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Messages - Jake Ditch

#1
Equipment / Re: Emergency Tool Box
November 20, 2019, 11:30:36 PM
I carry a small metal tool box that is about 12" long, 6" wide, 2" high, and a domed lid. The tools I carry are small ones for minor repairs... the usual screw drivers, wrenches, pliers, hammer, etc. that you'd find in any home took kit. And don't forget some extra fuses!
Also the duct tape and baling wire and you'll be all set.
#2
Quote from: Bill.Candy on October 16, 2019, 03:24:08 AM
What portable power station do you choose for camping?

First of all, how much power do you need?
Second, commercial ones often don't last. That's my experience as well. One thing to combat this is to always keep them charged. These things don't do well with full discharge. Kind of a design flaw considering people buy them to keep in the trunk of their car for some future need. But you have it exactly right; you're paying for "pretty" not for functionality. Most of the off-the-shelf ones have really cheap internals with low grade, low capacity batteries.
If you build it yourself from an inverter and your own batteries it will be WAY, WAY more cost effective than a portable power station (the Marine battery and a separate charger/inverter set might be the better way to go). My father built a station like this for his needs several years ago, and it works perfectly.

Though, if generators are an option and you need more energy, than it's hard to beat a Honda. The main reason to get a Honda is that they are really quiet. You can run them without ticking off everyone in the camp area.
I use Honda 2200i, and it works perfectly + almost silent. Just be careful with latest ones as they've been reported to have issues with leakage (https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/split-honda-generator-did-i-buy-the-wrong-one- eu2200i-or-eu2200i-companion/#post-162224) - so I'd recommend you find a used one. Sure there are cheaper generators out there, but Honda works reliably. A friend of mine uses his Predator 2000 inverter gen and pretty happy with it (runs a fridge in his RV w/o any problems).
#3
Quote from: PhilipReeves on February 07, 2019, 03:00:09 AM
You can find an inverter generator running on gas, but you need to choose it carefully because the size of a tank volume may vary. Check out this list: https://lawngardentop.com/truck generator/best-inverter-generators, you can compare the specs and decide if you need a common inverter generator or the one running on gas.

To add my two cents. If you're choosing whether to use propane or a gas, you need to keep in mind, that propane is much harder to find and consumption is quite high. And it's not only less energy per gallon, but propane carburetors designs stop in 19-th Century. Meaning the same generator will use 2 gallons of gasoline for whole day, or 5 gallons of propane.
I bought a Honda EU2200i several years ago, so far so good.

- Jake