So my plan was to save for either propane or go all out and get a nat gas stand-by. Now we are without power again and im tired of throwing food away and freezing in the house.

 

Looking for a cheap-ish gas generator. My plan is still to save for a propane or better quality one for the long term, so im trying to spend the least amount possible for one now.

 

If anyone knows of a place that has them in stock please let me know. I know someone had one for sale here and was asking a grand but the MSRP was listed at about 700, that is still more than i am trying to spend right now...

 

I guess im letting my last PPP expire

 

I know shoprite had 4000watt ones for about $250 but none are in stock in freehold, howell/lakewood, or both toms river locations.

 

thanks!

How about Harbor Freight? I Googled Harbor Freight Howell NJ

 

 

 

Places for Harbor Freight near Howell, NJ

Harbor Freight Tools

 

www.harborfreight.com

2770 Hooper Avenue #1

Brick

(732) 477-5300

Harbor Freight Tools

 

www.harborfreight.com

1550 North Olden Avenue

Ewing Township

(609) 392-0764

Harbor Freight Tools

 

www.harborfreight.com

675 U.S. 1 #15

Iselin

(732) 634-0873

More results near Howell, NJ »

I know a local place I pass in Butler has them in stock. The place is called "Max is back" and while that's too far to get one from Howell, but the point is, supply is becoming available. I suspect Home Depot and Lowes are probably getting stocked again on Gensets.

 

You can always try craigslist but lots of those people are just trying to make a fast buck on your misfortune.

Walmart in Freehold had a few pallets of them a few days ago, not sure if they still do.

Standard Roofing in Toms River(Rt 37 West) and Tinton Falls (behind Appleby's) just got a shipment of Generators in several sizes. Also, NJ Outboards (Rt 9 in Bayville) had a bunch of Generators earlier in the week and might have some left.

ahh completely forgot about harbor freight ill give them a call thanks

thanks everyone, going to make some calls. Lowes and HD were out in freehold/howell/toms river

I know this is easy to say if its not my money, but see if there is anyway you'd be able to swing buying a bigger portable generator in the $700-$1,200, instead of a budget one that will only run a few things.

 

You mentioned a prior desire to get a standby generator that didn't come to fruition. If you buy a more powerful & higher quality portable generator, you would have the option of later having an electrician install a manual transfer switch on your circuit breaker, so you could power all the important areas of your house by flicking a few switches.

 

The higher priced portable generators are going to have electric starts too. Paired with the manual transfer switch, the process for changing everything over could be as simple as : Power's out -> Flick transfer switch + Start generator with push of a button = Power back to important parts of your house.

 

While that's not as simple as the standby generator's automatic activation, it's world's better than what you'll be doing with a cheaper portable generator. Powers out -> Run extension cords everywhere + recoil start generator = Run a few key items, but ultimately still find yourself sitting in the dark due to generators limited output.

I guess i would consider a better but i have trees down left and right on the property so i have expenses coming with that as well so i really need to be careful right now with what i am spending. Zero debt and i want to keep it that way. (aside from mortgage that is)

 

either way everyone seems to be out regardless so i guess it all depends on what is in stock.

 

im also nervous b/c even if i find a generator i doubt anyone will have heavy duity extension cords left. so either way i may be SOL

if anyone else is looking, walmart in freehold is supposedly getting a delivery in at 530 tonight. My wife is on her way to get in line lol.

Since you are in Monmouth County you can try the Harbor Freight in East Brunswick, its on the South Bound side near DICKS.

I have a few decent extension cords I could loan you if you need, I'm in Howell in the Freehold border just off Adelphia. 908-917-4349

u can always buy a gas generator and for about $200 get a natural gas conversion kit for it. -google it!

ahh completely forgot about harbor freight ill give them a call thanks

 

I got one from them last year and used it the past couple weeks. Ran like a charm! 3500/3000. Think I payed $250 for it. easy on gas. They are Honda knock offs. Goes through about 3 gal of gas in 12 hours. My neighbors 6500 Generak goes through 5-8 gallons in that same period!

