Ruffled and ready for any power outage!

[Chako]

Sorry, I just had to take this photo. They had a sale of Ruffles chips at Walmart today. Now I won't need any for a while now. 

[strmliner]

 

You know that eating much of that stuff isn't good for you...     

[SAK Guy]

You know that eating much of that stuff isn't good for you...     

  

[dks]

Dip?

[Chako]

No fear, i shall munch cautiously. 

Aye, for the plain. I use sour cream and onion soup mix. 

[Alan K.]

I thought this was going to be a thread about generators.  How you going to keep your sour cream cold without electricity?

[Poncho65]

I thought this was going to be a thread about generators.  How you going to keep your sour cream cold without electricity?

I thought the same thing

He will eat it before it goes bad

 

[Chako]

Oh dang...I guess I hadn't thought things through. 

[zoidberg]

Another generator thread thinker here.         Chips are pretty good though.      

[AlephZero]

Chako, you're clearly preparing for TEOTCAWKT*


*The End of the Chips as We Know Them

[Syph007]

Speaking of generators.  I bought one about 5 years ago when we had frequent power outages... its a normal gas one as they are cheap.  its been a pain to keep the gas changed out and fresh in it, so its ready to go.  If I was to do it again Id spend extra for a dual fuel one that runs on propane since propane never goes bad.

I like chips too, but electricity is handy when you have a basement garage shop that floods if a sump pump has no power. 

[Chako]

I hear you.

I have a friend who's mother's place will flood in minutes if the power goes out. The poor women's house if built in the way of an underground aquifer. She has 3 sump pumps and 2 back up sump pumps in case of a power outage that are run off of a car battery with a switch hooked up to a float. 5 years ago, for some unknown reason, while they were on vacation, the power went off and their emergency back up system did not engage. When they got home, there was 8 feet of water in their basement. 

I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself. They now have a more robust back up system that wasn't jury rigged with twine, and bubble gum. 

[Alan K.]

Speaking of generators.  I bought one about 5 years ago when we had frequent power outages... its a normal gas one as they are cheap.  its been a pain to keep the gas changed out and fresh in it, so its ready to go.  If I was to do it again Id spend extra for a dual fuel one that runs on propane since propane never goes bad.

I like chips too, but electricity is handy when you have a basement garage shop that floods if a sump pump has no power. 

You don't need to drain the gas out of it. If it has a metal gas tank you need to keep it full to prevent rust due to condensation but if it has a plastic tank that is not an issue, you can run it dry then just fill it when you need it. It is best to exercise it 2 or 3 times a year to make sure it hasn't seized up and when you exercise it run it for about half an hour with a load on it to make sure it is actually producing electricity. When I do mine I plug in a lamp or a fan.  If you put a fuel stabilizer in the fuel it should be fine.  I change the oil every June before hurricane season and every 30 hours or so when in use. If you're putting it away for long term storage pull the spark plug and spray pure silicone spray down the hole into the cylinder and pull the starter string once to rotate the cylinder, then put the spark plug back in place. The silicone helps to keep the cylinder from rusting and binding.  I use CRC Marine Fuel stabilizer and I conducted an experiment with a 55 gallon drum of 87 octane gas. It lasted 5 years and still had enough octane to run my lawn equipment, generator, and cars without knocking, or pinging, or smoking. The experiment might have gone on longer but I used up the fuel.  It might be a good idea to find gas without ethanol.  Diesel fuel will last even longer if you get a diesel generator.  Propane doesn't age at all in a fuel tank which is why it is popular for household standby generators.