The Little Generator that could - Part Deux - Page 4

 

http://www.johndearmond.com/2008/12/31/the-little-generator-that-could-part-deux/
  Ours came a couple days ago.  The 12 volt output was a bit of a pleasant
surprise which I don't remember seeing in the advertising or John's review.
I connected the 12 volt output in place of my PV panels and got a solid five
amps while the generator was also running my kitchen.

   My Heathkit line voltage monitor says the thing puts out 115 volts, with
a steady variation of + - 1 volt that is likely caused by the simple
mechanical governor.  On a tank of gas, (about 3/4 gal) the little thing ran
our big 'fridge for almost exactly 5 hours.  Along with the 'fridge, it
"sort of" ran our microwave for a brief test, but the output dropped to
about 95 volts.

  If we really had to, we could get by on one gallon/day with that thing.
Don't get me wrong, I would rather have my EU, but an EU is an expensive
thing to keep around just for a "backup for my backup"   On the theory that
we are unlikely to have a hurricane in Florida at exactly the same time as
my daughter has an earthquake in California, I have positioned my EU2000
with my daughter in California, including a custom wood shipping crate in
the deal.  If worse comes to worse, (meaning we have a huge power failure
AND my Onan dies) the Chicom generator will hold us over until the EU get
here.

   As I discovered a while ago when I tested a borrowed 1000 watt Yamaha
inverter generator, running a big refrigerator on a 1000 watt generator can
be a tricky deal because you never know when the defrost heaters are going
to kick in, and they take about 800 watts.  So during the defrost period,
you must be available & willing to quickly disconnect all other loads from
the generator, and dedicate its full output to the 'fridge for the duration
of the defrost cycle.

   I, short, it is well worth what we paid for it.  Thanks for the "heads
up" John.

Vaughn

 

You bought the chicom generator that Neon John reviewed
for $100??

 

Yes.  I bought it on Christmas day from a Northern Tool "Buy it Now" listing
on e-bay.  That deal quickly vanished, but could come back at any time.  It
pays to stalk.

Vaughn

 
http://www.johndearmond.com/2008/12/31/the-little-generator-that-could-part-deux/

i know this is not the generator under discussion, and it costs a WHOLE lot
more than the little chicom unit, and it's an inverter, etc.  but, this is
the first time i'd seen this one, i was astonished how little it is and that
it packs 2700 watts.  looks like it must have a string trimmer engine in
there.  you could put it in a backpack, festoon yourself with 2700 watts of
LED christmas lights and go to burning man to hang out with all the naked
women there.  amazingly tiny generator.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item '0341201576

 On Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:40:26 -0600, "William Wixon"



Did you notice the 76 lbs? Youch!  I think that it's probably larger
than that photo makes it look.  I do like the part about hanging out
with the naked women, though....

John