Buying a Generator - Tips You Need to Know

There are questions you need to ask before you buy a generator. How do I know what size to buy? How do I know if I buy one too big? Or if I buy one too small? There are questions that need to be answered before you purchase a generator.

Some factors you need to consider are as follows:

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Size of generator to fit the load
Time of Use
Gas availability

Natural gas has the best advantage for a generator. If you don't have natural gas, you can pursue propane. This propane tank can be buried in the ground so it is out of your visual site. You can get up to 1000 gallon tank that could last up to two weeks depending upon the size of the generator and usage.

Most power outages occur between five to seven days. Hurricane Katrina was an exception. Most people were out of power for at least one month, most longer. Keep that in mind before purchasing a generator.

If you purchase a generator too small, you won't be able to run your central air conditioning. If you purchase one too big, you will be burning excess fuel for no reason. You may be over sizing yourself. Your fuel consumption will be higher than it needs to be.

A customer called last week to get a quote on a large generator he thought he needed. I gave him what he asked for but I suggested that I come out to his home to see exactly what his needs were. He may not need that large a generator for his house. Remember a larger generator will burn too much fuel and cost you money.

Before purchasing a generator, I suggest you consult and expert. This expert should be someone trained in the area to give you the most efficient generator you can possibly get. Your electrician will take load calculations on your house. Sizing is important. Don't size yourself. Leave that to the experts! They may save you money.

Buying a Generator - Tips You Need to Know

Reducing Noise with Buying a Silent Generator

There is not such thing as a totally silent generator because after all there is an engine that is running and producing electrical power. What does happen is, these manufacturers of power generators will sometimes invest money in designs and materials that help reduce the noise through the engine or with sound dampening products. So when people talk about silent generators, they are really talking about noise reduced generators. There are some really well designed generators with good noise levels.

My first recommendation to people who have never brought a power generator is to ask someone who has one and go around and listen to how it sounds. For really bad designed generators, you can notice the difference at the engine sounds more like a lawnmower and can be very annoying not only to the owners but to the neighbors. If you do not know anyone with a generator, consider a generator with a noise level under 70 dB at 7 meters. This is around the average for many central AC units and should meet most municipal noise pollution laws. A good silent generator should have noise levels around this level or lower using sound dampening techniques.

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Silent generators are also great for RV and marine vehicles. Because the vehicles are more enclosed and noise is more of a bother to the individuals in them. No one wants a noisy generator while trying to enjoy a boat ride or camping. A silent generator really solves this problem by lowering the noise level enough to talk over. Onan's MicroQuiet series is a good example offering really low noise levels for RV vehicles. There are a lot of other manufacturers as well that offer either quiet models or special sound shields or additions to lower the overall noise levels of their generators.

Many applications of generators also require quiet noise levels. Many municipalities and home owners associations have rules regarding the amount of noise pollution. These include how long lawn mowers and other noisy tools can be run. The same rules apply to generators and having a noise reduced generator that meets these standards is not only an option but a must. Many parks and other recreational areas have similar noise rules as well and quiet RV or marine generators will insure no problems arise from their use.

Noise is just one of the few considerations when purchasing a generator but is a very important one for not only comfort but to meet any rules or laws.

Reducing Noise with Buying a Silent Generator

Ozone Generator Buying Guide

If you're a homeowner and your home has recently suffered water damage, smoke damage, mold infestation, or the dreaded "smell of death" from an expired rodent in a crawl space, then you've probably read that an ozone generator might just be the answer to your problems. However, with so many different types of ozone machines on the market, how is one to decipher between fact, fiction, and pure unadulterated BS? I have a few tips that will help you avoid getting ripped off and help you make a wise ozone generator buying decision.

