Category Archives: Generators

The default I/O device?

Posted on May 28, 2011 by George B.

Among our DIYer  group are a lot of people who hack together a little code and stuff same in microprocessors for all kinds of stuff. The basic Stamp is a great intro to what can be done and I doubt … Continue reading →

Posted in Off Grid Power | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Wind Power Math

Posted on May 17, 2011 by George B.

Doing the Math in Washington State The circle represents a geographical area  in Washington State where we have cheap and abundant Green Hydro AND Wind Power. Some of us will see both of these products as being green and little different … Continue reading →

Posted in Buyer Beware, Generator Realities | Tagged , | 2 Comments

ST Gen Head Growls, Email of the week

Posted on May 16, 2011 by George B.

From: Chuck M. essay depot Subject: ST Generator “Growling” Message: Aloha George, I have a belt driven ST 8 KW generator that changes from a gentle hum to a distinct “growl” when the two 120V “legs” get unbalanced. For example, both … Continue reading →

Posted in DIYer Generator | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Lighting: Making Your Informed Choice

Posted on April 19, 2011 by George B.

My experience with CFLs has been mixed, Living in Washington State there’s a subsidy to take advantage of, and I have bought a large supply of 12-15 WATT indoor CFLs for a price that amounts to the state sales tax, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Generator Realities, Off Grid Power, Products | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Utterpower’s Annual Lister Gen spring Start.

Posted on April 18, 2011 by George B.

It’s mid April, and the weather in the mountains is more like March. I got up late this morning, and as I made my way into the family room and poured my first cup of coffee around 8:00 AM, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Off Grid Power, Things I like | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Veggie Burners

Posted on April 16, 2011 by George B.

Many are frustrated that the EPA decided to ban our access to slow speed diesel stationary engines by removing  the exemption and forcing tier three compliance. I’m convinced that they burn a variety of raw veggetable fuels with less problems than other engines. There’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CHP/ Co Gen, Off Grid Power | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Generator Fuels, BTUs/KwH

Posted on April 15, 2011 by George B.

Those who visit Utterpower often, likely found Neil’s rant on the Free Generator page. Sure, we’ll all question why  he couldn’t make the comments against a post on the same topic, but fact is.. there’s plenty of people who think ethanol is great stuff. … Continue reading →

Posted in Generators | 15 Comments

The ONAN CCK Generator.

Posted on April 14, 2011 by George B.

I think it was Bill Perkins that told me the old CCK Onan was tough. Being a flat head twin, the fuel economy isn’t that good, but many of these units were made in gasoline and propane conversions, and they have given their owners … Continue reading →

Posted in DIYer Generator, Off Grid Power, Things I like | Tagged , , | 41 Comments

Another installment, “import lessons learned”.

Posted on April 6, 2011 by George B.

  lessons-Learned As mentioned in a previous post, there are a number of things that can go wrong when you import… including an emergency order to ship the inbound freight back to where ever it came from as happened in this case. … Continue reading →

Posted in Generator Realities, Strange Stuff, Things I Hate! | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Free DIYer Generator Head?

Posted on April 5, 2011 by George B.

It may have happened when I was exchanging  emails with a Customer on Guam after the Island was hit by a large storm and people were without power for months.  I received several pictures of generators that died for all kinds of reasons and formed … Continue reading →

Posted in DIYer Generator, How Tos, Off Grid Power, Projects, Survival Skills, Things I like | Tagged , , | 49 Comments