<21:35>
Jack Spirko: I have one 240 volt and four 120 volt. I wanted to ask what you're saying about the extension chords, the smartest thing you can do you're going to take that approach is investing good-quality heavy gage extension cords, multiple lengths, 100 foot lengths, 50 foot lengths, so you can deal with your house. What we did was, we have one of our Tupperware bins, that keep our shed, every single cord that is for that generator set is in that bin wrapped up neatly at times. Where if we have to deploy the generator, it is almost like snapping together pre-planed things. We already know where everything reaches to. If you're not going to use a transfer switch, because we are moving, we not to pay to have somebody put one in. I just think, if you don't add that to it you are going to be really unhappy, when you try to figure out where all your cords are. I we need one out of that group it goes directly back and it was not being used.
<22:29>
Steven Harris: Good discipline. Good preparedness discipline is very crucial, to doing things in a disaster. Usually when a disaster hits, you are cold, wet, confused, you could be bleeding, your kids are crying, you are hungry and thirsty, it's raining on you, you are pulling out your generator has not been started in two years, and you are trying to find extension cords. That is not a good thing. Doing what Jack said is the right way to do it. Have cords dedicated to it.
<22:55>
Jack Spirko: I would also say started the daggon thing every couple of months. Just run it for a couple minutes. It will make your life happier, I promise you.
Steven Harris: Yeah I'd say once a month. Okay #2 type of generator, a newer type of generator on the market is called the inverter generator. Honda and Yamaha are famous for making these and they are generally smaller generators. They are 1, 2, or 3 kW in size. They have a whole plastic case or shroud around them. Generally looking a lot sexier than regular open generator, that you are familiar with. These actually have fuel powered engine turning a DC generator internally will never know it and it generates high current DC voltage that then goes to electronic inverter, that then converts this to full sine wave AC power. This is why it's called inverter generator it's really, hybrid car without the battery. It works very well. The smallest this come in is usually 1 kWatt with larger ones being around 3 kW. These generators are known for being a efficient. They are better on fuel. They are light, they usually 22 to 44 pounds and then are known for being very quiet. Especially the running a lower loads. It is quite normal to have a conversation right next to one, especially when it's running a low. They are also generally much more expensive than a regular generator. If you want a light weight portable quiet generator, this is the one you get. The Honda EU 1000i, 2000i, and 3000i the most famous of these generators. Yamaha makes a good line of them. I personally on the Honda. Briggs & Stratton also makes one. Generac makes one. Other companies are trying to compete with Honda and Yamaha. If you go on Amazon and you read there reviews, they are nowhere as near as good as the five-star reviews you going to the Honda and Yamaha. If you see a generator that covered on plastic and handle you can pick it up with it it's one of these inverter type generators. Since the inverter generator is computer-controlled, yes there is electronics in it, it controls the throttle very well and it follows the load. Plus, the electronics make up for fluctuations in voltage, so it keeps a steady smooth output. These are the most advanced generators out there. They are also the most expensive. These generators can cost around $1,000 for a Honda or Yamaha line, and $500 to $750 for other names are trying to compete with them. Remember these generators are generally around 2 kW in size. Where as regular generators will be around 5 kW in size. This would be the highest-quality generator you can get. If you were in the small category of generators, and needing 2000 W or less, although there is a 3000 and 6500 units EU Honda... they actually come on wheels so you can move them easier, that's going to be $2,000 to $4,000 for that generator. If you're in a small category and you want high-quality, the inverter generators especially Honda or Yamaha is the way that you should go.
<26:15>
Jack Spirko: I'm look at the retail, and usually you can get these a little under retail, but 2000 W generator like you describe from Honda which in my opinion about the best of them out there, it is about $2,200. A 3000 W is going to run about $2600. If someone said to me, "I need more than 2000 W, but I don't need a tremendous amount more." I would probably tell them, they would be better off buying two of the daggon 2000 W than the 3000 W, because two is one and one is none. You can run at different locations and what have you.
Steven Harris: The Honda EU 2000i is around $1,200 at most locations. The thing about the Hondas is there is a tie in kit. You can run two Honda's EU 2000i side-by-side and they talk to each other. Then they make 4000 W output between the two. That is unique to the Honda.
Jack Spirko: That kicks the ass out of the 3 kW which costs almost as much as the two of them together. I did not know that. I am going to have to look into that. Overall they could be pretty expensive. What's the cheapest generator out there? Someone says "I don't have much money. I need something."
