Diesel or Petrol generator

[Secretprepper]

Hi fellow preppers, I am curious about other preppers takes on using a generator in event of blackouts.... I have considered both types. Petrol ones are far cheaper, but fuel goes off quickly if unused. Diesel generators are more expensive but I have read with additives you can store diesel for 10+ years.... And would it work on red diesel ? Would love to know your thoughts ?
Cheers

[hobo]

I've decided not to go down that route because of fuel storage and noise. For me, quiet, low energy-use solar is the way to go.

[badgersden]

it really depends on how much equipment you want to run and how much power you need,if you want to try and run the whole house you will need a big genny to do so and would be expensive

[Leo1]

And would it work on red diesel ? Would love to know your thoughts ?
Cheers

There are the same, infact you can run diesel gennys on jet fuel, heating oil and veg oil. If you know what to do.
I would go for diesel myself.

Leo

[jansman]

If you can afford it,diesel would be the way. However I have a petrol, a big ex-site Honda jobby I picked up from a bust builder. It could power a house-if I wanted it to. It would be handy for running the freezers, or the telly sort term.
I have to agree with Hobo here. Solar is quiet, clean and passive,and something I am developing myself. I used to think a generator was essential, but not now. It is easy to spend money on things you think may be essential, I have found out the expensive way!

[badgersden]

To run a whole house power supply you would need a minimum of 20 kva genny, you would be looking at around £7000 plus for a new one not a cheap option plus they are quite substantial and very heavy

[jansman]

To run a whole house power supply you would need a minimum of 20 kva genny, you would be looking at around £7000 plus for a new one not a cheap option plus they are quite substantial and very heavy

Yep! That is pretty much what I have, mine was a snip 'cos the builder needed cash. They ARE heavy and total fuel hogs. When I had the rewire I had a special power ppint put in so I can feed the house. BUT, Solar HAS to be the way to go IMO.

[dazthechippy]

agree its all about solar, no fuel to rely on and quiet too so less chance of the unprepared wanting a piece of the action.

So on that topic ive benn looking at small solar panel set ups with a couple of bulbs on amazon etc. any thoughts on that peeps ? apols for hijacking the thread a little.

[ForgeCorvus]

Any genny I buy in the future is likely to be Diesel (heating oil is cheap), but I'd only be using it to power the workshop and/or boost a battery bank rather then running it 24/7/52 to maintain a 21st century lifestyle (which I don't want to be living now let alone down the line)

Solar and Wind is what I'd have if I could, but then I'm planning on going Off-Grid (in my ideal world)

I believe you can get additives for storing petrol as well as diesel..... ETA. Yep, here you go http://www.amazon.co.uk/Putoline-Fuel-S ... sbs_auto_2
Check out anywhere that sells stuff for boaters as well

[diamond lil]

Could somebody help me with the size of generator we would need? Going to get one just for the fridge/freezer. Thought maybe MachineMart best place to get one ..? Only for the f/freezer - how long do you run it for?