that had frequent electrical outages. With the power out and the wind whipping, those greenhouses were prone to collapse without the inflated shell. Kept the generator in a metal, ventilated shed near the two greenhouses. It was only a matter of throwing on rain gear, grabbing a flashlight, switching the electrical lead and cranking up the generator.

Best investment I ever made. Never got so far as a bunker, tho.

but I imagine it'll get used whenever the local electric utility can't supply power to the house. Lights are good, too. In the winter, though, when it get get as cold as 20 below here, it could be a real treat to have around. Before winter this year, though, I'll have to do some rewiring to allow the furnace to be plugged in instead of being hard-wired. I checked before buying the generator, and it's on a 15 amp 120V circuit, so it should be fine on the generator, if needed.

Of course, then there's the problem of the poor neighbor next door, whose power will also be out. I haven't quite figured that one out yet. The generator has two separate 120V circuits, though, so I suppose I could run an extension cord to the neighbor's house, too, as long as I could depend on the neighbor not to overload it. A little education would be required, I think.

I was uncomfortable and unfamiliar with any further use. Plus the generator was a business write off, so it was meant for that.

It looks like a copy of a Honda OHV four-stroke engine. Identical, really. They've been making these things now for quite some time, so I suppose they are moderately reliable. Since it started instantly and ran smoothly and quietly for about 15 minutes in my test, I imagine it will start and run when I need it.

I wouldn't even think of using it as a regular generator, though. I doubt it would hold up beyond a couple hundred hours. Still, the cost of a good quality generator of that size is at least four times what I paid, so I wouldn't have one if there wasn't a cheap one available. I hope I'm right, anyhow.

...or the gas won't work when u need it....even "stabil" additives aren't going to keep the octane there long term......and you need to start and run it monthly/bi-monthly too...lol

The emerg gen's i fuel run usually 30 mins a week to keep in top shape though some get by with 30 min's a month. Also best to put some load on it when u exercise it so it gets a work out.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/04/09/aa.bad.gas/

They have a guy dressed up in bright yellow hazmat suit with a gas mask holding/waving a placard that says "Prepper Supplies" with an arrow pointing to the store, standing along the main road. It is creepy!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/06/doomsday-zombie-preparedness/8767145/
https://www.facebook.com/StarQuestShooterandSurvivalSupply



BTW, a generator is sensible especially if you have a sump pump that needs to run during a storm. It is a far cry from some of the stuff in this shop.

as can be.

I have been thinking about starting a thread about this shop for a month now and just took the excuse to post about it because I really find it disconcerting for some reason. I wouldn't want to explain to a car full of kids why that man is standing out there dressed like that.

Living in an all electric house and being very cold natured, I have two generators to run the blowers on pellet stoves and the refrigerator. Puts my mind at rest.

THIS is a prepper...

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/doomsday-preppers/videos/prepper-profile-robert-earl/

Get a water-powered backup sump pump.

http://www.amazon.com/Flotec-FP480WBU-Emergency-Sump-Pump/dp/B005DYP27E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1402340341&sr=8-3&keywords=water+powered+sump+pump

It doesn't need electricity or batteries or gas. It does need to be tapped into your water lines. As long as the normal sump pump is operating, it will never be triggered. If your sump pump fails from a power outage, the water level will rise, raising the float, which opens the valve to operate this.

Biggest problem with a generator: it only works if you're home and awake when the power goes out. With the water backup, if you leave town for a few days and your power goes out, your basement won't flood.

I do it, and am trying to get to a point where I can live comfortably for an extended period if we lose power or some weird natural event should happen. To me that's just common sense, and something our ancestors would have done.

This past winter, it came in handy, with several days below freezing and ice that left us without power -- once for a few hours and another time for almost three days. We were able to cook, and had a little water put by. Luckily, the house stayed warm enough that we didn't feel too bad.

I would also have a generator. Fortunately, we live in an area where all utilities are underground.

When I was a kid we lived in a ranch house that was quite long. There was a sump pump at each end of the house. When there was a thunderstorm they would kick in every 45 seconds. I remember a few times when he had to mop up some water on the basement floor.

My dad bought a generator and then it never was needed.

call, "I hope you never need it."

In the first winter in his house the power went off during blizzards more than once. The house was wired for the generator to plug into the electric box. He had a generator. The problem was he did not have the correct plug/connector to plug the generator into the electric system.

They were stuck out there without power for 2-1/2 days. It only got down to 45° in his basement and 55° upstairs because he had a large gas furnace in his attached three car garage.