We have all grown so accustomed to all of our devices that are powered by electricity it is hard to function when the power goes off. A small portable generator can function as an alternative power source to allow you to keep the refrigerator cooling, your cell phones charged and have a few lights and maybe the TV working.
If your power is only off for a couple of hours then even the wimpiest of us can survive without whining to much. But, many peolple live in areas where power outages are frequent and the outage time is longer. In those cases a portable generator is valuable to have, if for no other reason than to keep from losing all your expensive food that is in the refrigerator.
Many people have problems with water in their basement or crawl space when there are heavy rains in the area. If the utility power is off it is vital that they either have battery operatoed sump pumps or a portable generator to use to keep their sump pumps running during a power outage. There is a limit to the time that a battery operated sump pump will keep working, so it is still nice to have a portable generator on hand in case the power does not come back on before the battery dies.
Small portable generators are nice to have when you go tent camping. A lot of tents have electrical access ports so you can run an electrical cord into your tent for lights, fans, your laptops or tablets, charging your cell phone, etc. You can sit your generator a fair distance away from your tent to reduce the noise and protect against fumes.
For the safety of your neighbor campers and yourself learn how to safely use your portable generator while camping or at home.
You don’t have to look at your portable generator as just a power outage backup item. Many people live where they have outbuildings with no electrical power and they use their portable generator to provide power for tools or lights while working in these buildings. Many people who do handyman work for others carry a small generator with them when they are working in area where getting to the house power is inconvenient. Construction workers who build new homes will often take and use a generator to provide power until the temp service is established. People also use generators when out on their boats.
Portable Generator Features
Portable generators come in sizes from small 1000 watt units up to 15,000 watt units. You will need to think about what items you would like to be able to provide power to and use during a utility power outage. To learn more about sizing your generator visit this site: Portable Generator Solutions.
If you are sizing your generator just to be used as a backup power source when the utility power if off, then give some thought to what you really need and not necessarily everything that you currently have which is driven by electricity. For example, you probably can do without your automatic dishwasher and can hand wash your dishes during your power outage.
If you are traveling to a place with an abundance of animals, make sure you are prepared with respect to food. So, you will need to keep things wrapped well, keep them far removed from the tent, and you may need to steer clear of certain foods entirely. This will reduce the chance of an attack.
Generators use different types of fuels and some are design to be dual fuel units. So, when selecting your generator think about the availability to you of the different fuel types. They come with different size fuel tanks which may give you longer run time between fills but the generator weight will also be higher.
Starting a generator can be by pull cord or electric start from a battery in the generator. If you chose electric start consider also getting a battery trickle charger to keep your battery from draining down when not in use. You will be so glad you added this little inexpensive device.
There are wheel kits available for a lot of the generator models to make it easier to move the generator around. Many models of the portable generators come with wheel kits attached. Just think about your strength and how much you will be moving the generator. Don’t forget that when you need it you will probably need to move it from storage to somewhere outside to use it safely. When not in use for a period of time you will need to move it outside, start it and let it run for a short time just to keep it in good running condition.
Many portable generators have a feature which allows for paralleling two unit together to give you more output wattage. This way if you decide you need more wattage you don’t have to dispose of your smaller generator and buy a bigger one. Just buy another of the same size that you already have and parrell them together.
There are many different brands of portable generators on the market now-a-days, so just check for the features you need and find the most economical one that fits your budget.
It is also a good idea to get a cover for your generator. While in storage it keeps dust and dirt from collecting and damaging your unit. If you store your generator under a carport or on a porch where it is visible to visitors, a cover helps keep it somewhat hidden and less open to theft. There are generator covers that you can use while the generator is running. This helps protect your portable generator from snow, rain and ice.
Today there are many solar generator solutins. They are quiet and produce no toxic fumes for you to worry about. You will need solar panels to use for recharging the generator. But, you won’t need to bring along gasoline in cans. You will however have to depend on the sun shining.
A portable generator has many valuable uses. They are really invaluable when the local utility power is off. You can keep your refrigerator / freezer cooling, your sump pumps functioning to prevent flooding, any life saving medical equipment working, recharge your cell phone, laptops, etc. and have some lights and other small appliances working.
If you like to go camping, hiking or boating then you will learn to love your small portable generator.
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