Good question. Early this year, Lowes, Home Depot, and Sears sold every one in town, and some people drove an hour or more to find one after the ice storm wiped out our distribution system. We were lucky, our power was only off and back on a few times. Other were without power a week. Fortunately the weather was mild, and people could let their house set without pipes freezing.
I need at least 5 amps at 240V to run my pump. Haven't see anything less than about 4000 watts with a 240 outlet. I lose power and everything is gone, lights, water, heat, cook stove, and even my phone once my 650 VA UPS dies.
Harbor Freight lists several generators with the Robin engines. I am also thinking of a natural gas conversion. Keep the gasoline carb, and make sure I have full tank of gas in my truck in threatening weather. Of course, we don't get good earth quake forcasts.
Funny thing, ever since, Asphlund? has been in town hacking at trees. Why doesn't the electric company try to guess where the next ice storm will be instead of trimming here where many of the trees over the lines already broke off in the last one?
