Frugal Living: 25 new messages in 14 topics

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

25 new messages in 14 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Inexpensive car radio?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1b899db711e6062b?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jun 9 2008 11:57 pm
From: Dan Birchall

invalid@invalid.com (Ken) wrote:
> Where'a a good, preferably local, place to buy a very basic reliable
> generic radio for a 20-year-old pickup? Just the AM/FM with a couple of
> station buttons. No CD, tape, high power, GPS, fancy displays, quad
> sound, etc. needed. Chinese junk or good stuff?
>
> Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, ... Who?

If you really want barebones feature sets, I'd say Radio Shack, or even
a flea market. Most of the others are probably going to try to sell you
something with more buttons than an big-city elevator.

--
"Infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with
grey: but never am I unblest."

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Just Canceled Cable TV
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6cd6ada4aaa4d5bc?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 12:07 am
From: Dan Birchall

timeOday-UNSPAM@theknack.net (timeOday) wrote:
> Well, after noticing my most recent bill was $110 just for Internet +
> analog "Standard Cable," I finally pulled the plug. I can afford it,
> but it's just not a good value.

Sheesh, yeah. Broadband should be about $19-$39 a month.

Oh, and if you scrounge broadband, your kids will find out that there
are web sites, and they can go to PBS.org or whatever and view clips
from their favorite shows, and play games, and, and... stuff.

--
"Infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with
grey: but never am I unblest."

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 6:03 am
From: RosesnRain

On Jun 7, 12:51 pm, timeOday <timeOday-UNS...@theknack.net> wrote:
> Well, after noticing my most recent bill was $110 just for Internet +
> analog "Standard Cable," I finally pulled the plug. I can afford it,
> but it's just not a good value. They made me work to cancel, I was on
> hold over 15 minutes. (Comcast has one submenu for upgrading service,
> and a separate one for downgrading, hmmmm.) I couldn't cancel Internet,
> but I did downgrade to the sub-megabit service, so my total savings
> should be close to $70 per month! That's unless I come crawling back
> for the 6mps Internet, which might happen, but still I'd be saving $50/mo.
>
> My kids are bracing themselves for the disconnect tomorrow by watching
> Disney right now. I think this will be good for all of us. I realized
> flipping channels wasn't adding much to my quality of life, and the
> networks, for all their supposed demise, have most of the programming I
> watch anyways. I got a digital receiver for my PVR and discovered free
> digital broadcast is much better quality than the analog cable I was
> paying for. So I also applied for the government coupons to get a
> digital->analog box for my TV. I might also get the $9/mo netflix plan.
> Heck, for the money I saved, I could go to a concert every month.
>
> Anyways, I struck my blow for frugality this month.

I did the same only I took everything out, cable, internet! I had
enough of the high cost especially with fuel costs. I was not
watching anything really but the major networks and I can get those
without paying for them. I still get about 14 channels on my 6month
old HDTV in the livingroom. I have ordered the coupons for the
converter boxes but I don't think they will pick up anymore stations
on that tv than it already gets and I agree with whoever said it that
the HD tv stations are a lot better!

Beva

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 11:45 am
From: "Bob F"

"The Real Bev" <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:rXT2k.147$Yp1.107@newsfe07.lga...
> Mark Anderson wrote:
>
>> ...The government coupon is only $40 so I'm wondering why I should fork over
>> $27 for a box that can't be worth more than $25 all day.
>
> Walmart has them for $50. That's a just-in-case price.
>
>> By giving out these coupons the government basically allowed the converter
>> box companies to jack their prices up another $40.
>
> Maybe not that much; I can't imagine buying anything like that for only $10.
> Hard to even find cables for $10 (assuming you use only the ordinary sources
> :-) ).
>
>> Another corporate welfare program but I digress. I'm seriously debating just
>> chucking the boob tube and the VCR, which hasn't been touched in a decade,
>> onto freecycle and be done with it.
>
> DVD recorders are way handier than VCRs.
>
>> That said, Netflix is great and I watch all the DVDs on my computer monitor,
>> a 22" LCD screen.
>
> The problem with that is dark movies are pretty much unwatchable. I also like
> to curl up on the couch, and that doesn't work very well.

