Longest we have been without power is three days. House temperature didn't get below 60 so I wasn't too concern. But the next time it might be in the dead of winter or SHTF.
Acquaintance fell on hard times (lost job and house) so I bought a cheap Chinese built generator from him. Took the generator to the local small engine repair shop for a going over. Repair Shop said it looked OK but warned me that repair parts would be nonexistent. Fine with me. Just wanted something that would work for a day or two a few times a years.
Bought more 5 gallon gasoline jugs for a total of 20 gallons. Generator used about 5 gallons if ran continuously for 24 hours so 20 gallons equaled four days. I kept the gas fresh by using it in the lawn mower. Winter time added Stabil. Goal was when one jug was empty refill it the next time I was in town, always keeping 15 gallons on hand. At times I would forget and I was on the last jug before remembering.
The the lawn mower wouldn't start. Seems the corn alcohol the Feds mandated had affected the rubber on the fuel line and carburetor.
Power went out and the Chinese Generator started right up on the second pull. I was wondering if the corn alcohol was going to ruin my generator when it backfired and died. Engine had seized.
So I scraped the Chinese generator and bought a brand named generator. Then I did a online search on how to convert it to LP. I understood LP will store forever.
Most LP conversions involved a 2" metal doughnut that you install between the air cleaner and the carburetor. LP is injected into the doughnut and is then sucked into the carb. Unfortunately installing the doughnut required making clearance by cutting away part of the corner metal support and then monkey rigging a replacement support. I didn't care for that at all.
Then I found another web search with a better answer (IMHO). Instead of the 2" doughnut that use a 1/4" rubber gasket with the LP injection point built into it. Ran my generator until it stalled from lack of gasoline. Turn off the gasoline valve at the bottom of the fuel tank. Installed the conversion kit ten minutes. Cranked the generator engine (new generator was electric start) while adjusted the LP flow until the engine started.
I had two 20 pound LP tanks from when I had a grill. Got two more for $15 at a garage sale. Looking for at least 4 more. Online I bought a automatic change over, when the first LP tank is empty it will switch over to the second tank. Now I don't have the problem of Fed gas running my engine, using all the gas for the mower and not remembering to get more gas! Plus I figure if TEOTWAWKI finding LP tanks will be a whole let more easy then getting gasoline out of ground storage tanks. At least that's my theory.
Conversion kit I used: http://uscarburetion.com/a-c_kits.htm
I have no financial interest in, nor does any family member of mine (close, distant or anywhere between) in the manufacture, dealership or resale of said product including girlfriends and wannabees.
Acquaintance fell on hard times (lost job and house) so I bought a cheap Chinese built generator from him. Took the generator to the local small engine repair shop for a going over. Repair Shop said it looked OK but warned me that repair parts would be nonexistent. Fine with me. Just wanted something that would work for a day or two a few times a years.
Bought more 5 gallon gasoline jugs for a total of 20 gallons. Generator used about 5 gallons if ran continuously for 24 hours so 20 gallons equaled four days. I kept the gas fresh by using it in the lawn mower. Winter time added Stabil. Goal was when one jug was empty refill it the next time I was in town, always keeping 15 gallons on hand. At times I would forget and I was on the last jug before remembering.
The the lawn mower wouldn't start. Seems the corn alcohol the Feds mandated had affected the rubber on the fuel line and carburetor.
Power went out and the Chinese Generator started right up on the second pull. I was wondering if the corn alcohol was going to ruin my generator when it backfired and died. Engine had seized.
So I scraped the Chinese generator and bought a brand named generator. Then I did a online search on how to convert it to LP. I understood LP will store forever.
Most LP conversions involved a 2" metal doughnut that you install between the air cleaner and the carburetor. LP is injected into the doughnut and is then sucked into the carb. Unfortunately installing the doughnut required making clearance by cutting away part of the corner metal support and then monkey rigging a replacement support. I didn't care for that at all.
Then I found another web search with a better answer (IMHO). Instead of the 2" doughnut that use a 1/4" rubber gasket with the LP injection point built into it. Ran my generator until it stalled from lack of gasoline. Turn off the gasoline valve at the bottom of the fuel tank. Installed the conversion kit ten minutes. Cranked the generator engine (new generator was electric start) while adjusted the LP flow until the engine started.
I had two 20 pound LP tanks from when I had a grill. Got two more for $15 at a garage sale. Looking for at least 4 more. Online I bought a automatic change over, when the first LP tank is empty it will switch over to the second tank. Now I don't have the problem of Fed gas running my engine, using all the gas for the mower and not remembering to get more gas! Plus I figure if TEOTWAWKI finding LP tanks will be a whole let more easy then getting gasoline out of ground storage tanks. At least that's my theory.
Conversion kit I used: http://uscarburetion.com/a-c_kits.htm
I have no financial interest in, nor does any family member of mine (close, distant or anywhere between) in the manufacture, dealership or resale of said product including girlfriends and wannabees.