Tailgating question - renting a generator?

[DA-Bucks]

I priced generators today and I don't feel like dropping $700 on a tiny generator for just tailgating. Anyone know of places that rent portable gas powered generators for a decent price?

This will be very important for my pre-Texas routine! I plan on running a 25" TV, and a PS2 on it -- possibly a CD player too.

GO BUCKS!!!

(err, I meant to post this OT, sorry!)

 

[LoKyBuckeye]

Try Home Depot or any local hardware store....

 

[Phaeton]

One thing they may ask you when renting a generator is how many watts you need. Since the Playstation gobbles about 72 W, your TV will take about 170 W, and if you run a CD player it will probably be between 30-60W depending on speakers and the system. All in all you should be fine around 200 W.

From looking at Home Depot's website, they offer rental of 2500, 5000, and 6500 watt generators, so basically I didn't have to add any of that up at all.


Crap.

If you have a car nearby though, you might be able to get away with plugging a simple AC power inverter into the cigarrette lighter socket and running the TV and PS2 from there. You would either have to keep your engine running or drain your battery out, but it might be more cost-effective than renting your own gas generator.

 

[DA-Bucks]

I was thinking about using a power inverter and turning my engine on every half hour or so for 10 minutes to recharge the battery, but I don't know how bad that would be for the battery/car.

I'd also need to move push the exhaust away from the back of the car while doing that.

 

[Phaeton]

There's always solar power.

 

[smith288]

THen you can power a flashlight.

 

[removeher]

get a inverter that hooks right to a car battery (we have one so they do make them) and buy an extra car battery. It's still some $$ but not as much as renting a generator and you don't have to have your car on.

 

[hornyhoosier]

Go with the inverter. It won't hurt your car and it'll be handy if you ever need to make a road trip (like a possible rematch with the Horns in the Rose Bowl )

 

[Luke Duke]

I know that it is too late for the Texas game, but with your power consumption level your best bet is to buy an inverter and a marine deep-cycle battery or 2.

 

[methomps]

I know that it is too late for the Texas game, but with your power consumption level your best bet is to buy an inverter and a marine deep-cycle battery or 2.

This is what we use (2 marine batteries). It works great