Power Outages

• Note 1
• Note 2
• BiPAPs and Power Outages (on the BiPAP page)
• BiPAPs and Power Outages 2 (on the BiPAP page)
• Battery back up for BiPAPs (on the BiPAP page)
• Battery back up for BiPAPs 2 (on the BiPAP page)

Generators come in many sizes and types of fuel. Diesel power models have two advances over most other models from safety standpoint and noise level as most run at 1800 RPMs and not at 3600 like most gasoline powered units.

Natural gas generators are available and somewhat easier because the gas is piped to your house. But an accident or natural disaster may cut your supply.

Handling gasoline around a hot engine is asking for serious consequence and greater risk of causing as fire or explosion.

Propane powered generators provides a more stable fuel for storage over long periods of time. Diesel and gasoline deteriorate over time unless a fuel stabilizer is added. And remember it gets cold in January and you need to be assured that whatever unit is used can be started.

The marketplace is loaded with options. To many for the common lay person to filter through and find a practical solution to meet emergency or total household needs. Emergency power for running medical equipment, furnace and refrigeration needs can be solved for a few thousand dollars. Full backup can run in the tens of thousand, for example.

Professional help is strongly recommended.

Dick Hutchins

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The problem with gasoline generators are that they only run about 7 hrs on 5 gallons of fuel. You are investing hundreds of dollars for a generator that you may only be able to keep running for a half day, at best. You may be better off to keep additional batteries -- charged -- for emergencies, although our greater problem is lack of heat in January.

I wrote an article on Y2K problems for people with disabilities which will appear in the August 1999 issue of New Mobility magazine. It is of major concern, indeed.

June Price

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