AAR- Windstorm + 5 Day Power Outage

[blackeagle603]

That's good info. I don't automatically dismiss all Chinese manufactured products. Esp OEM branded products and esp since a big part of what I do for a living is placing US designed product in Chinese factories (and evaluating, selecting, qualifying, monitoring, correcting those factories). It depends a great deal on the OEM and it's original quality and reliability culture.

In my product area/specialty I can predict pretty consistently what the fab will put out based on their historical customer list even when we're not watching them closely. Also, in general, mainline Japanese OEMs demand high level of performance and oversee/verify that supplier diligently. They tend to be very Xenophobic and skeptical of outsiders and even now reak of Deming quality culture. That's a generalization, I don't know specifically in Yamaha's case.

I'd be inclined to pay my money and take my chances with the Rigid Yamaha branded engines -- at a) that price point, b) my expected usage (power outages plus occasional construction/concrete breaker on lower lot out of reach of hardwire) and c) reviews and Yamaha reputation for supplier mgmt.

[Netpackrat]

It's an oilless. don't expect a long lifespan from it.

Yeah, I know. I'm not exactly a fan of the oilless compressors myself; what drew my attention was the non-induction motor that should allow it to run off the power outlet of a Premier Power Welder.

I've got a ViAir 450p for the truck: http://www.viaircorp.com/450P-A.html

A friend of mine has something similar for his Jeep. I was under the impression that they are not good for much other than (slowly) filling tires. Nothing wrong with that, but the ability to run a nail gun out at the cabin would sometimes be nice. The ideal solution would be an engine driven York on the Jeep, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

And this is my shop portable: http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC5200-Bi ... 0001Q2VPU/

They make a 2.5hp: http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC2400-Bi ... 0001Q2VPK/

And a 2hp: http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC700-Big ... 0001Q2VK0/

I didn't catch what type of motor those Makitas have. Otherwise they look much better than the sears one although even the smallest of them isn't going to run off the tiny generator at the cabin. But for air in my shop while running off a house generator, any of those would be great. And the shape is a lot better for portability than the pancake thing.

One step at a time, anyway. I still need to follow Chris' recommended procedure to figure out my power needs for the house before I get carried away with the other stuff.

[Netpackrat]

Currently being hit with round 3 of the windpocalypse. All kinds of fun last night working returning aircraft in high winds, meanwhile at home the wife says the lights were flickering intermittently for most of the evening. It's still blowing pretty good out there, with the occasional house shaking gust every so often. I see a bunch more shingles laying in the back yard, and are probably mine, but it looks like at least some came from the crappy 2nd shed that could stand to be torn down anyway. I'll definitely have to buy more this time. Most of the weak trees came down with the first blow, although I did see some more down on my way home from work a few days ago, during round 2. Sounds like it is supposed to ease off towards the evening.

[Netpackrat]

So, spending some time calling around for prices... I didn't do the test that Chris recommended, not because I think it is a bad idea; in fact I think it is a good idea. But budget wise I don't think it is going to help me any. I already know that a 4500 watt unit can probably do it, but I'd have to be careful about what I allow to run simultaneously, which makes it a bad idea for something my wife might have to use while I am away. So I'm focusing on the 6500 watt (peak) units, simply because my budget isn't going to allow me to go any bigger and stay at the quality level that I want.

First call I made was to Northern Tool to get the price for a Honda EM6500 (electric start and built in cart so my wife can set it up and start it). They want $2899.99, BUT they quoted $700 for truck freight shipment to Anchorage. Remember what I said about the Alaska premium? Anyway, next call was to one of the Honda shops here. They were apparently too busy to look up a price, and I'm still waiting for their return call. Called the other main Honda place here, and they quoted me $2889 for the same unit. They of course do not have any in stock having been slammed due to the weather, but they are placing another order in the next day or two. That price is frankly much better than I expected to find locally, so I will probably be calling them back shortly to put down a deposit.

For shits and grins, I also called the local Miller dealer, and they want $3500 to order a Wildcat 200. That's more than I want to spend to solve this particular problem, and I'd rather save that $600 and put it toward an onboard unit for the Jeep, probably closer to wheeling season next year. One thing I may do in the meantime, is fabricate a mount for a second alternator on my truck, and make it a DIY weldernator unit on the cheap.

[Netpackrat]

There are plenty of places out there selling the wildcat 200 for $2800... even a few at $2400... but there's the "alaska penalty" on top of that...

Hey, at least I get to choose my rapist. Or to freeze in the dark, if I prefer.

[Netpackrat]

Bakers is quoting $2805 including shipping, to 99501

So they are. In their "shipping policy" however, they also have this:

Free Shipping
Some orders qualify for free shipping. Free Shipping is only for the Contiguous 48 states.

I guess I can order it, and see if they throw up the bullshit flag. I was literally about to pick up the phone on the local Honda unit when I saw your post...

[HTRN]

Cyberweld is quoting a similar price, with similar exceptions..

Frankly, I'd bet all the big welding retailers are probably within 20 bucks of each other on price, and have similar shipping policies.

[Netpackrat]

Yeah. Part of Baker's terms includes "Bakersgas.com reserves the right to charge shipping on any order." So, just placing the order online in hopes of getting away with something could potentially end badly for me if they were to just ship it and charge my card for whatever. I'll give them a call to get a quote in the morning, but I suspect I'll be going with the Honda unless their shipping is phenomenally better than I expect it to be.

[Netpackrat]

$600 from Bakers to ship a Wildcat 200 to Anchorage, so total price only about $100 cheaper than the local place. Gonna go with the Honda; the Wildcat would have been a pain in the ass for my wife to deal with anyway.