Tips & Tricks
How to Choose & Set-Up a Portable Generator for Emergency Use
Jan
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Trying to ride-out a power outage at home with candles and flashlights may last one evening, but we all rely on electricity to power our refrigerators, computers, recharge our smart phones, power our home security systems and more. Power loss can last a few hours to a few days, so having a gas powered generator ready to deploy is more important than ever.
Give Your Generator Some Love Before it’s Show Time
Your generator has been in storage for months. There is a storm raging outside and the power goes out. It’s “show time” and you expect your generator to start right-up.
We have a few simple tips to follow that will protect your generator and ensure it will start right up.
Keep it covered with a generator cover to keep dust and dirt out of the engine.
Fuel up the tank with TruFuel synthetic fuel because gasoline expires after 30-days and will erode your gas tank and fuel line. If you plan to store your generator for more than a month then fill up the tank with TruFuel – it will last up to 2-years in a gas tank after it has been opened.
Choosing the Right Generator
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| Powers Up | Lights & Small Appliances | Multiple Rooms | Small Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connection | Extension Cords | Cords or Switches | Transfer Switches |
| Watts | 1,000-3,500 | 5,000 | 7,000-10,000 |
| Run Time | Up to 8 Hours | Up to 8 Hours | Up to 8 Hours |
| Gas Tank Size | 0.8-3.5 gallons | 6 | 6 |
| Starter | Recoil Pull Start or Electrical | Electrical | Electrical |
| Recommended Models | Honda EU1000i, Honda EU2000i, Honda EU3000i, Honda EU3000i Handi, BearCat IG2000, BearCat IG3500 | Honda EM5000, Honda EM6500 | Honda EU7000i |
Operating Precaution
Don’t forget that you should never operate a gas powered generator in a closed environment. Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide which is a poison you cannot see or smell. Always run your generator outside and far away from windows, doors and vents.
Next week, my sister wants to buy a portable generator for her home to make sure she’s ready to endure any emergency. It’s helpful to know that a portable generator should be covered when stored to protect it from dust and dirt, so I’ll email this to my sister right now. Thank you for the information on keeping your generator well-stored.