Generator question(s)

[sponger]

Wow! Is it nuclear? 300K but you could make it back powering the neighbor hood on the next outage.

Seriously, the 5500 is the most power or the least amount of fuel. In a emergency, it will use 5 gallons a day (off for 1/2 day.) I keep 5 gas cans for evac or generator use plus 25 in the truck. So you can easily go a week.

Lowes sells a 5500 Troy bilt for 700 with a free cord that usually runs $120. It surges to 8500 so it handles those large window units well.

I can promise you, after last year, I will never be with out one again. If you wait until you need it, you can forget it. Hope this helps.

[TnBob]

There are two basic types of generators.

Contractor Generators - This is what you see at Lowes.
This type of generator runs at 3600 rpm and makes a lot of noise. About the same amount noise a push type of mower makes. But they do work and are reasonable priced.

RV or Residential Generators - Cost a lot more money.
They run at half the speed (1800 RPM). Because of the slower speed they make a lot less noise. Hardly any more the a car makes at an idle. At 1800 RPM an engine has far less then it's rated horse power so they use a much larger engine in order to develop the same horse power at a low speed. Thats why they cost a lot more.

If you don't want to advertise that you are running a generator you may want to look into picking up a used RV generator. If you keep an eye on the for sale adds you may see an RV Generator for sale at an acceptable price.