Which generator to buy?

[HADave]

Aloha Royall~ Several years back we in the Northeast experienced a very severe ice-storm that devastated several northeastern states during the middle of a very cold winter. during that 13 day power outage, in our particular area we used a simple 3000 watt generator I was able to get my hands on that first morning from my local True Value Hardware Store, I think I paid 389.00 for it. Very simplistic, 1 single 20 amp 110v outlet ~ 1/3 gallon gas tank. Anyway we powered our warm air furnace, our 21.7 cubic ft frig, all the kitchen counter outlets for the toaster a microwave and a single burner hot plate and a 13 inch rabbit eared tv, for news & weather. We ran the generator approx 8 hours every day at our home and 8hrs at family and friends to warm their homes,it performed flawlessly. I Didn't get much sleep during that time, lots of folks had it pretty bad. I'll never forget the sounds that morning before the sun came up it sounded like King Kong running through the forest, trees and limbs breaking and crashing to the ground everywhere... That small generator is still our backup for power losses today and we will be bringing it to supply ourselves with power during our construction process. It looks starts and runs every bit as good as the day I bought it. certainly not the quietest but during emergencies noise is the last thing one thinks about. Also there are several after~market suppliers of quiet mufflers one can purchase to help noisey engines plus the way that most folks take the time to build little enclosures for them will only help further with noise pollution. hope this helps abit in your decision making process. Good luck & God-speed on your build.

HADave