Re: Generator for power outages?
 

During that 2 weeks, we parked my car next to the living room window and ran an extension cable in through the window. The power inverter in the car gave us enough for TV, DVD, Light etc. It was nice to (finally) get power back though.

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

We just had a 48 hour power outage. I kept the house warm using the woodstove so that nothing froze, but my biggest worry was that we have a sump pump in the basement, and it had no power, which meant that once the snow started to melt our basement would be underwater.

Hence I am about to buy a generator and reading this thread with interest.

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

Cooking wise i've always been OK because we have always had natural gas. If not i could cook using my with BBQ grills, charcoal and the camping propane bottles we have to go with the camping stove/burners.

Easy to boil up water for a nice cuppa and to fill my hot water bottles for the bed, fleece covered not those red hot rubber ones my parents used to give me. Everyone has hot water bottles right?

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

That was brave. Typically you get 30-60 mins of use per charge, you have to be careful not to run the car battery dead so you can start the car again to charge the battery back up.

To run a small medical device overnight in the event of a power outage I use this portable power supply which had 12v DC out that i could use an inverter on, it also has a compressor and light. They also do one with a USB port now. I got mine for $70 from Costco. Of course it always helps for jump starts too.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

I just left the car running. Worked out about 1 gallon per movie. :)

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

mpg = movies per gallon. :)

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

Mrs. N. would get about 1.5 MPG. Her car is better on gas than mine.

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

I've mentioned it before, but the inlaws have a massive propane powered one that can run the whole house.

They got it in the spring, when the local hardware store was having a massive clearance and getting rid of old stock, so saved a fortune on it, possibly about half the cost. Biggest expense in the installation was getting someone to do the cement base block, but they were also building a new garage, so was already getting new foundation poured so that skewed the cost.

The nice thing about their generator is the amount of insulation on the thing. You can hardly hear it going compared to a few others in their neighbourhood.

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

I bought one off Amazon during the big New England ice storm thingy. Doctored a lead and plugged it into the socket the washing machine uses. Stuck a sign on it to keep Mrs tonrob away (and also one on the main power switch so as not to risk electrocuting anyone outside).

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

Buy a well known brand with a good availability of spare parts, I have known several people buying obscure discount brands and had trouble locating parts.

They do need to be started on a regular basis and checked under load. Any small engine repair shop will tell you the biggest problem is people leave them sitting for months / years on end expecting them to work when dug out of the back of the garage.

If you do not have a transfer switch you can pick into a few circuit breakers on your main panel which is more safe than running extension cables.

As pointed out connecting to a propane tank if possible is good as it does away with the need for gas cans.

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

Thanks to everyone who's posted! Definitely lots of food for thought here in all the various comments.....

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

All up to building codes ;)

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

Building codes? I don't think such a thing exists :lol:

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

The risks of operating a portable petrol generator seem to be the following:

C0 poisoning risk - avoided by never running one inside or even near your house, & also ensuring (battery-run) CO alarms are fully functional while generator is in use

Fire risk - avoided by never refueling your unit until it has been switched off long enough to completely cool; & storing fuel safely (non-glass containers) away from house

Electrocution risk - avoided by plugging appliances directly into generator, or into proper-capacity heavy-duty grounded outdoor extension cord with no defects plugged into generator (...or better yet professionally-installed transfer switch); and carefully ensuring no wetness/moisture comes near the generator

Anything else?

Re: Generator for power outages?
 

Complying with your list in its entirety is already difficult if using a portable generator (some things your list are all but mutually exclusive), and nigh-on impossible if you add "do not use excessively long power/extension cords". .... In short, if absolute safety is high on your list of priorities then an installed generator has to be the preferred option.