Thanks again fellas. walmart never got their shipment in, figures...

 

I appreciate it b4104x, ill give you a shout if i need some. thanks

Call around like crazy in the morning.  I think Home Depot and Lowes open around 0700 and Tractor Supply opens around 0800.  Nobody is really "out," so to speak, in the routine parlance.  They are being sent into our area from all over the country and you just have to find the place that got some in early in the morning and run over there and get them.  If you call 30 stores within 20 miles before 0800 tomorrow morning you will find one or more with generators.  Plan half an hour of calling, and an hour and a half of rolling out and showing up to work late.

Ill prob have to do that on saturday, i was an hour late this morning since a tree fell on the house last night. That sounds like a good plan tho, makes sense.

I ended up driving down to home depot in manahawkin and they had everything in with more shipments expected. The further south you go the more you'll find. Ended up with a 6000 watt powermate for 700 bones and a 25' 10/4 cord hooked right into my panel. Powers pretty much all the essentials.

Remember to follow the oil change intervals in the manual. The first being the most important.

Remember to follow the oil change intervals in the manual. The first being the most important.

This^

 

And add stabilizer after you are done.

Stabil I use, but, ive been told to try this Startron stuff.

Startron is used so that the ethanol does not phase separate (especially important in Marine use). Stabil (red) helps keep the gasoline from degrading and losing octane during storage. I am pretty sure the marine stabil (the greenish one) does both? I am sure Tony can chime in and explain it better.

craigslist.org has hundreds for sale, some only used a few hours

I'd get a tri-fuel one. NG is cheap to run and if you lose that supply, you have options for propane and gas. Plus if you don't need one right NOW you can order one and most look like they are taking 4 to 6 weeks to ship. That can help you put a little more coin aside, and give you a more flexible unit and with more power output.

 

I have a 10000 on order and expect to see it around the 1st week on December.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tri-fuel conversion is discussed in the other thread. I'll beta test it soon and report back with my findings.

Startron is used so that the ethanol does not phase separate (especially important in Marine use).  Stabil (red) helps keep the gasoline from degrading and losing octane during storage. I am pretty sure the marine stabil (the greenish one) does both?   I am sure Tony can chime in and explain it better.

 

Follow the directions in the manual. Before you put it away, start it again, turn off the gas valve, and let it run until it dies of thirst.Gas stabilizers and ethanol conditioners help but they are not as good as they claim to be.

I have used Stabil to store gas for up to 2 years.

Follow the directions in the manual. Before you put it away, start it again, turn off the gas valve, and let it run until it dies of thirst.Gas stabilizers and ethanol conditioners help but they are not as good as they claim to be.

 

I agree, it is always best to run the carb dry so that is does not gum up. The Stabil will help keep the gas in the tank fresh.

I have used Stabil to store gas for up to 2 years.

 

I've used nothing to store gas in a 2 gallon can for my chainsaw for 5 years before I even heard of gas stabilizer.  Still have nothing in it except the same first gasoline I bought for it 5 years ago. But if you want to argue against following the directions in the manual for your generator, then have at it.  I'm no expert on this.

I've used nothing to store gas in a 2 gallon can for my chainsaw for 5 years before I even heard of gas stabilizer. Still have nothing in it except the same first gasoline I bought for it 5 years ago. But if you want to argue against following the directions in the manual for your generator, then have at it. I'm no expert on this.

 

The oil in a two-cycle gas can helps keep the gas from degrading. If you smell a straight gas can after 2 years, it will not smell like gas at all and I would bet the octane is half of whatever it started at.

Agreed with preparing gas for storage as we (neighbors) rebuilt not one, but two generator engines during last week's events. Clear the carb and stabilize and/or rotate the fuel reserve.