Solar power source for electric stuff

September 05, 2017, 06:53 PM

Jimbo54

quote:
Originally posted by FRANKT:
quote:
Originally posted by Jimbo54:
This Ryobi has the same features as the Honda...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryo...RYI2300BTA/300347426

Jim

Does this RYOBI generator's engine use a fuel pump?

I got the answer back on this. It is gravity feed like I suspected.

Jim

September 05, 2017, 07:37 PM

FRANKT

quote:
Originally posted by Jimbo54:
quote:
Originally posted by FRANKT:
quote:
Originally posted by Jimbo54:
This Ryobi has the same features as the Honda...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryo...RYI2300BTA/300347426

Jim

Does this RYOBI generator's engine use a fuel pump?

I got the answer back on this. It is gravity feed like I suspected.

Jim

The reason I asked is that the Honda engines do have a fuel pump. Because of that, they can take advantage of the specialty gas caps that have been developed for the Honda engine fuel tanks to connect them to external fuel tanks for extended run times - sometimes days, depending on the electrical load - without refueling. The most commonly used external tanks are the flat 6 gallon tanks that are commonly used with outboards. I understand that similar arrangements are being peddled for generators that do not have fuel pumps but it's some type of siphon arrangement that requires the external tank to be positioned higher that the generator. Sounds kind of rickety to me but the engines with fuel pumps drawing from an external tank is supposed to be solid a arrangement.

Good luck with your project.

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September 05, 2017, 10:27 PM

sigcrazy7

quote:
Originally posted by amals:
Thanks to those with solar leads. I probably need to do some power draw figuring, and maybe forget about power tools. I'll keep looking.

You need not forget the tools. Just use cordless tools. All the power of a corded tool, but the battery charger's requirements are within the limits of the ability of a small solar system. In fact, you could get some of the new cordless yard accessories becoming popular and use them frequently, and just add a compatible drill or saw.

I have a little adaptor that slips on my Milwaukee tool batteries that provides a USB port. In a pinch, I could probably charge a phone 100 times just with the batteries sitting on my workbench.

September 06, 2017, 12:07 PM

amals

^^^^Good point, and I do have some cordless tools.

September 06, 2017, 07:59 PM

maladat

quote:
Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
quote:
Originally posted by amals:
Thanks to those with solar leads. I probably need to do some power draw figuring, and maybe forget about power tools. I'll keep looking.

You need not forget the tools. Just use cordless tools. All the power of a corded tool, but the battery charger's requirements are within the limits of the ability of a small solar system. In fact, you could get some of the new cordless yard accessories becoming popular and use them frequently, and just add a compatible drill or saw.

I have a little adaptor that slips on my Milwaukee tool batteries that provides a USB port. In a pinch, I could probably charge a phone 100 times just with the batteries sitting on my workbench.

A lot of cordless tool battery chargers pull 200-300+ watts. You need 2-3 square meters of panel to generate that much juice.

September 06, 2017, 10:18 PM

Gustofer

September 06, 2017, 11:01 PM

marksman41

A local acquaintance of mine built a Tiny Home for him and his wife, and went completely off-grid using solar, wind, and batteries. The batteries are Navy submarine batteries he got from DRMO (true military surplus). Those are big and heavy batteries.

September 06, 2017, 11:05 PM

jimmy123x

quote:
Originally posted by FRANKT:
quote:
Originally posted by Jimbo54:
quote:
Originally posted by FRANKT:
quote:
Originally posted by Jimbo54:
This Ryobi has the same features as the Honda...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryo...RYI2300BTA/300347426

Jim

Does this RYOBI generator's engine use a fuel pump?

I got the answer back on this. It is gravity feed like I suspected.

Jim

The reason I asked is that the Honda engines do have a fuel pump. Because of that, they can take advantage of the specialty gas caps that have been developed for the Honda engine fuel tanks to connect them to external fuel tanks for extended run times - sometimes days, depending on the electrical load - without refueling. The most commonly used external tanks are the flat 6 gallon tanks that are commonly used with outboards. I understand that similar arrangements are being peddled for generators that do not have fuel pumps but it's some type of siphon arrangement that requires the external tank to be positioned higher that the generator. Sounds kind of rickety to me but the engines with fuel pumps drawing from an external tank is supposed to be solid a arrangement.

Good luck with your project.

It is a solid arrangement. The boat tanks don't spill gas when you carry them around. They have a carrying handle. And you can use quick disconnect fuel tanks and switch between 6 gallon tanks without even shutting the generator off. The 6 gallon tanks aren't that expensive either.