BajaNomad

generators?

eetdrt88 - 7-13-2006 at 11:04 PM

gonna need a generator as i'll be starting work on my place later this year...a friend of mine has a 5000w diesel generator thats almost brand new but he wants a bit more than i care to pay but i'm seeing alot of them out there with less wattage that are quite a bit cheaper...wondering how much power i'm gonna need to run some power tools and maybe a few other small aplliances???

jerry - 7-13-2006 at 11:54 PM

the diesal will save you some in cost of fuel over gas and you will save on upkeep with it i dont know your needs but its better to have too much then not enoff
any moter running on low voltagewill be short lived when its all over bring it to a ranch you will have a friend for life

Capt. George - 7-14-2006 at 02:31 AM

I have a Honda 3000 excellent

runs my little casita when the power is down. refrig, lights, appliances.

gp

GENERATORS

BajaRob - 7-14-2006 at 05:13 AM

After wearing out three air cooled gas generators. I purchased and installed a Yamaha 6500 watt water cooled diesel genset. It should outlast me and the fuel cost is only about $ 1.80/ gallon in San Felipe. It is hard wired into a Xantrex SW 4000. When the generator is started, all AC loads are switched to the genny and the remaining power charges the batteries. Fuel consumption is about .5 gallon/hr @ 50% load.

capt. mike - 7-14-2006 at 05:15 AM

Skeet has a good deal on one, go to the Dusky thread.
priced right.

Bob and Susan - 7-14-2006 at 05:26 AM

don't buy a chineese diesel period.
junk...i know $$$...doesn't matter how nice it looks

watch how many amps the thing puts out
some generators are 5000w but only have a 20 amp plug when you would need 30 amps

i would look for the quietest unit you can find also...they're so loud

also units that run at 3600 rpm burn up alot faster than bigger units that run at 1800 rpm

for ocassional use a 3500w unit is fine for just about everything except an airconditioner and a washer.
for those you need at least 5000w

remember diesel units are twice as heavy too...if you need to move the beast look at the weight and wheels

really the best generator i have for the money was $300 at pepboys
coleman 3750 does 3000w continues and is sorta quiet and light...

good luck

Bruce R Leech - 7-14-2006 at 06:54 AM

don't buy anything Oriental .

Bob and Susan - 7-14-2006 at 07:22 AM

impossible....

David K - 7-14-2006 at 07:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
don't buy anything Oriental .


Including Toyotas Bruce???:O:no::?:

Bruce R Leech - 7-14-2006 at 07:43 AM

Including everything . it is tough but if you look real hard you can still find a lot of things that are made in the USA and Mexico and buy supporting those companies you keep them in business. I think it is the worst thing that our government has done in the past 100 years is to sell our industry to foreign companies. Mark my words we will regret it.

Diver - 7-14-2006 at 07:48 AM

A 5000 watt diesel should put out at least 30 amps.
Plenty for any hand or light shop tools.
Depending on what other appliances you are running, you might need to unplug a few to provide sufficient power to any 20 amp power tools.

Diesels ARE very heavy. If you'll want to move it a lot or load it in and out of a truck, make sure to have help !!

My Coleman Honda 3500 puts out 25 amps.
It can run a few battery chargers or a small compressor, and a chop saw or worm drive, but that's it.

David K - 7-14-2006 at 07:55 AM

I understand Bruce your passion...

Just a thought: My Toyota salesman is an American, my dealership is owned by an American, my mechanics are American, half the truck is built by Americans in America.

If an American company made something as good (per owner feedback) I have no problem buying American again... even though I was burned twice (Jeep and Plymouth).

How much of 'American' cars are made totally here, anyway? Jeep (the most well known American vehicle) Wranglers are made in Canada last I heard...

Bruce R Leech - 7-14-2006 at 08:58 AM

the big deference between Gas and Diesels are a Diesel plant is built for 12,000 hours of service and a air cooled gas unit Les than 1,000 hours

meme - 7-14-2006 at 09:28 AM

BajaRob? Do you know anyone in San Felipe that works on Propane Generators? We have one that is running but not genning!! To big to take to shop so looking for someone to come look at it here at the house. Jamie at MC shop has worked on lotsa generators, he looked at this one but does not know what's wrong as I think he is not real familiar with the propane generators, but does good with the gasoline ones.

Meme...

Mexray - 7-14-2006 at 10:46 AM

...There's not much difference between Propane and Gasoline generators. The actual engine is, in most cases, identical. A Propane Gen uses a different carburetor, along with a regulator - all the rest of the parts are the same.

The 'generator' part, if not 'genning' electricity, can usually be attended to by an electrician familiar with electric motors and such. If you have lots of hours on your genny, you'll probably need bearing, brushes, maybe diodes, and usually have to have the armature machined - unless you have a 'brush less' type of genny.

There's enough of those genny's running down there, you should be ale to find some help nearby...or maybe back up in Mexicali. Good hunting.

[Edited on 7-14-2006 by Mexray]

Roberto - 7-14-2006 at 11:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Diver
A 5000 watt diesel should put out at least 30 amps.
Plenty for any hand or light shop tools.
Depending on what other appliances you are running, you might need to unplug a few to provide sufficient power to any 20 amp power tools.

Diesels ARE very heavy. If you'll want to move it a lot or load it in and out of a truck, make sure to have help !!

My Coleman Honda 3500 puts out 25 amps.
It can run a few battery chargers or a small compressor, and a chop saw or worm drive, but that's it.


A 5000 watt diesel (or gas, or propane) will put out (5,000 / 120) = 41.66 amps at 120 volts. Amps = watts / volts.