You can adjust the brightness, contrast, etc in your computer video boards
"video" settings - at least I do. Mine has a seperate adjustment for video
content.

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 12:28 pm
From: Jim Prescott

In article <1b38c883-b38a-4825-a836-9fcd69c1f4ff@b1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>,
RosesnRain <beva1960@yahoo.com> wrote:
>I did the same only I took everything out, cable, internet! I had
>enough of the high cost especially with fuel costs. I was not
>watching anything really but the major networks and I can get those
>without paying for them. I still get about 14 channels on my 6month
>old HDTV in the livingroom. I have ordered the coupons for the
>converter boxes but I don't think they will pick up anymore stations
>on that tv than it already gets and I agree with whoever said it that
>the HD tv stations are a lot better!

A 6 month old HDTV almost certainly includes a digital tuner (aka ATSC)
so you don't need, or want, a converter box for it.

The converter boxes are only useful for older TVs, VCRs and other
recorders that don't have digital tuners. The subsidized converter
boxes are explicitly prohibited from outputting HD; you can tune an HD
channel but the the box will downconvert it to standard definition
before output. If you already have an HDTV with a digital tuner adding
a converter box will just downgrade your HD channels.

The only exception I can see is that you can use the converter box as a
way to provide a second antenna input. This would be helpful if you
have some stations in a different direction than others and don't want to
deal with a rotating antenna. You would point your main antenna to where
you most want HD content and hook it directly to the TV, then you point a
second antenna to the other source and hook it to the converter box.

You can use www.tvfool.com to see what stations you should receive with
various sized antennas and which directions they come from. It can
report both the current stations, and the post 2/17/2009 stations (lots
of channels will be moving and/or changing signal strength at cutover).
--
Jim Prescott - Computing and Networking Group jgp@seas.rochester.edu
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Rochester, NY

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Living Frugally? Then you need Dog Food Recipes!!!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/451351a0c9f173c6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 12:07 am
From: Dan Birchall

Sorry, but even living frugally, I prefer recipes for things more
appetizing than dog food. I'm sure others here would agree. ;)

--
"Infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with
grey: but never am I unblest."

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Gasoline "Boycott": The Next Generation
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7b5aa5d3dc9c38b8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 1:08 am
From: Jeff

The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote in
news:XSg3k.49$aE5.14@newsfe07.lga:

> George wrote:
>
>> When they built
>> the interstate highway system they decided to go for show so their
>> budget might have been enough for say 100 miles of a good road they
>> decided to build 120 miles by cutting corners and using less steel and
>> concrete on the bridges for example than would be used with standard
>> designs. I know people who worked on the designs and our state
>> university engineering lab came to the exact same conclusion that the
>> bridges would still be in good condition if more materials were used.
>
> Theory had it that the interstate system was built primarily for defense
> rather than civilian purposes. Perhaps it was expected that most of it
> would be destroyed in the coming nuclear holocaust anyway and it would
> be stupid to build for the ages.
>
> Duck and cover. DROP!
>

The interstate highway circling town was originally built in the late 60's
and lasted about 30 years before it was decided that it was worn enough to
warrant replacement. The quality of the replacement was dreadful. They
didn't bother to properly line up where the sections meet so there is a
bump and the surface is so irregular they had to grind down the high spots
to make it drivable. Now about 5 years later they are already cutting out
blocks of it to replace again.

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 3:58 am
From: George

The Real Bev wrote:
> George wrote:
>
>> When they built the interstate highway system they decided to go for
>> show so their budget might have been enough for say 100 miles of a
>> good road they decided to build 120 miles by cutting corners and using
>> less steel and concrete on the bridges for example than would be used
>> with standard designs. I know people who worked on the designs and our
>> state university engineering lab came to the exact same conclusion
>> that the bridges would still be in good condition if more materials
>> were used.
>
> Theory had it that the interstate system was built primarily for defense
> rather than civilian purposes. Perhaps it was expected that most of it
> would be destroyed in the coming nuclear holocaust anyway and it would
> be stupid to build for the ages.
>
> Duck and cover. DROP!
>

Naw, just politicians trying to look good by spreading everything thin
so it looked great from a distance..