<27:33>
Steven Harris: Ok. I am going to tell you the cheapest. It is really cheap and it works. The cheapest cheapest generate out there is a 800 W, 2-cycle engine generator, from Harbor Freight, for $129. Many times you'll find this 800 W 2-cycle generator on sale for $89. It's 900 W the serge and 800 W continuous power. It's really going to be in the small category. Northern Tool, which is
www.northerntool.com, has a 1000 W continuous power generator it to cycle as well, for $160 bucks. These small generators are not California Air Resources Board, or CARB, compliant. So, they're not for sale for people in California. Hey, you live there. You vote for the people in office. They make the laws. Don't complain to me. okay or trodden upon
Jack Spirko: Or just drive to Nevada and pick one up.
<28:35>
Steven Harris: <laughs> Yeah, drive to Nevada to pick one up. Remember these 2-cycle generator needs oil mixed in with the gasoline. A 2-cycle engine is just like your weed whacker engine or your snapper mower or you're really powerful leaf blower. It is a 2-cycle motor, like a chainsaw. You got to mix oil in with the gasoline. So, you need gasoline and you need oil. It's called two cycle. It is on the shelf at the store. If you are on a budget and you just want something from occasional power failure. And it's not going to running for weeks and weeks on end. This will work for you. This is certainly better than nothing.
<29:18>
Jack Spirko: I agree with that. They're not designed to run from a real long time but they do work I played around with a couple of them. They start pretty easy and one of the best uses of these think it's kind of an entry into your back power, where people are just getting started a budget. If you combine that with a backup battery system. That you always have a trickle charge in the grid, that's when....
Steven Harris: Hang on... That is my next show Jack.
Jack Spirko: Alright, that is just one way I see to use them. I will tell you what, it is better to have it then not have it.
Steven Harris: Right, it is better to have not have it. My next show is all going to be about batteries and battery banks. I'm going to give away a lot of Steven Harris secrets on this one. You know what the most expensive for the generator is, Jack?
Jack Spirko: Probably not have one at all, or trying to find one in the middle of a big black out
<30:09>
Steven Harris: That is right, the most expensive generator is no generator. People will talk to me about satellite phones and they go "It is a $1 a minute! That is expensive!" I tell them there is one thing more expensive than $1 a minute and that is no signal.
Jack Spirko: No signal and you know that you were holding stock in the power company that's currently down. And you can't call your broker to dump it. How expensive is that?
Steven Harris: Yeah. Or your leg is broken and you are bleeding and you are in the middle of nowhere, and you need a rescue. That is when something is priceless. Now, section #4. Our fourth type of generators are PTO generators. I had lots of people write to me about these. That is why I put this section in and in detail. PT0 stands for Power Take Off, it means to connect to the power takeoff of your firm or lawn tractor and it turns the generator. The PTO the spot on the rear of the engine. It is not the drive shaft to the wheels. That you connect a small power takeoff shaft to. It look for the drive shaft to the engine. Then the PTO turns it, and this turns the generator, or a turns grain grinder, or it turns a water/trash pump, it will turn a post hole digger, it will turn to your mower deck, or a hydraulic pump, or log splitters, or other farm machinery.There is no end to the stuff that goes on to a PTO. just go to him Tractor Supply store, you'll see a million different things. These generators can be very inexpensive and affordable generators because you're not buying the engine. The engine is your tractor that you already own. Some large long tractors also have a PTO on them. You are going to have to size your PTO generator to the tractor. When you go look up a PTO generator, the specs will say it has a minimum PTO shaft horsepower needed to make its highest output. A 7 kW PTO generator needs 14 hp off the PTO shaft operate. A 27 kW PTO generator will need about 48 hp off the PTO to operate. At
www.NorthernTool.com, which is just one of the places I looked. They are an ok company. I am not saying rush there, I am saying look around. The 7 kW PTO generator cost of $1000. That is about the same price for a bit more you can buy a regular generator for. Jack got his 6500 W for about $500.
<32:56>
Jack Spirko: Yeah, it was $500 or $600. Something like that.
Steven Harris: It can be a little more expensive or about the same. The 27 kW PTO generator costs only about $3,000. Contrast that a 27 kW PT for $3,000 to the same side of diesel generator is going to cost between $8,000 and $10,000.
Jack Spirko: That is because the $6,000 to $7,000 worth of motor is in your tractor, instead of your generator.
Steven Harris: Exactly, so that is where the savings is. Don't forget you also need something like a small flat trailer, to go to mount the generator, to the pull behind a tractor. It doesn't just bolt on the tractor. So there is a few more dollars right there. I want you to see where the advantage is. However, what does the normal homeowner need 27 kW for? I said 27...
