Cheaper generator for electric preheater? $158 from Home Depot; will this work?

[tigers2007]

I just noticed via Slickdeals.net that Home Depot has a Chinese "digital inverter" generator that puts out 800 watts continuously (1000 surge) for $158. It weights 19lbs.  Reiff draws 200 for the pan plus 50 or 100 per cylinder. Throw in the  25w oil cooler heater and its below the 800 watt threshold. Does anyone here carry one of these around with them? I would only use this when I'm away from home.

I wonder if I'm better off buying a 100' Flexilla brand extension cord for almost the same price.

[ArtVandelay]

Wow, that's cheap, Honda 1000 is coincidentally a $1000. It's probably a really bad sine wave, but for a heater it doesn't matter, I don't think I would plug any sensitive electronic equipment to it.

[tigers2007]

I just pulled the trigger on it but mainly for the purpose of charging deep cycle batteries for the fishing boat. $167 shipped with tax. You can save another $5 if you submit to HD's text-message list. I need to get a set of cowl plugs, tailcone and pitot covers too. The airport I will frequent on trips away has critters that begin to build nests almost before you even shut the engine down.

[ArtVandelay]

2 minutes ago, tigers2007 said:

I just pulled the trigger on it but mainly for the purpose of charging deep cycle batteries for the fishing boat. $167 shipped with tax. You can save another $5 if you submit to HD's text-message list. I need to get a set of cowl plugs, tailcone and pitot covers too. The airport I will frequent on trips away has critters that begin to build nests almost before you even shut the engine down.

Buy a plastic owl, boats use the to keep away birds, other birds and rodents will keep their distance....or house train a real one.

[tigers2007]

1 minute ago, teejayevans said:

Buy a plastic owl, boats use the to keep away birds, other birds and rodents will keep their distance....or house train a real one.

A couple years ago I had a black bear come up to one in my yard and had a mexican standoff with it for a few minutes until he bumped it with his nose.

[Bob_Belville]

22 hours ago, tigers2007 said:

I just pulled the trigger on it but mainly for the purpose of charging deep cycle batteries for the fishing boat. $167 shipped with tax. You can save another $5 if you submit to HD's text-message list. I need to get a set of cowl plugs, tailcone and pitot covers too. The airport I will frequent on trips away has critters that begin to build nests almost before you even shut the engine down.

Jim Cancil will make you custom cowl plugs, probably tail cone as well. Great vendor to and supporter of Mooney owners.  

http://planecover.com

[carusoam]

Something wrong with your link, Bob?

http://planecover.com/

+1 for Jim Cancil's way of doing business.

For some reason, my iPad gave a 404 type error...

Best regards,

-a-

[Hank]

I have one of his covers. Fits like a glove, extra soft lining over the windows, three easy straps to hold it in place. Fits snug, no flapping in the breeze.

[M20F]

Big sponge makes excellent cowl plug, for about $5.  

[peevee]

Just now, M20F said:

Big sponge makes excellent cowl plug, for about $5.  

I have to admit I like the flags that remind me if I forget to remove the plug. 

[tigers2007]

Is "Big Sponge" a user on here? Or where could a find a sponge so huge that it covers the gigantic guppy mouth for only $5?


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[Marauder]

I just noticed via Slickdeals.net that Home Depot has a Chinese "digital inverter" generator that puts out 800 watts continuously (1000 surge) for $158. It weights 19lbs.  Reiff draws 200 for the pan plus 50 or 100 per cylinder. Throw in the  25w oil cooler heater and its below the 800 watt threshold. Does anyone here carry one of these around with them? I would only use this when I'm away from home.
I wonder if I'm better off buying a 100' Flexilla brand extension cord for almost the same price.

Let us know how this works out. I carry a Yahama for pre-heating when traveling in the winter. Looks like a cheap alternative and one I would not feel too bad if it was stolen.


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[ArtVandelay]

16 minutes ago, tigers2007 said:

Is "Big Sponge" a user on here? Or where could a find a sponge so huge that it covers the gigantic guppy mouth for only $5?
 

I use foam rubber from an old cushion, no flag but if if my preflight is that bad I deserve to have to turn around and land because of a overheated engine.

[Guest]

24 minutes ago, tigers2007 said:

Is "Big Sponge" a user on here? Or where could a find a sponge so huge that it covers the gigantic guppy mouth for only $5?


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You may ask Maurader for one of the sponges his ladies use for bathing, it should do the job.

Clarence

[bradp]

Get some foam pipe insulation from your aviation aisle at HD and duct tape the $hit out of it into a cowl plug shape. The closed cell foam doesn't retain water. I had a set that lasted 5 years for about 5 bucks until I lost one. They were so durable I build a pitot cover, tail plugs, and flap plugs out of the same stuff when the bird lived outdoors.

I used that fancy neon green duct tape so it would be more visible.


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[M20F]

1 hour ago, peevee said:

I have to admit I like the flags that remind me if I forget to remove the plug. 

When the big sponge goes flying past the windshield you will know you forgot to remove it, carry spares.  

[Danb]

13 hours ago, M20Doc said:

You may ask Maurader for one of the sponges his ladies use for bathing, it should do the job.

Clarence

ewuuu. Yuck

[Bob_Belville]

13 hours ago, M20Doc said:

You may ask Maurader for one of the sponges his ladies use for bathing, it should do the job.

Clarence

Really, really bad idea.

[tigers2007]

Well it starts up with one pull and is very quiet. Powered a sawsall tool just fine. In the spirit of aviation I just had to add a Hobbs meter ($9 from eBay)...






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[Marauder]

Be curious your thoughts after you use it a while.


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[larryb]

You probably need some margin in the output. And subtract 3% per thousand feet elevation. I would plan to draw 500 watts max out of an 800 watt generator.

[Browncbr1]

I've been watching this thread and might grab that 19lb generator.  My tanis pulls 250watts total and I have a little 300watt ceramic heater for the cabin.  Looks like a Nice little package for cheap...  Maybe Santa will read this!

[M20kflyer99]

16 hours ago, tigers2007 said:

Well it starts up with one pull and is very quiet. Powered a sawsall tool just fine. In the spirit of aviation I just had to add a Hobbs meter ($9 from eBay)...






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Have you put a full load on it to see how loud it gets?

[smwash02]

I ordered one yesterday since it was the last day of the special pricing and today it's cheaper than yesterday ($149.00). FYI - tigers2007, I will probably see if they'll match as any CB club member would and you might want to as well.

[Little Dipper]

I just went on line and ordered one also.   I couldn't help it after seeing this post the price for that is so cheap.