017 Hurricane Irma
09-13-2017, 09:25 AM
I would advise everyone here to get a backup generator, even if it's a small one. Deals pop up all the time for the inverter type, which is what I would recommend purchasing since they are quieter and less likely to draw attention. Inverters also throttle down the engine under low load so they sip fuel, 1 gallon can last up to 8 hours if you're just running a few lights and a TV.
Here are some recent cheap generators:
$150
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/1000w-inve...0640113.ip
$150
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-1-0.../300792167
Just keep an eye on Slickdeals or a similar site for one to pop up, the $150 happens several times a year.
If you don't want to lay out the extra money for an inverter then Harbor Freight's cheap and noisy 2-cycle generator is always on sale for less than $100 (there's a coupon that is easy to find):
https://www.harborfreight.com/engines-ge...63025.html
Be aware though that the synchronous-type generators (non-inverter) like the 2 cycle above, don't generate clean power so be careful of plugging electronics into them. Most DC-AC power supplies that laptops use can handle the dirty electricity but I wouldn't run a desktop or TV on anything but an inverter generator.
Here are some recent cheap generators:
$150
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/1000w-inve...0640113.ip
$150
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-1-0.../300792167
Just keep an eye on Slickdeals or a similar site for one to pop up, the $150 happens several times a year.
If you don't want to lay out the extra money for an inverter then Harbor Freight's cheap and noisy 2-cycle generator is always on sale for less than $100 (there's a coupon that is easy to find):
https://www.harborfreight.com/engines-ge...63025.html
Be aware though that the synchronous-type generators (non-inverter) like the 2 cycle above, don't generate clean power so be careful of plugging electronics into them. Most DC-AC power supplies that laptops use can handle the dirty electricity but I wouldn't run a desktop or TV on anything but an inverter generator.