Sandy cost me 5 days without the grid (house, lamp, light)

[KevinE]

Lessons learned:

• Could not start the generator with year old gas treated with STA-BIL. Had to siphon fresh gas from my vehicle to start the generator then added the stored gas to the running generator. However, having only one gas generator is a liability so I am going to purchase a back up.
• Big marine deep cycle batteries and AC inverters are a necessity. I had four in rotation to power lamps, computers, internet and charge cell phones. Being able to walk into a room and switch on a real lamp is a major morale boost.
• God bless the iPAD.
• The deep freezer kept my refrigerator going. I had several frozen ice jugs and packs which I would rotate from my deep freezer to my fridge to free up an AC need on my generator.
• Portable propane heaters (aka tent heaters) kept small rooms comfortable and larger rooms tolerable.
• Don't attempt to trim your side burns by flashlight.
• Washing machine could handle small loads on the generator. Didn't attempt the dryer.
• Heavy wool blankets are a must.
• AM/FM radio is just about worthless for entertainment and information.
• Remember to fill the kerosene container and lamps. I ran out 3 days in.

[nicet4]

Originally Posted by KevinE

Lessons learned:

• Could not start the generator with year old gas treated with STA-BIL. Had to siphon fresh gas from my vehicle to start the generator then added the stored gas to the running generator. However, having only one gas generator is a liability so I am going to purchase a back up.
• Big marine deep cycle batteries and AC inverters are a necessity. I had four in rotation to power lamps, computers, internet and charge cell phones. Being able to walk into a room and switch on a real lamp is a major morale boost.
• God bless the iPAD.
• The deep freezer kept my refrigerator going. I had several frozen ice jugs and packs which I would rotate from my deep freezer to my fridge to free up an AC need on my generator.
• Portable propane heaters (aka tent heaters) kept small rooms comfortable and larger rooms tolerable.
• Don't attempt to trim your side burns by flashlight.
• Washing machine could handle small loads on the generator. Didn't attempt the dryer.
• Heavy wool blankets are a must.
• AM/FM radio is just about worthless for entertainment and information.
• Remember to fill the kerosene container and lamps. I ran out 3 days in.

Interesting, and thanks.

I am thinking about investing in a propane generator along the lines of this 7,000 watt propane generator.

I really do not like the idea of messing with gasoline, it's just to dangerous to store large enough quantities..

29 amps at 240 vac and 58 amps at 120 vac should be enough to power everything critical in a house.

.91 gph @ 50% load means a 500 gallon tank will last 549 hours or 22.8 days giving the power company a solid two weeks to hook me back up. @ $2.39/gallon (average as of last week) 500 gallons would run $1,200 which is steep but what price without electric, heat or powering a small gasoline generator with $5 gasoline if you could get it?

I think I would want the generator big enough for a small one room window air unit because I don't think I would live in August without it. We have a small freezer, normal refrigerator. I would want four or five fluorescent lights, single television and since we have dish we would be back in service.

[SunnyTXsmile]

Originally Posted by KevinE

Lessons learned:

• Could not start the generator with year old gas treated with STA-BIL. Had to siphon fresh gas from my vehicle to start the generator then added the stored gas to the running generator. However, having only one gas generator is a liability so I am going to purchase a back up.
• Big marine deep cycle batteries and AC inverters are a necessity. I had four in rotation to power lamps, computers, internet and charge cell phones. Being able to walk into a room and switch on a real lamp is a major morale boost.
• God bless the iPAD.
• The deep freezer kept my refrigerator going. I had several frozen ice jugs and packs which I would rotate from my deep freezer to my fridge to free up an AC need on my generator.
• Portable propane heaters (aka tent heaters) kept small rooms comfortable and larger rooms tolerable.
• Don't attempt to trim your side burns by flashlight.
• Washing machine could handle small loads on the generator. Didn't attempt the dryer.
• Heavy wool blankets are a must.
• AM/FM radio is just about worthless for entertainment and information.
• Remember to fill the kerosene container and lamps. I ran out 3 days in.

lol I love this list.

[NYChistorygal]

Must see pics of the sideburns!!!