Gas/Diesel Generators

These are the easiest (and most costly) way to go. They can be had from small gas powered units of 2500 watts to large diesel units able to supply power to several households. Using this type is simple. When the power goes out you simply start up the generator and plug into it. You can even have them set up to start automatically when the power goes out. However, there is a lot to have done to insure that you are not sending power back to the power company, that you will not short anything out and that you will not burn down your house. Much of this may need to be done by a qualified electrician. In many areas, codes specify this. Using a smaller unit for only two or three items is much easier. You will need to put a junction box on the outside of the house as near to the generator as possible. Next to each appliance that you will want to power, install a single outlet. If you use double outlets, paint them red or some other color so that you will know which outlet is which. Now run a wire (14/2) or heavier from each appliance to your junction box. If your generator has fused circuits, you will not to worry about fuses, otherwise you may need to install a small fuse box rather than a junction box. Plug your generator into the junction box and when the power goes out all that is needed is for you to start the generator and plug the proper appliances into the generator outlets. While generators are the easiest to use and can give the most power, there are definite disadvantages. While you can get some of the so-called camping generators for $500 or less, a large diesel generator will cost from about $3,000 upward. Choosing between gas and diesel is not always easy. While diesel runs quieter than gas and usually lasts longer, diesel fuel in my area runs about ten cents per gallon higher than gasoline. You are also going to need a large storage area for either one. If you are already going to store gasoline for other uses, you will need to put in a second storage unit. Diesel is less flammable than gasoline, thus being safer to store. There are also dual fuel generators which run on either gasoline or LP fuel. While they are somewhat expensive, if you live in the country and already have a large storage capacity for LP they may be something to think about. When you look at the initial cost of the generator, the cost of set-up, and the cost of the storage tank and the fuel to be stored in it, you can see that it will not be cheap. Another thing is that fuel goes bad after a certain length of time and must be used or discarded. This is why I would opt for gasoline. That is what I use in my autos and in all of the small power equipment around the place, so I already have gasoline on hand all of the time. Another problem is the amount of fuel burned and the ability to restock it during a survival situation. Many of the generators burn about a half gallon of fuel per hour. That makes 12 gallons in a twenty-four period. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to see how quickly you would go through, say, a 100 gallon supply of fuel. Another problem is the noise. No matter how well muffled an engine is, they will make some noise. While this may not bother you, it would tell anyone else close enough to hear it two things. Number one that you have power, thus having heat, unspoiled food, etc. Number two and even more important it would tell them that you had fuel stored on your property. In a real survival situation, that could be bad news. While this may be a choice you would like to make I do not reccomend it. Having just lately moved to my present location I have a 5,500 watt generator. It has never been used and I will keep it until I can build my regular back-up system, when I will sell it to help pay for my permanent system. The reason I have it is to give me time to get the food out of the freezer canned and the well switched over to manual along with running the furnace if necessary. When I have my home-built in place, the generator will no longer be necessary. I do not intend to use it for over one week and then if need be it is candles and all other non-electric things. A generator is just not the way to go for long term survival by a true survivalist.