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Portable Generators

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  • Portable Generators

    Hey fellow pros,

    I've recently begun charging for my work and enjoying it a lot. My niche is in detailing MINI Coopers--I've buffed out over 140 of them this past year, and I use my own MINI as my detailing rig. Of course I detail other cars too--thus far, mostly Mercedes and Audis, but have done the Fords and Saturns too.

    Since space is at a premium, and eventually I will be towing a small trailer when I need to bring water, right now I'm trying to be fully self contained and I get a kick at watching the customer be amazed at how much stuff fits in the MINI.

    The only thing I'm really missing now is portable power, and I'm considering either a heavy duty power inverter which I've seen for just over $100 and maybe running it off a couple of external car batteries or buying one of these:

    Does anyone know if a 2000 Watt generator like the Honda EU2000i would be sufficient to run a rotary buffer and PC?

    It interests me because it weighs about 50 pounds, runs economically, and is very quiet--I hear something around the level of an aquarium pump.





    Also you can connect two of these together to produce 4000 watts if necessary. While I know there are cheaper generators out there, there aren't any this compact or practical.

    Another option which is more compact at under 30 pounds is the 1000 watt model--again not sure if that's powerful enough. I'd like to be able to run 2 rotaries or 2 PC's simultaneously.







    FWIW, I pack a 10x10 EZ up, complete detailing kit, M80, M83, M21, M7, Full NXT line including NXT Tech Wax--Makita rotary buffer, 2 PC's, 3 portable chairs, portable table, MF towels for paint, for wheels, and interior, foam pads--w7006, w8006, w9006, air pump, 2 vacuum cleaners, 2-5 gallon buckets and associated towel, mitts, absorbers. Degreasers and chemicals and dressings. Leaf blower and attachments. 200' in extension cords.

    Thanks for any advice or insight on generators!

    Richard
    Richard Lin
    ShowCarDetailing
    5548 E. La Palma Ave
    Anaheim, CA 92807
    toll free: 866 707 9292

  • #2
    Wow, operating at about 50-60 dBs is awesome considering the fact that my computer fan operates at 29 dB. I don't know if the 2000 watts supplied will be enough to run two rotary buffers at the same time due mainly to the amps they require, most likely will depend on the buffer you have and its power draw. 2 PC's may be possible since they draw less.

    Comment


    • #3
      Yeah from what I hear they are gas misers and super quiet. The online videos are pretty cool.

      I guess from the get go, I don't need to run 2 rotary buffers, since I work alone, but it'd be nice to have the option should I need it.

      Thanks!

      Richard


      Originally posted by travisdecpn
      Wow, operating at about 50-60 dBs is awesome considering the fact that my computer fan operates at 29 dB. I don't know if the 2000 watts supplied will be enough to run two rotary buffers at the same time due mainly to the amps they require, most likely will depend on the buffer you have and its power draw. 2 PC's may be possible since they draw less.
      Richard Lin
      ShowCarDetailing
      5548 E. La Palma Ave
      Anaheim, CA 92807
      toll free: 866 707 9292

      Comment


      • #4
        Yeah, according to the dewalt site, the DW849 requires 1400watts at a maximum, and about 960 watts (8amps*120volts) nominally. The PC requires significantly less at around 480 watts (3.7amps*120volts) nominally. This equation is new to me, but should give you a rough estimate of what needs to be accounted for.

        Comment


        • #5
          Thanks!! Yeah I guess that answers my question then. Seems the 2000 watt model is the one I should be thinking about for maximum flexibility.

          Thanks!!

          Richard


          Originally posted by travisdecpn
          Yeah, according to the dewalt site, the DW849 requires 1400watts at a maximum, and about 960 watts (8amps*120volts) nominally. The PC requires significantly less at around 480 watts (3.7amps*120volts) nominally. This equation is new to me, but should give you a rough estimate of what needs to be accounted for.
          Richard Lin
          ShowCarDetailing
          5548 E. La Palma Ave
          Anaheim, CA 92807
          toll free: 866 707 9292

          Comment


          • #6
            i use 2 marine batteries and an AC/Delco 2500 watt Power Invertor when I dont have a power supply, Last time I used it I got about 4 hours use running a DeWalt 849.. I dont think the batteries were charged 100% but they were pretty close

            Comment


            • #7
              This is an option that appeals to me as well--no need to mess with gas I suppose. I figure that inverter with a couple of batteries is still going to run around $300 to $350???

