Now I Really Need a Power Conditioner? ?

I dont know much about them, except that when I was checking into them for my house, I decided I want a natural gas one (vs. gasoline). It can be set up for auto switch over when the power fails. As for gasoline, I dont want to have to worry about refilling it, having water condense in the gas tank, etc. There are many generator capacities available, depending on what you want to power and how much power you need. You can start looking at samples at amazon.com. I also heard that power quality on the generators is not as good as a normal circuit. (but I am not sure) If you get a line conditioner/regenerator such as the PS Audio power plants for your equipment, then the power coming out of the generator would be cleaned up.

You might also consider getting a whole house surge suppressor, so when the power comes back up and the voltage surges, you dont damage any items in your house. Even if the power company says this never happens after a power outage, my computer repair company fixes a lot of machines that have been damaged after power has come back online.

How about a really big chainsaw?

I agree with Bob, your main concerns should be backup power for heat, food and water if via pump. Everything else is a luxury.

Another idea in addition to the above is too see if there are any "in production" residential hydrogen fuel cells. I know an outfit near me, Plug Power, is currently working on bringing one to market. I am sure they would not be cheap though. Solar energy another idea???

Good luck,

I would like to very strongly agree with those who are suggesting a propane powered generator. It is going to save you a LOT or hassle in regard to storing a sufficient quantity of fuel. (And you have to store enough, because the gas station isn't going to be pumping gas if the power is out.) The longest we have been without power in the past 30 years is 3 days. We are typically without power 3-4 times a year, usually for 2-8 hours. There are many fine generators on the market, but from personal experience I can heartily recommend Honda. Mine runs on gasoline--which is why I suggest you get propane. If I get another one it will definitely be propane. When I bought mine (17 years ago--and it still starts and runs like a champ!!!) I looked very hard at fuel consumption rates. That limits the amound of fuel I need to store and the number of times I need to refill it. It will run over 8 hours on one filling if it isn't working too hard. But you can avoid those concerns with propane (and a large tank). Yes, it runs the stereo just fine, but that is usually the least of my concerns if the power is out. If you live in the country as I do, and the power goes out regularly as mine does, you NEED a generator. It is definitely not a luxury. Figure it into the cost of the new house. Add it to the cost of the mortgage if you have to. But get it. You won't be sorry if you get one, but you might be if you don't. And yes, a power conditioner is a good idea if you use a generator to power your stereo.

Thanks for info so far.

It seems there is a very wide price range on these devices, as well as huges differences in size and complexity.

Could anyone recommend a particular manufacturer, kw output, amperage output etc. for a reasonably sized generator that I can hide away in a boiler room and still keep my ARC tubes and Levinson amp happy?