I am think about buying a portable electric generator for emergency
use during power outages. (Power outages are few and short in my
area)
I am thinking a 3000 watt rated (3500 max) unit that ought to be able
to power my fridge, a few lights, 3 computers, and a microwave (only
for a few minutes to heat up food). At night while the computers and
the lights are off, and if needed, I would turn on a fan and the sump
pump.

I want one with circuit breaker, and with at least 20 amp receptacles
(25 amp is preferred).

The unit will in the back yard of my house underneath my deck.

Question 1: is it better to get one with electronic ignition
plus recoil pull start?

Question 2: is using 14 gauge extension cords good enough?
cord 1 (25 feet) from generator to fist floor kitchen to power
the fridge, a light, and the micrwave (again for only a few minutes)
cord 2 (100 feet) from generator to the second floor to power
3 computers, a TV and DVD player, a light or two...

Thanks for any info,
Ted

If power outages are ver infrequent and short, why would you want to
waste money on a backup generator?

And I'd use a heavier gauge extension cord if I were going to try to
power a refrigerator and a microwave on the same circuit, espically if
it's going to me a longer cord.

On Apr 30, 1:01*pm, zzyzzx wrote:
If power outages are ver infrequent and short, why would you want to
waste money on a backup generator?

And I'd use a heavier gauge extension cord if I were going to try to
power a refrigerator and a microwave on the same circuit, espically if
it's going to me a longer cord.

Agree. Most of the need for a generator comes when you have extended
outages and major concerns, like needing to run a furnace to keep warm
or to keep the house from freezing. A freezer or frig will easily go
18 to 24 hours without losing food, as long as you leave it closed.

Also curious about the plan to turn on the sump pump at night. If
you need backup power for a sump pump, you generally need it available
all the time.

On Apr 30, 1:24 pm, wrote:
On Apr 30, 1:01 pm, zzyzzx wrote:

If power outages are ver infrequent and short, why would you want to
waste money on a backup generator?

And I'd use a heavier gauge extension cord if I were going to try to
power a refrigerator and a microwave on the same circuit, espically if
it's going to me a longer cord.

Agree. Most of the need for a generator comes when you have extended
outages and major concerns, like needing to run a furnace to keep warm
or to keep the house from freezing. A freezer or frig will easily go
18 to 24 hours without losing food, as long as you leave it closed.


We normally have only a few outages a year. We normally would get the
power
back within a few hours. But during hurricane Isabel and hurricane
katrina for
a couple of days each. You never know when a big storm strike.
Having a
portable generator is just like having a spare tire in my car, or fire
extinguishers
in house. I have not had a flat tire for over 10 years now, and I have
never had a fire
in the house. It is a peace of mind to know that you have it when you
need it.

A small generator cost only about $400.00. I have been wanting to
have one
for a long time....

I really want to be able to get online (I sometime telecommute from
home by
getting online and logging on to my company's network system), or
watch TV,
be able to cook/heat up a simple meal while the power is out.

Also curious about the plan to turn on the sump pump at night. If
you need backup power for a sump pump, you generally need it available
all the time.

My sump pump does not kick in often, even during heavy rain. If I
only
have a small wattage generator, I may be able to get by just plugging
in the sump pump while I dont need the generator to supply power for
power for other usage (e.g. computers, lightings, etc.)

I am still looking for the answers to my questions, especially the one
about electric switch. Is it that important to have one?

Thanks

zzyzzx wrote:
If power outages are ver infrequent and short, why would you want to
waste money on a backup generator?

And I'd use a heavier gauge extension cord if I were going to try to
power a refrigerator and a microwave on the same circuit, espically if
it's going to me a longer cord.

Have you ever gone for an hour without internet access?

It hurts.

on 4/30/2008 3:18 PM HeyBub said the following:
zzyzzx wrote:

If power outages are ver infrequent and short, why would you want to
waste money on a backup generator?

And I'd use a heavier gauge extension cord if I were going to try to
power a refrigerator and a microwave on the same circuit, espically if
it's going to me a longer cord.


Have you ever gone for an hour without internet access?

It hurts.



