quote:

and I turned my neighbors away when they came to my door

That is cold, literally and figuratively

Gas gets hard to find in large scale events. Gas stations need power to dispense fuel, and long term storage of gas is problematic. Around here gas stations near hospitals tend to have power when others don’t.

Gas is also a PITA when laying up the genset. Draining fuel from tank, lines, filters, and carb and fogging the engine is best for reliability, but a bit of work. So if power goes out, I try to get a feel for how long it will be down before I start it up. I find laying it up necessary because I can go years between times when I need it. This also means battery start is useless unless the battery is kept on a trickle charger.

I purchased a kit that converts my 6700 peak watt generator from gasoline to natural gas. It has a gas venturi chamber the hooks up between the air filter and the carb. Gotta tie into the line to access the cng at some point.

quote:

Originally posted by jigray3:
Gas gets hard to find in large scale events. Gas stations need power to dispense fuel, and long term storage of gas is problematic. Around here gas stations near hospitals tend to have power when others don’t.

Gas is also a PITA when laying up the genset. Draining fuel from tank, lines, filters, and carb and fogging the engine is best for reliability, but a bit of work. So if power goes out, I try to get a feel for how long it will be down before I start it up. I find laying it up necessary because I can go years between times when I need it. This also means battery start is useless unless the battery is kept on a trickle charger.

I purchased a kit that converts my 6700 peak watt generator from gasoline to natural gas. It has a gas venturi chamber the hooks up between the air filter and the carb. Gotta tie into the line to access the cng at some point.

Here in South Florida after a hurricane/tropical storm gas is VERY hard to find for 10-14 days. Generally stations run out BEFORE the storm from people topping off to evacuate or just topping off to be prepared. Afterwards, power is out for 2-3 weeks many times, so stations can't pump fuel. Also the roads have too much debris for a week for gas trucks to even deliver the gas to a station.

I bought a 2kw dual fuel generator after the last Tropical Storm in 2017. it still sits in the box un-used. I also keep 30 gallons of gas all summer, every 6 weeks I put it in my vehicle and refill the cans.....and 4 full propane tanks (mainly for grilling after the storm but can use generator too).... I figured I only need a 2kw to run the refrigerator for 4 hours, twice a day......and then can switch over to a hot plate and run a few lights at the same time. If I want to run A/C, hot water etc......I'll get a whole house gen installed and have the Nat gas run to my house from the street.

But yeah, if you have NAT gas plumbed in your neighborhood or the means to install a big LP tank, then either are better than gasoline.....even if just for storage reasons.

You guys should give a lot of thought to a Sun Oven, too. Even works under total overcast skies when it works like a slow cooker.

I've had one for years for emergencies and just general fun.

https://www.sunoven.com/

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
You guys should give a lot of thought to a Sun Oven, too.

Upon giving it some thought, I don't think that's going to heat the OP's house without killing his birds anymore than an under $1,000 generator.