You don't need a generator....until you do.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by greglepore

PLEASE turn off the main breaker so you're not backfeeding the line-you could kill a lineman working to restore power if you don't.

This, if you did not do so already.

[jhynesrockmtn]

We were without power for a week a few years ago after a very bad wind storm and temps in the 20's. I have two Honda EU 2000's for the Travel Trailer and they came in handy.

The best thing though in the gas fireplace! Operates with no power and can keep most of the house pretty comfortable.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by KC911

Sell it...like I did my dad's (incl transfer switch)....unused...ever....

We used to have a lot of outages at my VA house (multiple ones for a week at a time every winter)...so when I bought a new, bigger house, I planned on adding a whole house propane generator. Added benefit was to add a gas cooktop, gas fire logs to each of the fireplace and gas plumbed to my outdoor grill. I installed (buried) a massive gas tank about the size of a minivan, filled it and got all the plumbing completed. I was ready to add the generator and had the local electrician come over and give me an estimate. $65K installed. I told him I would pass...as I expected no more than $25k (figured he was a crook). That year, the power company made a serious effort to clear trees from around power lines and repair marginal areas. We have not had a major outage in the several years since. Glad I didn't waste the money, although for the right price, I might reconsider.

One thing that I found interesting was how much it cost to run one for a week (If you treated it as if the electricity was still on...used heat/air/hot water, etc.). Crazy expensive. I have a gas fireplace on each floor that I can run for heat (so pipes will not freeze) and I can cook on the gas range or with the grill. Good enough.

[HardDrive]

Mains are, of course, turned off. I was surprised the generator was not running wide open when the furnace was on. It easily handled the load.

[cairns]

Got the whole house natural gas 20K set up about eight years ago. It has been well worth it. Bought at Northern Tools, paid an electrician to install about $10K all told.

[996AE]

From motorcycle racing days we've had a Honda Gen with the gear. It has come in handy a few times.

Once a year on average we have an extended power outage and the Honda gets fired up. It will run two refrigerators and a light or two. Would be difficult if more than a few days but for a half day or so it has been nice to have.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Between outages, I drain the tank on the gas gen and winterize it.

+1

Pal bought a Honda and gave me his Harbor Freight Unit which has been great.

Failed one time across five years. Varnish in the carb. Learned my lesson.

[Hugh R]

Buy enough gas for it to run a few day, use fuel stabilizer, and run the generator at least once per month. If possible load bank it, I use my wife's 1,200 watt hair dryer for a 2K Honda.

[908/930]

Years ago picked up two inexpensive 2100watt inverter gens, ran them every day for over a year while building and put them on shelf in garage until last December when a wind storm knocked down trees onto power lines, ended up with no power for four days, turned off main power and all 220v breakers and back fed from plug in garage, ran fridge freezer and two gas furnaces and lighting (led) no prob, I rotated out the other generator to friends nearby to run there freezers.

Always good to have some sort of backup power, I just change oil and run tank dry and put back on shelf when not using, cars in garage usually have full tank of fuel.

I found out that I can not syphon gas out of my truck.

[vash]

My friend single handily saved his town. They have never had a power outage since he bought his generator. Ever. Good purchase.

[craigster59]

I bought this pair from HD to run parallel for the travel trailer and emergency use. Blutooth app is cool, monitor gas level, output and run time left...
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-Bluetooth-2-300-Starting-Watt-Super-Quiet-Gasoline-Powered-Digital-Inverter-Generator-with-Parallel-Combo-Kit-RYi23Combo/302546393

[Gretch]

Originally Posted by greglepore

PLEASE turn off the main breaker so you're not backfeeding the line-you could kill a lineman working to restore power if you don't.

THIS /\/\ Time 100!