On the news today:

400,000 people in Florida are still without power --12 days after hurricance Wilma hit there.

Is it time to invest in a generator?

T RO

Also in the news that the rural areas might not have power until thanksgiving. Time to invest in a generator with a big fuel tank.

Short answer, yes. Long answer:
A consumer grade generator and 100 foot extension cords is not a long term solution to loss of grid power. If you are serious about remaining at your current level of usage, or at least wanting to power equipment with motors in them, consider a professional installation.

If you aren't, re-evaluate your need for electricity after a disaster and plan accordingly. If you can find a way NOT to have the electricity, prepare for it. For example, in August or September in Florida should you go to the store and buy $300 of meat to put in the freezer? Common sense now says no.

Expect the unexpected. Your fuel or generator gets stolen. You get bad gas. Can you repair the generator yourself? Don't rely on it for all your needs.

Use a automatic transfer switch, so that you don't inadvertently put electricity on the service line. Extension cords are not designed to for long term use, consider a dedicated circuit just for those things that need the electricity.

Consider alternatives like solar and wind. If you can get a good one, and have lots of batteries, you might be able to generate and store ALOT of electricity for after the storm! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> As for solar, there is usually PLENTY of sunshine in the days following the passing of the storm. They may be pricey, and not generate alot of power, but how much power does a string of white christmas lights need?

Want hot showers? Consider camping equipment that uses black containers to heat up water. Maybe use a turkey fryer using propane to warm up water (NOT BOILING!).

Get a small propane grill. Of course, if you have followed the advice of not stocking up on frozen food, you'll probably only use this for one or two days.

You can also buy batteries in bulk for your portable devices.

Consider a UPS. I bought a pretty good UPS ($200). It's not a cold-start one (some allow you to turn them on even without AC power, most require a hot AC connection before they will switch to batteries), but before the power went out I hooked it up to the TV and cable box. My batteries lasted longer than the cable company's. Power was back on in 2 hours. Never drained the battery. FYI: It cannot however power a microwave.

So, make the generator part of your plan, but not the whole thing. Consider alternatives.

A solid, well thought out answer. That's what makes this forum so valuable. Your point about not making a generator your only solution could be applied to every survival item we posses.

Any good survival plan is based on the fact thay you must expect the unexpected and that includes failure of your primary survival gear. Always have a alternate, or even better, several alternate devices, methods or plans in place.

Wow that was the best post I read in a long time! (And i've read a couple!) Clear and concise, info I can remember well. Thanks!

This does not apply to all UPS's that will not cold start. But one of the commonly available UPS brands has a test button next to the on/off switch, after you turn on the UPS push the test button. Then you can push the other side of the test button to turn off that annoying alarm.

jus got power back convience, luxury, was dented respect for mother nature greater than ever graditude for the things i have also gratitude for the things i didn't have during our down time teaches patience, tolerance, neighbors down the street who were nameless become debris moving tree cutting friends.its funny the price of gas in not an object when in need ice becomes gold water becomes valued resource again generators become uncle sams poster boy saying "i want you" anyway enough rant move on for now

The subject of powerloss came up in the candlpower forums, and this comment by Sub_Umbra caught my eye: That would be 41 days.

That's not surprising given the mangitude of the damage Katrina caused. I imagine entire sub-stations had to be rebuilt from scratch in many places. We had an ice storm in 1998 in eastern Canada. It was severe and many power mainline towers simply crumpled under the weight. In places, it was 4 weeks before power was fully restored. In the face of Mother Nature, we are like ants. We love to think we are advanced to the point where nature no longer rules, but that just ain't so.

Over here, a generator is part of our emergency kit. In the event of power outage, it is necessary to keep the sump pump working or we risk flooding the basement year round. It is also necessary to keep the furnace & ventilation going. In winters sub-zero temps, we'd have to drain all the pipes in the house if there's no power for 24hrs of more.

Most brands have a reputation for reliability. We used an Onan 4500 gas unit for over 20 years with no breakdowns. Just regular maintenance, we sold it with the house. It was a godsend during the ice storm in 1998 ! Used it for three weeks !

We now use a Honda (quieter) but have yet to put it through a major test.

Establish your power requirements & get the best unit you can afford.