Peter wrote in :

On 2/9/2010 5:20 PM, Mike S. wrote:
If a refrigerator requires a 15 or 20 amp power supply, then wouldn't
a 13 amp, 14 gauge heavy duty power cord be insufficient to connect
the refrigerator to a generator? Also, wouldn't using two heavy duty
power cords be bad? I don't know anything about amps or gauges, but
my father who does connected the refrigerator to a power strip (a
defunct surge protector), then plugged the power strip into the 14
gauge, 13 amp power cord. He then plugged that power cord into
another power cord of unknown gauge and amps, and that plugged into
the generator. I thought the refrigerator sounded odd during the time
it was running off the generator, but it was hard to tell.

I suspect my power will go out again from this snow storm that's
coming so I would at least like to be using the correct power cords
this time.
Look at the power cord itself on the fridge. If it is a 14 or 16
gauge cord, you'll probably be OK if it is a short run. However, if
it is a long run, you'll have enough resistance in the 14 gauge cord
to cause a serious voltage drop that might overheat the fridge motor,
or damage the electronics inside. Maybe you could try to borrow a 12
gauge extension cord from a neighbor.

Actually, you might not have need for a fridge. If you have an
attached garage, you might be able to use it as a fridge and put your
frozen stuff out directly on the snow pack (assuming you have a
private yard).

I'm in in DC metro area and we're keeping our fingers crossed
power problems. We don't even have a generator, but so far, so good.



....and today's weather is saying "But wait! There's more!!" I hear.