inexpensive generator?

[hoggsback]

Eastern Tools and Equip. ETQ IN800i- anyone have one?

I am looking at buying one for use in my perm. house. I only want to run the heater, lights and tv/dvd. It lists the noise level at 67 db where the Honda models are 49-59 db so it seems comparable. I know Honda's are the way to go but I don't have 800-1000 dollars to spend. This one is only $279.

Anyone with knowledge of generators, please comment on this model. If you search for that model, you will find the company HSOforum with details.

[hoggsback]

Bumped. Anyone?

[aanderud]

It lists the noise level at 67 db where the Honda models are 49-59 db so it seems comparable.

I don't have any knowledge about this particular generator, but I do know that measuring things in decibels can make things that are nowhere near "comparable" look pretty close.

Decibels are logarithmic in nature, rather than linear. A change of 8 to 18 dB doesn't sound like a lot, but look at it like this:

Every 3 dB imcremental change is approximately 2x as much sound intensity. A 9 dB change is 8x the loudness, a 10 dB difference gives about 10x, and a 12 dB difference gives about 15x as much sound intensity.

Here's a quick chart for reference:

Another subject matter where the charts are skewed this way is earthquakes. A 6.0 magnitude quake that doesn't seem bad at all and usually causes minimal damage, but a 7.0 quake will be total devastation. The reason is that a 7.0 quake is actually something like 32 times the "dynomite equivalent" as a 6.0 quake. Due to the logarithmic scales, they don't seem too different at face value.

[sparcebag]

I had one of the small generators,Yes their loud! I made a frame with 2 inch rigid insulation as a sound proofer,cut a exhaust hole and extended the pipe out it.Worked pretty good and didn't cost a thou.

[goetler]

Iwas at Fleet Farm and they had a 4stroke that said it was 59 db I believe and it was only $249. That was last Saturday. I am thinking of getting one of these as I too don't have the money for a Honda

I also had a buddie that bought a 1000 watt for $159 and has been using it for the last 3-4 winters and he lives out there. It is a little loud but he just uses a 100" cord away from his house. He doesn't usually fish by anybody else so noise isn't a factor.

[hoggsback]

Aanderud- thanks for explaining decibels, I hadn't looked into that aspect of it.

I don't want something that will P.O. the houses next to me with its sound. I figured buying 2 deep cycle batteries will run me minimum $200, then an inverter....I am at the same price as this small generator would be.

[Whoaru99]

Originally Posted By: hoggsback

It lists the noise level at 67 db where the Honda models are 49-59 db so it seems comparable.

Every 3 dB imcremental change is approximately 2x as much sound intensity. A 9 dB change is 8x the loudness, a 10 dB difference gives about 10x, and a 12 dB difference gives about 15x as much sound intensity.

It is true that 3dB is 2x more sound power/intensity and 10dB is 10x more, but the ear does not perceive the loudness change that same amount.

In terms of what how it sounds to the ear, a 10dB increase in SPL (sound pressure level) comes across as roughly twice as loud.

So, in this example, the cheaper generator will sound anywhere from approximately 2x (67dB vs 59dB) to approximately 4x (67dB vs 49dB) louder than the Honda. That's a lot.

[federline]

I picked up one of these. I also can't afford a honda. I run multiple deep cycles, and just needed an affordable light portable sinewave genset to run the smart charger for recharging Group 27's during daytime w/o coming in.

Its no honda, but its much better than a typical steel tube box-framed brapper. You can stand over top of it and have a conversation with another person without effort.

If you've heard a honda run, then really, the only difference between that and this ETQ is the exhaust outlet sound pitch - the honda is has the cute little rumble with a whisspery exhaust, this ETQ has more of a "shucking" exhaust with the little rumble. The extra dB is all in high freqs it seems.

Its rated max is 800W, so a heater, lights and a TV might hit the limit and overload, depending on the actual amperage draw total. It has an inverter circuit for sine wave 120v power at 6.2A, but it doesn't have a 12v output of its own.

There are multiple service centers in the TC metro for these units, and customer/tech support is handled from Ohio, and replacement parts are available. You can find Eastern Tools on the web to find out more, just type them into google. Time will tell if it was $280 gambled, but for now, I got juice without a back strain, earmuffs, a big bill, and verifiable service and parts channels.

BTW, this unit is rated at 58dB at 7m.