The first thing you have to realize is that the ozone generator industry as a whole is not regulated by any government agency. More than half of the so called ozone generator manufacturers are nothing but Internet opportunists trying to cash in on a high priced, somewhat in demand product. These unscrupulous vendors make their overpriced ozone machines in their own garages, set-up a website that makes all kinds of outrageous claims as to the output capabilities of their ozone machines, then advertise their website in the Search Engines. A sure fire way to weed out a few of these vendors is to do a Google search of their business address then use the "street view" feature by dragging and dropping the "little man icon" onto the street right in front of their business address. If you see a residential home, you might want to steer clear of that vendor. Why? It's easy to shut down your operations when you're doing business from home. When you invest in a business location, it shows you're in it for the long haul and it's harder to walk away from a "brink and mortar" location than it is from a home run business. Why should you care that the vendor is in business for the long haul? Because ozone generators are prone to fail due to the very corrosive nature of ozone and the damaging effects it has on the metal components within switches, timers, relays, etc. Same goes for eBay vendors who buy a lot of ozone machines without also investing in replacement parts. When their supply runs out, they're out of the ozone business, and you're left with an expensive door stop when your machine fails in due time.

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Once you find an ozone machine that tickles your fancy and you're ready to invest your hard earned money, the next question one must ask themselves is "How do I know if this machine really puts out as much ozone as the vendor claims? Ozone generator manufacturers don't have to validate the ozone machines they sell to ensure they are producing the amount of ozone being claimed. I've seen some vendors claim 16,000 to 20,000 milligrams per hour yet when we tested those machines in our shop with our ozone meter, they produced 3000-5000 mg/h. That's quite a big difference between what is actually being produced and what is being claimed. How then can you make sure the ozone generator you purchase is actually producing the amount of ozone being advertised? Simple! Ask the vendor the following questions in an e-mail (future fodder for a 100% money back should you test the machine and find the information provided was incorrect)

QUESTION #1. How Many Volts is the Power Supply! An ozone generator creates ozone by creating an electrical spark that splits oxygen in the air. In order to accomplish this feat, you have to create a high voltage electrical spark. A simple rule I've observed in the lab and well recognized in the ozone industry is that a 3000 volt transformer can produce around 3000 mg/h of ozone per hour when attached to a high voltage ozone element or six or more MICA plates at 40% humidity or less. Each Mica plate can produce a maximum of about 400 milligrams of ozone per hour IF it is properly installed due to the weak electrical spark it is capable of generating from the wire mesh. If you own a MICA plate ozone generator, view the plate in the dark. It won't light up very bright, very dimly as a matter of fact. The types of ozone plates that turn bright purple in the dark are called "High Voltage Ozone Elements" and they can produce around 3000-4000 mgh per plate when fed with a 3000-4000 volt power transformer. These types of plates glow purple, almost like UV lamp, in the dark. They create a very strong electrical spark that is much more efficient at producing ozone vs the old fashioned MICA plates. As a matter of fact a 4000 volt transformer and ozone element only uses about 35 watts of electricity, now that's efficient! Therefore, Tip #1 is to ask the vendor to e-mail you in writing the exact voltage, amps, and watts used by their power transformers and how many and which type of ozone plates their machines use. If a vendor claims for instance their machine produces 16 to 20 thousand milligrams of ozone per hour but their machine only uses one 5000 volt transformer, then you'll things just don't add up.

QUESTION #2. What type of ozone element does the ozone machine use? Believe it or not, some vendors will try and convince you that the ozone elements in their machines are "permanent" and will last forever. Folks, there's no such thing as a permanent ozone plate! If used in 90-100% humidity, even the expensive high voltage ozone plates will only last 20-40 hours. Ozone generators are not made to be used in 90% plus humidity! In humid areas, you must run the air conditioning or a dehumidifier in order to perform a shock treatment. Tip #2 therefore is to think twice before buying an ozone generator from a vendor who doesn't offer replacement ozone plates or makes a machine that utilizes "MICA" plates.