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 4:48 am
From: Napoleon

On Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:52:30 -0700, The Real Bev
<bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

>I'm pretty sure we haven't despoiled Norway's infrastructure, though.
>If you find that we have, take pix and report back.

Yup. Ha ha. Just think of all the bridges and wonderful "automobile"
roads and bridges here in the great US of A that could have been
repaired with all the tax-payer money wasted on destroying Iraqi and
Afgahnistani bridges and roads! Oh! Not to mention all the future
roads and bridges that could be repaired and created anew with all the
tax-payer money that will be wasted on destroying Iranian bridges and
roads. Oops! Shhhh! We can't talk about the upcoming war!

>I guess an equivalent would be hopping on the train and going to Death
>Valley. Oh, wait, there's NEVER been a train from LA to Death Valley.
>I might be able to get a bus next week, but I'll probably have to
>transfer a couple of times, miss a few connections and have overnight
>layovers and it will cost roughly as much as a plane trip -- or more.

So what. Why do continue to point to an example of how efficient
public transportation doesn't go to the most extreme places in the
world? (even though Norway seems to do it). What about public
transportation to your job, the grocery store, church, etc.? Why can't
we have that efficient public transportation in America?

The answer.... wait for it.... the automobile and oil/gas industry.
Oh, and Americans view of never wanting to do anything different -
that's why we will never have Universal Health Care like every other
civilized, industrial country on this planet.

-N

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 12:31 pm
From: The Real Bev

Napoleon wrote:

> <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>I'm pretty sure we haven't despoiled Norway's infrastructure, though.
>>If you find that we have, take pix and report back.
>
> Yup. Ha ha. Just think of all the bridges and wonderful "automobile"
> roads and bridges here in the great US of A that could have been
> repaired with all the tax-payer money wasted on destroying Iraqi and
> Afgahnistani bridges and roads!

Why do you assume that's a choice? My personal feeling is that if
there's a threat to us, wipe it out and go home. If we can't do that,
figure out how to live with it without wiping it out and get on with
life. My personal feeling is also that religion is useless at best and
destructive at worst and anything that makes it more difficult for
religious people to inflict their religion on others is a good thing.
But nobody ever asked me if I'd rather blow up a bridge in Afghanistan
or repair one here.

> Oh! Not to mention all the future
> roads and bridges that could be repaired and created anew with all the
> tax-payer money that will be wasted on destroying Iranian bridges and
> roads. Oops! Shhhh! We can't talk about the upcoming war!

If you don't like the USA, just say so in a different thread. This one
is about public vs private transportation. In case you've forgotten, I
favor private.

>>I guess an equivalent would be hopping on the train and going to Death
>>Valley. Oh, wait, there's NEVER been a train from LA to Death Valley.
>>I might be able to get a bus next week, but I'll probably have to
>>transfer a couple of times, miss a few connections and have overnight
>>layovers and it will cost roughly as much as a plane trip -- or more.
>
> So what. Why do continue to point to an example of how efficient
> public transportation doesn't go to the most extreme places in the
> world?

Because freedom means doing the extremes if that's what you want. I
might choose (and indeed HAVE chosen) public transportation if it was
better in some way than private transport, but it almost never is.

> (even though Norway seems to do it). What about public
> transportation to your job, the grocery store, church, etc.? Why can't
> we have that efficient public transportation in America?

Not my problem. I'm retired. I don't go to church. I use my bicycle
for most errands. I use the car for anything I can't do on my bicycle
and I group errands. I've done this for decades, except I've only used
the bicycle since I retired in 1995.

> The answer.... wait for it.... the automobile and oil/gas industry.

They thrive because they provide a service/product that people REALLY
want. Surprise: we still do, we just have to want it a little more
than we used to. We also want residential privacy. Some of us don't
want to be required to interact with people not of our choosing. Some
of us like to plant things and others of us are willing to pay the
gardeners to do it. Personal choice.

