I have been amazed at the number of households battling through the current Cyclone, who have suffered power loss with no quick fix in sight, as is commonplace during cyclonic weather.

Living on a Rural property in Qld, I was faced with a similar set of circumstances, where the mains system power supply would go out at any time without warning. This was in the early stages going out at least three times a day,(not helped by the fact that I was at the end of the
S.W.E.R distribution), consequently I decided to purchase a Generator to help save on the electric/electronic destruction.

I purchased an "Odes 8.5KVA Petrol Powered Generator" for $1500 and allowed $500 to cover the cost of an Electrician to wire in the appropriate Plug socket to the main Power Board. I have a red warning light outside on the side of the power board facing the window, so that I can see when the Mains Power is restored.
This Generator will run my whole house satisfactorily for 14 hours straight, on one tank of fuel (approx 12 litres of ULP)

The only proviso I would have is that the Generator (on it`s wheels
should be located as far away from the house as possible, for reduction in noise and any fuming possibility). Should the noise factor become a nuisance to close neighbors, I would suggest routing the exhaust underground through a 44 Gallon Drum, a trick that is used out at Mintaby, the old Opal mining town in S.A.

Most people do NOT think about the necessity for a Generator, until the situation arises, but for $2000 max investment it is a good insurance in my view, and I hope this message is beneficial to any who may have been considering it!

" I would suggest routing the exhaust underground through a 44 Gallon Drum, a trick that is used out at Mintaby, the old Opal mining town in S.A."

A piece of good advice; that was common practice in army camps that were semi-permanent and with a goodly supply of 44 gallon drums, two are better than one!

The problem I find with small petrol engines is that they need regular runs to stop the petrol from creating gunk in the carby and needle valve problems.

Do you all run dry? Or use a conditioner like Sta-bil in tank and storage?

Leoj I run 5 horse power fire pumps very irregularly, & as you suggest always run the carburettor dry to stop them, then empty the tank. I usually shout them a new sparkplug after a year or 2 rest, & have never had a problem with them starting.

We were flooded in, with no power for 5 days a few years back. My 2 KVA gen set would not start the new fridge/freezer, so we lost the lot.

I bought a 10KVA 3 phase diesel so called quite running gen set, with remote start after that. I had best give it a test run tomorrow morning, the forecast is for 400 to 500mm tomorrow. If it actually eventuates, we won't be going anywhere for a few days, & you can bet the power will go out again.

Of course, if we can't get out, the power line gang can't get in, so it stays out for a while.

Hasbeen,

I reckon you are onto something there with the diesel. Is it auto switched though?

Just wondering what it might cost for an electrician to instal?

My present location is not too bad where power outages are concerned. Where I was previously and may return, outages were common, but usually not for under a day, sometimes two.

The Honda 2000W was fine for camping, but is limited for home use. We run several fridges, want electronics up and safe, and a bit of air-conditioning would be good.

The times are a hanging. Best prepare yourself the best you can. A freezer full can cost a few hundred dollars if left too long. Good chest freezers are good for the best part of a week without opening the lid. You may get a bit thinner in the mean time that's all.
2000' watts will not run a complete house , but if isolated to the freezer alone it will be very happy.. You can not go past solar for savings and backup reliability. One night without power on a freezer means nothing, so a daily bump of solar and alls good for weeks.