Abe wrote:
As many of you have probably heard on the news, the Pacific NW was
recently hit by huge long-lasting power outages due to weather. I was
one of those affected. To be prepared for next time, I want to buy a
generator that can power either my furnace or a couple of space
heaters, and four 23 watt compact fluorescent lights.

I'll figure out the exact capacity I need later, but I was wondering
about brands for now. Which are the good ones to look at?

I posted this in a similar thread in this ng about a week ago:
http://www.dol.net/~frank.logullo/generate.jpg
Power-Boss from HD is noisy but does the job. Hondas are said to be
best but cost about twice as much. Colemans are cheaper but Honda
dealer told me that parts are hard to find.

I can power furnace, refrigerator, freezer, well and a few lights and
TV at the same time. Transfer box is necessary inless you want to drag
a lot of cords around and have plugs for items, like furnace, that
normally don't have plugs. Someone in thread mentioned that you can
get a single whole house switch a lot cheaper than transfer box.

If you have natural gas, it is probably better to get a natural gas
generator as you will avoid gasoline storage and need to stabilize and
inventory gasoline. Full use of my generator takes 10 gal gasoline/day.

Frank

I can power furnace, refrigerator, freezer, well and a few lights and
TV at the same time.

So can I. But my generator uses 2 gallons of gas a day. (well, except for
the well...)

If you have natural gas, it is probably better to get a natural gas
generator as you will avoid gasoline storage and need to stabilize and
inventory gasoline. Full use of my generator takes 10 gal gasoline/day.

Toller wrote:

I can power furnace, refrigerator, freezer, well and a few lights and
TV at the same time.

So can I. But my generator uses 2 gallons of gas a day. (well, except for
the well...)

Peak load becomes important. Then you have to manage a smaller unit by
taking things off line or making sure several things do not come on at
once. My neighbor gets by with a generator half the size of mine but
wishes he bought a bigger one.

Frank

"Frank" wrote in message
ps.com...

Toller wrote:

I can power furnace, refrigerator, freezer, well and a few lights and
TV at the same time.

So can I. But my generator uses 2 gallons of gas a day. (well, except
for
the well...)

Peak load becomes important. Then you have to manage a smaller unit by
taking things off line or making sure several things do not come on at
once. My neighbor gets by with a generator half the size of mine but
wishes he bought a bigger one.

Nope, I run them all simultaneously, for days at a time. No problem with a
Honda EU2000.
When you can't buy gas during a power outage, you will envy your neighbor.

Toller wrote:
Nope, I run them all simultaneously, for days at a time. No problem with a
Honda EU2000.
When you can't buy gas during a power outage, you will envy your neighbor.

Fortunately, living 65 miles from nearest coast, we don't get
hurricanes that knock out everything, i.e. I've never seen the gas
stations off line. We all know the gas lines in Florida were not for
cars, but for generators.

Our problem is living off a valley with old tree lined roads and cut
back in tree trimming by power company to save money. Plus the
conglomerate company is in no rush to restore power. Day outage that
prompted me to buy generator was when Atlantic City Electric came to
restore service - two hour drive to get here. We have never had as
many outages as in recent years and they last longer. Homeowners
forced to buy generators.

Frank

Fortunately, living 65 miles from nearest coast, we don't get
hurricanes that knock out everything, i.e. I've never seen the gas
stations off line. We all know the gas lines in Florida were not for
cars, but for generators.

Our problem is living off a valley with old tree lined roads and cut
back in tree trimming by power company to save money. Plus the
conglomerate company is in no rush to restore power. Day outage that
prompted me to buy generator was when Atlantic City Electric came to
restore service - two hour drive to get here. We have never had as
many outages as in recent years and they last longer. Homeowners
forced to buy generators.

Frank

hey area outage means n more gasoline, florida gas stations have been
forced to add generators so they can pump gas during a outage. state
law. good move.

when terrorists hit gasoline will be like gold

wrote:
Fortunately, living 65 miles from nearest coast, we don't get
hurricanes that knock out everything, i.e. I've never seen the gas
stations off line. We all know the gas lines in Florida were not for
cars, but for generators.

Our problem is living off a valley with old tree lined roads and cut
back in tree trimming by power company to save money. Plus the
conglomerate company is in no rush to restore power. Day outage that
prompted me to buy generator was when Atlantic City Electric came to
restore service - two hour drive to get here. We have never had as
many outages as in recent years and they last longer. Homeowners
forced to buy generators.

Frank

hey area outage means n more gasoline, florida gas stations have been
forced to add generators so they can pump gas during a outage. state
law. good move.

when terrorists hit gasoline will be like gold


I had a drum pump with several pipe extensions and a foot valve to pump
gasoline from the underground tanks at powerless gas stations. I didn't
have it after hurricane Isabelle came through though because the first
gas station I went to bought it from me for twice what it cost me to
make up and provided my gasoline for free.
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison

"Frank" wrote in message
ups.com...

Toller wrote:
Nope, I run them all simultaneously, for days at a time. No problem with
a
Honda EU2000.
When you can't buy gas during a power outage, you will envy your
neighbor.

Fortunately, living 65 miles from nearest coast, we don't get
hurricanes that knock out everything, i.e. I've never seen the gas
stations off line. We all know the gas lines in Florida were not for
cars, but for generators.

Our problem is living off a valley with old tree lined roads and cut
back in tree trimming by power company to save money. Plus the
conglomerate company is in no rush to restore power. Day outage that
prompted me to buy generator was when Atlantic City Electric came to
restore service - two hour drive to get here. We have never had as
many outages as in recent years and they last longer. Homeowners
forced to buy generators.

In 91 I was without power for 12 days because of an ice storm. I had to
drive 45 miles to buy gas.
It happens, and when it does...