THE BENIFITS OF OWNING AN ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

Dirty Hand Tools Gas Powered Generators

There is one thing that my wife tries to get me to do that I avoid like the plague......camping. I know most guys like to throw up a tent in the middle of nowhere and sleep on a hard bug infested ground, but I'm not one of them. The biggest drawback for me is the lack of....... well just about everything modern (electric, running water, television, air conditioning etc.), but if there was a way I could get power out to me so I could at least hook up a bug zapper to kill off some mosquitoes, then maybe I would reconsider?

Generators are a great way to bring electrical power to a place that has none. Camping aside, many people bring these tiny little power stations with them to tailgate in the parking lot before the big game to hook up there radios, charge there phones and lets not forget the electric grills that make those stadium parking lots smell ohhhh soooo gooood!

That being said, the main reason I found to own a generator is the dreaded power outage. For some reason, our electricity goes out with the smallest gust of wind, and it's usually out for a few hours. This is never a good thing when it's - 20 degrees outside,and you have no way to power your heater. The summer is no better as the grid always goes down during the hottest months of July and August when everyone has the A/C going for blast. With a generator, all you need to do is add some gas, pull the cord and hook up a few extension cords to power what you need. No more freezing in the winter, no more melted Popsicle's in the summer and no more missing your favorite sports teams.

With that being said, you really need to decide which generator is going fit your needs. Generators come in many different sizes as some generate more power than others. If you are only looking to run a small compressor, or want to charge your phone around the camper, then look for something in the 900w to 1,200w range. If you need a bit more power to run tools, keep some lights on during an outage or even do some light construction, try to stay in the 3,000w to 5,000w range. If your looking for a great all around generator that will run multiple items in the home during an outage, work on professional construction sites or just feel the need to run 20 different electric grills and a full size fridge while tailgating, then look for a generator with 6,500w and up. Also know that the larger generators may come with more accessories such as wheels and handles to make it easier to transport.


Now, when looking into purchasing a generator, remember that quality counts. There are many companies that produce generators for the public, but the last thing you want to be stuck with is a generator that won't start on a cold day. I have had a few generators that all had there pluses and negatives, but I was able to try one from Dirty Hand Tool that really blew me away. Not only is it built extremely well, but it is remarkably quiet for being a 5,500w generator. If you get a chance to look at some of their models, definitely check them out as they are probably the best I have used.

The last thing I want to talk about is safety while using a generator. Every year (especially in the winter months), you hear about someone losing their life from Co poisoning do to a running generator in an enclosed space. Remember that generators are combustible gas engines that produce hazardous noxious fumes which are colorless and odorless. NEVER run a generator, or any other combustible engine indoors or enclosed spaces. Keep your generator away from the house and windows to prevent Co from entering the your living or work space. Use long (outdoor) extension cords and run them into the house, or area that you need the power distributed to.

Generators are wonderful machines to own when you need them. With so many applications, they are great to have in an emergency, camping trip or construction site. With that being said, read the manual first to ensure your safety and how to maintain your generator properly so it will last you many years to come.