Don't Be an Idiot: Safe Generator Usage...

[presidio]

Ahem....after being offline for nearly 2 months, I find only a handful of topics to pique my interest. This is one......

Re: generator....buy a Honda.  Hands down the most reliable, easiest to start, and cleanest power (very important for operation sensitive electronic equipment, FYI).

Actually, that would be a Yamaha generator. The EF2800i is an inverter model providing clean, regulated power for any electronics and, more importantly, has a surge capacity of 7500 watts for 3 seconds. Any Honda model in the 2500-2800 watt continuous run range can't come close to that kind of performance. Plus, Yamaha doesn't fix prices like Honda does (dealers who don't want to play that game aren't Honda dealers) and you can find some good deals if you search.

[SHANEA]

Plus, Yamaha doesn't fix prices like Honda does (dealers who don't want to play that game aren't Honda dealers) and you can find some good deals if you search.

I got a really good deal on my Honda from Wise out of someplace back East. So good of a deal that I get in touch with Honda NA first to insure that it was not black/gray market. I was encouraged to purchase from my local dealers, but was told that Wise was a bona fide Honda dealer and that my generator would be under warranty, would be serviced by any dealer, etc. Wise does not advertise the Honda prices online, but with a simple call you can get what you need. 100% satisfied with my Honda. They even carry Yamaha.

Why the Honda - after extensive research, reading bulletin boards, etc. I became convinced that the Honda was better. Also, the Yamaha wouldn't fit in the back end of my Avalanche with the covers in place due to the handle configuration on the unit - the way they stick up.

BTW - the Honda inverter also runs sensitive electronic equipment and during IKE's aftermath, I ran my office window AC unit and all of my computers w/o problem.

[fartymarty]

4.  Electric cords running through the house - careful, easy to trip and fall over a tangle of cords in the dark.

5.  Had another neighbor that was doing a "reverse plug in"  - he chopped off the female end of an extension cord and replaced it with a male end - thus, the extension cord had two male ends.  Then he wanted to plug it into an electrical socket and power part of the house with it on that circuit.  Only problem is that it energizes the lines and the power workers could get shocked - plus I'm not sure it would work in the first place.   

    I tried #5 to prevent #4, and it worked. I flipped the breakers off to keep the juice in the house. I wasn't using a generator however, just a 750 watt inverter off of a deep cycle boat battery. I'm
 not recommending it or saying it was safe, I'm just saying it worked and powered some lamps with fluorescent bulbs and a couple of small fans to get us through the night.