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Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:01 pm
by Hoodoo Man
I managed to score an 800w inverter at home depot first thing this morning and have managed to run my pellet stove, refrigerator and a fan off of it. What do I need to do if anything when it's been idling off and mostly on for the better part of the day? I have a few dozen oak trees down on my street alone. I ordered a new generator from amazon that will arrive Tuesday. What can I do to avoid killing the jeep or the inverter? Hope to be able to read replies tomorrow lol

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:44 am
by Kurt
Jeff,

Inverters have a low battery cut off circuit to prevent them from running the battery way down and to protect the inverter.
Idling your Jeep perodically ought to be enough to be enough to keep the inverter happer.

We lost power 7:40 PM on Saturday. Surveyed the area late yeasterday and I doubt we will see power until Wed or Thursday.
Pepperell, Hollis, Brookline, and most of Townsend was in the dark.

Keep warm!

Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:52 am
by ChrisD
Kurt if you don't have a generator, I have one you can use.

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:40 pm
by Kurt
Little Napoleon wrote:Kurt if you don't have a generator, I have one you can use.
Chris,

Thank you for the offer.
I'm all set. My 5KW generator is doing a splendid job of powering the house. 8-)
Looks like I'm not going to see power restored until Thursday... :sad:

Maybe someone else could use yours?

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:39 pm
by johnsxj
My power went out Sat around 11pm. Hooked the genny up to the furnace, fridge, and TV. Power back on 9:45pm last night.

I've got a 2300 watt genny if anyone needs to borrow it.

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:42 pm
by beaker
I lucked out & didn't lose power. It was amusing seeing Main st w/o any power. Lent my generator out to my friend's neighbor up in Mason. Neither of their two generators was working right.

-mike

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:48 pm
by Hoodoo Man
We got power back around 2 today, I was hooking my sump up a little better than it was Got a proper hole dug etc and was trying to test the float bulb in the new setup and I'm like wth. We lost power again. :doh: my new 5k jenie should arrive tomorrow :cool:

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:38 pm
by nhdcoye
Litchfield NH update ...

No power = no well(water) ,no cable= no phone , no internet , no naday :-( since Sat PM

Got my generator for our heat, fridge ,lights and hot tub,,,, got to have something to deal with the stress :-)
Got an extension cord running next door to the neighbors fridge and DSL wireless router.
We are roughing it out.. If by the AM still no power I'm bypassing the panel and hooking up the well.

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 12:29 am
by beaker
Voodoo Chile wrote:We got power back around 2 today, I was hooking my sump up a little better than it was Got a proper hole dug etc and was trying to test the float bulb in the new setup and I'm like wth. We lost power again. :doh: my new 5k jenie should arrive tomorrow :cool:
I got a friend who must live near you in Westford; the same thing happened to them!

-mike

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:34 am
by Kurt
johnsxj wrote:I've got a 2300 watt genny if anyone needs to borrow it.
I also have a 1800 watt generator availabe if anyone in the club needs it.

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:51 am
by Hoodoo Man
Little Napoleon wrote:Kurt if you don't have a generator, I have one you can use.
johnsxj wrote:My power went out Sat around 11pm. Hooked the genny up to the furnace, fridge, and TV. Power back on 9:45pm last night.

I've got a 2300 watt genny if anyone needs to borrow it.
Kurt wrote:
johnsxj wrote:I've got a 2300 watt genny if anyone needs to borrow it.
I also have a 1800 watt generator availabe if anyone in the club needs it.

You guys are too awesome! Its stuff like this that makes me think this is the best club out there! :handgestures-thumbupright: :music-rockout: :bluesbros: 8-)

got my power on last night around 8pm for good... I hope..... new generator arrives sometime today and I will be ordering a tie in kit so I will not loose running water in the future.... :pray:

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:12 am
by ZAEDOCK
If I were close enough, I'd take you guys up on your genny offers! Thanks though! I think we're finally going to go get a Chonda (Chinese Honda) in the next couple weeks.

We're looking at Saturday for our power to return. My street looks like a demilitarized zone. Helped the neighbors cut trees off their cars.
Angie and I made out well damage wise. We have some new fire wood!

We're holding out with the wood stove (80* in basement, 65* upstairs) and the inverter in the YJ keeps the lights on. Stay safe everyone!

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:18 am
by ZAEDOCK
Voodoo Chile wrote: What do I need to do if anything when it's been idling off and mostly on for the better part of the day? ... What can I do to avoid killing the jeep or the inverter?

Oh, just to comment on this - I know that they used to make industrial generators using L134 and F134 Jeep engines back in the day. They use Ford 2.5L four poppers too. Idling all day won't really hurt it if everything is up to snuff. You may have a little extra fuel dillution from idling so long, but take just her out on the highway for 1/2 hour or so to burn it off. Remember that millions of police and cabs idle all day, every day and run out to 200K+ miles. I think your Jeep will be fine. I have no worries running mine to power the lights. :handgestures-thumbupright:

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:41 am
by Hoodoo Man
ZAEDOCK wrote:
Voodoo Chile wrote: What do I need to do if anything when it's been idling off and mostly on for the better part of the day? ... What can I do to avoid killing the jeep or the inverter?

Oh, just to comment on this - I know that they used to make industrial generators using L134 and F134 Jeep engines back in the day. They use Ford 2.5L four poppers too. Idling all day won't really hurt it if everything is up to snuff. You may have a little extra fuel dillution from idling so long, but take just her out on the highway for 1/2 hour or so to burn it off. Remember that millions of police and cabs idle all day, every day and run out to 200K+ miles. I think your Jeep will be fine. I have no worries running mine to power the lights. :handgestures-thumbupright:

Hey Joe im headed to worcester shortly. I can call Kurt and see if hes home and meet you there... :music-rockout:

Re: Using a tj as a generator

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:44 am
by ZAEDOCK
Yeah man! That would be awesome!

Let me know where you're going and when! I'm right near 290 at Plantation Street across the street from UMass.