Is a Yamaha Generator Right for You?
November 4th, 2006
Yamaha has a history or manufacturing efficient, long lasting, cost effective portable generators. They make a variety of models for users at all levels, ranging from smaller generators for general consumers to heavy duty industrial generators for business and construction use.
If you need a small, light-weight model then the Yamaha EF1000iS is a great choice. It can easily be carried by a single person (it’s only 27lbs!) yet produces more than enough power for your electricity needs during a camping or fishing trip.
If your power needs are greater, running basic tools on a construction job site for example, then you may need a more powerful generator such as the Yamaha EF1000. While still relatively small and light-weight, the Yamaha EF1000 will provide plenty of power for most job sites and will run for up to six hours before refueling.
There are a number of portable generators by Yamaha and you’re sure to find one that will meet your needs precisely. Check them out, you won’t be disappointed.
The History of Honda Generators
November 7th, 2006
The first Honda portable generator, the E300, was built in 1965. The Honda Motor Company was started in 1948 by Japanese businessman Soichiro Honda, who was concentrating mostly on building motorized bikes, and later actual motorcycles. In 1962, three years before the company began producing portable generators, Honda started making small cars and trucks. By this time, Honda had already established offices and plants in the United States. Already experts in building and perfecting small gas engines, Honda saw a market for portable generators, and the production of the E300 Honda portable generator was met with great enthusiasm by the American public. A testament to the quality of the Honda E300 portable generator is that many of these first models are still in use today.
Before Honda portable generators came on the market, generators were cumbersome and difficult to transport. Though generators were often used by businesses, especially those that were often mobile, they usually weren’t convenient enough to be used by the average consumer. With the production of Honda portable generators, however, a new market opened up. Suddenly anyone could use a generator, and there was definitely a need. For things such as power outages, or events such as camping trips or outdoor parties, Honda portable generators were perfect – and affordable.
The only problem that people had with the first Honda portable generators was that they were rather loud, which could be bothersome in some situations. Honda realized right away that this could be a slight problem, and Honda technicians started working on solutions for quieter portable generators. As years went by, the already high quality Honda portable generators were improved upon, both in efficiency and noise level. Though other manufacturers were producing portable generators, consumers knew that they could count on Honda to produce quality products, and to always be innovative with new designs and functions.
Today, Honda portable generators are not only the most popular make of portable generator in the United States; they are also the most popular in the entire world market. Honda’s dedication to quality and its responsiveness to the needs of the public have resulted in the company being the most trusted when it comes to portable generators. Today, Honda makes several models of portable generators – one to fit the needs of any business or average consumer household. With the creation of their inverter portable generators, Honda has even gone a step further. Honda inverter generators are significantly smaller while still powerful, and their noise levels are greatly decreased. It is obvious to anyone that Honda’s innovative technology will always be at the forefront when it comes to portable generators.
Generators and New Technology Create ‘Mobile Wells’
November 23rd, 2006
Aqua Sciences has developed a portable system that pulls clean drinking water out of air. The newly and successfully tweaked technology uses large salt filters to attract water from the air and filter it to provide drinking water. The unit is loaded on a truck, and powered by a generator with a five day fuel supply. The immediate uses are thought to be for disasters such as Hurricane Katrina or for supplies in Iraq, but these machines may also be a savior in Third World Countries. There exists the potential to save up to 9 million lives annually, and the most common and dire need after disasters is water.
The most encouraging part about these new units is the functionality and the practicality. The custom units recently ordered by FEMA can provide 1200 gallons of water per day - and even more in hot temperatures. The cost estimate once the unit is placed is only 30 cents per gallon! Imagine the relief offered in Iraq right now, where the largest supply issue is bringing in clean water - and at much higher costs than 30 cents per gallon! But don’t forget that all of this is only made possible by the use of a low maintainance generators, which will hopefully be tri-fuel compatible.
The Honda Inverter and Super Quiet Line
November 23rd, 2006
Honda’s inverter technology reduces the size and weight of their generators by building the alternator into the engine. The microprocessor converts raw power into ultra-clean power with a sine wave equal to that coming from most household wall outlets, preventing surges which can harm sensitive electronic equipment. The Eco-Throttle system conserves fuel by adjusting engine speed to the load, which lowers emissions and noise.
The EU1000i weighs only 29 pounds, and can run up to 8.3 hours on a single tank of gas. The sound generated by this model is only 59 dB, or about the level of normal speech. The Oil Alert feature shuts down the generator when the oil level drops below safe operating levels. Linking two of these generators in parallel will increase the available wattage, but alone, one unit can power small tools, small kitchen appliances, and small household electrics such as radios and TVs.
The EU2000i weighs in at 46.3 pounds and provides 2000 watts of power at surge. Running for 15 hours on a single tank of gas, this unit also produces only 59 dB of noise. A DC terminal is available for car battery charging. This size generator is ideal for microwaves, larger power tools, and kitchen appliances with resistive loads such as coffee makers and toasters.
The Honda EU3000is will run for up to 20 hours on a tank of gas. Weighing only 134 pounds, this generator provides up to 3000 watts of inverter power. This unit is quieter than the others, rated at 48 - 58 dB, and can run a roof-top RV air conditioner or provide emergency back-up power to a home.
The Honda EX4500 is totally enclosed and features an electric start, fuel-efficient idle, and voltage selection switch. This unit can run at up to 4500 watts, but puts out only 61 dB of noise, just above the level of normal speech.
The EX5500 is also totally enclosed and offers electric start, automatic idle, and a liquid-cooled engine. At full load, the noise rating is only 65 dB. It can be used to power sound systems for public events.
