We've got plenty of plywood, but after the mess last year, we think we're going to buy a generator this weekend.
We lost power for a couple days, and we weren't anywhere near where the storm hit hard.
Anybody got any suggestions on a good generator...hubby says Honda or Yamaha should be best, of course, they're probably the most expensive too, LOL!
I ordered a Yamaha 2800 over the net last year. It was expensive ($1100.00) but sips fuel and is very, very quiet.
Bought it between Charley and Francis.
Plus the place I bought it from overnighted it for $40.
I would go through your house and add up all that you would like to power via generator, then decide what size to get.
I bought a $100 mini-fridge at Lowes. Uses 75 watts vx 1300 watts for my kitchen fridge. So my generator is used to power tv, lights, fridge, fans and the occaisional biggie of either hair dryer, convection oven or window a/c unit.
Well, add up the power drain from all the appliances you'll want to power. (The freezer/refrigerator, maybe a television & satellite box, a few lights, AC, etc.) This information should be on the back plates or in the manuals; light bulbs are easy. Then, with that power load in mind, go pricing. Honda, Yamaha, Briggs & Stratton, all are reputable manufacturers. If it's too much, cut back on the appliances planned.
Be sure to securely ground the generator with an at least eight foot ground rod driven into the soil. Secure the generator well with heavy chains to prevent theft. Install it outdoors and away from windows, to prevent exhaust fumes entering the residence and overcoming its occupants. Prepare a switchover panel to ensure that the utility mains are completely disconnected from the house when the generator is active - utility workers can be killed if generator power flows back onto the mains.
Also, in planning, you might want to double the estimated needed wattage, since I believe they only provide
1/2 the the rated current at any given time.