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shizizzle
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2017 06:04pm
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Hello all, I've been a lurker on this site for the last year, and I've now purchased 120 acres of land and will be starting construction on a cabin in the spring.
My land is about 2 hours from the nearest town, and completely off grid, which is going to make construction a little more difficult im sure, so I'm reaching out for tips and ideas from people who have conquered this task before.
I am currently putting together all my tools and supplies that I am going to need, what do people recommend for a generator/compressor for saws and nailguns. I have a paslode cordless framing nailer but I want to use my air nailer for most of my framing due to the speed of it, which will require me to run the compressor off a generator. I am thinking I will need 2 generators, one for the compressor, and then another one to run my saws/lights/etc. Has anyone used this setup before when building their offgrid cabin, how did it work for you?
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2017 06:42pm - Edited by: bldginsp
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I hired a contractor to frame up my 300 sq ft. He had a 5000 watt Briggs and Stratton generator, a spider box, and a dinkey little compressor. This was for two guys working with two saws, two nailers, a table saw etc. They've been doing it that way for years. You definitely don't need two generators unless you have a crew of four people working simultaneously. The compressor running and two saws running all at the same time is close to the limit of a 5000 watt generator, but you'll do that so rarely it doesn't matter.
I was really surprised at how their dinkey compressor kept up with the nail guns. Don't know what it's capacity was. I killed a 2500 watt generator using saws with two people. Reality with these small generators is you can kill them if you run them continuously at near capacity. It's okay to occasionally spike it, but they have to cool. Heat kills electronics. I personally would not buy anything but the better brand generators, but a lot of people seem to do well with the cheaper Chinese units. I got an American made Briggs and Stratton 4-5 years ago and it's been stellar, and I hope, will outlive me.
Big issue for you is foundation concrete. Don't know what your plans are, but in remote areas where you can't get trucks in people usually opt for piers because they take less concrete. Piers are inferior for anything but the smallest of cabins. I considered doing a full spread footing with stone and mortar, but I'm in earthquake country so the building department wanted a standard concrete foundation. And, I could get trucks in.
What you plan to build?
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2017 06:45pm
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I used a Champion 7200/9000 Gas Generator which has enough oomph to run my 3hp/20gal compressor, 120V Mig as well... No problem running lights (LED) and compressor. This is a regular genny so non-inverter and would not use it for electronics and sensitive equipment but pumps, genny etc no problem. I do have a 3000 King Canada Inverter Generator which I use for different things, mostly as backup charging for my solar system etc...
My Circular saw, Drill, Sawsall etc are all 20V DeWalt and have survived extreme duty without any issues Although I did get a second set of 4ahr batteries, so running with 4 batteries...
Secure Lockup is the tricky part and that is up to you to judge BUT I bought a 20' Sea Container and that served & is serving it's purpose quite well.
SUGGEST that IF it is possible, get one of the bigger Generators that can run both gas & propane, most everyone, including Champion make them, they just are not available everywhere. LPG has the advantage of never souring or going bad and handy. There are retrofit kits available after market for most brands. Just something to consider for the longer term.
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shizizzle
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2017 07:41pm
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Thanks for the replys so far guys.
Its good to hear that I wont require 2 generators, it will just be 2-3 guys doing the work, so I think I will just opt for a good generator in the 5000-6000w range to handle the compressor and saws and just try not to run them at the same time as much as possible.
The road up to my property is rather rough, I do not think a concrete truck will make it up, and its a 2 hr drive on a gravel road from the nearest town so even if they could it would probably be pretty pricey. The foundation has been a concern for me. The cabin is a 20x20 with a loft, I have been leaning towards using 8" sonotubes with bigfoot footings for the piers, and 2x10's tripled up for the beams. 12 piers, 3 rows of 4. My frost depth is 38" , I was planning on going 48" down. I've done the math and it looks like it will be 1 yard of concrete or 45 30kg bags. Thanks again guys, anymore tips or information is greatly appreciated.