Once you have those answers in writing, save the e-mail in case you need to use it to obtain a refund in the future. When you receive your ozone generator, have a local electrician friend of the family (or hire someone) to open your ozone generator and give it the once over and test the strength (in volts) of the power transformer. If you discover the stated voltage doesn't match the advertised voltage, ask for a refund. After all, what you're buying when you buy an ozone generator are high voltage power transformers, not a slick sales pitch! The honest vendors will clearly state their machines specifications on their websites and via e-mail if asked. They'll also provide you with a picture of the inside of their units and disclose the amount of plates, type used, etc. You should be weary of vendors who hold this information close to the vest or refuse to go on the record with this information.

Now you know what questions to ask an ozone machine vendor before making a purchase. I want to close out this "Ozone Generator Buying Guide" by giving you a few tips on how to save money on your purchase:

Tip #1. Ask the vendor if they sell any used units or any "bare bones" ozone generators. Many ozone generator vendors will have spare parts on hand from returned or fixed units they can sell "on the down low" for a mere pittance of the retail price. Others might be able to sell you a "bare bones ozone generator" without any of the bells and whistles you can easily use to make your own ozone generator, especially if you're the "do-it-yourself" type. You might also want to check eBay to see if anyone is selling high voltage power transformers in the 3000-12,000 volt range or high voltage ozone elements that can be easily attached to the power transformer. Some ozone vendors want 00 or more for their ozone generators, however, the fact of the matter is that ozone machines are pretty basic electronic components and they shouldn't cost as much as a used car, especially if you buy the main components and "Do It Yourself."

Tip #2. Don't buy an ozone generator with too many "bells and whistles". Ozone as I've already mentioned is very corrosive over time to all metals except stainless steel. Unfortunately, all electronic switches, relays, etc needs to use regular metal in order to be conduce electricity. What we have therefore is a dilemma. The solution? Don't buy an ozone generator with all the bells and whistles! This would include an internal timer, ozone output dial (to turn the ozone up and down), etc. Just realize that if you do buy an ozone generator with these parts that eventually the ozone is going to destroy those parts and all it takes to shut down an ozone generator is to have one of the electrical components fail. If you want a timer, buy an external timer for at Lowe's. If you want to be able to turn the ozone output up and down, buy a "repeat cycle timer" that can turn your ozone generator on for a few seconds ever x amount of minutes, and repeat that cycle indefinitely. Both of those items can be connected via an extension cord in another room to your ozone generator. Less is more when it comes to longevity in shock treatment ozone generators.

Tip #3. Don't over do it when performing shock treatments! There is a reason the trained professionals that administer ozone shock treatments command thousands of dollars to perform shock treatments; they know what they're doing and how to safely and effectively perform a shock treatment without leaving your home smelling like ozone for weeks after the shock treatment! Besides being an ozone generator manufacturer, I also run a restoration business that employs ozone in some of our work. For mold remediation, ozone only plays a small role in riding the house of toxic mold for instance. Sheet rock has to be taken down and replaced, super high CFM air cleaners make sure the mold, when disturbed, isn't re-distributed throughout the structure. Wet wood has to be dried. Leaky pipes have to be fixed, etc etc. Yes, shock levels of ozone will kill the mold, but that's just a small part of mold remediation, regardless of what some ozone vendors might advertise to help hawk their units.

The main mistake I see homeowners make when doing a shock treatment is not properly removing or covering all petroleum based products such as carpet foam, sofa cushions, etc. We use Kevlar to cover carpets and foam filled sofas, mattresses, etc. Kevlar is ozone resistant and will keep the foam from interacting with the ozone. Ozone will oxidize foam and rubber and cause a chemical-ozone smell that can linger for weeks. So tip #3 is to not over do it with an ozone shock treatment! One or two hour shock treatments in furniture filled homes is advisable. You might have to perform several such shock treatments, but it's better to be safe than sorry when shocking a furniture filled home. Some vendors tell their clients to just turn the ozone generator on and let it run for a few days. I strongly advise against that practice.

