review of the $79 $64.99 Harbor Freight Generator (with pics) 56k noway... update page 4 Makes you wonder what harbor freight pays for these units, must be less than 50 bucks a pop when they buy a container full. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/10/2010 11:12:46 PM EDT
[#34]
Originally Posted By Blackoperations:
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Got it!! $71.99!! Seems pretty darn well built.. engine runs good, and it's quiet! Thanks guys - I feel a little better about my down-grid preps now that's a great deal. I am going to hold off on buying a third one until the October side walk sale, I will try to buy it a $64 (sale price of $79-20%coupon=$64) and bring a friend to buy two. If I can get two more, I will have my big ticket Christmas presents purchased! Family will think I bought them a $140 generator, when in reality I bought two for less than that. If that works out, I will have to change the name of the thread to Review of the $79 $64.99 Harbor Freight Generator (with pics) 56k noway... update page 4 Makes you wonder what harbor freight pays for these units, must be less than 50 bucks a pop when they buy a container full. Yep. I may get another one then.. But wanted to make sure I at least got one now. They seemed to have plenty of them in stock though. I didn't count - But I'd guess they had 12 or more on the floor. I've been reading reviews of these gensets/engines elsewhere on the internet, and they seem to be solid units. The only real problem is initial QC. If the set makes it for a few hours without any problems, it seems it'll last as long as any other little genset. Really makes me wonder how overpriced the Honda stuff is! I've been looking at little Honda generators for years now, but I just couldn't justify the price for what I needed it for. At $72 dollars/each I could get 14 of these for the price of one Honda?!! Insane! |
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Posted: 9/11/2010 4:18:55 AM EDT
[#35]
Here's a tip for the people that don't store high octane premium fuel, 92+ octane. I found my generator had problems when running the 89 octane fuel that I store for the cars and primary generator. If yours runs fine on mid-grade then you're luckier than I am. The manual recommends 92+ for best performance and I experienced the need for a higher octane fuel.
Xylene has an octane rating of 117/118 depending on the source. You can purchase xylene in 5 gal buckets from paint stores. Lowes and HD carry gallon containers as well but they're ~$20/gallon. Don't worry, gas already has xylene in it to act as the octane and prevent pre-detonation. You're not adding anything that gas doesn't have. In addition, you'll be adding the 2-cycle oil which will provide lubrication since the lube in the pump bought gas gets diluted a bit. Take 0.2 gal of xylene and add the gas to get a final volume of 1 gallon. The gas is now 94.8 octane which will run spectacular in a small, high compression engine. The math behind this works by (octane1 * volume) + (octane2 * volume) / final volume = new octane rating. Remember to keep your volume units the same through the calculation. So for my suggestion: (118 * 0.2gal) + (89 * 0.8gal) / 1 gallon = 94.8 octane gas. I plan on stocking a few gallons of xylene on hand instead of switching all my fuel storage to premium fuel. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 9/11/2010 9:25:56 AM EDT
[#36]
So my refridgerator has a sticker on it that says something like - "maximum power usage - 4.9 amps"
Is 800/900 watts enough to start this motor up without damaging either the generator or the fridge? |
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MS, USA
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Posted: 9/11/2010 10:02:43 AM EDT
[#37]
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
So my refridgerator has a sticker on it that says something like - "maximum power usage - 4.9 amps" Is 800/900 watts enough to start this motor up without damaging either the generator or the fridge? Well, the simple math would indicate that it is; Watts = Volts * Amps, so (120 Volts) * (4.9 Amps) = 588 Watts, which should be fine on these generators. The question I have is whether "Maximum" power usage really includes the startup surge, which is usually expected to be about 3 times the running wattage on compressor motors. I am not enough of a mechanical/electrical engineer to know. Might be worth calling the manufacturer and trying to find some tech staffer? |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 9/11/2010 12:47:50 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Blackoperations]
[#38]
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
So my refridgerator has a sticker on it that says something like - "maximum power usage - 4.9 amps" Is 800/900 watts enough to start this motor up without damaging either the generator or the fridge? You should be just fine running 5amps with this gen. Check your voltage when the compressor kicks on, if it drops below 100v you are exceeding the capacity of the generator. Normally start up watts on a fridge is 2-3 times normal running watts. In your case, I think you are at 2x, I say this because you were able to kick-on the compressor, if it was 3x the generator would stall and/or the compressor would not kick on. But do your self a favor and don't run much else when the compressor is on, compact florence's would be fine, but don't run a coffee maker a hair drier. ETC |
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Posted: 9/14/2010 1:05:54 AM EDT
[#39]
Tagging this so i will remember to go Oct. 1 and see about picking one up.
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Posted: 9/18/2010 6:28:59 PM EDT
[#40]
I bought something to use with my HF generator to make sure I know what is going on and I am not over taxing it too badly. Its really cheap if you use the 20% off coupon.
digital electricity usage monitor |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 9/19/2010 9:54:50 AM EDT
[#41]
nice find.
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Posted: 9/20/2010 6:09:00 AM EDT
[#42]
Going to get one today.
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Posted: 9/25/2010 10:30:39 PM EDT
[#43]
What are the load/run times ya'll are getting out of this little beast? I think my wife is sick of me talking about this trip to get this thing next weekend. Anyone know if the Memphis store is for sure going to have them on sale/coupons?
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FL, USA
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Posted: 9/26/2010 3:24:30 PM EDT
[#44]
Originally Posted By JoeRedman:
What are the load/run times ya'll are getting out of this little beast? I think my wife is sick of me talking about this trip to get this thing next weekend. Anyone know if the Memphis store is for sure going to have them on sale/coupons? During the break in period, I got roughly four hours at half load. Now with a little over a 100 hours, I am getting roughly 5 hours at 3/4 load (could be a little more, just guessing, don't run it with a stopwatch  ). I have not run a full tank at full load, so that's anybody's guess, based on the previous figures.
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Posted: 10/1/2010 12:29:22 AM EDT
[Last Edit: hanau]
[#45]
parking lot sell starts today. $79
http://www.harborfreight.com/retail-flyer 20% coupon http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/campaigns/localmedia/retailmenot_sept/images/20_c.jpg |
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Posted: 10/1/2010 12:57:58 AM EDT
[#46]
Originally Posted By hanau:
parking lot sell starts today. $79 http://www.harborfreight.com/retail-flyer 20% coupon http://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/campaigns/localmedia/retailmenot_sept/images/20_c.jpg $79.99 - 20% coupon = $63.99 generator!
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Posted: 10/1/2010 8:00:26 AM EDT
[#47]
bump for today
i think i will pick mine up tomorrow |
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Posted: 10/1/2010 11:45:15 AM EDT
[#48]
has anyone actually used the online coupon with this? I mean, printed it out and then got the discount with it? Just curious, because I'm looking to pick up 3 of them and am wanting to make sure they will take a print-out of the coupon.
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MS, USA
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Posted: 10/1/2010 12:22:57 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Canoer]
[#49]
I did a few months ago. They've always taken it at my store no questions asked. But it only applies to one item, not your total purchase, so you'd either have to make 3 trips, or bring 2 friends with you to get 3.
EDIT: Where in MS are you? I used it at the store in Pearl. |
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Posted: 10/1/2010 12:32:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: JoeRedman]
[#50]
that's where I'm heading...Pearl. Was going to Mempho, but I want to mill around one of the army-navy surplus stores...know any good ones in Jackson? of, BTW I'm from Cleveland.
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