Generators and fuel storage
 

How many of you have generators? I was just cruising the web and looking at several models. I am curious which ones you have. How much wattage does it require to power the necessities? By that I mean a freezer, well pump, maybe a few lights.

Also, do you prefer gasoline, diesel, or ng? I know that in a shtf situation, my gas utility will not be the most reliable but I also don't have a system for bulk fuel storage. Input is much appreciated

I have a 6800 W that will power most of the essentials I need its a 110/220 gas powered that I bought at a garage sale for $125 . It works great and starts 2nd pull every time . If I could afford to do what I want I would buy a automatic multi fuel 20K genny

Wouldn't we all. I am only concerned with keeping my food fresh and my well flowing so I might look around the classifieds and craigslist to see if one can be ha for relativly cheap. 2 more ?s. how much fuel do you keep on hand and what kind of efficiency are you getting?

I keep a 55 gal drum on hand and 3 , 6 gal cans. Also keep 4 gal of oil on hand. Gas is prob the least efficient and its going to vary by load but mine has a small fuel tank so it needs filled more often and honestly I like that .when it gets low you should be checking the oil anyway. No oil " boom" no genny.
It will run about 1.5 hrs on a tank full at 60% load
Lp stores forever, kerosene and diesel second then gasoline. This newer gas only store for about 9 months without a additive then it starts degrading. We had a under ground fuel tank with about 155 gal in it that hadn't been used In Roughly 9-10 yrs that fuel still ran the ol tractor just fine. Thei new stuff is crap fuel IMHO.

Magnum,

I have a Coleman Power-mate 10HP 6500 generator. I have had it for years and it has been a good unit. I set it outside the garage when in use. I also keep Sta-bil in it year round and run it every three or four months. It keeps my refrig and freezer running plus TV and a couple of lights. I had a dead circuit put into the house when I had it built so certain plug ins are for these emergencies. I just plug the generator into the main dead cirsuit plug in which makes the other "Marked Plug Ins" active. It is gas powered. Someday if money ever permits I would like to get a 10 KW LP Gas auto generator for when the power goes out it will automaticaly take over and start up.

03

One more thing. When u get one check the voltage . Voltage is Increased with engine speed and 135-140 v is Hard on transformers and bulbs

03 I believe that's what mine is also is a old Coleman power mate. I have 100 amp service in my garage that back feeds my house.

This is my next focus.....self sustaining heat & fuel in case of power outages again up here in the northeast. After what happened to us after Sandy, proved that anyone is vulnerable.

I just picked up a 20k BTU kerosene heater and (2) five gallon tanks. Also getting (2) 5 gallon fuel tanks to be filled with gasoline to have on hand.

I also STRONGLY recommend to treat any fuel storage with a fuel stabilizer such as Sta-Bil or similar. Keeps the fuel molecules from breaking apart and helps with long term storage

Good call on the fuel storage but I would find something different that's more capatible with fuels than stabil its decent stuff but again the newer gas does not like the stabil for very long. Were using something else that's clear and it stays in solution better. I will get the name for u but its capatable with all fuels including 2 stroke synthetic oils

Thanks guys keep it going, I am taking notes.