[NVDave]

OK, here’s the deal: My advice to you is predicated upon how handy you are.

If you’re good with wrenches and DIY jobs, I’d recommend a diesel unit. Why? Because when you look in the right places, you can get tremendous bang for your buck in diesel gensets if you seek out used gensets. Diesel backup gensets are the predominate choice for military, commercial, farm/ag and emergency response users.

If you really, really want a genset that you simply “turn on and it goes,” then I’d recommend propane first, natural gas second.

We have a diesel genset. If you know something about diesel engines, they’re simple to operate and maintain. For long term fuel storage, you need to add biocide every year or so to keep the slime from forming in the fuel tank at the water/fuel barrier. You’ll need to change the oil after the genset has been used for 100 to 200 hours, and often diesel engines require a lot of oil in the change. That said, if you have a large enough fuel tank, you can simply dump your crank oil into your diesel and burn off the used motor oil.

With LPG and NG, you don’t need to change your oil anywhere nearly as often as with a diesel. You will be able to get the genset started much more easily in cold weather... but you’ll find that with the limited energy capacity of LPG, you’ll go through about 30%+ more gallons of propane than you would have for diesel. You’ll also have to deal with any ignition system issues in a LPG or NG genset, whereas in a diesel, if the fuel system is in good shape and you have clean fuel... it just works.

[ClockDoc]

This all depends on what you intend for capacity and duration.

Some of your comments suggest you are looking to be off grid for an extended period with few if any services available from the economy. (whatever that may have become.)

An old pilot type cookstove so the oven can be operated with out electricity. A decrepit trailer/RV will have one in a pinch.

For food storage, I would consider propane units. Like an RV unit but full size ones are available for “sports camps” etc.

Look closely at your current consumption in KWH and then read your meter then eliminate all loads you decide you can do without at the breaker panel. Live 1 week like that and reread the meter. This will give you a real feel for what will be required of both you and your proposed backup.

For extended operation without outside services. Solar with a large battery bank or 2, an appropriate full sine wave inverter and a quiet generator to top off the banks when needed. This will require a huge commitment to be willing to accept the lifestyle reduction but in a chaotic environment survival is paramount to comfort.

You will need to attend to fresh water supply and waste disposal as well if you currently accept government service for these.

[mouser]

for a good selection of propane refrigerators and freezers check here in fact for all things non power good place

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Appliances___Gas_Refrigerators_and_Freezers?Args=&view_all=&sort_by=

[novemberslady]

bkmk

[bvw]

A Zed PM works great but they are hard to get.

I'm working on a commercially viable product using 2011 technology, as soon as work out these Wick Rotation Quaternion quasi-nuclear fermi level state equations for using a fluorine-doped palladium-beryllium nano rods in a buckyball catcher-cage.

[GOPJ]

bump for later

[PA Engineer]

If I want to run my freezer/fridge for an extended period of time, what would be best?

I'm a little late to the discussion and agree that propane is the way to go for fuel. If you are only concerned about keeping your refrigerator going, then let me suggest a different option.

Using a small batter bank of 2-Trojan L16 batteries and a small inverter, you can run your refrigerator (depending on the wattage of say 1.6KW day) with only a couple hours of generator time required per day. You can use the generator to charge the batteries for a couple hours each day rather than letting it run 24 hours. With a 10 circuit generac transfer switch (you can wire yourself) you can do your other chores and laundry during the charge time. This option will allow you to go with a much smaller and cheaper generator without the worry of burning it out.

If you are interested I could explain more and provide links.

[MomwithHope]

I could use some advice too. I got the info in the mail from mysolarbackup. My hubby just isn’t there yet. All we really need to survive if it really hits the fan is water - we have a well and pump. We can heat with wood and have an lp tank so we could use our stove, but water is the challenge. Hubby tends to think big as far as how to run the whole house but I just care about the water. Aby advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!