On 11/10/2011 1:57 PM, Bill Horne wrote:
1. What information source(s) are there for generator

Avoid just about everything you see in places like Home
Depot or Harbor Freight. What you want is a generator that
is quiet, dependable and runs for more that an hour.

Pricey, but I bought a Honda EXS4500 back in 1989. It's in
a full soundproofed cabinet so it doesn't sound like a moto-
cross race in your back yard. It runs for about 4 hours on
a tank of gas and has required no maintenance expect checking
the oil and replacing the battery a couple of times.

2. How much do the various fuels cost to use, in real dollars?

The "cost" of natural gas isn't the BTU cost, it's whether or
not it will be available when the power outage is widespread.
Both propane, gasoline and diesel require electrical service
to run the pumps. And tanks that need to be refilled.

3. What would it cost to fit a larger fuel tank?

Marine fuel tanks. Self contained with all the proper safety
bits and pieces. MUCH better than a Jerry Can with a hose stuck
in it.

4. What about noise?

The biggest problem is the exhaust. If you can get a larger
muffler in addition to the one that it comes with, that's a
step in the right direction. The next problem is mechanical
noise. Most open frame generators sound like a blender full
of rocks.

Learn masonry. Build a little house for your generator with
additional partitions (separate) for fuel and other supplies.
You can camouflage it to look like a back yard BBQ ;-)

5. Last, the subject of keeping food on hand when the roads
are blocked.

First and foremost is fresh water. Got to keep plenty of that
on hand. Also, you should consider a plastic 55 gal drum full
of "non-drinking" water for such niceties as flushing toilets.

Military MRE's are rated for 10 year storage. This means they're
good for probably 20 or so. Freeze dried, back filled with dry
nitrogen then vacuum packed.

On the other hand, just stock up on canned goods. Also check the
typical expiration date on some "pre-cooked" meals in sealed
bags (Not frozen food). I used to buy some excellent complete
dinners in a bag from a Canadian source at REI Co-Op for camping.
Not cheap, but an absolute no brainer to prepare.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi



--
"Everything from Crackers to Coffins"