How about some candles. They cost a few dollars and will work every time.

I am sure that Honda is the best generator but why do you need one?

If the power goes out it is a great time to light a candle and enjoy a simpler time of life. As humans it is good to get off the grid every now and then.

__________________
Loving my BMW

Next time we are out of power for days or weeks at a time post-hurricane, I will invite you to come bask in our 98 degree/98% humidity, with your candles.

__________________

But candles won't keep the fridge cold or run the AC when it is 100+ degrees outside all day... Down here in hurricane central I wouldn't dream of not having a generator. Hell, I use mine all the time... a few times at the hunting camp last month running saws and the welder etc. Then a window unit overnight as it was still 90+ degrees.

I guess it would be really different if I lived up north in an apartment or something, but I can fully understand the need for a generator.

__________________
"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot

You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is

Good idea, you should cut off the power to your house for two days once a month.

__________________

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.
Autograph your work with excellence.

Hey, BB...I'm with the GenGang: if one is in the true 'burbs and a power
loss comes along once a year for an eve, no problem. Here at the Mtn
Joint, we have lost power a dozen times this season, since mid-April.

I changed my Generac's oil/filter yesterday, and it has run for 32+ hours
so far this season. We lost power yesterday, twice in one afternoon,
for 4+ hours. We have underground utilities up "here", but there are
poles "down below", in the system. And, a couple times per season an
on ground transformer gets blasted by lightning...

One has to have one in these continual outage areas, imo.

__________________
Ol'UncleMotor
From the Home Base of Pro Bono Punditry
and 50 Cent Opins...

Our Mtn Scenes, Car Pics, and Road Trip Pics on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627297418250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627332480833/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45275375@N00/

My X Page

On the East End of Long Island we lose power less than once a year.

Generally power is restored in a few hours. If it is bad I run a cord to the neighbors Generator and run the Refrigerator & a few lights.

Last week we lost power for about two hours and did nothing but enjoy the day.

__________________
Loving my BMW

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a Genarac Guardian Emergency Standy Generator.

Going with the 17KW or the 20KW, going to be deciding shortly. There will be a new electric panel installed inside my house that acts as a transfer switch. We will identify the circuits that we want to power when we lose electric service. Should run one of our AC units, heat, sump pump, fridge, computers, TVs. lights and the home alarm system. Connected to the natural gas so no re-fueling or hassle.

It runs a system check and starts up automatically once a week so it's ready to go when needed. Not cheap but it is the easiest way to maintain power and there are no hot engine fueling concerns and hoping it will start/run. Plus it's big enough to power most of everything in the house, plenty to power what we really need.

Generac Power Systems - Guardian Series 20 kW

You will love your new Generac...ours is 9 years old, (12kW I think), and runs/operates like a charm.
And, no one ever runs everything in the house at one time, so your 17 or 20 kW will more than adequate.

The only down sides to ours: it's a rock climb to get down and change the oil & filter once per year, and ours
is air cooled and thus shuts itself off after ~ 8 hrs, to cool for ~ 45 mins, when we lose power for a long
time period. My neighbor has a diesel fueled/water cooled Genny and his can run as long as he has diesel.
You will enjoy yours!
GL, mD

__________________
Ol'UncleMotor
From the Home Base of Pro Bono Punditry
and 50 Cent Opins...

Our Mtn Scenes, Car Pics, and Road Trip Pics on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627297418250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627332480833/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45275375@N00/

My X Page

Hey thanks for the insight, I'm glad you really like yours as much as you do. Looking forward to getting it and I'll post after I've made the final decision and it's installed.