The Japanese may LIKE living in small crowded places. I don't. Neither
do most Americans, apparently. There are advantages to living in big
cities, but not everybody wants those advantages. That's another one of
those annoying-to-some "freedom" things.

> Oh, and Americans view of never wanting to do anything different -
> that's why we will never have Universal Health Care like every other
> civilized, industrial country on this planet.

Hey, I have Medicare and a Blue Cross supplement. I'm happy.

--
Cheers,
Bev
_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_
When you stop bitching, you start dying.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Sometimes it just doesn't work
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/9ad81274179c279d?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 3:41 am
From: Jeff

hchickpea@hotmail.com wrote:
> Last year, the engine on my circa 1993 craftsman riding mower gave up
> the ghost. It was close to fall and I let it sit as a lawn ornament
> in the field.
>
> This spring, I bought a used motor, cleaned out the mouse nests,
> replaced the oil, cleaned and mounted the carb, and after much
> invoking of gods and curses, managed to get it installed. It worked
> great for a couple of mowings and then died.

I'm a little surprised that since you've gone through so much effort and
have a clue as to what you are doing, that you didn't find out why it
died. There's lots of reasons that aren't fatal. I can tell you that a
bad head gasket is no longer an unusual problem. I don't have a lot of
experience with powered mowers, but the couple I've looked at recently
have had problems that at first seemed hidden, but were obvious after
some poking around.

Jeff

>
> I was able to get a second replacement motor from the same fellow for
> a minimal amount, and with a bit fewer invocations, was able to get
> that cleaned spotless, re-carbed, oiled up and installed.
>
> It worked fine, sounding even smoother than the first replacement.
> But since it was working, I then hit a guy cable hidden by the road
> and broke one of the mandrels on the mower deck.
>
> Back to the old feller and picked up a replacement mower deck at a
> reasonable price. It came with a rear grass catcher, which is a
> s---load of black plastic parts and some metal square tubing. Got it
> on and it worked fine. Gently and slowly, so as to not overload the
> mower, I mowed the front part of one of my lawns.
>
> The engine sounded a bit off, so I drained and replaced the oil again.
> Got back started mowing again, and the motor conked out within ten
> minutes. I think I'm being told something.
>
> What is the going rate for scrap metal like this? I'm in the market
> for an inexpensive used compact tractor with a bushhog/haying
> attachment. The grass here appears to be a mite tough.
>
> On the plus side, I did get about 15 years out of the mower, and was
> only out about $200 on the recent repairs. Still...
>

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 7:29 am
From: Derald

gheston@hiwaay.net (Gary Heston) wrote:

>You have a brother here? Don't think you've mentioned that previously.
>
Nah; bro's in Bham and has been for about 50 years, although, his
trips to Hvlle were frequent. After the *real* John's death in 1973, his
oldest son and my bro took over the reins, dividing management of the
retail and the film processing divisions. Adept graffiti readers, they
sold to Fujifilm more than ten years ago. Except for a couple of "gee
whiz" trips with him over the years, my visits to northern AL have all
been as part of vacation camping tours or attendance at arts/crafts
events in the vB Center; none since late '90's.
The campground at Monte Sano is where I encountered my first "too
tame" damnable red fox: The sucker spotted an ice chest in the back of
the station wagon, followed us to our tent pad and just hung out,
waiting....
>
>The Chickpea Karma is likely to start roosting above you. Be ready.
Oh, Lordy; will an umbrella help?
>
>You may have just converted Harry to not mowing the thistles.
Well, they are pretty opportunistic and do have some nuisance
value, particularly in "improved" parcels on which overstorey AWA ground
cover are gone, long gone.
>
>posing as computer programmers, were able to gain employment at Microsoft..."
You reckon they wrote "Vista"?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: sell hogan armani lacoste trainers timberland boots
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/9c7cd81453926860?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 7:34 am
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==============================================================================
TOPIC: 2009 Prius - why such a big engine?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/64b8bb7586b7de99?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 8:04 am
From: cr113

From what I've read the new Prius is going to be bigger and faster and
get slightly better fuel mileage. I don't understand this. Why do they
need a 1.8 L engine? That's bigger than most gas only economy cars. I
would think they could use a 1 L engine or even smaller. Do you really
need to go 115 mph in a Prius? If they used a smaller engine and kept
the car the same size they could sell it for less and get much better
mileage. Am I missing something?