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Wendigolake
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2017 07:47pm
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My generator is a 5000 watt and I run a 1.5 hp 5 gal air compressor off of it for my nail guns. I plug the compressor in right at the compressor and then run 100 ft of hose to where ever I have to work. My generator runs the compressor, all my lights and my saws. It is better to purchase if you can afford it, a slightly bigger generator than you think you need. As bldginsp said you should not run your generator at capacity for long periods.
Since you are 2 hrs from town, take the advice of someone with water access only and the nearest town is over an hour to reach. Buy extra screws, wood, saw blades, nails for your gun and anything else you can't build without. It is better to accumulate extra stuff and the associated cost than to run out and waste a whole morning or afternoon going to town to get stuff. Make a list of everything you need for your building project and then add extra to to it. Unless your a perfect estimator of quantities you will pleased you have some extra wood and screws.
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2017 07:55pm - Edited by: bldginsp
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I keep a piece of paper and pen in my pocket at all times when working on the property, to jot stuff down so I don't forget. I call it my brain. The local hardware store folk are used to me coming in with a long list- but I rarely come in for just one thing (but the older I get, the more that seems to happen, at least I think it does, but I may have forgot)
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spoofer
Member
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2017 09:58pm
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Can a 2000 watt Honda generator handle a circular and ,or table saw. What about a small pancake style compresser? I own one but only use it for tv and lights. I'm afraid I'll burn it up!
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 29 Jan 2017 07:05am
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Spoofer:
a 15a tool uses 1800 watts "running"
a 12a tool = 1440 watts running
Startup spike on a motor is typically 30% so 1800w +30% 2340 watts (worst case scenario, with crappy motor)
If your generator is rated to 2000 watts, it will take that spike for a brief period but won't be able to generate 2kw for long, you'll burn it out. It's best to consider generators running at a total peak of 80% of their standard output (not the surge output, which is only intended for motor starts etc).
My 7200/9000 Champion will handle a surge up to 9000 watts (starting a compressor motor, table saw & compound mitre saws both have huge motor surges ! ) The max my genny should run continually is 5760 watts (80% of 7200) to keep it alive and healthy. Maxing the genny is possible BUT you are shortening it's life span. A sure sign your stressing your genny, is the motor bogs when loaded and if the motor stays bogged down while running, your stressing the unit too much.
To figure out Watts for the tool you want to use apply the following formula. Volts X Amps = Watts 120v X 15a = 1800 and assume a minimum of 30% more watts on a start spike.
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 29 Jan 2017 07:15am
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@Shizizzle, you can Kilogram... Canadian ? An alternative you might consider for the piers is the Pylex Commercial-66 Screw Pile. I have some and these are serious kit.
http://www.pylex.com/en/products/10730-pylex-commercial-66
From HomeDepot Canada $60 ea. (got mine from BMR, cheaper)
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.pylex-commercial-66-foundation-screw.1001017964.ht ml
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 29 Jan 2017 12:26pm
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Quoting: spoofer Can a 2000 watt Honda generator handle a circular and ,or table saw. What about a small pancake style compresser? I own one but only use it for tv and lights. I'm afraid I'll burn it up!
I think yes it will for sure. Not what that generator is made for. I killed a 2500 watt generator with circ saws. Save your nice Honda for quiet time, electronics and lights. Get a minimum 5000 for running tools.
I have a 5000 that I use for construction and pumping water, and I'm thinking of getting a Honda 2000 to power up the cabin occasionally. Too bad you have to buy two, but it really makes sense. The Honda is a small, quiet refined little tyke for the gentle stuff, and a 5000+ is a noisy rough beast for doing the hard work.
My one horsepower well pump only produces about 2000 watts at 8 amps or so, yet the manufacturer recommends a 5000 watt generator. That tells you how much faith they have generators.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 29 Jan 2017 12:26pm
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I second the screw pile idea. I used the deck version for my 10x14 winter bedroom. 2 years later and they're still solid. You can see some of how that worked here.
I used the post hole auger to drive them (I have a tractor). But two guys can sink them pretty quick. Or one guy with a long 2x4 lever. I did one that way (the crooked one). Then I got the post hole auger out.
For a genny: I have a 8500w honda. It works the ticket. I run table saw. Jointer. Framing nailer. Etc. The nice thing about the honda is the low gas consumption.
enjoy.
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