Best Selling Portable Generators
October 14, 2011, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
Alternative energy systems and portable backup power systems are (or should be) high on the priority list for overall preparedness. Nearly all of us (our devices/appliances) consume electricity in today’s modern world. During times of disaster our lives will be disrupted, but the disruption could be minimized if we still had access to electrical power.
Portable generators are a common solution to providing the electrical energy you may need after the grid goes down, or by being away from the grid. You still need fuel, but so long as you have it, you will have electricity.
Here is a short list of current best selling, best rated (4-stars or better) portable generators as listed with a popular online seller. I’ve also added the criteria of ‘free shipping’ since these can be slightly heavy…
There is a link at the bottom for an overall search, which may be helpful while determining what’s right for you.
I’ve only categorized these few by price range, so be aware of the power capabilities (WATTS). Generally speaking, the more expensive generators will be capable of more watts (thousands). Know what you need to power-up – and know the ‘watts’ of the items that you wish to power (usually listed somewhere on the appliance itself).
Other criteria for generators may be their noise level and ease of portability.
$100 – $200
ETQ TG1200 1,200 Watt 2 HP 2-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator
$200 – $300
ETQ TG12L31 1,800-Watt 2-1/2-HP 98cc 4-Cycle OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator
$300 – $400
Champion Power Equipment 46517 3,500 Watt 196cc OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Generator
$400 – $500
ETQ TG32P12CA 4,000 Watt 6.5 HP 210cc 4-Cycle OHV Gas Powered Generator
Search ALL generators, even if just for ideas and online reviews
Leave a comment with your own recommendation or experience with portable generators…
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i really like this recent spate of posts about alternative energy!!! good one!!!
Very good explanations http://howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/security/emergency-power2.htm This article is all about how emergency power systems work. I would also reading the other sections of this article on top of understanding your power needs before purchasing a generator that might be not enough or too much.
Ken,
While going through the big box store the other day, I noticed the Generic LP series…Yep it holds a 20# tank of LP to run the gen.
Now we all know that gas will go bad, but stored Propane? Uber long life. Also the engine should last 2-4x’s as long since you don’t get the gunk found in most gas engines. @ 9 hours of run time on 50% load..Looked cool, and was about $700 for just under 3300 watts.
That LP gas generator sounds interesting. I would be curious to know the brand and model if you remember what it was… Also, are you saying that it will use 10# of propane while running 9 hours at 50% load? That seems reasonable… If the SHTF though, it may be more difficult to find propane versus gasoline (unless you have your own big tank). But… gasoline will go bad after about 1 year, even if treated (apprx.). Hmmmm…..
Ken,
The manufacturer was Generac. The model number is LP 3250, and you can learn more at the website.
As far as having enough fuel, I did a little walk by in my neighborhood. 13 of 15 homes have LP grills…As for me I have three #20 tanks, one on the grill and two back ups.. that’s just me being me…not prepping per se….So if things go south, there’s a good chance that in my little part of a 900+ home subdivision will have roughly 500 #20 LP tanks…people could leave them behind…or whatever. No out in the rural parts…people have 500-1000 gal. tanks…
The great advantage I see is that unless you sleep below the tank (LP is more dense than air) its much safer than gas or diesel…A local delivery company selling milk and foodstuff showed me his LP truck…very cool. He said the engine will run twice as long as his old gas one. I’m off tangent…
My point is it’s a cool set up, has the ability to use fuel that basically never goes bad, and it lasts longer (parts wise) than conventional equipment. Plus it looks cool when you strap on a 20# tank….as always love the site..
Thanks for the model number. Here it is on Amazon so others can at least read about it. I wonder how quiet it is compared to a gasoline engine…
Generac 6000 LP3250 3,750 Watt 212cc OHV Liquid Propane Powered Portable Generator With Tank Holder
LP generator, great stuff, first I’ve heard of it. Solves the fuel storage/rotating issue. Added to my ever growing list…Thank you very much for sharing.
@GhOman. Scavenger hunt for abandoned LP tanks that people have no use for or because they are not around anymore, to run your LP generator on. THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST CLEVER IDEAS I HAVE SEEN ALL YEAR LONG ON THIS SITE. You really got me to thinking about a LP generator. I give you 5 stars for a brillant idea.
With many LP gas generators you can tie in the natural gas supply into a feed line and as long as there is natural gas continuing to flow into your home you will have electric power. I have seen some people also purchase very large propane tanks that they run their LP generators for their sole source of electricity outside the disaster situation. There are also dual wokable modles that will accept both propane or gasoline, some even diesel.
Diesel generators are expensive, but diesel fuel is safer to store, but you have to be careful about the moisture content with storing diesel fuel. There are all sorts of sizes of generators that can be tied into the power system by a qualified electrician that will automatically come on when the power goes off.
The hand starting generators like the common lawn mower I imagine would not be affected by EMP because there is no real starter and an engine that simply turns, like a lawn mower. I guess the plugs would not be affected either or the lines that deliver the electricity to the plugs. I have heard that EMP would not affect lawn mowers so I guess that would apply to electric generators that operate on the simply principle of a lawn mower. Not sure though???. If those simply generators were not affected by EMP, having one might be a good idea, especially since they are cheaper than the ones that start with a battery and a simply turn of a switch.
Never been a big fan of generators for any extended scenario unless there’s a real life-saving need (besides not missing your favorite tv shows). They’re good for a night or three but I think they’re more trouble than they’re worth much beyond that when considering fuel requirements and opsec, in particular.
seemingly some grocery stores and broadcasters have or should have natural gas generators