Navigating Power Outages with Generators: Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned
Power outages can be disruptive and challenging, especially in rural areas or during extreme weather conditions. Over the years, I have had various experiences with generators, both large and small, each one teaching me valuable lessons that I have applied in different living situations.
Experiences with Large and Small Generators
My current home in a 30-kilowatt diesel genset that powers my entire house. However, I have also encountered situations where I had to rely on smaller generators. For instance, when the battery in my 2-kilowatt Honda recoil start gasoline genset was dead, I used it to power a battery charger to start the more powerful diesel genset. The Honda generator is installed in my basement, and it would have been impractical to start it with a vehicle. This experience underscores the importance of having a smaller, portable generator as a backup, especially if you have a larger, stationary genset.
A Week of Struggle: 1970s Ice Storm Experience
During the mid-1970s, an ice storm brought down the power supply to my family's Alabama farmhouse. The only generator we had was a 1750-watt portable gasoline generator. Although it was not enough to power all our appliances, it was sufficient for running our refrigerator, freezer, and a few lights. This saved us from freezing a side of beef that we had recently acquired.
Our kitchen was equipped with an electric stove, which was rendered useless during the outage. However, we had a wood stove that we used to cook meals and provide heat. The weather was unseasonably cold, necessitating the use of a lot of firewood. We also had an 80-gallon electric water heater that was out of commission, but we had a 40-gallon propane water heater in the laundry room.
Preparing for the Future
After that experience, I ensured that I always had standby power generators and alternative sources of energy, such as propane heaters and a propane water heater, in other homes I have owned. For instance, my home in New Jersey used fuel oil for heat and hot water. When we had extended power outages, we were able to cook on a small two-burner LP gas camping stove. Our backup generator produced 7.5 kilowatts, which was enough to power the well pump and all essential devices, except for the electric stove, dryer, and central air conditioning.
Lessons Learned
The primary takeaway from these experiences is the importance of having multiple energy sources, especially a small generator, a propane water heater, and alternative cooking methods. This ensures that your essential services can continue during a power outage, as evidenced by the saved beef during the 1970s ice storm.
Conclusion
Generators can be invaluable during power outages, but the right size and type of generator depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Whether it's a large stationary genset or a small, portable one, having the right equipment can make a significant difference in maintaining your lifestyle during a disruption. As we continue to navigate the challenges of modern life, it is crucial to be prepared for unexpected situations.