Power generator for home emergency use?

[Ellenna]

The black-out in Spain and Portugal got me thinking about a power generator for home that would help keep my fridge and freezer running in case of similar happenstance in Hong Kong. Living in a village house. Where do I start looking?

[aquaman]

How much diesel can you store?

[grammer-nazi]

The blackout lasted 24 hours. Most of the food in your fridge will be totally fine after that long. If you keep it closed the frozen food in the freezer will also likely still be frozen - at worst it will be thawed and you’ll have to eat it within a few days. In HK a bigger problem for me would be the lack of A/C all day, but to each their own.

If you want a whole-home battery backup, you need to look at your average daily usage (in kWh) and multiply that by how long you want protection for.
For example, if you’re running one A/C 24/7 plus all the regular appliances, you can expect about 30kWh per day. So you’ll need a 30kWh battery.

Alternatively, if you want a generator, you’ll need one that can run all of your appliances simultaneously. One A\C = 1-2kW, a kettle = 1kW, fridge = 2-300W, etc. add it all up (as much as you expect to use at the same time). Probably would need at least a 3kW generator for an emergency, but easily 5-10kW or more if you want to keep running a couple of A/C etc.

whatever you choose, I bet Taobao has it.

[hullexile]

The black-out in Spain and Portugal got me thinking about a power generator for home that would help keep my fridge and freezer running in case of similar happenstance in Hong Kong. Living in a village house. Where do I start looking?

How many blackouts have there been in the last ten years? Isn't it and the fuel, just going to sit there?

[Morrison]

HK is not like Spain, without EU financial aid Spain would be on par with Haiti or Cuba.
Their electricity network is not even yet connected to the EU network.

[Ellenna]

How many blackouts have there been in the last ten years? Isn't it and the fuel, just going to sit there?

I'm going to look past this comment and just say that the world is not as it was before. Climate change and crazy dictators; I'd rather be prepared than not.

[Ellenna]

The blackout lasted 24 hours. Most of the food in your fridge will be totally fine after that long. If you keep it closed the frozen food in the freezer will also likely still be frozen - at worst it will be thawed and you’ll have to eat it within a few days. In HK a bigger problem for me would be the lack of A/C all day, but to each their own.

If you want a whole-home battery backup, you need to look at your average daily usage (in kWh) and multiply that by how long you want protection for.
For example, if you’re running one A/C 24/7 plus all the regular appliances, you can expect about 30kWh per day. So you’ll need a 30kWh battery.

Alternatively, if you want a generator, you’ll need one that can run all of your appliances simultaneously. One A\C = 1-2kW, a kettle = 1kW, fridge = 2-300W, etc. add it all up (as much as you expect to use at the same time). Probably would need at least a 3kW generator for an emergency, but easily 5-10kW or more if you want to keep running a couple of A/C etc.

whatever you choose, I bet Taobao has it.

Thanks, this helps in assessment. Yeah I know food stays good several hours as long door is not opened - and chest type freezer is best because it doesn't let the cold air to "fall out" the moment you Crack that handle.

[Ellenna]

How much diesel can you store?

Suppose 5 litres at least? Any difference between diesel and petrol running generators?

[Zelensky2]

I'm going to look past this comment and just say that the world is not as it was before. Climate change and crazy dictators; I'd rather be prepared than not.

You're right, the world is always changing, but by far the most likely outcome is that it will just sit there as Hull says.

But let's say you're right. You didn't respond to the earlier much more cutting question: How much diesel can you store?

What scenario are you imagining where power won't be available but diesel will be?A one day powercut like Spain (where crazy dictators and diesel supplies aren't a factor) or something bigger where the diesel question is paramount? And if we're in the crazy dictator scenario, how confident are you you can hold onto your diesel supplies? I'm guessing plenty of people wouldn't find it hard to take it from you.

[Zelensky2]

Suppose 5 litres at least? Any difference between diesel and petrol running generators?

You typed this reply whilst I was typing mine, so here's an answer to your answer.

Diesel-Generator-Fuel-Consumption-Chart-in-Litres.pdf

A 10kw generator will use approx 4L diesel per hour if running at max capacity, So realistically 5L might last you half a day.