Generator task list

[kickslop]

For discussion/assignment?

* We discussed a muffler possibility

* We also discussed (alternately) a simple insulated surround box with ventilation holes

* We need a 5gal gas can, maintained. The generator's tank lasts ~3hrs.

OR

We need a completely alternate power source that fits within our budget.

[Solar]

The muffler can be changed, however, it won't make that much difference, but it will be a bit better. You can't really quiet a 5hp engine to much without losing some power.

I think that if we could place it farther away by running the cord under a plastic speed bump/ cord protector so the cord wouldn't get flattened, that would be the cheapest and easiest. You can get a 6' wide one for $40 through Global, and if you shopped around you could probably get one cheaper.

You could build a colapsable enclosure easy enough out of plywood, Drew even mentioned lining it with sound deadening material but I'm concerend about how much room we have in the trailer to store it.

A gas can is a must, a 2 gallon can would be perfect, we just need to remember to top the tank off after every run group.

Brian

[kickslop]

Brian,

I'm Jeff, the lanky guy with the glasses who was part of the conversation with you and others. Hi!

As stuffed as the trailer is, I don't think stowing another item is a problem. If it has to be stacked on top of other stacks, so be it. I mean, unless things start falling out when we open the door in the morning, I don't see it as a problem.

My concern with the speed bump strip is that we'd really want to get 18' worth, as it is going to run from the trailer all the way over to the porta-potty, and everyone takes a different low-speed line out of the braking zone it seems (granted, that's only addressing Brooksville).

Real sound deadening is very expensive. House insulation, although thermal, is much less expensive. I'm thinking 1" foam-core stuff.

My vote would be for one of us to build a collapsable (or 4-piece) house for it. I'm no craftsman, so won't offer to do it outright, but I am offering to help anyone do it.

And... get a gas can. Steve/Native, do I have permission to pick up a 2-5 gallon gas can for the club?

[Loren]

My concern with the speed bump strip is that we'd really want to get 18' worth, as it is going to run from the trailer all the way over to the porta-potty, and everyone takes a different low-speed line out of the braking zone it seems (granted, that's only addressing Brooksville).

If we buy a few more cones (which we need to do, anyway), we can more clearly define the post-finish area and funnel the drivers across an 8' wide strip easily enough.

Here's a thought, though. All of the equipment we're running (except for the PA, which we've gotten away from using because SPC disallowed it) runs on 12 volts. The timer will take a 12v input, most notebook computers have a car adapter. (or we could use an inverter) One thing we invariably have plenty of at an autocross is CARS. Why not just set us up with a nice long set of cables to clamp onto a running car's battery? Cheap and simple solution... no maintenance for the club.

You could even "buffer" that 12v supply by putting a good deep-cycle battery in the trailer so that the system doesn't go dead when you change the "supply vehicle" out.

I love keeping things simple. I hate generators unless they're absolutely necessary. You have to maintain them, you have to deal with the noise (and make feeble attempts to quiet it), you have to keep a fuel supply for them, etc.

[Solar]

Hey Jeff,

As far as building a enclosure, I could handle that, even just a plywood one with no insulation would be okay. It would have to be pretty simple, and be able to withstand multiple set ups and breakdowns. I'm thinking that if we used any type of insulation, it would get torn up after a while.
I'm going to see Steve today when he picks up the reg box, so I'll run it by him about the enclosure and gas can.

Brian

EDIT: I didn't see Lorens idea of using a battery, that's agood idea as long as someone remembers to charge the battery the night before . I'm with him about not using a generator unless you have too. Even though the gen we have is pretty simple to keep maintained, you still have to transport gas around.

[kickslop]

Why not just set us up with a nice long set of cables to clamp onto a running car's battery?

I don't know anyone who would be willing to let their car sit and idle for 7 hours.

[WAFlowers]

I don't know anyone who would be willing to let their car sit and idle for 7 hours.

7 hours = 420 minutes. Less than 10 minutes per car.

[Loren]

I wouldn't have a problem with my car idling for half the day, or at least a couple hours. But, whatever. It was just a thought.

Use a different car for each run group. Call it a worker assignment! Your job for this group is to provide power to the trailer.

