Generators Discussion Board

Changing the starter cord on A Craftsman 5600 generator.

madgolfer — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:50:25 GMT

Hi Swilt, try searching Youtube for some recoil rope replacement videos. The riveted Briggs recoils require removing the entire shroud. Good luck.

Changing the starter cord on A Craftsman 5600 generator.

Swilt — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:14:45 GMT

I need to replace the starter cord on my generator and cannot find instructions in the user manual. Any ideas?

generator for compact 'fridge-wattage?

ZiRT — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:21:03 GMT

Good, thanks!!

generator for compact 'fridge-wattage?

BigMike4511 — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:08:13 GMT

I have a full size refrigerator, and the 2000 powers it with ease.

generator for compact 'fridge-wattage?

ZiRT — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:57:38 GMT

It probably doesn't matter much, but what size is your refridgerator?

generator for compact 'fridge-wattage?

BigMike4511 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:49:12 GMT

I run my refrigerator and some lights off of a 2000w Honda with no problem.

generator for compact 'fridge-wattage?

ZiRT — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:54:29 GMT

I have a small (4.4cu.ft.) refrigerator that I want to run off of a generator, but i can't find anything to tell me what the wattage of the 'fridge is. The label on the motor is 9watts or something very low like that, but I know the startup wattage is much higher, and my 900watt generator won't power it. I'm looking at inverter/generators (so I don't have to worry about the power being "clean") and I'm thinking a 2500W would do, but don't want to tax it to it's maximum every time.

gravity power generator

shanker — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 10:19:12 GMT

it is possible once you learn how gravity can lift .nothing is impossible once you set your mind to it. laws are ment to be broken. someone allways breaks the law. the wheels are in motion and it's just a matter of time . it's like a bike when you push down you move forward. it's time to move forward. and get out of the past. 50yrs ago you could not imagine a cell phone now there's millions of cell phones.

gravity power generator

shanker — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 09:58:29 GMT

falling water.. this generator would be in your closet running on it's own energy. gravity.

Generators

GardenTractorMan — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:24:37 GMT

It sounds like you have met your needs with a system you are satisfied with.

Generators

financialgrl — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:20:19 GMT

Garden: I was looking at standbys at Lowe's. Most were in the $3500 plus installation range.

Tradeoffs - with a standby, nothing to do, sit back and it automatically happens. Huge advantage - I have a 500 gallon buried propane tank. It would be integrated to run off that so storing and having enough fuel is no longer a worry.

Decision time for me - were those two things worth an additional $2,000? Right now my hookup is pretty simple and I still have use of most of the circuits in my home. Decided I can use the money saved for other much needed things.

Generators

inquisitivemind — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 01:52:40 GMT

You got her covered girl!

Good Luck

Generators

financialgrl — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 01:25:57 GMT

inqusite: never apologize for offering advice - others can also learn from reading here. Within the last month between my neighbor and the electrician I was probably overschooled in everything I ever wanted to know about storm prep and generator maintenace. From Stabil in the gas to being told an added insurance is to run it for 5 or 10 minutes every so often to insure the carburetor doesn't varnish over. Generator is kept plugged in to charge the battery so no problem there. I bought additional 5 gallon containers that are kept in the outdoor shed. I don't want to have a lot of fuel onhand as a rule. They remain there empty - if they call for bad weather I can easily get the gas beforehand and at the very least at the first snowflake. if the storm never materializes I'll just dump in my car tank.

As for the washer/dishwasher comment, the neighbor said the same thing. He thinks the electrician felt it was easier to exclude those two also because they are higher wattage. If I take them out of the equation there is nothing to thnk about - everything else can safely run at the same time without overloading the generator. Give me heat, water, some lights and a tv and I'll be a happy camper. Dishes can be washed at the sink and laundry can wait!

Generators

GardenTractorMan — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:25:12 GMT

The $1900 total cost sounds like a good deal for the amount of backip power you have. Do you know how much a standby system would cost for your home?

Generators

inquisitivemind — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:11:12 GMT

Do you know why you cannot use the washer?

With a generator that size wired through your main panel, and I have to confess I have never seen that done on a private residence before, I would have thought there was sufficient power (watts) to run the washer, particularly as you have a propane water heater. The only thing I can think of is that there is a large internal heater in your washer. Similarly you should be able to use you dishwasher. In both instances you may have to cut out some circuits whilst the ‘washers’ are in use.

Three other points make sure you have enough fuel stored safely, where you can get at it in an emergency, for your anticipated length of power outage. Change the fuel a couple of times a year, including that in the generator, you may have to do this more often if your gasoline contains ethanol. Keep the battery on the generator fully charged at all times. Should you already be aware of these things please accept my apologies for wasting your time.

Hope you never have to use it in anger!

Regards

Generators

ShadetreeRet — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:45:55 GMT

Financialgrl, good comment. Sounds like you really did your homework, and thanks for sharing the information. I think you just clarified a lot of questions for a lot of people. Regards.

Generators

financialgrl — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:35:26 GMT

if this is dupe, sorry, - last one blew up so don't think it went thru. Just storm proofed house after a brutal winter with 5 day power outage. I have a large house and live rural and just bought the 7000 watt electric start Briggs & Stratton generator. Electric company just installed a transfer switch, They use a type that is installed out at your incoming electric meter. Advantages of that type switch are no mounting needed, no rewiring needed and I have use of all circuits within the breaker box (when I am selecting which circuits to run, I need to make sure my watts do not exceed the ouput of the generator).

Electrician figured out the combo of things that will run together for me. The generator is probably loud if you live in the burbs - may have to go with the quieter Honda engines. With the 7000 watt, I can run furnace and hot water heater (propane), well pump, all plugs and lights, tvs, microwave and the fridge. I cannot use the washer, dryer, dishwasher, central air or electric stove. Cooking can be done easily enough with gas grill, microwave and crockpot and I have a Coleman 4 burner camping stove that still works. Though it won't run central air, I can plug in up to a 10000 BTU window unit A/C to keep a smaller area cool. I originally wanted a standby generator but those would have been up to 3 times more expensive - this setup cost me about $1900 total. That was for the generator, transfer switch, electrician labor costs and a 40 ft generator 30 amp cord. I am a 55 y/o female who wanted/needed something easy to use and connect and this setup fits the bill. I moved in my elderly father and I needed to make sure he can live here relatively comfortable in a power outage and think this will fit the bill. HTH

Generators

RoseGaunt-Wallace — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:32:00 GMT

I am looking for a small generator to run x-mas lights & a blow up tree..anyone have any ideas on what kind to buy??

gravity power generator

BlueCrewGuyInMA — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:39:06 GMT

Aw, it's cute when people think that perpetual motion machines are possible, isn't it?

Magic > Laws of physics is not a valid premise for designing a power source.

gravity power generator

inquisitivemind — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:05:14 GMT

How do you think hydro-electric generators work?

It is by harnessing the energy of falling water.We already have it and it still is not 'free'.