## Money is easier to store than gasoline. Hurricane Yikes made a believer out of us regarding sufficient fuel on hand (every gas station for 60 miles was without power to pump fuel). We now have oodles of gas cans and plan, when the forecast is for bad weather (hurricanes for us, ice storms for you), to get them filled in advance of the storm. We figure, after the storm passes, we can use the gasoline for our vehicles.
## If you go for propane or diesel, you'll have to muster a different strategy.
## If your generator uses one gallon per hour of gasoline, I'd think 50 gallons would be sufficient. First, you won't be using the generator 24/7 - there will be times - like when you're sleeping - you'll shut it down or you can have 'roaming blackouts,' two hours on, one hour off, or other rationing techniques. Second, when you get down to your last five or six gallons, you can forage for more fuel.
## The number of circuits and so forth is handled by your transfer switch; there will be ONE cable from the generator to your distribution panel. You can have a cable custom made, but cables do come in standard lengths (10',
25', 50', etc.). They ain't cheap!## The 120v outlets on the generator are for use at a construction site or similar where there is NO distribution panel. The builders plug their saws and compressors directly into the generator. For emergency power, as in your situation, these outlets on the generator are typically not used.
## Footnotes:
- Plan on some method of anchoring your generator against theft.
- A couple of 100' extension cords are nice so you can accommodate your neighbor's minimal electrical needs (refrigerator, TV,...).
- Generators are generally louder than the hinges on the gates of Hell. If you DO pay a premium for a quiet one, its only advantage is that you can better hear your neighbors' loud generators.
- In these difficult financial times, I see several ads for generators on Craigslist at substantial savings. People seemingly are turning their seldom used assets into cash. You might find a bargain.
- You can dispense with the transfer switch by adding a double 50-amp circuit breaker to your panel and wiring it to an external plug. If you do this, you'll need an interlock (Google for) to fit your panel. The interlock switch prevents the mains to the pole from being energized by your generator.