Not to mention lights, well water, heat, AC, microwave, range, oven,
cordless phones, and all power tools. I live in a rural area. When a
wire goes down, it may takes hours to send out a crew and fix it. That's
why I have a generator.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On Apr 30, 11:28*am, wrote:
I am think about buying a portable electric generator for emergency
use during power outages. *(Power outages are few and short in my
area)
I am thinking a 3000 watt rated (3500 max) unit that ought to be able
to power my fridge, a few lights, 3 computers, and a microwave (only
for a few minutes to heat up food). *At night while the computers and
the lights are off, and if needed, I would turn on a fan and the sump
pump.

I want one with circuit breaker, and with at least 20 amp receptacles
(25 amp is preferred).

The unit will in the back yard of my house underneath my deck.

Question 1: is it better to get one with electronic ignition
plus recoil pull start?

Question 2: is using 14 gauge extension cords good enough?
cord 1 (25 feet) from generator to fist floor kitchen to power
the fridge, a light, and the micrwave (again for only a few minutes)
cord 2 (100 feet) from generator to the second floor to power
3 computers, a TV and DVD player, a light or two...

Thanks for any info,
Ted

I would keep it inside somewhere, outside under a porch if its sealed
only, 14 ga is way to small 8-10 is about it. best is a transfer panel
and exterior box, Lowes sometimes has a deal with free pre wired
generac transfer panel on a 5500w Generac. Surge load of a pump and
frige can be near 1000w each, to do it without a transfer switch is
completely wrong when using multiple apliances. Also the cheaper the
unit the less stabil it out will be, maybe going from 90-135v on
loading. Honda inverter series is the best, there is alot to learn
before you buy.

On Apr 30, 12:28�pm, wrote:
I am think about buying a portable electric generator for emergency
use during power outages. �(Power outages are few and short in my
area)
I am thinking a 3000 watt rated (3500 max) unit that ought to be able
to power my fridge, a few lights, 3 computers, and a microwave (only
for a few minutes to heat up food). �At night while the computers and
the lights are off, and if needed, I would turn on a fan and the sump
pump.

I want one with circuit breaker, and with at least 20 amp receptacles
(25 amp is preferred).

The unit will in the back yard of my house underneath my deck.

Question 1: is it better to get one with electronic ignition
plus recoil pull start?

Question 2: is using 14 gauge extension cords good enough?
cord 1 (25 feet) from generator to fist floor kitchen to power
the fridge, a light, and the micrwave (again for only a few minutes)
cord 2 (100 feet) from generator to the second floor to power
3 computers, a TV and DVD player, a light or two...

Thanks for any info,
Ted

first you need to have enough fuel to run the generator in a
emergency,

gas stations use electric to pump gas, unless they have power you are
out of business.

smaller generators equal lower fuel used. a large generator gulps lots
of fuel even running without a load.

generators are noisey,,,,,,,, espically cheaper ones.

you can elminate complaints by buying a little larger and running
extension cords to close by neighbors, to say power a light, and
fridge occasionally. neighbors wouldnt complain if they are benefiting
too

by rotating what your powering you can supply a few fridges etc in
your area.

another option is a inverter, gets power right from cars battery which
can be left idiling... 100 bucks gets you about a 1000 watts.........

nice for night time.

me and wife got home from trip right after major storm.

we wanted to watch tv, so i connected light and tv to inverter, and
had things up and running in 10 minutes.

we watched big brother on schedule.......

you need to decide exactly what you want. 4 computers are a lot, might
be better to have one in a emergency.....

if you live where summers are real hot a small window AC unit is a
good investment, everyone can pile in one room if the outage is long.

in areas that freeze, powering a furnace is a good idea

On Apr 30, 12:28�pm, wrote:
I am think about buying a portable electric generator for emergency
use during power outages. �(Power outages are few and short in my
area)
I am thinking a 3000 watt rated (3500 max) unit that ought to be able
to power my fridge, a few lights, 3 computers, and a microwave (only
for a few minutes to heat up food). �At night while the computers and
the lights are off, and if needed, I would turn on a fan and the sump
pump.

I want one with circuit breaker, and with at least 20 amp receptacles
(25 amp is preferred).

The unit will in the back yard of my house underneath my deck.

Question 1: is it better to get one with electronic ignition
plus recoil pull start?

Question 2: is using 14 gauge extension cords good enough?
cord 1 (25 feet) from generator to fist floor kitchen to power
the fridge, a light, and the micrwave (again for only a few minutes)
cord 2 (100 feet) from generator to the second floor to power
3 computers, a TV and DVD player, a light or two...

Thanks for any info,
Ted

use no smaller than 12 gauge cords