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ptowner
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2021 11:11pm
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I have a cabin in the National Forest in northern Wisconsin. We have no electricity to the cabin. The cabin is shared with several family members and some of them are not that mechanical. We have powered it with portable generators but with questionable starting reliability both due to the generator and mechanical aptitude of some. A few years ago I rented a cabin near Polebridge MT that had a setup where you just turned a timer knob on the wall and the generator outside started up and was good to go. I am looking for something like this. We do not need much power, probably around 3500 watts in case we want to run a microwave or vacuum cleaner. We normally just run six 9 watt LED bulbs and a tv. The cabin does not get a lot of use. The main use comes in the November 9 day gun season where the generator runs for about five hours per night. Not really interested in solar. Main thing is ease of use. We do have a couple large 8D batteries we charge and use with an inverter for shorter periods. Looking to run generator on LP since we heat the cabin with it. The price of this unit seems reasonable
https://www.admarinestore.com/Generators/Commercial-standby-generators/Genera-%206998 -7500-Watt-StandbyPact-Home-Standby-Back-up-Standb-Generator
Not sure what else I would need for it. Anyone else done this setup?
Thanks
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2021 11:53pm
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If you place that generator into service at an off-grid location Generac will probably void the warranty as they list it it as a Standby Backup Generator. I base that on the experience of a friend.
This was a decade ago so maybe things have changed. They had a three year warranty back then but it did state something about the warranty not covering units used for prime power or something like that. Back then they sold a couple of generators labeled EcoGen and advertised as the first backup generator warranted for off-grid use. It turned out to be a smart move on his part to spend the extra cash as he did have some warranty claims.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 04:57am
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Spam? Can u link the manufacturer web site please?
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 08:06am
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Where about in WI are you?
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 08:08am
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Fuel source, says LP or NG, if its off grid, you have large propane storage tank?
It smells spammish, but the post seems pretty legit, if it is spam, the spammer went to great lengths. I'm error-ing on the side of non spam for now. 
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 08:35am
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech the spammer went to great lengths.
They at least took the time to look up when our gun deer season is and how long it last 
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 08:38am - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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I little Honda EU2200i will do what he wants, I run all those items at my cabin on my EU2000i with ease.
If he has to have remote start, get the Honda EU3000is with electric start, you can wire it up for remove operation. An aftermarket outfit even makes a wireless remote start for them too.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 09:05am
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They could be just copying and pasting a post from another forum.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 09:28am
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech the post seems pretty legit, if it is spam, the spammer went to great lengths. I'm error-ing on the side of non spam for now.
My internal spam alarm never even came close to going off and I do get triggered by stuff like that quite easily. As was said, I too think there was too much background story to likely be spam.
My friend with the EcoGen version has a 500 gallon propane tank, has a small battery bank. No possible solar because of canyon walls so it works for him.
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ptowner
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 09:56am
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Sorry, not sure why spam was triggered. Just saw your forum and was looking for advice and experience. I linked a generator that came up at a good price. The cabin is in the lower Chequamegon National Forest near Perkinstown.
I see that many portables now offer remote start and can run for up 18 hours on a tank of gas so this may be an option also. Just looking for something easy to use for everyone without messing around.
Thanks and sorry for any confusion about my legit-ness.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 10:45am - Edited by: gcrank1
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We run a 700w microwave, toaster, would run a coffee maker but I use stove, electric chain saw, contractors 'Skillsaw', vacuum, etc off a 1700/2000peak Champion inv/gen (usually set on Eco).
One at a time, of course.
3500w est, seems high to me unless you run several high draw loads at once.
Are you wired like a house c/w a service panel for all those high draw loads? You need it the way you are running things.
How is the gen hooked up to the cabin?
The led lights; certainly you are not running them all at once but rarely. Low draw on 120vac but figure 1amp each draw off a 12v battery running a 120vac inverter.
But 8'D' batteries?
Im curious how are you managing that small a battery bank  , are they are actually getting fully charged without solar in your absence?
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 12:11pm
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Sorry PTowner. There have been alot of spammers on here. Usualy there first posts include a link.
I think that generator in your link is best suited for home stand by, not your needs. Have you looked into a HF 3500w inverter? There better suited for your usage and I believe someone sells a remote start kit for them.
