Westinghouse WH7500E Generator 7500W/9000W $836.10 Amazon.com

Quote from thegreatfixer : i am waiting for a good deal on a Diesel

Quote from patrickbateman1 : Ditto. What good is gas generator when there's no gas after everyone goes on a gas run after the emergency? Thankfully one of my cars was a TDi after Sandy. Lesson learned.

I mean no disrespect, but with Sandy it teach alot of lessons. A gas generator is only valuable for a few days, depending on the level of devastation. Even though gas lines were (very) long in some areas, I am not convinced diesel would have been much better. Depending on the area, diesel is only sold at 20-30% of the gas stations around me. I am not convinced in a long outage (4+ days) would diesel be any more accessible than gas.

At the end of the day a portable generator is a short term solution. Only spending the big bucks for a natural gas whole house generator ($3K and up) is a more reliable solution for long (4+ day) outages. Considering diesel generators are $1500 and up, I would opt for a small whole house natural gas standby generator permanent install (if natural gas is available).

For a generator on wheels that will give you more than enough power to get you through 3-4 days of a power outage, this seems to be like very good deal, in my opinion, especially given the MPG on a small tank (13 hours of run time at 50 percent load with its 6.6-gallon tank).

Quote from vector1701 : I mean no disrespect, but with Sandy it teach alot of lessons. A gas generator is only valuable for a few days, depending on the level of devastation. Even though gas lines were (very) long in some areas, I am not convinced diesel would have been much better. Depending on the area, diesel is only sold at 20-30% of the gas stations around me. I am not convinced in a long outage (4+ days) would diesel be any more accessible than gas. At the end of the day a portable generator is a short term solution. Only spending the big bucks for a natural gas whole house generator ($3K and up) is a more reliable solution for long (4+ day) outages. Considering diesel generators are $1500 and up, I would opt for a small whole house natural gas standby generator permanent install (if natural gas is available). For a generator on wheels that will give you more than enough power to get you through 3-4 days of a power outage, this seems to be like very good deal, in my opinion, especially given the MPG on a small tank (13 hours of run time at 50 percent load with its 6.6-gallon tank).

diesel was VERY tough to get but could call in favors from home heating guys and grab a few barrel. Did make some large buildings decide to switch to natural gas. With Sandy we planned and had extra gas and diesel. Turns out not enough, but again we had plans to get more and did. Relationships and MacGyver thinking got us through it without having generators stop much.

Note: Non-CARB Compliant/Not For Sale In California

Solar panels and battery backups would probably be better for times after a hurricane. Really you just need your refrigerator for a week or so. I went through several hurricanes in Florida and we normally had power back after a week or so. Past that you're eating canned food anyway.

I think they had this at costco last month for 699.99 w/free shipping.

Costco now has this 7500/9000 unit for 699.99 also.

http://www.costco.com/Smarter-Too...02774.html

Quote from trailer_parks : Solar panels and battery backups would probably be better for times after a hurricane. Really you just need your refrigerator for a week or so. I went through several hurricanes in Florida and we normally had power back after a week or so. Past that you're eating canned food anyway.

Keeping your furnace for Heat and Hot water going is critical when you lose power during the winter when you live further North. Lost power a few weeks back for only 2 days and when the inside of your is 34 degree you really want the heat going badly!

Quote from trailer_parks : Solar panels and battery backups would probably be better for times after a hurricane. .

are you kidding me: most Solar panels would end flying to Kansas in a Hurricane

Quote from trailer_parks : Solar panels and battery backups would probably be better for times after a hurricane.

If the solar panels survive the hurricane. I don't know how well panels hold up to hurricane force winds, but I would think they'd be very vulnerable to damage or outright destruction.

Quote from johnnycsk : I think they had this at costco last month for 699.99 w/free shipping. Costco now has this 7500/9000 unit for 699.99 also. http://www.costco.com/Smarter-Too...02774.html

Great deal. 7 gallons instead of 6.6 and a bit more watts. Thanks!

Quote from dickbigger : go for diesel it runs 4 times as long on than gas also less repair

says someone who's never had to deal with glow plugs.

Quote from jbrukardt : says someone who's never had to deal with glow plugs.

i wish had more reps to give you... better maintenance my foot.

Quote from jbrukardt : says someone who's never had to deal with glow plugs.

No glow, no go.

(and a lot of batteries for when it's dark) to run your average refrigerator. It's also noteworthy that for much of the 98% of the US that is not contained within the state of Florida, there are other requirements for power, such as running your furnace.

Quote from trailer_parks : Solar panels and battery backups would probably be better for times after a hurricane. Really you just need your refrigerator for a week or so. I went through several hurricanes in Florida and we normally had power back after a week or so. Past that you're eating canned food anyway.

Quote from vector1701 : I mean no disrespect, but with Sandy it teach alot of lessons. A gas generator is only valuable for a few days, depending on the level of devastation. Even though gas lines were (very) long in some areas, I am not convinced diesel would have been much better. Depending on the area, diesel is only sold at 20-30% of the gas stations around me. I am not convinced in a long outage (4+ days) would diesel be any more accessible than gas. At the end of the day a portable generator is a short term solution. Only spending the big bucks for a natural gas whole house generator ($3K and up) is a more reliable solution for long (4+ day) outages. Considering diesel generators are $1500 and up, I would opt for a small whole house natural gas standby generator permanent install (if natural gas is available). For a generator on wheels that will give you more than enough power to get you through 3-4 days of a power outage, this seems to be like very good deal, in my opinion, especially given the MPG on a small tank (13 hours of run time at 50 percent load with its 6.6-gallon tank).

For an extended outage, I would probably opt for a hotel. For short term outages of a day or two, we have just lived with it, typically occurs every few years. Break out the camping gear and Coleman lantern - life without electricity actually can be nice.