              Thanks

              Richard

              Originally posted by Five Star
              i use 2 marine batteries and an AC/Delco 2500 watt Power Invertor when I dont have a power supply, Last time I used it I got about 4 hours use running a DeWalt 849.. I dont think the batteries were charged 100% but they were pretty close
              Richard Lin
              ShowCarDetailing
              5548 E. La Palma Ave
              Anaheim, CA 92807
              toll free: 866 707 9292

              Comment


              • #8
                2 marine batteries @ Costco: $100

                1 2500 Watt Power Inverter @ Costco: $300


                Not having to hear a generator running all day: Priceless

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hey Richard,

                  Buy the Honda eu2000i, you will love the machine! I have a Honda EU3000is, but I use it for camping only. There is no doubt, the Honda's are REALLY quiet!

                  Tim
                  Tim Lingor's Product Reviews

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thanks Tim. Yeah that's what I had decided--forgot to update the post here. I like the fact I can just add some gas to get more power without having to recharge, it's more compact since space is at a premium for me, the ability to double the output to 4000 watts by chaining a 2nd eu2000i is cool, and I can take the power just about anywhere!

                    Richard

                    Originally posted by 2hotford
                    Hey Richard,

                    Buy the Honda eu2000i, you will love the machine! I have a Honda EU3000is, but I use it for camping only. There is no doubt, the Honda's are REALLY quiet!

                    Tim
                    Richard Lin
                    ShowCarDetailing
                    5548 E. La Palma Ave
                    Anaheim, CA 92807
                    toll free: 866 707 9292

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Before you shell out for a Honda, take a look at Kipor generators - they're a honda in a different box and are significantly cheaper. Honda can't make they're generators economically in Japan so they're outsourced to a factory in China - the same one that makes Kipor units! Same internals, same engine, same quietness.

                      Take a look -





                      Hope this helps!

                      Ben

                      (I'm not connected to Kipor in any way, it's just I was alerted to this myself when I too was about to buy a Honda).

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Thanks, I was wondering about that. I saw some on ebay for significantly less yet similar specs, and thought they were just cheap knockoffs. =)

                        Richard

                        Originally posted by BenP
                        Before you shell out for a Honda, take a look at Kipor generators - they're a honda in a different box and are significantly cheaper. Honda can't make they're generators economically in Japan so they're outsourced to a factory in China - the same one that makes Kipor units! Same internals, same engine, same quietness.

                        Take a look -





                        Hope this helps!

                        Ben

                        (I'm not connected to Kipor in any way, it's just I was alerted to this myself when I too was about to buy a Honda).
                        Richard Lin
                        ShowCarDetailing
                        5548 E. La Palma Ave
                        Anaheim, CA 92807
                        toll free: 866 707 9292

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hey,

                          I think we need to be very careful suggesting that these units are the same machines. Unless one knows unsubstantially, and has made a break down of the key components, there may indeed be differences in the products.

                          Where did you get this information from? Is there a site that has broken these units into individual components to verify? It would be interesting to read about...

                          Tim
                          Tim Lingor's Product Reviews

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by 2hotford
                            Hey,

                            I think we need to be very careful suggesting that these units are the same machines. Unless one knows unsubstantially, and has made a break down of the key components, there may indeed be differences in the products.

                            Where did you get this information from? Is there a site that has broken these units into individual components to verify? It would be interesting to read about...

                            Tim
                            This was information I gleaned form a guy over here in the UK that sells both Honda and Kipor generators. Whilst I don't have any documented evidence, he's had them apart and said they were as good as identical.

                            Obvioulsy they're not going to be exactly the same, but just see it in the same vein as the VW Golf, Skoda Fabia, Audi A3 and Seat Cupra all being the "same" car.

                            Ben

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Doing some Googling now between Kipor and Honda, and this RV thread indicates happy Kipor users--saying that the parts are even interchangeable. One Honda EU2000i user sold his to buy a Kipor.



                              An interesting user comparison between Honda and Kipor. From this post it shows they are not identical but very similar and the Kipor was slightly better in terms of power to cost ratio.



                              According to this website:
                              Kipor is not some no name generator. They are an established generator factory of 15 years and the #2 selling generator brand in all of Europe. We stock a full line of replacement parts. Do your homework & purchase a quality unit!!



                              And plenty more reading.....


                              Richard
                              Richard Lin
                              ShowCarDetailing
                              5548 E. La Palma Ave
                              Anaheim, CA 92807
                              toll free: 866 707 9292

                              Comment

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