Tip #4. When you are ready to buy, call the vendor and order over the phone. Odds are at some point in time your ozone generator is going to need service. I don't know about you but I hate buying something on-line, having it break down, then not being able to speak with a live person for support without having to wait on hold for 30 minutes or worse yet, not being able to speak to a live person at all then not having my e-mails answered! You can nip this type of situation in the bud by first calling. If you can't easily get through and get a well informed live person to answer the phone to place your order, then consider buying elsewhere. This bit of advice goes for making any large ticket item purchase on the Internet.

If you want to save money and make a wise investment, ask the right questions before you buy your ozone generator and also consider incorporating some of my tip suggestions as well. The more you shop around, the more time you spend doing some Internet research, and most importantly, the more time you spend e-mailing and talk directly with the vendor, the more likely you are to make a wise investment and end up with a great ozone machine that lasts you a lifetime.

Ozone Generator Buying Guide

Buying a UV Ozone Generator Vs Corona Discharge Ozone Generator

For home and hobbyist gardeners that use Hydroponics for indoor gardening, it is important to properly cleanse the air for good growing. Ozone generators, once very expensive and only available for commercial use, are now available for home applications. There are two main types of ozone air generator products; ultraviolet (UV) and corona discharge ozone generators. There are similarities between each, but they have some fundamental differences that are important for potential buyers to consider. The following paragraphs will further outline UV ozone generator and corona discharge ozone generator information and some positive points to look for when buying an ozone air generator.

Hydroponic growers have long used UV ozone generators to rid their grow rooms of odors from plants, mold and mildew. UV generators create ozone similarly to how it is created in the upper atmosphere. When air is passed over the UV lamp the oxygen molecules are split apart into single oxygen atoms. The single atoms naturally try to seek stability and do so by bonding with other oxygen molecules to form ozone. A UV ozone generator is very effective at creating ozone and purifying the air for good growing conditions. It is also a good way to eliminate odor, kill bacteria and control fungus and mold when properly used. The UV rids the air of contaminants by rupturing the cells of the organisms. The UV is also effective at deterring spider mites and other airborne pathogens that can inhibit or harm plant growth. One of the most powerful UV ozone generator products is the Big Blue, which produces ozone at 750 to nearly 4,000 mg/hr, depending on the size of the unit you purchase.

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By contrast, corona discharge ozone generators create ozone somewhat like how it is created in lightening. These ozone air generators create an electrical field or corona over a dielectric surface. When dry air passes through the corona, the oxygen molecules split apart into single atoms and then seek to group into stable groups of ozone in the same way described previously. Corona discharge ozone generators come in three different types based on frequency. Low frequency generators are between 50 and 100 Hz, medium frequencies range between 100 and 1,000 Hz, and high frequencies are over 1,000 Hz. The higher frequency generators are generally more efficient and reliable. Potential buyers should be aware of three things before deciding to buy a corona discharge generator. First, the air must be dry, less than 10% humidity, for corona discharge ozone to be efficient. As relative humidity increases, ozone output decreases. This can pose problems in a Hydroponic grow room. Second, 85%-90% of the electricity used to generate ozone also generates heat, so steps must be taken to remove excess heat. Third, corona discharge ozone creates Nitric Acid, which is very corrosive to internal parts, can cause premature failure, and significantly increases the frequency of maintenance to keep the unit clean and running properly.

When you are choosing an ozone air generator, you will want to find one that works effectively in a variety of environments and does not require too much maintenance or hassle. A UV ozone generator does not create any nitrogen oxides (Nitric Acid), which is common with corona discharge ozone generators. UV generators have many other positive aspects that should be considered when shopping. One positive is that humidity does not affect the output of ozone. This is a great feature because grow rooms naturally become humid and warm. Further, a UV ozone generator requires very little maintenance, usually only requiring the bulbs to be wiped down after each growing season, or every 6 months.

Buying a UV Ozone Generator Vs Corona Discharge Ozone Generator

Important aspects of buying a generator extension cord

3.5 million American homes electricity, lose their homes each week, according to the National Weather Service. In a flash of light, heat, cold, are communication and other vital services are lost.

