Mamabear2,

I think I'm in love. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
That was exactly the sort of answer I needed because it taught me how to calculate this rather than just telling me the answer. I really appreciate that.

I've already gone through the house calculating wattages for stuff, so I know hom many watts I'll be drawing, but I couldn't figure out how the amp-hours rating on the battery played into this.

As for the generator, I've worked out a deal with several neighbors where we'll shift it from house to house to power the fridge/freezers/etc. One is a cop, one is an avid hunter, and the third is ex-military. And me, well, I'm the chemist everyone calls "Blast" . My 4th of July parties are legendary. Between the four of us the generator is well guarded. We live in an area prone to hurricanes with power outages ranging from hours to days. I actually plan on using the generator mainly to recharge the deep cycle battery(s) so that I'll have useful power inside the house at night. I'll have a small tv and a fan all night long, but it looks like the margarita machine will sit idle. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

-Blast

p.s. Freaky timing! A co-worker just showed me a gas-powered blender in today's Wall Street Journal! God bless America!