Home-buit APU?

I think there are two issues at play: 1) duty cycle, and 2) cooling.

1. A person needs to look at the generator specs to ensure that running it for 10 hrs. (or more) continuously does not exceed the recommended duty cycle. I suspect for a lot of small generators it does.
2. If the generator is put in a box or enclosed area there has to be sufficient air flow to properly cool the engine by venting and/or adding a fan and getting rid of the exhaust heat. Again, while some "homebuilt" APUs are done very well and take those things into consideration, I am sure there are multiples of those that are just accidents waiting to happen.

 

WOW, Really? Never even said thanks?

 

Yea that "common sense" isn't too common these days. It's more uncommon these days.

Duty cycles? Never ran a genset long enough at full output to even get close to it's "duty cycle".
Ya'll do whatcha want. Spend 10 grand like some of our pals have, OR think outside the box, adapt and overcome.

C-ya!

 

delta 5 (kd8hmo), Do I still have to pass the "code" test for a general ticket on 10 mtr ? Thx. R. (kbdt8792...old 11mtr lic.)

 

No a problem. I was talking about someone looking at pulling together something equal to a TK or Carrier in thier backyard. What you are describing does not compare to this. After seeing the extra effort a friend had with his set-up like you describe I would not even consider for a minute what you are describing. Not my thing. Nothing wrong with it.

I would just gladly pay $5 per day for my Carrier set-up. And when you compare to the ones that I was talking about it works out to $1.50 a day.

 

My little honda generator been running without issues for almost 7 years. One new spark plug per year and change the oil every other month. But to be honest, I finally had to get pull cord replaced this week, need to swing by lawn mower shop sat to pick it up. Will run 4 hrs at rated load (1600 watts) on one gal of gas. Bought a external gas tank (3 gal capacity) so now I can go a good 15-16 hrs without refueling. Yes, it sometimes does take a slight bit of effort to walk from the parking lot to the gas pumps but exercise is not a bad thing. I simply take it out of my tool box, put it on the ground just in front of my drive tires and chain it to the frame. Plenty of air circulation. (plus I chain it to the truck frame just in case).

Have a portable air conditioner from home depot, 8000btu at 1000 watts. Took a piece of 1x6 and made a simple window adaptor for the exhaust hose. Keeps the truck nice and cool. Which leaves plenty of power for tv, sat receiver, and ac adapter for cooler.

All you naysayers can laugh all you want, but, my $1500 investment was paid off a long time ago. Maint cost and down time is basicly zero. So go ahead and keep laughing while you spend that 8-10k meanwhile I'll just keep banking my fuel savings. (which was about $202 last week alone. and yes I do keep track of it)

 

My howie homeowner genset is over two years old and still going strong, I run it for 8-10 hrs at a time. I also keep it covered when not in use and change the oil when needed. If someone wants to plop 10k on an all in one more power to ya, I can think of better things to do with my cash. I've never seen a Honda gen. or any other gen's catch fire, I'm sure it happens but in 24 plus years otr I haven't seen it happen.

 

I'm considering installing a 2000 watt inverter and plugging 760 watt portable air conditioner into that I saw at Kmart the other day.. 2000 watt inverter- $269, 760 watt air conditioner $169. Starting the engine every 4 hours for 30 minutes, priceless.

 

Ha ha ha, 4 fried batteries and a toasted alternator. Even more priceless.