Best Emergency Power Generator For Preppers
Everything in prepping is about making your life easier when the SHTF.
Although there are other forms of emergency power to tap into, it's worth considering an emergency power generator as well.
Because, if the grid were to go down, you're going to need power straight away, especially in your home.
That's where a decent power generator will be well worth the investment.
There's a few luxuries you can go without in a crisis, but certain things like the food in your fridge and freezer are well worth trying to save.
By keeping the food in your fridge/freezer cold, even for a couple of days while you sort out other, less detectable power sources like solar, you increase your chances of survival by not needing to go out and fight for supplies with the masses.
There Are Two Main Considerations
When Choosing The Best Emergency Power Generator For Preppers
PORTABLE GENERATOR: ( For A Home or Bug Out )
A portable generator is one that can be moved about with relative ease by one or two people.
Normally on four wheels or two wheels with handles like a wheel barrow, or a smaller 'suitcase' sized unit.
These are also very portable units that are also well worth considering as these can be transported easily in your car.
STATIONARY GENERATOR: ( For A Home )
A stationary generator, once installed, is a permanent fixture that provides power for the home.
Sometimes known as an in-line generator, they require 'hard wiring' to the household main fuse board and can only really be moved about with a lot of effort.
However, from a preping point of view - the larger, stationary generator doesn't really make a lot of sense for several reasons:
They are very expensive, require hard wiring to the house fuse board and you can't take them with you if you bug out.
There bulkiness is a problem.
The preppers answer is to have a portable generator like the one's shown above and right.
These are capable of being used for essential appliances in the home, yet still be able to be transported to any Bug Out location easily and without too much fuss.
They offer good value for money and are definitely worth considering to make you life a lot easier inside and out.
Things You Must Know Before You Buy An Emergency Power Generator
A power generator is not necessarily a complicated thing, but the buying process can be a bit daunting.
So being more informed is essential and will help you to get organized.
Use my simple checklist below to help you when choosing the correct emergency power generator to keep your home running.
• Determine wattage needs.
Establish how much power is required to run the important equipment.
You can find help on this here: Download PDF - Generator Sizing
• Decide: Standby or portable?
As I mentioned earlier, portable would be better for prepping, but if a static generator fits your needs, then go for it.
• Establish your budget.
Static generators run into thousands of pounds!
Portable are far more affordable and have many flexible uses.
What appliances are you going to be running?
Always buy a generator that is a bit more powerful than you actually need.
The number one appliance that is essential to keep running will be your fridge, simply plugged into an extension lead, but remember, a fridge will cycle in and out with temperature. and every time it will create a surge of power, so make sure that the generator is capable of withstanding these surges.
see power/surge PDF chart here.
The other main concern will be lighting - but most generators will cope with lighting very easily by simply running an extension lead into the house and branching off for simple plug in LED lighting.
When it comes to heating your home in a SHTF situation you may well need everyone in one 'survival' room. This is basic winter survival tactics.
Using a generator gives you an added advantage of being able to run a small electric space heater of 1.5KW quite comfortably.
Also consider any electronics you will want to use. Although these take very little power, you may well like the added protection of a generator with pure sine wave technology for safe use with sensitive electronic equipment.
For emergency cold storage and vehicle bug out, any of the three portable emergency generators will power a portable fridge unit.
If loading up your car or 4x4 for full bug out is your plan then a portable fridge unit is definitely a consideration to make full use of a generator system.
At home, your standard fridge will preform as normal running on the generator.
The Hyundai unit above is good vale for money as you will get 2.2KW of power.
More than enough to keep a fridge cold for weeks if used correctly: ie, the generator is run in 'eco' mode, and you have it running on and off, enough to maintain cold temperature within the fridge unit.
Do not open fridge up until wanted and open only or minimum time.
Also, covering with a Mylar thermal blanket, in a coll place will help considerably.
Standby Generator Pro's & Con's
- Immediate power source
- Offers a method to maintain home comfort
- Automatic power levels
- Surge protection
- Offers peace of mind
- Safe , automatic operation
- Can be expensive for large units
- Possible maintenance issues
- Requires regular refuelling
- Possible noise problem
Portable Generators From £175
How essential is a generator for prepping?
Your generator is going to come into its own during any type of power cut. Whether it's an hour or all day, a generator will keep things going.
In a full on, grid down situation the generator will become a lifesaver and keep essential equipment running providing power for cooling food in your fridge to running a heater to keep you warm.
When it comes to instant 240V power, that's 'on tap', I think it's the most versatile bit of gear you can have as a backup. Especially when you consider the fact that it is portable - just put it in the back of your car and your off to your Bug Out Location.
Generator Safety Tips:
Always run your generator outside in the open air - the exhaust fumes contain toxic carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell.
Also make sure it is positioned away from any doors and windows.
These toxic Carbon monoxide fumes, if breathed in, are capable of making you unconscious in a matter of minutes,and will quickly kill you if you continue to breath in the fumes.
Always read your owner’s manual.
Run and test your generator when you first buy it, and then run it regularly at least once every month to ensure it is fully ready for action in a power cut or a grid down situation.
A generator would be a very sort after item in a SHTF situation. So safe storage is very important and also fastening the unit down whilst running it is definitely worth considering.
3 comments
Thumper
September 15, 2016 at 8:40 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Don’t forget that a car just ticking over is an efficient way of charging a 12 volt battery. You can then use an inverter to convert this to 240v AC to run a fridge or freezer.
Also in an emergency the heater in the car can provide essential warmth.
Perkins
July 5, 2016 at 12:19 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
it is a very good post. thank you for sharing this information. lots of practical and useful information on emergency power generators.
It is necessary that you keep the backup power in good working condition because you never know when you might need it. you need to run it periodically to make sure its working. it should be installed at a safe place as well where strong wind and flood cannot damage it.
UK Prepper
April 21, 2016 at 7:00 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Nomad Survival Knife