Thinking about buying a generator.

**lovestolaugh** · 08-14-2011, 02:47 PM

My dh and I have been thinking about buying a generator. We have only lost our power a few times but now that we have a stockpile of perishable food we would be in big trouble if we lose power to the freezer and extra fridge. Does anyone have a generator and are they worth it?
Thanks!

**alotofgooddeals** · 08-14-2011, 03:00 PM

We had a yardsale last year and made $400. Dh went for a drive down the road and he saw a generator on the side of the road for sale for 150.00, he came home and told me about it and said he would like to have it and he would offer the guy 125 for it...well the guy took the 125 and when the power goes out..it is my most prized possession...its a big one that runs several things at once and roughly 12 hours on a tank of gas...i would not live without one now...we do plan on purchasing a smaller one for the camper if we can find a deal...i would say go for it...if it saves the freezer and extra fridge just a coupleof times it has paid for itself...

**mh3rdwheel** · 08-14-2011, 03:02 PM

Where we are thinking of moving they have lost electricity many times, we will be getting a generator, they will keep your food good.

**savvy_sniper** · 08-14-2011, 04:13 PM

We live on the Texas Gulf Coast. When Ike came to town we didn't have a generator. We stayed at my brothers for TWO WEEKS. He had a generator and a window A/C unit. I kept telling hubby I wanted one for my birthday and Christmas. He didn't want to buy me a generator for THOSE occasions.

I finally convinced him. We haven't had a hurricane/power loss but I am ready when we do. I asked on freecycle and got some free gas cans. Every year at the beginning of hurricane season I start buying 5 gallons extra when I fill my truck and put stabilizer in it. At the end of hurricane season the gas goes in the truck and lawnmower.

Be sure and do you research and buy a generator that will power all the items you need it to. FYI - You don't have to run your fridge and freezer 24/7 during an outage. You can alternate powering them.

**brenda67** · 08-14-2011, 05:45 PM

I would never be without our generator..I too have a huge freezer FILLED with hundreds of $$ worth of food along with 2 full size refridgerators w/freezers.....I live where we lose power alot during the winter and as of lately durring the summer months also..I love not having to worry about anything when we lose power UNLESS my dh is at work or away for a few weeks in another state. dh just told me he recently taught my boy's how to hook it up..phew! Anyway I say go for it...you will not regret it!

**Russ** · 08-14-2011, 05:56 PM

Best thing I ever bought. We were without power for 3 days once!

Take a look around house and decide what NEEDs to run so you can decide how big to get.

We got ours at Northern Tool and it runs everything except our A/C. NorthStar Generator — 389cc, 8000 Surge Watts, 6600 Rated Watts, Gasoline | 7,000 - 9,999 Watts | Northern Tool + Equipment

**pinetree** · 08-14-2011, 06:16 PM

The first thing we do to get ready for winter is to make sure the generator is ready and we have fresh gas.

I wouldnt be with out ours, even tho we havent used it in a couple years.

**lovestolaugh** · 08-14-2011, 06:58 PM

Yep that's what I think too. I am thinking about getting a propane one instead of gas though. Propane is easier and safer to store than gas. I have no idea how generator's work but that I will leave up to dh to figure out! Thanks for the help guys!

**Debbie-cat** · 08-14-2011, 09:56 PM

I would never be without my generator!!! I agree, it would be a wise investment.

**NicJean** · 08-14-2011, 10:15 PM

Looking for a free or cheap Large Generator? Ask some of your commercial electricians - some companies replace theirs every two years or so - ya might get a great deal!!

**frugalfranny** · 08-15-2011, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

Best thing I ever bought. We were without power for 3 days once!

Take a look around house and decide what NEEDs to run so you can decide how big to get.

We got ours at Northern Tool and it runs everything except our A/C. NorthStar Generator — 389cc, 8000 Surge Watts, 6600 Rated Watts, Gasoline | 7,000 - 9,999 Watts | Northern Tool + Equipment

Russ............is that the size you got too? Were you okay with it for the three days?

**Lora88** · 08-15-2011, 06:24 AM

Actually have 2 I bought the first one when I worked for Makita it is years old and only has ben repaired twice Dh is an hvac mechanic so he uses it when he works on new construction Bought another one when we moved to MIllstone power goes out alot here probably four times this summer Only had to use it once twice though as the outages were short I would not be without one

**wjcalderon** · 08-15-2011, 06:43 AM

I bought one the day after Katrina hit - paid way too much for it.
But the power was out for 8 days and the average high temperature was 95 degrees.
Without being able to use fans, I don't know how I would have managed.
A couple of years later, it was stolen. I ordered a new one from Northern Tools and keep it in a much safer place.
I haven't had to use it, but it makes me feel a lot better knowing that it's there.

**Russ** · 08-15-2011, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Russ............is that the size you got too? Were you okay with it for the three days?

Yes, that is the one I bought and it runs great, does everything I need! We are on a well, so it needs to run the well pump, a fridge, a freezer etc. We run computers, TV, furnace... anything but A/C. That is on a separate meter, and I don't think I could run it anyway.

Now, I am a bit anal about my equipment. I start and run it every other month with a load on it so it stays in working order. I don't want to be out there in the pouring rain trying to start it.

**Cricketlegs** · 08-15-2011, 10:18 AM

We love ours. We've used it during hurricanes and ice storms.

We would never be without one now that we have first hand knowledge of how great it is.

We keep ours in the back yard ready to plug in and safe from thieves with the dogs!