Use your car as a generator during the next blackout!

[hamermill]

I bought a natural gas generator back in 2000 we first moved into the new house just north of Brampton. Since the stove, furnace, and fireplace ran on natural gas the generator easily powered the rest of the house. When we had the blackout in 2003 we had absolutely no issues except for water so we use the pool water to fill the toilets and the neighbors help themselves as well LOL. I highly recommend a gas generator

By posting that Greta Thunderthighs will be picketing your property

 

[hamermill]

OP walk around your place and add up how much wattage you use. You will find that when you don’t use your electric stove, dryer or dishwasher you won’t need more than a 2,000 watt Honda inverter generator. Hopefully you don live in a place which has electric heating and an electric hot water tank. We are Canadians and BBQ all year round.

Make yourself a double male end extension cord. Turn off the main breaker so as not to back feed and kill a lineman when you run the generator. Plug in the extension cord to an outside plug. Turn off no essential breakers or simply don’t use the electric stove and dryer.

Also tell the misses to not use her vibrator because you will DATY her as often she wants it even if she has enough fur down there to make an area rug.

Running your vehicle as many pointed out is not a wise idea. And don’t run the generator inside or BBQ inside unless you want to win the Darwin Award.

 

[hard dick tony]

Plus, with a full tank of gas, you can last for days, unlike a small generator that constantly needs to be refilled.

Leaving a small engine car idling will cost $50-60 for 24 hours. Bigger motor in the car, the more the cost to leave it idling. Running a 2000 Watt portable generator that can properly power everything important in your home including a full size fridge will cost around $12 for 24 hours of run time. Car will need to be refilled every day or so. A couple 10 gallon gas cans will last 2-3 days with a portable generator.

 

[richaceg]

Is it really worth it, though? Blackouts happens for maybe on average one or two days a year. Seems like overkill to pay 10 grand for that convenience.

Depends where you are and how long blackouts last....my boss lives in McGowan and Elgin mills and their neighborhood gets blackouts when heavy rain and snow and on average 8 per year...sometimes a strong wind is all it takes so he got one and he's got no worries anymore.

 

[Adamxx]

OP walk around your place and add up how much wattage you use. You will find that when you don’t use your electric stove, dryer or dishwasher you won’t need more than a 2,000 watt Honda inverter generator. Hopefully you don live in a place which has electric heating and an electric hot water tank. We are Canadians and BBQ all year round.

Make yourself a double male end extension cord. Turn off the main breaker so as not to back feed and kill a lineman when you run the generator. Plug in the extension cord to an outside plug. Turn off no essential breakers or simply don’t use the electric stove and dryer.

Also tell the misses to not use her vibrator because you will DATY her as often she wants it even if she has enough fur down there to make an area rug.

Running your vehicle as many pointed out is not a wise idea. And don’t run the generator inside or BBQ inside unless you want to win the Darwin Award.

Have a similar set up with a dual gas / propane generator, with the male to male cord etc.

Next step is to add some solar panels on my sheds and utilize an inverter.

Have been researching sine wave inverters and still have not decided on an economical and quality unit.l and solar panels.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. on the inverter and solar panels

 

[dirtyharry555]

I wouldn't worry about it. If things get that bad, the people with guns are just going to come around and take your stuff anyway.

Covid really showed us how quickly seemingly normal people devolve into animalistic behaviors, when you combine fear with loss of access simple things like toilet paper.

 

[Ref]

After the last ice storm where things were shut down for 3-4 days, I purchased a generator when they went on sale (cheap!).

It is still in the box.

My concern is I have to keep a somewhat fresh can of gas on hand, plus oil. I always forget to recycle the gas. Then I thought "I will just get some gas and oil when we have another blackout". Trouble, is the stores and gas stations will be down as well...

 

[stinkynuts]

Have a similar set up with a dual gas / propane generator, with the male to male cord etc.

Next step is to add some solar panels on my sheds and utilize an inverter.

Have been researching sine wave inverters and still have not decided on an economical and quality unit.l and solar panels.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. on the inverter and solar panels

Actually, adding solar panels to my shed would be a great backup plan, probably better than a generator.

This is a solar power station, with good reviews on Amazon:

Amazon.ca

www.amazon.ca

They come in a wide variety of sizes.

 

[Andreiboris01]

After the last ice storm where things were shut down for 3-4 days, I purchased a generator when they went on sale (cheap!).

It is still in the box.

My concern is I have to keep a somewhat fresh can of gas on hand, plus oil. I always forget to recycle the gas. Then I thought "I will just get some gas and oil when we have another blackout". Trouble, is the stores and gas stations will be down as well...

Get supreme gas inly as it has no ethanol. Add stabiliser and your gas stored will be good for at least 2 years.
2 years later dump it in your vehicle and restock