http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/DailyNews/generators990217.html

Hmmpf...I guess Gary North ain't so full of sh*t after all.

-- a (a@a.a), February 17, 1999

Answers

If there are shortages of everything, wouldn't that include fuel for generators? What happens when everyone's stored fuel runs out? In the long run, isn't a wood stove a better bet? It would take us a while to run out of trees & other combustable things (like, say, computer manuals).

OF course in terms of fire hazard they're probably about the same.

-- don't wanna (mess@with.gasoline), February 17, 1999.

http:abcnews.go.com/sections/business/DailyNews/generators99021 7.html

Hope this works. If not, sorry.

-- Linda A. (adahi@muhlon.com), February 17, 1999.

Link Also, here's a safety reminder for all you new generator owners... Yahoo - Y2K Public Safety Notice from Y2KNEWS...
<:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 17, 1999.

Your's works fine Linda... Must have posted at the same time! <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 17, 1999.

this is it

If not, I quit

-- Linda A. (adahi@muhlon.com), February 17, 1999.

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Here's the link:

ABC News Story

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 17, 1999.

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This evening I visited a local CT Farm&Country store. I was asking the manager about chainsaws when he mentioned they were getting harder to acquire; but then he launched into this lengthy rant about the huge demand for generators and selling every one that comes in the door, a demand he had not anticipated and how people were afraid that the end of the world was coming. He seemed upset that he had to deal with the scheduling and transferral of generator orders to other branches and how his company was having difficulty acquiring more.

He doesn't get it and thinks the Y2K computer problem is overblown and simple to fix. I told him demand at his store will increase as the year progresses. He didn't want to hear that.

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 17, 1999.

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don't wanna:

The obvious potential for severe gasoline shortages (should our imports be limited ala Y2K SNAFU) is the main reason I won't be purchasing a gas powered generator. If you store 50 gallons, your generator will be running for several days. But if you can't get more fuel, then what use is it?

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 18, 1999.

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the more I see of the situation, the more I am convinced that LP is the only generator fuel that can be stored in sufficient quantities.

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 18, 1999.

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</blockquote>

-- No Spam Please (anon@ymous.com), February 18, 1999.

dinosaur:

Yhe efficient way to run a generator is to use almost its entire output via a large battery charger to charge a battery bank, then either use the DC as-is, or convert it to AC house current with an inverter. This way, you only run the generator a few hours each day.

A 3000 watt genset will use about 1 gallon of gasoline every 2 1/2 hours at full throttle. With the proper charger, you can get 100 amps out of such a machine quite easily. That's 250 ampere/hours per gallon. 250 A/h will keep some lights going for a week if you have efficient lighting, as well as run your furnace motor a few hours each day for the same week. You'll need a substantial (read: expensive) battery bank to utilize the generator's charging capability, but that's life. Using it this way, 50 gallons will last you about 5 months. You won't have all the amenities like refrigeration and air conditioning, but you'll make it through the first Y2K winter. After that, all bets are off...

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 18, 1999.

On the other hand, the more people see stories - even "reactionary" ones from the mainstream media, some of those who were waivering (not all, not as many as if the story were treated thoroughly and correctly) will decied that they "will beat the bandwagon" and get prepared anyway.

"The government says everything will be all right -> never trust the government -> I'd better get ready "before" everybody else does because "they" say there will be " some hoarding" and "shortages of generators ."

So more people will try to go get generators = the single most expensive, most easily misused, most dangerous Y2K preparation possible. Instead of cans of soup and water canisters.

Kinda of a preverse logic there isn't it? We must be dealing with people.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), February 18, 1999.

U loved the ABC Article " If this occurs, experts agree that power will not be out for prolonged periods of time  and then, in only scattered areas of the country. " EXCUSE ME...HOW THE HELL DO THEY REALLY KNOW? These so called experts are probably the people that helped establish the 2 digit date format in the first place...then became leaders in the power industry. Most electric companys have trouble handling Peak Demands now due to the guessing of electric needs during extreme temperatures...how the hell they going to restore power to parts of the downed grig while keeping the electrified grids stable? I will now step down from my soapbox!

Now generators....yes we will be out of fuel soon if we choose to run the noisey thing continuously...but that isn't my plan. My generator usage will only be to power the well pump long enough to restore our water storage. I have welded up a metal rack that is 10 foot tall and able to hold four 55 gallon plastic drums. These are all piped together via their bung holes and I have a line from the pump connected to refill these barrels. I can run the generator about 1 hour to fill these barrels then they gravity feed the water from the filled barrels. This amount of water will last us about 5 days without much conservation involved. The other use of the generator is to charge up batteries to convert the power to AC via a inverter so I can run my breathing machine for treatments and my CPAP machine required due to sleed apnea. If you intend to use the generator full time you will surely fail in your efforts to stay healthy and safe!

-- Bill thinks Experts Suck ! (y2kbill@hotmail.com), February 18, 1999.

I can spell good..I just didn't want to! REEELY..TRUSSST MI !

-- Bill (y2kbill@hotmail.com), February 18, 1999.

to Why2K:

I am not planning on acquiring a generator yet. I don't want to be an open target in my neighborhood. A certain Christian who dwells in a nearby town told me that her husband has purchased a $1500 generator. He is a master electrician and knows how to deal with all electricity. My understanding of the 50 gallons of gasoline usage was pertaining to a constant generation. I've been made aware earlier of cost cutting measures using an inverted battery setup.

Meanwhile, I've purchased a 16" Homelite chainsaw and will try it out in my mother's lowlands on some fallen trees. I used an old model Homelite chainsaw as a teenager and need to renew my common sense tactics. If I lose my job at the factory, then maybe I'll have a new vocation to help me survive beyond Y2K.

I don't have any air conditioning, and I've considered any failing of my refrigerator to be an excuse to have a wonderful cookout on my Coleman fuel stove. :)

I appreciate your response. I don't think I'll go high tech when the worst case scenario happens.

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 19, 1999.

*timelapse*

Why2K:

This Saturday at work I thought about what you posted. I'm intrigued by this "battery bank" idea. Where can this product be purchased? Pastor David Meyer of Beaverdam, Wisconsin, stated on a sermon tape that he was having fun doing the necessary modifications to his generator using an inverter with some sort of battery setup. I'm not mechanically gifted and wondered how you arrived at this wonderful concept.

Nearing extinction,

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 20, 1999.