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Raconteur's avatar

If you are going to buy a gasoline generator, use ONLY non-ethanol gasoline and use a gasoline treatment, such as Sta-Bil. The treatment will keep the gas from forming varnish in the carburetor. DO NOT use ethanol gas unless it is all you have. Ethanol gas will destroy the fuel system, if left in during storage. Even then, shut off the fuel valve and run the engine "dry" to store it.

Diesel system? Be sure to use diesel fuel treatment to keep it from "jelling" during storage.

What size generator do you need? Go through the house and make a list of what you must have and record how many watts it uses. Add them all together. Add another 15-20% for "surge" and there you have it.

You are not trying to go on as normal. You are trying to keep the pipes from freezing and survive the power outage. You need a refrigerator, freezer, water pump, a few lights, internet, maybe the microwave oven, furnace for heat, hot water heater (not really). You do not need, a TV, AC cooling, washer/dryer, desktop computers, space heaters, or electric kitchen stove.

You can selectively turn off items to get the power you need, if you find one item drawing more power than you thought it would (water pumps, furnace heaters, kitchen stove?).

YouTube is not your friend. If you do not know how to hook it up, get a pro, or you will burn your house down and/or electrocute yourself.

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