[kickslop]

As always, just my personal opinion:

Here's my hang-up: I'm all for any change that is going to work, if not on the 1st event, then fully at the 2nd event, and we're going to be done with it.

As it is, we own the generator. The carb in the generator was graciously rebuilt. We used it Sunday, and while it would be ideal if the noise was cut in half, it worked perfectly and nobody had any trouble hearing what needed to be heard. It simply needed gas.

But you know... Where does it end? Are we going to do a 12V setup from a battery, then redo it in 6 months to work off of solar panels on top of the trailer? And still maintain the generator for when something in the new 12VDC setup isn't working? So now we're keeping 2 things maintained?

I think switching out whose car is powering everything, more than 1 time, is 100% destined to complete chaos. Don't we have enough trouble as it is?

[Solar]

What it really boils down to is ease and reliablity, the generator runs great (with gas of course ) and they're very reliable, and don't require much attention while in use. Down side is they're noisy, and you have to store and lug gas around.

The idea of using a deep cell battery would work, you wouldn't have to use any cars to charge it. The down side is they're about $90, they last about a year before they start to lose power capacity and you have to make sure they're charged the night before. At least this is what I've experianced with them using a trolling motor. If you use a 110v power inverter on them you can cut the life in half.

I don't like the idea of using a car, if the person who will use their car doesn't make it to every event, we're back to square one. I wouldn't want my car to be idling for that long, but that's just me.

[Loren]

IF all of our equipment would run all day on a battery (keep in mind that the timer system has its own batteries... properly charged, that whole system can run without issue for a two-day event... probably even 3 days... so the battery just needs to run the laptop), it would be worth replacing that battery annually.

You have to figure that we'll be buying at least 2 gallons of gas per event. That comes to $72 or more per year just for the gas. Add the other maintenance of a generator, and your annual generator budget is easily $100-150.

Granted, a gas can is easier to lug around, and if somebody forgets to buy gas, it's easy to go get some. Lugging a battery around between events to be sure it's charged would be a hassle... and if someone forgets to charge or bring the battery... no computer.

I'm starting to remember why I always resisted using a computer at the events. 5+ years ago, when I was running a Solo II program in Wichita, I did set up a full computer timing system, custom software, etc... and ultimately decided that while it was cool and it worked... it really wasn't worth all of the hassle involved. For me, it was just easier to take the paper time sheets and spend 90 minutes after each event typing it into a database.

But, if we have people who have embraced the technology and are willing to stand behind it, I'm certainly not going to try to impede them in any way! Rock on, y'all!

[Anonymous]

I think it would be nice to have a PA system. We usually have enough people for 3 run groups, so there is always a group spectating. The new software will give real time stats, as far as who is leading the class and overall and by how much. And since we have a small number of classes, this gets kind of interesting. Unlike the SCCA where almost everyone wins their class, because of the large number of classes.

[Loren]

Having a PA and a good announcer is a lot of fun, but the only place we'd be able to use it is Brooksville. SPC has asked us not to use the PA there.

[kickslop]

Another reason to add to my "prefer Brooksville" list

[AScoda]

I have a spare 2 gallon gas can that I don't need. 2 gallons 8 ounces actually, so much the better! It's not shiny and new and even though gas cans are cheap, this one's free.
If we use a long power cord, the generator could be put on a 3 or 4 foot piece of plywood as a base to protect the grass, and put on the other side of the big green box. (what's in that thing anyway?) It would only be noisy to those in the bathroom. It would have the added bonus of masking any unpleasant sounds from within.

We did talk about using the PA yesterday, but it would have just taken more time to get set up.

[Solar]

Drew, I talked to Steve today and he said the same thing, just put it next to the big green thing and run the cord across the finish area. Steve said that cord has been run over many many times with no problems, so we might have found our solution. Drew donates a gas can, I have a piece of plywood for a platform and all is well.

We only need the gen for Brooksville anyways right?

[kickslop]

The generator is needed to power the laptop now running the timing/registration software at any site.

[Solar]

I already forgot why we needed power.

EDIT: but doesn't the St. Pete site have power?

[Loren]

SPC has power. Just need a long cord.

[kickslop]

Oh.