Showing posts with label electrical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electrical. Show all posts

9/02/2012

Generac Guardian Series 5505 17,000 Watt Air Cooled Propane/Natural Gas Powered Home Automatic Standby Generator With Transfer Switch (CARB Compliant) Review

Generac Guardian Series 5505 17,000 Watt Air Cooled Propane/Natural Gas Powered Home Automatic Standby Generator With Transfer Switch (CARB Compliant)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
After owning my 16,000 watt Guardian for 2 years and 3 months, the life of that Generac product, I am calling it quits. It failed at the 18 month mark when the overvoltage controller went and it blew out an expensive clothes dryer, security lights and a breaker panel protector. It took several days to get a dealer to service the unit under warranty and neither the original installing dealer or Home Depot, the retailer that sold the unit, wanted anything to do with the unit. We of course at the cost of damage done by the failed generator.
At 23 months the same board failed, causing the choke control to fail. Additionally, a magneto failed so the unit wouldn't start. This was discovered after one of Generac's dealers completed a $175 maintenance job, before telling us the unit was inoperative. At Generac's suggestion, we had the unit repaired by one of their Elite dealers.
The bill was $800 for repair, half labor, half parts. It took them three hours to remove enough of the parts stacked on top to get to the magnetos, so the dealer changed both to head off another big labor charge in the event the second magneto failed. The unit ran, then 8 days later the same circuit board failed and had to be replaced.
After Generac said they would probably help cover repair costs because of the high failure rate and a design that was rendered obsolete so quickly, they had be write the details of all failures, provide all documentation, then bascially told me to stuff it. Their response was that they didn't think the failure rate or cost to repair was excessive. Home Depot's response was basically "Sue us".
Junk emergency generator, short life and expensive. Terrible company service and buyer beware attitude. Doesn't speak well for Generac or Home Depot as a source of emergency equipment. Now I am shopping for a quality product and the Generac is an expensive lesson I will not need to learn again.
If you live in an area where people commonly use standby generators, just ask others before buying. In our area you'll find nothing but horror stories about Generac's equipment and company attitude.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Generac Guardian Series 5505 17,000 Watt Air Cooled Propane/Natural Gas Powered Home Automatic Standby Generator With Transfer Switch (CARB Compliant)

Experience fast-acting, automatic protection from power loss with the Generac Guardian Series 5505 17,000 / 16,000 Watt Air-Cooled Propane/Natural Gas Powered Automatic Standby Generator with Aluminum Enclosure. Ideal for home use, this generator powers up automatically and within seconds of a power outage without the need for any manual startup. Without any buttons to push or cords to plug in, an automatic standby generator starts up by itself even when you're away! Featuring easy installation, it comes pre-wired and packaged with virtually everything necessary to connect to your home's electrical system and existing LP or natural gas fuel supply, so you can be protected the next time the lights go out.
Hands-Free Automatic OperationWhen the power goes out, this generator eliminates the trouble of dealing with a fuse box in a dark basement or going outside in a storm to start a portable generator. After all LP or natural gas and electrical connections are completed, the Generac 5505 is ready to run 24/7 and requires absolutely no manual operation, no fueling, and no extension cords. The generator responds within seconds of power outages, so inconveniences like heat or air conditioning loss and burst pipes or spoiled food are quickly avoided.
Initial setup is easy. The generator arrives pre-wired and equipped with the necessary installation gear: a 16-circuit transfer switch (NEMA 1, indoor-rated only), pre-wired conduits, an outdoor connection box, a flexible fuel line pigtail, and a composite mounting pad. (Additional items and tools may be needed to complete the installation to meet local codes. Consult a licensed professional for further details.)
The unit can be programmed to perform a weekly exercise at the time of your choice, so it will be ready for continuous and reliable operation on a moment's notice. For convenience, it also offers clear, digital controls, an at-a-glance status indicator, and an external GFCI outlet to accomodate your outdoor power needs.
Superior Technology for Secure Output, Quiet Operation, and DurabilityThanks to Generac's exclusive True Power Technology, this generator provides clean, continuous power, so sensitive electronics and microchip appliances like laptops and HVAC equipment can be operated without the worry that unexpected power surges bring. Also featuring Generac's patented Quiet-Test technology, this generator is truly neighborhood-friendly: it's self-test mode is as hushed as an idling car to ensure that your daily routine is unaffected.
The generator's aluminum enclosure offers superior corrosion resistance and is protected by Generac's proprietary RhinoCoat system--a unique process that binds the paint to the metal surface for a long-lasting, durable finish. This allows the generator to sit outdoors and withstand harsh weather conditions without developing an unsightly appearance.
Like all Generac generators, this model is UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed for safety.
Rugged, Worry-Free Design The generator features the 992cc Generac OHVI® Engine, an exclusive air-cooled generator engine with a high-performance design that can accommodate large electrical loads. The engine optimizes power to respond swiftly to changing conditions. To add to your peace of mind, the engine requires routine maintenance only once every two years, or after 200 hours of use.
This Generac generator meets CARB requirements. It requires a Group 26R 12-volt minimum 525 CCA battery (sold separately).
What's in the BoxGenerac Guardian Series 5505 17,000/ 16,000 Watt Automatic Standby Aluminum Generator; 100 Amp NEMA 1 automatic transfer switch with 16-circuit load center; 30-foot, 5-foot, and 2-foot pre-wired conduits; outdoor connection box; 1-foot flexible fuel line pigtail; composite mounting pad; installation guide and owner's manual.
Find the Generac Generator That's Right for Your Needs