Similarly, your 3500 watt generator will put out 29.1666 amps.

meme - 7-14-2006 at 12:15 PM

Thanks Mexray. The generator is not new but was never used much like only a few hours when we got it not long ago. It was doing fine but would not "Gen" after Jim changed the oil? Jamie checked brushes etc. that you mentioned but cannot find anything that needs fixing??So we have now been looking for a person here that maybe can fix it?
There is an old German guy in town that does electrical work, maybe he would know? Not at all sure if we could get him out here or not tho and this thing is WAYYYY too hard to take to him! Thanks for your reply. I will mention all this to Jim & see what his thoughts might be now?

BajaRob - 7-14-2006 at 12:41 PM

Meme, Mexray is correct The main difference is that propane fuel does not degrade the engine's lubrication as gasoline does and should last longer. I know of someone in the South Campos but El Dorado is a long ways away. I presume that you have checked for corroded terminations, loose wires, and open circuit breakers. Good luck, Rob

Bob and Susan - 7-14-2006 at 12:49 PM

roberto

some 5000 watt generators have a control panel that only allows you to get 20 amps before the breaker blows

you would need to rewire to get 30 amps

El Camote - 7-14-2006 at 02:12 PM

Meme, have you checked with the guy at Puerto RV on the left side as you come into town before the arches? I always see his van running around El D. so I know he makes house calls and would imagine if he couldn't fix it he could refer you to someone who could.

Man, I wish I was down there now just to come up to your place, take a look at your genny, drink a cerveza with you and Jim, then scratch my head and say, "yup, looks like you'll need an electrician." :yes:

Roberto - 7-15-2006 at 07:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
roberto

some 5000 watt generators have a control panel that only allows you to get 20 amps before the breaker blows

you would need to rewire to get 30 amps


Well, then it's not a 5000 watt generator, right? At least not at 120 volts. More like a 2500 watt generator - I would call that misleading labeling from the manufacturer.

Bob and Susan - 7-15-2006 at 07:54 AM

it's chineese:lol:

wornout - 7-15-2006 at 07:55 AM

Meme: If it runs then obviously it is NOT the motor part and the oil change didn't have anything to do with it other than maybe hitting and breaking a terminal or wire. So, if it is running, and you can get the generator separated from the motor and frame fairly easy, I would take the generator part to German Generator repair or take it to the old country. If it is an Onan, you can take it to Brawley, he is pretty good on Onans. Maybe he works on others too?

Bob and Susan - 7-15-2006 at 07:57 AM

before you take it apart check to see if the breaker fuse button just needs to be reset...

Bruce R Leech - 7-15-2006 at 08:06 AM

yes and check the cord of what you are plugging in:light:

meme - 7-15-2006 at 12:11 PM

Thanks Everyone! We will check all these things out!
El Camote, I'm sorry you can't be here as I could use a beer drinking partner about now! Jim is (& I quote) "Not much of a drinker ya know"! It's Hot here! But we are surviving! This is tha latest in the year we have ever stayed here! Not many here in our neighborhood> Lou stopped by yesterday bringing me a Survival Pack of Sierra Mist from his trip to U.S.
Otherwise pretty quiet!!
We are trying our best to get this generator fixed here rather than take even part of it to U.S. will keep trying!
Yes, Wornout, we do know about the guy in Brawley too as he did get us a new belt for it quite awhile back.Jim stopped in to see him a couple weeks ago about it but he does not know either?
I think Jim has checked about all the things everyone here has mentioned but will go over it again and maybe try the German guy?He was sure it had nothing to do with oil change,motor runs just fine!

meme, if it weren't so damn hot --

beercan - 7-15-2006 at 02:47 PM

I would come by and fix it for ya !! I left a couple of weeks ago----it wuz warm then !!

One of the main factors in generator life , especially the small ones , are regular oil changes !!!!!On a past job, I bought 2-3500 watts to run small tools. I left specific instructions , with a case of 30wt oil for changing ithe oil every day . I returned a week later to find the case of oil unopened and two generators smoking !!After reaming a$$es and some payroll deductions , I bought 2 additional replacements that then suddenly lasted a whole year with regular oil changes !!! I have a 5500 Onan that is 31 years old and it runs fine . When it is used ,I change the oil every 15--20 hours .

meme - 7-15-2006 at 04:54 PM

Thanks Bob Appreciate the thougt anyway! Yes It's Hot here! LOl!Our generator had not been run many hours at all. Cannot give you exact times tho.We seldom use it but had thought to use it more with coming hot weather. Meanwhile we are just going thru the gasloine!
Well, Jim says "Yes" he has done all that everyone here has suggested and still don't work. Think the German guy is his next try!!
By the way it's a Generac.5500 I think he told me?

Socalz - 7-16-2006 at 01:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K

How much of 'American' cars are made totally here, anyway? Jeep (the most well known American vehicle) Wranglers are made in Canada last I heard...


You heard wrong. Wranglers and Libertys are built in Toledo, Ohio. Grand Cherokees are built in Michigan and Commanders are built in Illinois. I couldn't find anything about any Jeep being built in Canada, although I did see something about some models meant for overseas being built in China and Austria.

comitan - 7-16-2006 at 01:46 PM

It doesn't have to be a generator shop, just go to any shop there that repairs pumps, motors I'm sure they will come out and check it out, since it is electrical.

meme - 7-16-2006 at 01:55 PM

Comitan, did you note that i live in San Felipe? We are not talkin Big time Repair Busineses now!

comitan - 7-16-2006 at 03:02 PM

Meme

There has to be a motor repair shop in San Felipe, look in the phone book or ask around, most pump repair shops, work and repair motors.

meme - 7-17-2006 at 07:17 AM

Ok! That's next on the list of things to check out I guess. Jim was back at trying to find the problem himself again yesterday.