Don't see much about inverters on this forum. Generators are too expensive for something I might use only once or twice during my lifetime. Since my car already has a generator and battery, my plan is to use my 500 watt inverter to convert DC into AC during blackouts. Used carefully, I can power a TV and a few lights. I plan to trade two hundred watts of the power to my adjacent neighbors for gasoline and monitoring of the battery.
The disadvantages are having to monitor the battery and/or run the car continuously which is an inefficient use of the gas. But inverters are relatively cheap and compact. Even a small, cheap 100 watt inverter could charge NiMh batteries, a cell phone, a computer or a 60 watt bulb for several hours without running the car generator.
I've tested my inverter, powering my 19" color TV and a bare 100 watt bulb.
Any thoughts, advice or opinions?