https://slickdeals.net/f/9791387-durost ... 2_16345710
Damn, $200. 3300W continuous. Unlike the inverter gen, this does 240V and would do the well pump and a bunch of other stuff. $200 shipped is quite the deal. It is not dual fuel.
I have so few issues with gas after switching to Stabil I don't know if I even need the propane capability.
The inverter gen would be nice to have as a backup, being highly portable. Plus the idle mode is nice for very extended run time. But this is $200 and would power most of what my current gen does. But it is bigger and less portable (wheels vs carry).
Anyway, this is a good unit. These guys have been around for a while.
Slickdeal: $200 + FS DuroStar DS4000S Gas 4000 Watt
Re: Slickdeal: $200 + FS DuroStar DS4000S Gas 4000 Watt
I would say, unless you are going to get a real propane tank at your house (bigger than a couple grill tanks) the dual fuel is pointless. Having the 220 is nice. Do you think the generator you have is unreliable and you are looking to replace? If not, then the inverter one is good because they use like 1 gallon in 8 hours and are super quiet. Perfect for at night to run heat and refrigerator and a couple lights. You really don't "need" water at night when the inverter generator is running. You just have to determine if your heat and refrigerator are on the same bus in the panel...
Re: Slickdeal: $200 + FS DuroStar DS4000S Gas 4000 Watt
If I were ever to get something else, it would be the inverter. This would drastically extend the fuel on hand situation.
Re: Slickdeal: $200 + FS DuroStar DS4000S Gas 4000 Watt
I agree about night time use. Don't need the well pump at all. With my oversized pressure tank, I could actually just flush the toilet and wash hands or whatever with no real concern and still have water pressure in the morning.
Your comment about the same bus is actually something I hadn't thought of because of the lack of 240V. However, I guess I'd want to figure out if the inverter gen even had more than 1 bus/phase on its 120V output. If not, then it doesn't matter. I would then wire like I did at the old house, splitting the 120V hot between both phases of the panel. I think the heat and fridge would work on 1600W. I mean I had that 1500W inverter so I learned first hand how far 1500W can go if you are smart with loads. I have a bigger furnace (fan plus an oil burner) but I still think there would be room for a fridge.
Oh, to answer your first question. No, I have no specific reason to distrust my generator. I guess it would be like having my Caprice as my only car. Everything's fine until you have zero failover capability, and need it.
In the end I guess you are right, the inverter gen does more to compliment what I have rather than merely duplicate it. I also like it from a storage standpoint. Just pick it up and put it in some corner of the basement, run occasionally.
Your comment about the same bus is actually something I hadn't thought of because of the lack of 240V. However, I guess I'd want to figure out if the inverter gen even had more than 1 bus/phase on its 120V output. If not, then it doesn't matter. I would then wire like I did at the old house, splitting the 120V hot between both phases of the panel. I think the heat and fridge would work on 1600W. I mean I had that 1500W inverter so I learned first hand how far 1500W can go if you are smart with loads. I have a bigger furnace (fan plus an oil burner) but I still think there would be room for a fridge.
Oh, to answer your first question. No, I have no specific reason to distrust my generator. I guess it would be like having my Caprice as my only car. Everything's fine until you have zero failover capability, and need it.
In the end I guess you are right, the inverter gen does more to compliment what I have rather than merely duplicate it. I also like it from a storage standpoint. Just pick it up and put it in some corner of the basement, run occasionally.
Re: Slickdeal: $200 + FS DuroStar DS4000S Gas 4000 Watt
That is also a good point. And again, in a pinch, I could rely on it if I had some water on hand. I have already powered this house from my inverter, once or twice. That is 1500W of dirty power.billgiacheri wrote:If I were ever to get something else, it would be the inverter. This would drastically extend the fuel on hand situation.
Re: Slickdeal: $200 + FS DuroStar DS4000S Gas 4000 Watt
It is also more convenient to carry out to the yard to use electric powered yard tools like a leaf blower/vac or electric pole saw.
Re: Slickdeal: $200 + FS DuroStar DS4000S Gas 4000 Watt
Or, have something I can easily throw in a car/truck and bring to my tenants if there happens to be an extended power outage. I do have the inverter but I'd feel better with a regular generator than them trying to wire up the inverter, leave his truck idling and all that.
I wish inverter generators weren't so expensive. But by comparison, $360 is an impulse buy because the Japanese competition costs $1000, especially for something extra that's a backup. Though I haven't checked used recently.
I wish inverter generators weren't so expensive. But by comparison, $360 is an impulse buy because the Japanese competition costs $1000, especially for something extra that's a backup. Though I haven't checked used recently.