Petrol/Diesel generators?

onzey

Hi

Not sure if this is the best place to post but I'm thinking of buying a petrol (diesel?) generator and would like to hear from people on what they have/recommend.

Our house is all electric so I'm looking for a backup in case of power cuts. I've started looking on the net and wonder if something like this

http://www.worldofpower.co.uk/acatalog/Generator_Specials.html

would do.

It would obviously keep a light going and enable us to boil a kettle and run the odd small appliance (I wonder what the fridge/freezer is rated at?) and may be relatively quiet, but if I wanted to plug in some sort of heater I would need something bigger which I guess would inevitably be noisier and much more expensive.

Grateful for any thoughts on generators.

Thanks.

Hunnymonster

I have a Briggs & Stratton 2700VA output jobby cost me £330 from CostCo about 3 years ago - does the biz for me (and annoys the neighbours when we have a power cut and they're all in the dark and we're lit up like a Christmas tree )

Hunnymonster

Remember if you buy a 2-stroke genny, you need to buy some 2-stroke oil too - and possibly a mixing jug/can/bottle - because it ain't available to hand when you need it and the lights have all gone out (experience from my old man who has 850W 2-stroker).

I see from my last trip to CostCo that they sell the updated version of mine that has an additional 100W of output.... again it's about £300-350

ffym

I have a petrol 2kw one - I think that 2kW is the minimum you can get away with, don't but one of the cheap 600W site models as they will not cope.
I connect by a lead I have made up with a 13A plug each end! When the power goes off, I knock off the ring main MCBs or fuses and plug the gennie into a convenient socket, leave the lights switched on so that you know when the mains comes back on! For emergency lighting use table lamps. This keeps the essentails going i.e. central heating, freezer, fridge, PC and router!!!
The biggest problem is the exhaust, this sort of generator is designed for site use so they really need to be outside. I have to run mine next to an open garage door to stop filling the house with fumes.
Remember, never never switch the ring main MCB on with the Generator connected!
The cheapest place I have found is Makro if you have, or know someone with an account.
Diesel Vs Petrol? Not sure, instinct tells me Diesel would be best but I cannot confirm that from experience.

ffym

Sorry, should have followed your link before posting. That Generator looks good but expensive. Save some cash for example here:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/PowerTools/OutdoorPower/d40/sd460
code 32284 2.2kw generator £246 inc VAT and delivery!