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/563/exposed-2009-toyota-prius/

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 8:41 am
From: Ron Peterson

On Jun 10, 10:04 am, cr113 <cr...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> From what I've read the new Prius is going to be bigger and faster and
> get slightly better fuel mileage. I don't understand this. Why do they
> need a 1.8 L engine? That's bigger than most gas only economy cars. I
> would think they could use a 1 L engine or even smaller. Do you really
> need to go 115 mph in a Prius? If they used a smaller engine and kept
> the car the same size they could sell it for less and get much better
> mileage. Am I missing something?

> http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/563/expos...

It's a matter of getting adequate acceleration. The mpg rating hasn't
decreased and the cost hasn't increased.

--
Ron

==============================================================================
TOPIC: How To Run Your Car On Water - Free Instructions
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/348f0cdabc879a45?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 8:15 am
From: jakekennedy14@gmail.com

Download it here:

http://run-your-car-on-h2o.blogspot.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Dominatrix females into brown showers...kinky
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/781b08583019146c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 8:25 am
From: indiana_biker@hotmail.com

http://groups.google.ca/group/women-into-farting-on-cakes

I wish all the young, attractive, sexy-looking girls on this forum who
reside in the Malibu area to come over to my place, roll down their
pants, position their bare-naked asses in vicinity/proximity to my
birthday cake, and rip vigorously their anal gas on it.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/404/cakesitting2kl3.jpg

In case a woman dares to fart on the candles, what do you expect to
happen next - will it light her farts or blow the candles with her
warm
wet raunchy loud fart? (The classic fart-lighting question)

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 9:35 am
From: "Dr. Cavortian"

As an experienced analyst, I'd posit that a fart would, as we doctors
say, "blow her a new asshole."

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Oil Boycott: Non oil based products?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/c81559a594ac920c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 9:29 am
From: Paul M. Eldridge

Hi Jeff,

With respect to natural gas prices, the following article appeared in
yesterday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/06/09/natural_gas_prices.html

It would seem reducing your home's energy needs and installation of a
solar hot water system will pay off rather handsomely.

Cheers,
Paul

==============================================================================
TOPIC: test
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/455bac0ba68d1c6d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 10:27 am
From: Dan Birchall

none@none.net (OhioGuy) wrote:
> Hmm, nothing I post seems to be showing up. Can any of you see this
> message?

What message? I don't see any message around here.

--
"Infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with
grey: but never am I unblest."

==============================================================================
TOPIC: "Ask Amy": Spendthrift adult children caused by clueless parents?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/8d517cbb1083899b?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 11:13 am
From: lenona321@yahoo.com

That wasn't Amy's observation, but *I* think it's plain that when the
parents "tried to raise them to be caring and compassionate," they
forgot to say to the kids "where is YOUR money" whenever the kids
demanded something. Preferably earned by doing extra chores, of
course.

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/partii/ny-lsamy5720411jun10,0,5739520.column

Lenona.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: FILING BANKRUPTCY
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e826783da302ec75?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 11:33 am
From: KANMANI

http://chapter7bankruptcy1.blogspot.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Propane vs Gasoline powered generators
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/94077017cf6e06c4?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 11:34 am
From: "Foxy Lady"

I'd appreciate opinions on the pros and cons of using one over the other.

We have a 3600 sq. ft. home and recently installed a Briggs & Stratton 8K
portable gasoline generator to run the basic things like refrigerator,
lights, fans, septic pump, water, furnace (propane), etc. During this
incredible heat wave in South Central PA we had blackouts on Sunday afternon
until late in the evening. The generator would run for less than 5 minutes
and turn off. I saw how much trouble my husband went through getting
gasoline, hitting switches, disconnecting the cable, etc. so I want out of
it since I'm never going to touch that sucker when he isn't home and most of
the blackouts are during the day while he's a state away working.