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2021 01:41pm
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Quoting: Brettny Have you looked into a HF 3500w inverter? There better suited for your usage and I believe someone sells a remote start kit for them.
This is what we use to supplement our solar... no charge days and when running power tools. I actually just installed a remote start kit from Generator Upgrade Supply. Really, really good guy to work with! Had a misunderstanding about whether the external antenna was included... Ebay add was vague so emailed him and he wrote right back and agreed it was too vague so sent me the external antenna free of charge. I had a problem with the choke actuator not working, sent him an email and he responded within hours and put another one in the mail that day. He told me he won't quit until his customers are happy.
The kit is super easy to install... remember I'm a one armed guy and I did it by myself with the exception of snapping together 1 electrical connection, just couldn't get it with one hand. I got the external antenna add on because my generator shack is 50-60 feet from the main part of the house... not sure I needed it but I'm also sure it helps. Works like a charm. When it is really cold it wasn't starting with the remote but after inspection I figured out the choke lever was not getting completely pulled/choke closed. A little adjustment and no problem.
As Toyota said, the Honda EU3000is is a great generator, just a lot more money. That said if you are wanting bullet proof, that's the one. I have over 700 hours on my Harbor Freight 3500 Predator but, it has its quirks that will stop it from running and/or make it run horribly. Eventually I have figured these out and eliminated where possible or am diligent in my maintenance procedures to prevent issues.
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pabear89
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2021 12:44pm
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I use the honda 3000is and have converted it to propane. It adverages about the same run time per gal of fuel and can use both. I prefer propane as it usually runs about $1.00 a gal cheaper around here and storage with no worry about age.
Maint is not too bad once you learn the tricks of adjusting the valves which it seems to need every 300 or so hours.
Problem now is finding one as I have been watching to get one for a back up and there is none available yet.
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ptowner
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2021 08:16pm
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Thanks everyone. Sorry for the long delay. Been busy. I really appreciate the ideas. I guess I had been out of the loop on generator technology. Our cabin is a construction site double wide, 24' x 56'. It was a big empty box when we got it. We made four bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom,living room, and a cold room. We have the inside electrical the way we want it and was just looking for ideas for a new easier power source that everyone was able to operate. I also am tired of having to win a cribbage game to avoid going out in the cold to shut the generator off at night. After researching some remote start generators I think this may be the easiest way to go. Does anyone have experience with the Cummins Onan P4500i - 3,700 Watt Electric Start Portable Inverter Generator w/ Wireless Remote Start (CARB)? It is only about $1,100. They state that it will run 15 hours at 50% load on a tank of gas. That would last us a couple days in the winter. The Westinghouse iGen4500 also comes with remote start and is $945 on Amazon. Honda is about double that but there may be a reason why. They do make great stuff but I wonder if the competition has caught up?
Thank you again
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2021 06:11am
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PT the onan and Westinghouse are the same generator by the looks of it. Even the control pannel look the same. I believe the Energizer is also the same.
Why 4500w? Sportsman is also another cheap inverter.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2021 07:42am
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Quoting: Brettny PT the onan and Westinghouse are the same generator by the looks of it. Even the control pannel look the same. I believe the Energizer is also the same. Why 4500w? Sportsman is also another cheap inverter.
And the problem later is, will you be able to get any parts for it, they all tout a big game during the sale, then once you are an owner, parts are now made out of unobtanium.
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pabear89
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2021 09:30am
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The Sportsman is overrated and does not produce the power is very loud and not fuel friendly.
I have the 4750W propane model, got it on a model end sale and it is junk.
The Honda 3000is will start/run things the Sportsman will not. Runs quiet and with the eco button will run 24 hrs on approx 2.5 gals with parts avail.
My set up is 20' away running propane 100# tank.
I did a wireless control on old reg gas set up, but it had its own problems with starting when cold ether the choke was too much or not enough.
The new one is on propane and simply extended the ign and eco switch for a inside control point for about $50.
Yep the Honda is pricey but WORKS, I ran a 2000W 24/7 for over 3 years straight with little problems so they are worth the money in my mind.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2021 10:30am - Edited by: gcrank1
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Yea, given what stuff you say you use at the cabin why such a big gen? The microwave is the big draw, I doubt you run all the led bulbs at once , the vac takes a bit to run but not all day and the tv is the long run. Short runs with the gen for the mw and vac, no need for the gen to run led lights and tv.
