Good generator?

What are you planning to run?

No on the wire, that junk is for cars.

AandPDan said:

What are you planning to run?

No on the wire, that junk is for cars.

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A GE panel box.

I was afraid of that =/

Is this the kind I need? http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-1-0-awg...620?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2320a3abcc

Really expensive - can't find just a 50' length of it.

GE panel box, OK. What are you trying to run off the panel box. It's way overkill for your house.

What wire depends on how you plan to hook it up. If you're running conduit to it then probably type THWN. Check with your local AHJ.

You'll need 4 wires, the ground can be reduced in size.

tibberous said:

A GE panel box.

I was afraid of that =/

Is this the kind I need? http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-1-0-awg...620?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2320a3abcc

Really expensive - can't find just a 50' length of it.

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Dont forget, when this thing has trouble, and it WILL, SERVICE is what you pay more for when you buy a name brand. The alternator is a Stamford Newage whcih is fine, but not sure what the engine is.

A generator of that size is going to consume about 3 gallons an hour at full load. Having enough fuel to run it continuously can be a problem.

This is a Chinese clone of a Perkins diesel. How loud is it ? Even "quieted" a diesel generator can be extremely annoying to your neighbors.

You might want to compare diesel generators to Natural Gas/LP generators.

Oso954 said:

You might want to compare diesel generators to Natural Gas/LP generators.

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It seems like NG generators are a little more expensive (both to buy and operate) and don't have the amps to support their watts.

Not really anyone to hear it anyway, and I'm sticking it in a building.

Still not sure what wire to buy. If I want 200amps @ 120vac, do I size the wire for 200amps or 100amps? Isn't it like +120 and -120, so the amps will be split between two wires?

Is the difference between speaker wire, THWN, ect. just the shielding? They have this stuff for cheap but it's aluminum - just don't want it to melt: http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-1-XHHW-...325?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2314fddae5

There's nothing wrong with aluminum in the larger sizes. It's very common.

Yes, it's the shielding that matters - it has to be approved by the NEC. You can't use just any wire.

As to size, let the experts chime in.

...and don't have the amps to support their watts.

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:confused1:

tibberous said:

It seems like NG generators are a little more expensive (both to buy and operate) and don't have the amps to support their watts.

Not really anyone to hear it anyway, and I'm sticking it in a building.

Still not sure what wire to buy. If I want 200amps @ 120vac, do I size the wire for 200amps or 100amps? Isn't it like +120 and -120, so the amps will be split between two wires?

Is the difference between speaker wire, THWN, ect. just the shielding? They have this stuff for cheap but it's aluminum - just don't want it to melt: http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-1-XHHW-...325?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2314fddae5

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Several questions arise;
1) NG engine is always cheaper up front.
2) Watts IS amps x volts
3) A 200 Amp service is @-200A 120V legs.
4) Wire rating= # equals conductor size, type letters dictate the insulation and/or application.
5) What purpose is your need? standby or prime power for a shop?
6) If you are putting it in a bldg, you should be careful to be certain you get fresh air IN and hot air and exhasut fumes OUT. Air in should be at least 1.5 times the area of the radiator outlet duct and the outlet should be directed through a duct 1.5 times the surface area as well.

This whole thread scares me!
Just reading the original post SCREAMS "Hire an electrician!!".

tibberous said:

Probably going to cost about $8,000 total (shipping and customs), then like $500 to rent a forklift to move it.

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Customs?
Where do you live?

tibberous said:

What do you guys think of this generator?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290842214399&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

Probably going to cost about $8,000 total (shipping and customs), then like $500 to rent a forklift to move it.

Does it look like a good generator though? Seem to have all the stuff people try and upcharge for (fuel tank, enclosure, muffler, ect)

Do I just use this wire to hook it up? http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-GAUGE-WIR...CABLE-POWER-GROUND-STRANDED-AMP-/280960244729

Do you / should you ground it?

Sorry if my questions are a little basic - I'm hoping it comes with a manual or something. The plan is to run it to a panel box about 10-15 feet away.

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It's ok as far as gennys go !
But why do you want one so large ?
Most people would use one much smaller !

tibberous said:

It seems like NG generators are a little more expensive (both to buy and operate) and don't have the amps to support their watts.

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I'm not sure what you mean by the bold. What is the generator for specifically? Has a load calculation been done?

Unless you had knowledge of generators, why would you ever buy a generator off EBay?

k_buz said:

Unless you had knowledge of generators, why would you ever buy a generator off EBay?

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Because I need one, and don't know of anywhere to get it locally? A new generator off eBay seems to be safer than getting one used off craigslist, especially since I wouldn't know what to look for when buying a used one.

tibberous said:

Because I need one, and don't know of anywhere to get it locally? A new generator off eBay seems to be safer than getting one used off craigslist, especially since I wouldn't know what to look for when buying a used one.

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Where are you?

tibberous said:

Because I need one, and don't know of anywhere to get it locally? A new generator off eBay seems to be safer than getting one used off craigslist, especially since I wouldn't know what to look for when buying a used one.

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Do you know what to look for in a new one? You haven't posted location, planned usage, load calculation...

What are you running? A neighborhood? You can power seven houses with that.