The development of the Inverter by Honda has really changed the generator market. The new chipset replaces brushes that allows the new models to be smaller, lighter, and have fewer moving parts - which leads to fewer repairs and hopefully, longer lifespans. It also produces cleaner power, allowing use in sensitive equipment and is more efficient, being better for the environment!
Glossary of Generator Terms
November 30th, 2006
Alternating Current: Voltage that fluctuates from a positive peak through zero to a negative peak. The number of times the cycle is repeated in one minute is called hertz.
Amperage: A measurement of the strength of an electric current. Also called amps. One amp flows when one volt is applied across a resistance of one ohm.
(amps = volts / ohms)
Continuous Load: The rated size of the generator, at which it can run for long periods of time. This is in contract to the surge capacity, at which the generator should be run for no longer than 30 minutes.
Direct Current: Electric current that flows in one direction only. (In contrast to alternating current)
Full Power Branch Circuit: A designation that all of the rated power of a generator can be drawn from one outlet.
Ground: A connection between an electrical circuit and the earth. Appliances should be grounded, or the electricity may flow through YOU to get to the ground.
Idle Control: Some generators operate at low idle when the load is removed. This conserves fuel, reduces noise, and cuts wear and tear on the generator.
Rated Power: The net electrical output of a generator.
RPM: Revolutions per minute ~ the speed at which the motor is turning.
Spark Arrester: A screen that covers the muffler exhaust to prevent sparks from escaping.
Surge Power: The wattage a generator is capable of supporting for short periods, such as when a motor is started up.
Transfer Switch: A device which cuts your home off from utility provided power when you turn your generator on. This prevents your generator from backfeeding onto the utility lines and causing possible electrocution of utility workers.
Winding: The coils of a generator.
Now that you are ready to understand your portable generator research, make sure the pick the best model on the market! We suggest starting with the honda generators!
The Power is Out in the Midwest
December 2nd, 2006
Strings of scattered storms knocked out power sporadically across the Midwest. Reports of seven inches of snow were reported in Texas and over eight inches of snow were reported in Wisconsin, although there was no snow to be found in areas only twenty minutes away. Reports of Power Outages:
Owasso, OK saw reports of 2,200 homes without power.
St. Louis, MO saw varying reports of around 250,000 without power.
Gary, IN heard reports of 14,000 homes without power.
Clinton, IL had reports of about 3,700 power outages.
Alton, IL saw reports of around 6,000 outages.
Edwardsville, IL had nearly 8,700 outages.
And there were many others throughout Illinois and across the Midwest. Many small outages were reported in Wisconsin also. Although most of these outages were short-lived, there are always health fears associated with the storm itself and with longer-term outages. Longer outages lead to generator use to turn the power back on and let people get back to their lives and work. Improper use can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or electrocution, and unfortunately large storms are too often followed by reports of generator injuries and deaths. Please remember to be careful.
Buy Efficient Furnaces and Save
December 28th, 2006
If you bought a new furnace and replaced an old one in 2006, you may want to take a closer look to see if you are entitled to a tax break. Most new furnaces rated with a 95 AFUE (Annual Fuel Use Efficiency) or higher can earn you a tax credit.
Natural gas, propane and oil burning furnaces can earn a credit up to $150 and if they are equipped with a high efficiency fan, or a variable speed fan, you can earn another $50 tax credit.
This is a small part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Another catch is that the manufacturer must have certified each model to qualify for the tax credit. For new homes, generally, the builder will have already taken the available credits under the new home program designed for them to encourage more efficient homes.
For more information on the Tax Incentives Assistance Project, visit www.energytaxincentives.org.
Kohler Power Rentals
March 30th, 2007
The executives at Kohler Power Systems know that sometimes power needs are only temporary. As a result, the company offers an entire fleet of a wide variety of their power generators for customer rental.
These Kohler Power Systems rental generators come in power capacities ranging from 5.5 kW to 2000 kW, and span the gamut in length from 5’ to 40’. Depending on their weight, they can either be mounted on a trailer-base, and towed by any vehicle with a hitch, or hooked up to a truck.
Delivery, set-up, and maintenance are also not a problem. Kohler Power Systems pledges to provide all three services (including fuel delivery), so that the customer can focus on the task at hand – and not how to work the equipment to power it.
Kohler Power Systems also rents mobile lighting, in the form of light towers.
Because, as Kohler Power Systems states on its website, “no two projects are the same,” the price of renting a Kohler rental power generator greatly varies. Fortunately, Kohler provides an easy way of obtaining a price quote: an online Request for Proposal form. Further communications can be conducted by email, mail, phone, or fax.
More Power Outages
December 22nd, 2007
Power outages have blanketed the Midwest region lately as a direct
result of recent storm destruction. Heavy rain reduced visibility
and made roads and runways extremely slippery. Winds gusted
through the area knocking down trees and power lines. And, snow
covered the ground.
Over a hundred thousand homes were without power in Missouri.
Nebraska suffered from many power outages as well. 70 thousand
outages were reported in Kansas. Iowa had at least 17 thousand
people without power. Oklahoma made history with the state’s
largest power outage.
Airports were forced to instantiate delays, cancellations, and
some even had to close. For instance, the entire Des Moines
airport closed for a day because travel was impossible. Chicago
felt a large brunt of the storm which resulted in hundreds of
flight cancellations. Missouri airports also had to cancel
flights.
This storm really caused an immense amount of damage that greatly
inhibited daily activities. Businesses were forced to close and
even major events were unable to take place. Presidential campaign
appearances in Iowa were forced to cancel.
When the next storm comes, be prepared with a generator to keep
your business running and your home livable as always. No one
likes being stuck in a snowy environment, freezing without power.
Get all your power supply information at
www.portablegeneratornews.com today!