The Coleman Generator
One of the leading generators on the market today is the Coleman portable generator, which is no real surprise since this company has been the industry leader since it was founded in 1902 by W. C. Coleman. The Coleman generator is not the only equipment that they sell, as they are also known for additional camping or recreational items, such as lights with propane, kerosene and gasoline. It can a big time saver if you go online first to get a feel of what is right for you and it allows you to comparison shop without running all over town.
Power outages in the west, tornadoes in the east, tropical disturbances in the south and ice storms in the north have no doubt alerted many people to the importance of being prepared. Along with your emergency plan and enough food and water to last several days, it may also be wise to consider adding a small portable generator to your arsenal of emergency equipment. Perhaps one of the most popular features is the fact that there are so many different models from which to choose; from the Coleman portable generator to the 16,000 watt commercial generator and everything in between, it is quality and reliability you can trust.
The best selling emergency generators are the wheeled, portable units like the Coleman generator. Being on wheels makes it much easier to store in an area away from the home and since it uses gas it needs to be away from any ignition source as well. This Coleman portable generator uses about 12 to 18 gallons of gas per day and needs to be stored in a well ventilated area.
Many of the portable home generators claim a 2800 to 6600 watt output, which is more than adequate to power your electric appliances, but not enough for heavier power drains, such as central air conditioning. Be sure to check the wattage of the appliances that you want to be able to run and add them up before checking the different generators out so you have some idea of what you will need. Of course there are risks involved so you need to take measures to keep the generator running safely. Poisoning by carbon monoxide can be prevented by having it around 18 to 20 feet from your home, and do not let it run in a garage, basement or any other enclosed area.
It is always a good idea to have a transfer switch installation done with your Coleman generator. Connect it by using the home wiring system and do not connect it to your home directly. Reduce the risk of fire by turning off gas generators before refueling them. Store gasoline in American National Standard Institute (ANSI) approved containers in a well ventilated, cool area.
