I need a generator to be used on some hunting property in SW Va. I moved up from a tent to a 12x16 shop building this week. Plan on building a house maybe next yr, but in the interim I may stay over a night or two in this building. Would just run some lights, a fan on the monitory oil heater, maybe a small frig. I've never had a generator .... would appreciate some experienced advice on size, type etc.
thanks
Charlie
Okay, here are my findings after years and years of dealing with gensets on properties.
FWIW, I did construction and ranch work for the last 22 years. I hunt a lot, and fish a lot. So, here is my advice:
If the genny will come home with you, and you will only run it a few days a year? Then get an inverter Honda or Yamaha generator. Hands down; quiet, stupid dependable, and compact. They run on gasoline. A tiny unit is the 1000W. It works a few lights, can run the smallest of refers, and it charges batteries. But it really can not drive a drill, nor can it run a decent size refer or freezer. But Honda's 3000W unit CAN. Ad it's still really quiet when compared to any other generator on the market- with the exception of the Yamaha. They are near equal.
If the generator is meant to stay there, and you plan on running it for more than a few hours a day, for several days, etc. I will tell you now, one time and one time only: Buy a propane powered generator in the 5000W range.
Reasons: 1. Gasoline goes to hell in a carburetor, and even in an EFI system if it sits. Ethanol makes it much worse. The tanks can rot from moisture. The units gum up, and start like dogs when you need them most. Propane units run dry of fuel, and then stop. You turn the gas back on, and they start back up. SO easy.
2. Propane has much less smell factor than gasoline. Propane bottles do not spill like gas. Propane is more easily transported, and stays good in the bottle for a year or more with no issues what so ever.
3. Propane is the magic fuel for BBQ, lighting lanterns, space heaters, so on and so forth. One bottle runs everything. When the bottle is closed, the fuel is secured. Wanna be the coolest guy on the hill? Bring up a 20 gallon bottle, and don't refill for a year of camping trips.
4. In nasty weather, propane is much easier to refuel than gasoline. Yeah; Louisiana monsoon rains can make pouring gas a real pain in the neck. Unscrewing a hose, screwing it back on, and opening a valve is just.......easier.
If the worst disaster ever strikes, I am of the opinion that all gasoline supplies will wind up dedicated to vehicles and vehicles ONLY. As in, emergency vehicles. With propane stored (Say 30 or 40 gallons in 5gal. tanks) You can be looking at stretching that fuel out for a long, long time when done right to sustain refrigerated foods far longer than any gasoline powered system will keep up with. This is why I say a 5000W system; you need to be able to run a saw, and run a real full size refer unit to keep perishables cold, likely for a few weeks until things get straightened out. One good delta flood, one nasty tornado or hurricane could do an area in for weeks and weeks. Look at NJ........ some places are STILL not connected to power. And we are talking a year now. While not practical nor perfect, you could travel once a month for propane to charge up your place if need be.