I expect you have some kind of charger for the couple of 8D batteries and you must have an inverter, imo you should run as much as possible off that for the light draw stuff. And with those bats and inv arent you running some stuff off that rather than gen? Five hours a day gen seems a lot.
Just like determining your ah's/watts of use per 24 hours for solar you add it all up to figure what size gen.
Point is that a smaller new pull start gen will likely start a lot easier than a common old, big one, and be more fuel efficient too. But I do get the wanting an elec start! Just dont think that will solve the operators 'issues'; ie, someone else can still kill it. Propane fueled could solve the gumming up gasoline, but so would short filling the tank on the last day 'fill' and just running it dry.
It may be harder to find a gen for sale after the TX storms. After disasters gen's sell out and prices go up, but within 6 months you will find them discounted lnib on the auction sites. You could buy an inexpensive e-start one and consider it disposable; ie, when it breaks IF you cant get parts or fix it easily just buy another?
My guess is e-start and propane fueled means quite a high buy in for a little bit of use per year. Is everybody gonna chip in to buy this?
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2021 01:56pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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Just noticed a Champion Dual Fuel RV Ready E-Start 3400w/3100gas cont., 3060w/2790w prop.cont., about 100# with a pair of wheels for <$1300 on Amazon.
It is kinda thirsty though compared to their Dual Fuel 2500w pull start unit.
I bought my little Champ 2000w gas gen at our local TSC 'farm supply' store.
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Burgess
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 10:44am
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I have an off-grid property that I am building
two -300 sq.ft cottages. Each will have small fridge, heater, AC, lights, etc.. I don't want solar, however I want to run a propane generator with battery storage. Here my problem, I want it to run thru an inverter that allows the generator charge the batteries and when the batteries get low, the generator automatically turns on. I cannot find any set up like this or any company that can tell me what inverter I need.... Help
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 11:14am
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That is a LOT of high draw stuff to power up x 2!
Sure hope you arent thinking of using an electric heater.
You really need to do an energy audit on the devices to know how to size the storage bat-bank and what type of batteries to use (I sense Huge here). Each type of battery will have a charge/discharge profile you need to stick to lest you kill them prematurely (and batteries are the big cost items).
With that info you would have an idea of what size inverter/charger you need to use to meet the profile and that leads to what size generator to drive it.
This question really deserves a thread of its own as your specifics are likely to get this one into the weeds.
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Burgess
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 11:20am
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Yea. No electric heater. All propane appliances. Is there an inverter/ATS that will allow the generator to automatically start?
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silverwaterlady
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 11:43am - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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IDK why you need a elaborate set up. If you are not full time.
Refrigerator, lights, stove, heat-Propane
Microwave and anything electrical a portable Honda EU2200i generator.
Going outside to start the generator with one pull is not difficult. That’s why we bought a Honda.
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Burgess
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 01:14pm
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Because they are rental air bnb
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Burgess
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 01:22pm
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So back to my original post, I want to run my power thru an inverter that allows the generator charge the batteries and when the batteries get low, the generator automatically turns on. Any ideas for that?
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 01:29pm
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With respect to the original post by 'ptowner' how about making your own thread? It's easy
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 02:29pm - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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“Because they are rental air bnbâ€
^^A distinction that was never mentioned. People are willing to help here, you won’t receive the required help if you omit something this important.^^
My original comment was directed towards the first person that posted, ptowner.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 03:21pm
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Quoting: Burgess I want to run my power thru an inverter that allows the generator charge the batteries and when the batteries get low, the generator automatically turns on. Any ideas for that
Inverter/charger with a generator start circuit. AIMES and all the other big names make them. Be prepared to spend $1200+ just for that component.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2021 03:23pm
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech And the problem later is, will you be able to get any parts for it, they all tout a big game during the sale, then once you are an owner, parts are now made out of unobtaniu
Well you could buy a spare everything (a whole second generator) and still be into it less than a honda. For the most part your going to be dealing with fuel issues and it dosnt matter what brand/color generator you have.
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