Slowzuki . . . We had an extended power failure and I was snowed in for a few days, all of which occured BEFORE I got my own generator. We we finally got the road open all the generators were sold or rented and I found a welding supplier with several engine powered generators. My neighbors and I all rented them and they got us through with power to spare. However, being gas driven, we had to keep filling the tanks and the went through 3+ tanks a day (the temperatures dropped to -20 for 3 straight days, stayed below zero for something like 21 straight days) and we were completely out of power for 7.5 days.
When things finally settled down, I bought a generator that runs on 3 different fuels, and have it plumbed in to the Natural Gas line. It has come in handy several times.
I looked at auto switches and more expensive units, but figured that they doubled the price and only made things more convenient, didn't actually give me any more safety or any more power.
Mine has electric and recoil start and a pressure regulator for Propand and N.G. plus a 5 gallon gas tank. I have to turn in on and I have to flip a switch in the basement next to my fuse box to switch from the power company to the generator.
<font color="red"> When you install a generator set up MAKE SURE you install a power line cut off or cutover switch. It prevents you from sending your power out to the power company lines. The important thing about that is that when the linemen are working down the road to fix your power, your generator is sending them power with enough amps to kill or injure them. </font>
