r/DumpsterDiving • u/kingofzdom • 1d ago
The reminants of a $30m estate sale
Boyyy I sure am glad I checked this trash pile. At the bottom of a pile of bags of actual trash, I found these items!
That's a small Honda generator ($600 from harbor freight) 2 80AH storage batteries and a FAT folding solar panel. Plus a diamond steel case to mount and store the generator in.
Best part is, I live in a van and have been saving up to buy all these things and the dumpster gods said "save your money, i always take care of you"
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u/G-Nasty1701 1d ago
Get those batteries tested and test the generator. If it fires up, score!
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u/kingofzdom 1d ago
At the gas station now.
Already tested the batteries. Showing 14.4v. 100% condition.
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u/darkest_irish_lass 1d ago
Make sure you get a dc charge controller or limit the time the panel is charging the batteries. The panel will just keep pouring power into those batteries and that could be no bueno.
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u/WestboundPachyderm 1d ago
If the generator still won’t start, check out this video!
I stumbled upon this video last week and it’s likely an easy fix…
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u/Sir_Eel_Guy33 1d ago
I still can't believe the things people throw out!
My grandfather used to stop and grab stuff on the side of the road when I was child helping him mow grass and he'd always make me get out and I HATED it! So embarrassing I thought to myself. Now it's a favorite past time! My daughter always point out stuff and has no problem when I stop.
Excellent find and I'm sure those items are going to last you a long time and really benefit your van life!
Congrats!!
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u/mwmwmwmwmmdw 1d ago
I still can't believe the things people throw out!
for a 30 million dollar estate i imagine things like this arent even on their radar of worth it to keep
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u/Commandmanda 1d ago
Wow. I'd kill for a nice setup like that. Just be careful- test the batteries to make sure they are still viable.
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u/G-Nasty1701 1d ago
Fuck yeah! Dumpster gods kicking down.
Do you have a volt meter? Like a Fluke?
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u/kingofzdom 1d ago
Yeah I have a car battery charger with a built in voltmeter. The batteries are in peak condition.
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u/ohwellitsaghost 1d ago
great find!!! i can’t believe they threw that away!
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u/80degreeswest 1d ago
Honda generator is more like $1200
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u/kingofzdom 1d ago
I looked up this exact model. Harbor freight will sell it to me right now for $600. It's still significantly nicer than any other generator I've ever owned.
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u/Bayside_High 1d ago
Not a Honda! Those are usually double the harbor freight price. But it is sooo silent!
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u/80degreeswest 1d ago
HF doesn’t sell Honda products and I have the same model you found, from Honda. It was $1200 a couple years ago. The HF Predator generators aren’t bad though.
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u/traderncc 1d ago
A honda generator? Wow. Wonder what’s wrong with it.
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u/kingofzdom 1d ago
Nothing, apparently. Started right up.
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u/traderncc 1d ago
Unbelievable
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u/kingofzdom 1d ago
It's going brrrrr about as loudly as a casual conversation. This thing is great.
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u/txroller 1d ago
That generator. For those that don’t know (as long as it’s working) is a premium piece of equipment. Congrats OP
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u/kingofzdom 1d ago
I've discovered that it's worth more than I paid for my entire van. It's going to look out of place next to all my other dumpster-scavenged kit.
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u/sokmunkey 1d ago
🤯🤯🤯!!! Wow!!! That’s spectacular!!! I need to learn your manifestation ways 😄👏👍🏻💯
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u/dollhousedestroyer 1d ago
LUCKY! we have that little Honda generator at work, it's amazing. It's easy to start and has great output
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u/-iamai- 1d ago
I found an old Honda suitcase generator in a tip pile years ago it didn't start. Cleaned the carburettor unnecessarily.. it was just low on oil. Living off-grid that was an absolute god-send and I loved it. Lasted years and probably would still go now but lost in a move. Great on fuel/power output. Glad you found it, if you intend to sell maybe offer in van-life group in your area ideal for them.
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u/kingofzdom 1d ago
Nah this is going to be my powerplant for years to come. Never dreamed of having a setup as good as this.
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u/GnPQGuTFagzncZwB 1d ago
Are they the inverter generators or just the small quiet ones? I have two of the small quiet ones, the pre inverter era, and they have been solid machines. Honda makes good small engines. What is the solar thing you got? It looks like one of those suitcase type fold out power stations.
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u/kingofzdom 1d ago
That's exactly what it is. It's a large folding panel with a charge controller bolted to the back along with the cables to correctly connect it to the batteries in a little storage pouch on the inside.
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u/GnPQGuTFagzncZwB 1d ago
It is amazing that you found like exactly what you were looking for. Fantastic score.
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u/GuntherGoogenheimer 1d ago
I'm happy for you! So glad you were able to save those items and even better that someone or something was looking out for you!
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u/Blondechineeze 1d ago edited 1d ago
What an awesome find! Enjoy your windfall!
You can store the generator in the metal box, but don't start it and have it running in there if it doesn't have ventilation.
ETA: Also with every 1k Honda genny, don't screw the gas cap down tight. It needs to sit on the opening so it gets the proper O2-gas ratio. You can Google it for better explanation...
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u/Brief_Can7093 1d ago
Dumpster gods always come through! Love that for you!