Steve,
Wondering if you can put this out to your readers.
We have a 20ft hotdog trailer and i’m not sure what brand of generator to buy.
I know with everything running I will be using about 6600 watts.
I know the honda’s are the best but cost a lot does anyone use another brand that they can recommend?
Thanks
Mike’s Mountain High Wieners
Gasoline or propane? Two stroke or four stroke? Best brands?
What are your recommendations? This is a subject that should generate a lot of comments. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist ;-))
-Steve
I’ve never made the purchase yet but I’ve always heard Honda was the way to go. The reason being is the quiet of the motor. If having a louder generator near your stand doesn’t bother you could always default to a cheaper one.
Because of the loud noise you might think about a more quiet diesel generator from a wrecked motor home.
Mike you have several options. If you are going to do this for a long time, then propane or diesel is your best option. Propane you can get for under 1000.00, and you have fewer moving parts to wear out.
diesel is more but is better on running time and wear and tear. Costco has a good propane that is I believe is rated at 5,500 but it might be 6,000 watts. Of course you can always work on your power consumption to lower it to use a less expensive generator.
PS on the propane at Costco it’s less than 900 dollars last time I checked. You can even watch a propane generator run on you tube.
Actually, I was wondering, is there a gas connection that can be built into a cart so that you can attach and run other stuff off the same propane gas line? Like, besides the fryer. I have a Vertical Broiler, and I can get one to work on Propane, but I just wondered if I could get it to work off my cart somehow. Does it need to be built into a splitter that is detachable?
Nikos, maybe your local inspectors are more lenient than the ones in my area (Denver), but my fire inspector required a detailed layout of my propane gas lines, including shut off switches to each appliance (main double burners, attached side grill, instant hot water heater, expansion for future appliance – capped off) before I made changes to my stainless steel hot dog cart. It took a couple of submissions to his office before he approved my design (cost me $$$ each time BTW) and I could begin reconfiguring my cart. He approved it — only AFTER checking for proper fittings, putting the system under pressure and checking for leaks, and whatever else he did while walking around and under my newly redesigned hot dog cart. So, Nikos, if you modify your cart, be sure that it will pass a fire safety inspection so you do not blow yourself up, or anyone/anything around you. Good luck, if you modify your current setup. Safety first, my friend.
Oh, and be sure that whatever brass fittings you choose are rated for high pressure (propane) and not low pressure (natural gas), and that your switches and gas lines are properly selected for the amount of pressure coming from your LPG tank. Oh, and use the right kind of tape on your threads, and thread them in the correct direction, and make sure they are tight, and not too near a heat source. Just trying to look out for you, Nikos. Sorry for sounding a bit bossy.
With that much to power, I would look at a whole house LP generator like this one http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-40301-7000-Watt-Generator/dp/B001LNN868/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1276502410&sr=1-1-fkmr0
The reason I recommend this particular unit is the cost along with being VERY quiet. You can shop around and save a few bucks. I have seen these units mounted to the nose of more than one concession trailer. And they work great on the house, I own a bigger unit and can vouch for the quietness.
Mike
Ok, I want the answer too, fixing to buy a new one myself????
Duggs Doggs
“Good!! Good!!”
IF your looking to use it alot IE. every weekend don’t buy cheap. you may find a good used on if you look at RV salvage that is a better quality & most are designed for quiet running. Quiet is the key to being able to set up at some spots. good luck
you must find out what is a loud in your events, we use a Honey Well which is only 2 decimals over honda. Honey well is also one of the few that are a loud in state parks here in Fl. When you do a fest there is a noise facter. I paid 299 for my 2000i honey well and I am told wow thats quiet. it will run my lights for the night shows and two coffee makers plus my fans.
Hi I use one..
Go with the 4 stroke for sure..
Less smell & Noise..
It runs a slusis machine.
Good luck
I bought a honda and thought about a diesel, but remembered the smell factor to the people coming to purchase my products from a diesel engine.
I’m looking but have not made the move. While on vacation last month in DC I purchased a hot dog from a vendor and barely noticed his Honda generator running right in front of me.
Don’t go above 60 decibels no matter what fuel type you choose.
Jack
Hello Mike,
We started with the Generac 8,000/12,000 (XP8000E), but found the noise level unacceptable for any outdoor event. Rather than trying to “muffle” the Generac, or build a sound-proofing box – we decided to bite the bullet and purchased a Honda EU 6500is. The Honda is so quiet, that you can actually stand over it and have a conversation. Sure, it cost more – but the quality and db level is well with the extra coin.
Last night, I started the process of mounting a WARN winch in the back of my truck so that I can load and unload the Honda generator without any assistance (with ramps).
Hope this helps, and best of luck.
I use Honda’s only, I work alot of festivals and
noise is a concern, my dogs are cooked on gas, but I am using a snow cone machine, nachos and cheese, blender for smoothies, pizza oven to cook pretzels and pretzel warmer also over head lights and flashing out side lights at night and in the summer months a fan, I use two 2,000 watts Hondas to hooked together to provide the power, they are very quiet and sip gas, can run most days for 8 hours on a tank, keep the oil changed and they last forever. I also have a 3,500 watt Honda I carry in case of one of th 2,000 failing, but have yet to use it. I have been doing concessions for 27 years and always used Hondas, and to this date had very little problems. The reason for using two 2,000 is the weight so much easier to load and unload. Not sure how to attach a photo to this blog, but check out our latest trailer on Facebook, Curtis Ormond, my profile, good luck.
