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Quote:

Originally Posted by mikester (Post 5900647)

I've been working on my preparedness list and have been researching small generators. Something like one of those little honda jobs - very portable, very usable on a regular basis so I don't have to wonder 'will it work' when I need it to.

One of the problems I'm worrying about is how to keep an extended supply of fuel safely stored. I haven't figured how much fuel I would need for 2 weeks (at least) of operations but I know we're talking at least a 5 gallon jug. The thing I worry about is FREAKING Ethanol! When it sits it absorbs water which turns into a white milky mess at the bottom of any tank.

I suppose there is just nothing I can really do about it so the answer is to regularly rotate the fuel supply to keep that from happening and don't let fuel SIT in the generator.

Yup. This morning before I woke up I had a dream that China was hit with a big one and that I was panicked and freaked out running around the house saying 'we're next!' to my wife.

Awesome...

I think they make those little generators run on propane if I am not mistaken.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh R (Post 5899203)

.I also have a Morman neighbor who I know doesn't have guns.

Now you know where to go get stuff when you run out. ;)

I always keep about 20 gals of water and about 3 weeks worth of food. "Just in case". "Defensive implements" are plentiful and well stocked. I have a couple small generators. Always have them topped off. We lose electric in my neighborhood, when we have a bad storm. This summer I'm putting in a 10kw NG standby unit.

The biggest problem with gasoline is extended storage. I keep stabilizer in everyhting but still wont last that long.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikester (Post 5900717)

How do I get the gas out easily though?

The simple way is a siphon. You should be able to find one with clear tubing and a little squeeze bulb to get it started.

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard (Post 5900726)

Mike,

Diesel stores more easily, less chance of degredation, is not volatile and not prone to explosion.

...and the cost of a diesel generator?

every car has a few days worth of supplies in it - I sometimes run around in the 911 w/o a sleeping bad tho...

a large quake/tsunami is 80% likely in Oregon within the next 50 years - according to news reports yesterday

-- not to mention winter or spring storms; massive forest fires, etc.

Good move Randy. Most people dont think of keeping emergency stuff in their vehicles.

I live at the end of the power grid in my area; the three hurricanes we've experienced since living here (all Cat. 2 or below) have left us without power for at least a week each time.

I've learned what works in my area.

I have two generators, a gas powered roller that is rated at 8k. I also have a PTO powered generator that is rated at 14k. I had my house wired to accept generator power. For short term needs, I plug in the gas gen...for long term needs I hook up the PTO generator to a tractor and plug that in. If I lived in the city of 'burbs, I would have a small 2k unit to recharge batteries, etc. I load run the gas gen every month.

I keep 50 gallons of gas and 50 gallons of diesel available at all times in rolling containers with hand powered pumps. I rotate the gas every six months or so and use Stabil. The diesel gets used regularly, the gas I simply put in the cars.

Invest in a very good medical kit.

Water is everything. I can run my well off the generators, but we still keep 20 gallons of bottled water handy. If I lived in the 'burbs I'd look into a cistern that collects water from roof run-off, if for nothing else than to fill toilet reservoirs so they can be flushed.

"Bug out" checklist/stuff. I guess growing up in brush fire country in California prepared me: my family preloaded all the important stuff and essentials in foot lockers. Grab and go. We don't do that here, but we know what we want and where it is should we have to evacuate for a hurricane.