In years past the loss of power in a home or business was little more than a nuisance. Even today a few hours without power a little more than a nuisance. Extend, however rich the loss of electricity for several days and the consequences ofdestructive to death.

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As our reliance on technology for the 21st Century, it is easy to imagine how destructive it can be a couple of days without power: heating and cooling systems fail. Pipes freeze and then burst, causing flooding and structural damage. sump pumps fail to flood the creation of more destruction in the basement and cellar. Security systems fail, so that the objectives of business and residential easier for looters and thieves. loot food in refrigerators and freezers, which is dead. Wells stopPumping of water. The potential for dangerous fires top because most Americans have forgotten how to live safely with candles and kerosene lamps.

In fact, says the National Weather Service, the interruption of electricity companies this week's cost of service and American Home has $ 80000000000 a year. more and more homeowners use experienced a portable generator to bear the losses of electricity in these expensive. Typically, gas-powered, these versatile devices provide fast, so that the houseor small businesses to force as soon as possible for devices and services selected.

But the essential condition for the transmission of electricity from a generator to a sump pump, refrigerators, wells, etc., is the extension cords a generator. And choosing the right makes a difference in terms of safety and performance.

The most important considerations when choosing a generator, extension cords

The doctrine of the spinal cord The lengthspinal cord Connector Durability An outdoor All Weather Review

The doctrine of an extension cord generator refers to the electrical conductors. The lower the number (for example, size 12, size 10, size 8) are thicker and heavier the wire. 10-gauge is considered the minimum size for use with portable generators. Lighter duty extension cords are not recommended because they do not consistently deliver the necessary current strength necessary to have the power to their devicesis connected. The length of an extension cord seems clear: one that is too short and suddenly find themselves too close to a noisy generator are also harmful. But not "too long". Get an extension cord generator that long to experience the power and drop-off. Also, wear long strings hard, difficult to store coil and a pain!

A high quality, designed generator cable connectors are heavy, that the form ofCable body. Properly molded connectors with strain relief collars prevent the ends of the train line from the body and help to ensure years of trouble-free. A clear plug and socket, each with a power LED to check with someone who is generally a desirable feature lines on high-end generator extension. Comfortable, practical, but this option allows the user to the white light is power in both cable and power output saves time and effort.

Finally, since the generators are oftenused in adverse weather conditions, the extension cord should generate sustainable and especially their application are designed for outdoor use for all seasons.

Important aspects of buying a generator extension cord

Used Generators - should I use second thoughts about buying a generator for my site?

If well managed, the generators are definitely a worthwhile investment. Surprisingly, you can often save 25% to 50% or more, but there are some important factors you need to think, then:

You can not guarantee that you would normally get with a new model.

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It can be hard to find parts and accessories for the older generation (ie 10 years or older). Do your duty to ensure that spare parts are before you buy.

Some dealers and repairers,not to repair or older models.

When buying a generator, you may also want to avoid generating cheap. You do not know until the last drive strong popular brand.

Some generators previously owned, depending on the brand and age of the equipment needed, a constant concern. Since most wear is centered on the engine, make sure that the dealer inspect all hoses and belts, replace the coolant, changed the oil and candles andRegular maintenance required by the manufacturer. If you take these steps, you can avoid buyer's remorse.

As in many other areas, there is a market for "remanufactured" real generators and generators. We like generators, recycled, because they have been completely refurbished - in addition to basic maintenance, they have gone through a complete overhaul, had replaced the worn parts, and in many cases a basic warranty of 90 days.

When buying aportable generator, you should choose the material, probably because the new gasoline portable generators abuse are more likely to take, and the smallest 3,600 rpm engines that use are not as reliable and durable, like the engines 1800 rpm min on most of the emergency diesel generators. Also, because it costs much less to start, you will not really save that much.

Used Generators - should I use second thoughts about buying a generator for my site?