I just got my E-Z Built videos a couple of days ago and i just want to thank you Steve. This is going to help me out very much when I build my cart. One question though… if i change the layout, would it be bad to completely seal off the cooler area from the hot side of the cart? By the way… I like the idea of a generator however, I think it would be best to get up and running first. Thank you for all your input everyone. I cant wait to be joining you.
Most definitely quite is the way to go. It matters to promoters at events (there can be restrictions), and customers as well. 20 foot trailer, wow that’s some big hot dogs! Good luck.
Hey Scott,
It wouldn’t hurt anything, but it’s not necessary either. The steam table in the E-Z Built was designed with special venting to reduce the amount of heat build up in the cart body. It runs very cool. If you do seal off the steam table area, be sure to put a couple of vents in the side of the cart body for airflow.
-Steve
http://www.BuildAHotDogCart.com
mike you can cut cost all you want but you only get what you pay for whats a 1000 bucks if it makes you 4000 come on and honda is the quitest one on the market and the best! why buy something that breakes down in the middle of a busy sales time
Ah yes…The noise of the generator…We found some venues that wouldn’t allow certain generators to be used because of the noise issue.
I’m as cost conscious as the next person and didn’t want to buy a high-wattage inverter generator either.
I ended up buying a complete propane set-up in addition to our all electric system.
It’s always a good idea to look at the actual electrical load of whatever appliances that you are using at any given time and see if you can’t “stagger” them so that a smaller inverter generator will do the trick for you. You might also want to be VERY careful about extension cords when doing the calculations. Voltage drop will kill your equipment faster than a bad hot dog will cause gas!
You can find all kinds of ways to steam hot dogs using perforated pans and propane. It doesn’t have to be pretty, just efficient!
Now I’m off to my new store, Reo’s Coffee & Hot Dog Emporium LLC. Look at our website at: reos1925.com
I bought A DURA MAX GEN. 10,000 watt gen. I looked for a long tiime before buying. I decided to buy this gen. bescouse of the price and free shipping. it came witha 1 year warrenty. it is a bit loud but have had no problems at events. I also have a 20 foot trailer . I pad $875 it has never let m down. look on e bay or google
duro max. good luck. Tim @ naked Franks out in Oregon
Howdy, Howdy!
All this talk of generators. Very interesting. For those of you looking to purchase one, please do some research on the difference of generator and inverter generator. It will help explain the difference in size, performance and costs. A good site is, Uncle Bob’s Tips, Generator guide.
Happy Doggin’ !!!
I have a Honda generator, runs quiet and smooth. Would highly recomend.
Hello Everyone:
I just picked up a 18 ft used trailor in florida. I am prepairing it to vent out of. So the generator thing is very timely for me. I will be mounting it on the bumper. We have talked about adding roof air and moving kitchen to rear on unit and putting a big vending window where the sink is currently. Does anyone know about retroing the trailer door for vending etc. I have a mechanic welder etc that can do everything. I think moving everything to back of trailer might be me costly. I am adding a roof air conditoner. How are people vending in winter with water in tank? Constently plugged in at home running heater?
Thanks all!!
Owning a small engine sales part and service, Honda is the way to go if budget cant handel honda next best is Briggs & Stratton generators, main thing to remmber is to service it and not to overload it, that go’s for any generator, stay away from the chinese made generators they are JUNK
Honda EU2000 is a nice add on to our cart and provides nearly everything we need in terms of power, reduced noise and easy on the gas. There are several EU models depending on your power needs.
I just bought one at Tractor Supply Co. it’s only a 3500 which is fine for my needs right now … 67-db which is about average for a gasoline unit … the reviews on it were real good and the price was only $299 …
I have successfully used daily as well as events the Honda EU2000i. It’s around $999 and I tell myself and anyone who will listen, this is one of the BEST investments I’ve made. It is extremely rugged and very robust in output. Quite is the principle thing and I believe it’s about 52 decibels. If your needs are greater, they easily connect one to another as well as a built in battery jumper/charger! I use it in storms during power outages as well…GET ONE.
Sorry guys/gals, a generator is asking for problems, with the noise and fuel and weather issues I went to a power inverter with 3 deep cycle 12 volt-marine-batteries, no noise no hastle from the environmentalists, no problems! I run an ice cream freezer, Bose music system and lights when I need them, trickle charge off your vehicle and plug it in when you are near an outlet or back at home base, WAYYY better than generator hastles! Interested in more info email me in NH at iansfranks@comcast.net. Cheers!-Pete
Pete,
I have to agree with you. Pure electrical power rocks.
-Steve
I would really love to see more vendors using green energy alternatives like solar panels, micro wind turbines, floor/mat generators, etc. Think about those blistering hot days, yeah its hot and sunny but your getting good energy for free. There are a lot of options out there and a lot to be invented as well. Just a seed of thought for everyone out there. Happy doggin’
HI there:
I have a hot dog cart in cape coral florida, and at this time I have a cheap generator and it working find. I do not recall the brand nme. but I,am looking for 2000ie honda. Look me up in my facebook/
thank you
Moe’s Hot Dogs
Whatever you do with a generator, make sure the outlets are GFCI’s ! These will save someones life, it maybe yours. Inspect all extension cords. Use a cord rated for hard useage, (SJO). Make sure everything is grounded properly.