We have a 500 gallon, underground propane tan that we keep as full as
possible at all times. I want to change to a standby, automatic transfer
generator because I live by the K.I.S.S. rule. We returned the adequately
named BS generator yesterday for a full refund and will apply that money to
a new system.

Main question is, how much does it cost to run a 16K propane generator? I've
read so much conflicting info on the internet that I'm at a loss. My husband
believes that it would empty the tank in 2.5 days costing us around $1,000
for the pleasure. I've found data that it uses .75 gallons per hour of use
and that's significantly much lower than the former equation.

Can someone help me with this, or post a link where I can find an answer to
this question?

Thank you,

Sandra

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 11:57 am
From: "Rod Speed"

Foxy Lady <forums@the-merrimans.net> wrote:
> I'd appreciate opinions on the pros and cons of using one over the
> other.
> We have a 3600 sq. ft. home and recently installed a Briggs &
> Stratton 8K portable gasoline generator to run the basic things like
> refrigerator, lights, fans, septic pump, water, furnace (propane),
> etc. During this incredible heat wave in South Central PA we had
> blackouts on Sunday afternon until late in the evening. The generator
> would run for less than 5 minutes and turn off. I saw how much
> trouble my husband went through getting gasoline, hitting switches,
> disconnecting the cable, etc. so I want out of it since I'm never
> going to touch that sucker when he isn't home and most of the
> blackouts are during the day while he's a state away working.
> We have a 500 gallon, underground propane tan that we keep as full as
> possible at all times. I want to change to a standby, automatic
> transfer generator because I live by the K.I.S.S. rule. We returned
> the adequately named BS generator yesterday for a full refund and
> will apply that money to a new system.

> Main question is, how much does it cost to run a 16K propane generator?

Should be cheaper than gasoline, otherwise LPG wouldnt be used in cars to save money.

> I've read so much conflicting info on the internet that I'm at a loss. My husband believes that it would empty the
> tank in 2.5 days

You cant get the cost by numbers like that pulled out of his arse.

> costing us around $1,000 for the pleasure. I've found data that it uses .75 gallons per hour of use and that's
> significantly much lower than the former equation.

So where did he get the 2.5 days from ?

> Can someone help me with this, or post a link where I can find an answer to this question?

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Jun 10 2008 12:07 pm
From: "Foxy Lady"

"Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6b8147F3aokubU1@mid.individual.net...
> Foxy Lady <forums@the-merrimans.net> wrote:
>> I'd appreciate opinions on the pros and cons of using one over the
>> other.
>> We have a 3600 sq. ft. home and recently installed a Briggs &
>> Stratton 8K portable gasoline generator to run the basic things like
>> refrigerator, lights, fans, septic pump, water, furnace (propane),
>> etc. During this incredible heat wave in South Central PA we had
>> blackouts on Sunday afternon until late in the evening. The generator
>> would run for less than 5 minutes and turn off. I saw how much
>> trouble my husband went through getting gasoline, hitting switches,
>> disconnecting the cable, etc. so I want out of it since I'm never
>> going to touch that sucker when he isn't home and most of the
>> blackouts are during the day while he's a state away working.
>> We have a 500 gallon, underground propane tan that we keep as full as
>> possible at all times. I want to change to a standby, automatic
>> transfer generator because I live by the K.I.S.S. rule. We returned
>> the adequately named BS generator yesterday for a full refund and
>> will apply that money to a new system.
>
>> Main question is, how much does it cost to run a 16K propane generator?
>
> Should be cheaper than gasoline, otherwise LPG wouldnt be used in cars to
> save money.
>
>> I've read so much conflicting info on the internet that I'm at a loss. My
>> husband believes that it would empty the tank in 2.5 days
>
> You cant get the cost by numbers like that pulled out of his arse.
>
>> costing us around $1,000 for the pleasure. I've found data that it uses
>> .75 gallons per hour of use and that's significantly much lower than the
>> former equation.
>
> So where did he get the 2.5 days from ?

From calculations using the info on Consumer Reports, but I just can't
believe that. I think he fudged the math and can't - or won't - see it.

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

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