[jegonda]

Any suggestions, pros, cons, etc? I'm looking to purchase a decent/reliable generator - without spending more than $600 or so. I have looked at the Coleman Powermate 1,850 W Portable Recreational Generator and also a Honda...mainly looking to run a few items on it within a 2300 sq ft house, if needed. New to Florida, so still learning this whole hurricane readiness stuff!

[macguy]

Originally Posted by jegonda

Any suggestions, pros, cons, etc? I'm looking to purchase a decent/reliable generator - without spending more than $600 or so. I have looked at the Coleman Powermate 1,850 W Portable Recreational Generator and also a Honda...mainly looking to run a few items on it within a 2300 sq ft house, if needed. New to Florida, so still learning this whole hurricane readiness stuff!

There are different schools of thought on this. Some want to have something that will power their whole house so they have no interruption's in the life. Some just want to be sure they have something if they need it to keep the fridg running a few lights and a TV to keep in touch. I am in the second camp for several reasons. One is half the people I know who have generators have them sitting around and when the time comes to use it, it won't even work.

I know, I was helping friends try to get their generators working after Wilma. The larger generators also are big and hard to handle and not much use other then should the electric go out which never happens ever under normal circumstances. The small light duty ones though are easy to transport bring on camping trips, move to different parts of the property or in an outage if you have power it can be easily be taken over to say your moms house if they are out of power.

The probability of you ever really needing it is pretty slim anyway but it is nice know you will have some power if you do need it. Bottom line, the light duty generators are just far more practical and you will get your moneys worth out of it even if there never are any storms in your area. Most of the big generators people buy will never even be started the whole time they own it. It is nice security knowing you have one but don't go over board. Thats my opinion.

[Rhett_Butler]

Yeah, if you had any designs on running your A/C it's gonna cost you quite a bit more....

[macguy]

Originally Posted by VAFury

Yeah, if you had any designs on running your A/C it's gonna cost you quite a bit more....

Your main concern is losing hundreds of dollars worth of food or even worse someone getting sick eating spoiled food. You can live a few days without air or if you have a small window unit they only draw around 600 watts.

[Bones]

I agree with everyone. Get something around 2000 watts.
I didn't even go with the big name brands ones because of very limited time it would be used. Cost $300 for 2200 watts.

[DanBev]

I have 5500 watt 8500 surge purchased just before 2005 hurricane.I treated gas and run once a month.I run pump,some flourescent lites,refrig,freezer,microwave,computer,small ac and dishnetwork.We were without power for 5 days and since sporadic outages,I have emergency outlets thru out house.Better than anything I can think of.If electric is dependable small one o'k.

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by macguy

Your main concern is losing hundreds of dollars worth of food or even worse someone getting sick eating spoiled food. You can live a few days without air or if you have a small window unit they only draw around 600 watts.

I understand that. However, many times a person who's buying a generator for the first time is not aware of what it will and won't do, so I was trying to make the OP understand that it isn't going to power much in your house for that price and won't do A/C...

[daniellefort]

It is also recommend that you run your generator for an hour or so at least once a month and not just let it sit until you need it.

[kort677]

Originally Posted by jegonda

Any suggestions, pros, cons, etc? I'm looking to purchase a decent/reliable generator - without spending more than $600 or so. I have looked at the Coleman Powermate 1,850 W Portable Recreational Generator and also a Honda...mainly looking to run a few items on it within a 2300 sq ft house, if needed. New to Florida, so still learning this whole hurricane readiness stuff!

for a small generator, honda is the best of the lot, for a whole house generator kohler is the best, stay away from the crap home depot sells.

[firemed]

The best thing is not to have a gas generator, You will have to run it and change the fuel each year. You can get an L/P generator that is small and won't have all to store gas that will go bad if not used.