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3/23/2012

Duracell 852-1807 1,800 Watt Five Outlet Rechargeable Power Source Review

Duracell 852-1807 1,800 Watt Five Outlet Rechargeable Power Source
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Bought this recently from Amazon for $180.00 I will say its worth about that. I tried a few high wattage things in it like a hair dryer, Iron, coffee maker, just to see how long I could use it. These are things I could never think of using in a standard 1500VA UPS, (Which I have for comp and such) All of the devices ran well, the hair dryer probably sucked it down the fastest, (Set high 1500watts), lasted aout 7 minutes before the warning started going off. The unit ran about 5 more minutes on medium setting before the battery dropped to 20 percent. The battery did recover to 50% after turning off dryer, so high wattage appliances I think are a bit much for the batteries to output continuously.
The unit is heavy, about 60 pounds. For the money, I would buy again. I figure I should get about 6 hours on a computer with a flat panel attached. For most short power outages, this will get you by for a few necessities. Anything longer you will have to go generator.
The description reads as though you can use it for a fridge and other high wattage appliances, which I guess is true, but misleading as I would imagine a fridge would kill it in about 10 minutes or less.
All in all glad, I was able to purchase for the $180.00. If nothing else you can dry your hair when the power is out, and make coffee, without having to hook up the generator


Click Here to see more reviews about: Duracell 852-1807 1,800 Watt Five Outlet Rechargeable Power Source

The DuracellPowerSource 1800 is the ideal emergency backup power solution for the home or office. During a power outage, it automatically supplies emergency backup power for a small office and household appliances like a refrigerator, TV, lights or sump pump. In an emergency, the Duracell PowerSource 1800 switches seamlessly to its built-in battery and provides 1800 Watts of household power, supplying up to 12 hours of uninterrupted backup power for a small office, or up to 4 hours of run time for essential home appliances and electronics. Application: Emergency backup for home or office, Watts: 1,800, Power Supply: Combines sealed, 60Ah AGM battery with 1800 Watt inverter to convert 12V battery power to AC current, Includes: LED display

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3/11/2012

Cobra CPI 2575 2500 Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter Review

Cobra CPI 2575 2500 Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Beware of all those talking about failures of the inverter - one guy says that he returned his, because two 70Ah batteries couldn't power it to run a 1/2 horsepower motor.
Well...guys, there are a few things you need to know about inverters before buying a big one...which does NOT directly substitute for a generator! The little ones are WAY DIFFERENT than the big ones.
First off, at 2500-watts, you are pulling 200+ amps across the wire...so, unless you are hard-wired with some 4/0 solid-strand wire, you really need to go with DOUBLE 4-AWG strand wires...basically, buy TWO sets of 4-AWG jumper cables, and after you cut the ends off both, then run double-strand (both red AND black) of a complete set to EACH POST of the inverter...yes guys, that's a LOT of wire...and due to heat, I wouldn't run that more than 5-6 feet!
Now...batteries...let's laugh at the guy trying to get 1600 watts of batteries to run a 2500 watt inverter...and consider what you REALLY NEED...for deep cycle batteries rated on the 20-Ah system, and rated at, say 500-Amps, then buy 6 of these and wire them in PARALLEL circuit to power the inverter. Yep...$600 in deep cycle batteries! Now, you have enough batteries to power the inverter for 2-6 hours, depending on loading, before you will need to recharge your 6-battery bank. Plan on a charger that can throw 50-100 amps into the charge...so your little $50 Schumacher charger is NOT going to charge this battery bank overnight! Try more like a $300 charger to charge them in 12-hours...or, if you want solar, good...you need to throw about 70-amps of charge into these for 12-hours solid...so that is $300-$500 in solar panels. Also note...batteries get weak after enough cycles...so pay attention to your charge circuit...and a charging circuit MINDER isn't a bad idea, either!
How do I know this? Because these are all the big troubles encountered when I was a Director of Engineering for an RV Manufacturer...and when you get over 1500-Watts of inverter involved...you start playing by a whole new set of rules! It is MUCH CHEAPER to go with a 3000-watt generator, than to even CONSIDER getting a 2500-watt inverter.
This is a good inverter...but buying one this big and not knowing how to care for and maintain it, is like buying a big chemistry set and giving it without supervision to your mischievous 12-year old...it is NOT a good idea.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cobra CPI 2575 2500 Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter



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3/08/2012

Xantrex 802-1500 XPower 1,500 Watt Portable Powerpack Review

Xantrex 802-1500 XPower 1,500 Watt Portable Powerpack
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(More customer reviews)
I needed a powerful but sealed power-pack (sealed battery + converter) for poolside use, to power a large 110-volt karaoke machine for five hours a day. The Xatrex 1500 is the only power-pack I've found that meets this requirement.
It was a pleasant surprise to find that the wheels have rubber rather than (noisy) plastic treads.
The first 1500 stopped working with a bang after two hours. When I phoned the Xantrex company, the technician I soon was talking to quickly concluded that my 1500 had malfunctioned and recommended that I return it. I was pleased with this candor. The second 1500 has worked for about a month now.
Not obvious is that the 1500 has a small storage cabinet, in which I store an extension cord.
Both 1500s arrived undamaged. A disclaimer is that I bought my 1500s from costo-dot-comm, which is relevant because perhaps Costco uses different packaging for shipping.
The "large karaoke machine" is a MegaStar CM-K1100, and its average draw has been 30-something watts.
9/18/06 Update: Around July the charge time dropped to under four hours. When I called Xantrex, the technician told me that battery life is about 200 charges.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Xantrex 802-1500 XPower 1,500 Watt Portable Powerpack

XPower Powerpack 1500 supplies up to 1500 watt household electricity.

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12/12/2011

Vector VEC053D 1,200 Watt D/C To A/C Power Inverter With Power Level Meter Review

Vector VEC053D 1,200 Watt D/C To A/C Power Inverter With Power Level Meter
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
What a peice of crap!There are no posts on the back of this inverter, only holes with set screws. So you can't buy a regular set of cables and screw them on. Instead they send you a set of their "special connectors" so you can spend your time building your own cables.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Vector VEC053D 1,200 Watt D/C To A/C Power Inverter With Power Level Meter

Vector Maxx SST Power Inverters... soft - starting hard workers with state - of - the - art circuitry! SAVE BIG! These Power Inverters, your choice of power levels, convert 12V DC into 110/120V AC household power. They feature Maxx SST (Soft Start Technology) gradually, safely ramping up the output voltage to start difficult motorized loads and protect sensitive appliance circuits. They handle temporary high-surge loads without problems. They run most AC-powered electronic equipment and appliances including wet / dry vacs, stereos, heavy-duty power tools, TV / DVD / VCR combos, microwaves, refrigerators, computers and more (see chart for wattage examples). Powerfully convenient: Completely silent operation; Smooth, noise-free power technology with filtered modified sine wave, helps eliminate static and horizontal lines in TV picture; Engineered for safety, durability, reliability. Has short circuit protection, low battery voltage alarm and shutdown, thermal shutdown, and auto reset. Certified to meet ETL standards; Turbo cooling keeps components cooler for longer life; Approx. 90% efficient, solid state design gets the most out of your battery; Durable, weather-resistant aluminum housing. Ideal for work sites, power failures, camping, tailgating and more... check the details and hook yourself up with one or more now! Sample Wattages: 100 Watt Halogen Bulb - 100 Watts; Computer / Printer / Fax 150 Watts; 12" 3-speed fan 230 Watts; Quartz Halogen Spotlight 250 Watts; 20" TV / VCR Combo 300 Watts; 3/8" Drill 320 Watts; Home Stereo 350 Watts; Small Power Tools 400 Watts; Blender 450 Watts; Mini Refrigerator (1/20 hp) 500 Watts; Coffee Maker 800 Watts; Mini Microwave Oven 1,000 Watts; Full-size Microwave 1,400 Watts; Wet / Dry Vac, 6 HP 1,440 Watts; 1 HP Motor 1,500 Watts; Stackable Washer / Dryer 2,200 Watts; Three 3-prong 110/120V AC outlets, with 1,200W continuous / 2,400W peak power, up to 10.8 amps Approx. 13 x 6 x 2 1/2". Weighs 5 3/4 lbs. AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: Vec

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