Jack Spirko: Home building of your own electric chairs?
Steven Harris: <laughs> There you go... That is for the Liberals around you, that come by and say "I hear you got some extra food. Can I have some?
Jack Spirko: <laughs> Be nice. <laughs> Alright.
Steven Harris: <laughs> Remember I'm the one who said, "It cheaper to feed your neighbors that it is to electrocute... I mean shoot them." You don't need 27 kW. Your house is only drawing about 1 kW on average. This is much more of a farm tool, than it is a home power tool. Of course, if your preparedness location is a farm that you live on. Then this would work very fine for you. For an expert panel question I just answered, which you will probably hear on Friday. I spoke with Justin, on his goat farm in Georgia. This is be a very good solution for him. He would be able to run all of his well pumps, his grain grinders and everything at the same time. Plus he has a 1000 foot deep well. Its pump on its own might take 5 kW to 10 kW just on its own just for electricity. Depending upon its flow rate, that is the type of person who needs a 27 kW PTO, because he has already got a tractor.
<35:08>
Jack Spirko: I guess that you live in the suburbs, but you have a tractor for some reason you could set "Steve Harris's Electric Company" and sell people power until the lights come back on.
Steven Harris: Yeah, you could. You pretty good penny on it. "Yeah sure I will give you power. $100 a day"
Jack Spirko: <laughs> Or you can be nice for reasonable price.
Steven Harris: Well a $100 a day in a blackout is reasonable, because they would spend a $1000 on generator and the blackout won't last 10 days. That seems pretty good to me.
Jack Spirko: True, but you are not going run a generator that size, on some like the typical lawn tractor, or even the larger one with a PTO. This is a more heavy duty machine, that we are talking about here, right?
Steven Harris: It is, but like the idea of charging $100 a day to your neighbors. Because if they won't pay it on day one, they will pay it on day two.
Jack Spirko: Yeah, especially when you are sitting over there eating eggs in the air conditioning. What are some problems associated with PTO generators.
Steven Harris: That is the big problem, Jack. PTOs have one major problem. You have to adjust the engine speed up or down to get the right frequency, 60 Hz, coming out of the generator. The standard for a PTO is 540 revolutions per minute or RPMs. You have to hook out the PTO, adjust the engine speed by hand, watch the meters on the generator for voltage and frequency, and then hook up your electrical loads. We call this following the load. For farm equipment like electric motors and such, a slowdown frequency voltage is not a big deal, but it will mess with smaller motors your house into the refrigerator and freezer. That won't fry your electronics, but it might make your computer reset or hiccup so to speak.
<36:58>
Jack Spirko: What happens when you hook your house up and AC to the PTO generator.
Steven Harris: what happens when a big load comes on in your house, and you got a PTO generator. Is it puts a load on the PTO and then the voltage and frequency drops. This will depend upon how big your load is, But you have to be by the tractor and adjust throttle up to get more output, more RPMs. You have to throttle up because you just put more of a load on it. This is like what Jack says. When his refrigerator kicks on he hear the generator go Grrrrrrrr little bit more. You have to manually followed the load with a tractor throttle. Note, there is a lever that controls the throttle to the PTO on your tractor. You don't have to sit on the seat of your traction with you foot on the gas pedal. All of the other generators we're talking about today, all have their engines connected to the generator so can maintain the frequency of a relatively constant rate. The PTO is the only generator that does what we're talking about today. And it does not have this connection. You have to fallow the load manually. You know what I'm talking about. You have your house running a generator. You turn on the microwave oven, to heat something up. The microwave is a big drawing 1,200 W. The lights will dim a bit you will hear the generator speed up and get louder. That is because the engine RPM valves in the generator open its throttle automatically to accomplish the higher load and speed to get the generator back at the right speed. There are two things of any engine, this is real brief and thus the same things with a generator. There is speed and load. Speed, is the speed with which the generator is turning or RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) for a generator. This will always be about the same speed because it effects the frequency and voltage output. The load of the generator will vary. The loaded directly measured by the Manifold Absolute Pressure, what we call MAP. This is what is most commonly referred to, you guys as, the vacuum of the engine. While the engine speed will remain relatively the same. The load will go up and down. The higher the load, the loader the generator will be. That's one of the reason the inverter style generators are so quiet quite at low load. There's not a lot of fuel and thus not a lot of bag going into the cylinders and out the exhaust.
<39:20>
