Emergency power system for one perosn: Generator or battery system?

Or do what I've done. I have an old 2500 watt Onan and I have the furnace set up that I can plug it in to either the mains or an extension cord from the generator. I run a 14 gauge cord from the generator (out in the shed) into the house and plug the furnace in to get the house warm, along with a couple of lamps. Then I disconnect the furnace and run the fridge for a while if necessary. I can plug in whatever I need to run when I need it, and in that way I can limit my loads to 2500 watts. Obviously the kitchen range and the drier cannot be used. My hot water heater is gas, as is the furnace.

Reply to
clare
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In addition to the other suggestions, you might consider a 12-120 Volt inverter (and long extension cord) you can run off your car's electrical system. What with gasoline being so cheap these days, and inverter may be reasonable insurance.

Reply to
HeyBub

Walmart now has closet lights that take D cells, and also camping fluorescent lights that take D cells. Both are good light for summer hurricanes. The 12 volt fans from the PC, a very good idea.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

I think the jumper pack sounds excellent for cold light. Fans from computer power supply is also good. I have a couple of those little fans, I ought to see about wiring them up.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

The generator is easily refuelable, and you already have 120 Volt devices.

If the power outage outlasts the batteries, you're screwed. Plus, you have to purchase all the 12 Volt devices and store them.

A 1000 Watt Honda is about the same size and weight as one golf cart battery, and storage is as easy as draining the gas tank and throwing it in a closet. You'll need several golf cart batteries to power 12V devices for several days, and a way to charge and maintain them for the 99.9% of the time you aren't using them.

The only way 12V would be practical is if you lived in an RV, but then you wouldn't be asking that question.

Reply to
mkirsch1

Yes. Run the furnace. A gas furnace produces heat by burning natural gas. The only thing that requires electricity is the sparker to light the flame (negligible), and the blower (usually a small 1/3-1/2HP motor).

Forget the microwave. I have a Honda 1000 and a SMALL microwave. Startup current is over 1000W even on a small microwave. The Honda will run my window unit AC, though.

Have you got a gas cooktop/oven in your apartment? All those require is a tiny amount of electricity to run the sparker and hold the safety shutoff valve open.

These people that say you can't run anything off a 1000W generator have no clue about electricity. Few if any of your true "critical" systems at home require more than a few hundred Watts. It's when you try to run them all simultaneously that you run into trouble.

Reply to
mkirsch1

Optima batteries are GARBAGE. Everyone I know who's tried them has been sadly disappointed with their performance.

Those so-called "deep cycle" batteries are also GARBAGE. They don't last.

The only lead-acid batteries that are any good these days are true golf cart batteries.

Reply to
mkirsch1

yeah no batteries last long, your far better off using a inverter connected to your vehicles battery.

deep cycle batteries have just a one year warranty and their capacity decreases fast over a period of a few years

Reply to
hallerb

But the car at idle will not produce full output - and a 130 Amo GM alternator will burn out in about 1/2 hour at 100 amps - (most others are not much better) - and the car will burn more gas producing that

1200 watts than a 5000 watt unit will at full load.
Reply to
clare

And those can be crap too - I would NOT recommend flooded cell batteries for the average user.

Optimas are top notch if properly used.

The Hawkers are WAY better, but at a much higher price.

Reply to
clare

Well, that may or may not be true, but I will agree that a couple of people I've known who bought them and who were disappointed had known electrical problems with their vehicles they chose to address by buying the Optima battery rather than fix the electrical problems. Idiots. So maybe the problem with Optima batteries is the people who buy them.

Reply to
KLS

Make sure you don't use it so much you can't start the car.

Reply to
Mark Lloyd

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in news:gio98r$2jv$ snipped-for-privacy@news.motzarella.org:

I have a 2 tube camping lantern that uses 4 D cells,runs 40hrs on one tube or 20 on two. cost $12 about 4 yrs ago.

I also made up a 8 D cell battery pack with a 2.5mm power connector so it can be used with either the closet fluorescent or the fans,as the alkalines hold a charge for years.

Reply to
Jim Yanik

Yeah, but gas is cheap - and getting cheaper! Since Bush rescinded the executive ban on off-shore drilling back on June 15th, the price of oil has dropped by 2/3rds.

Reply to
HeyBub

There is the convenience factor with cars. Big gas tank, relatively to generator. And you can gas up your car if you can find a station which is dispensing. Easier than lugging 5 galon gascans around.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

My kind of survivalist. Way to go, chief! Git em!

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Nothing to do with bush's actions - more to do with the crooks running your banks, and the financial meltdown.

Regardless of the price, wasting fuel is insane.

Reply to
clare

Better yet a 3 stage 21 LED lantern that runs on4 d" cells for over

40 hours on high.. Cost me $9.
Reply to
clare

I don't like the blue tint to the light. Much prefer crisp white fluorescent.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

snipped-for-privacy@snyder.on.ca wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

I suspect my flourescent gives more light than your LED lantern.

Reply to
Jim Yanik

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