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Idk if this is off topic or allowed in this post, but I was wondering what is the best bang for your buck so to say, generator? I am looking for decent power, but also decent price, preferably under $200.
Again, sorry if there is another topic for this.

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Idk if this is off topic or allowed in this post, but I was wondering what is the best bang for your buck so to say, generator? I am looking for decent power, but also decent price, preferably under $200.
Again, sorry if there is another topic for this.

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For $200, you don't have many options. Maybe a small Harbor Freight generator?
 
What are you trying to power with that generator? I have a small Harbor Freight 2cycle generator that I purchased for $79. It got me through two hurricanes. It does not power much but it will run a couple lights (best if the lights have LED bulbs) as well as a TV and even ran a fridge just long enough to cool it back down. I think you can still get them for around $89. DON'T try to run much more than this. I also have a small SPORTSMAN 4 cycle generator that I used a couple times. A little more powerful than the 2cycle but still fairly small and fairly inexpensive. Again, these will provide you with some lights, TV and keep your fridge cold but not much else.

Not sure what your goals are but it you are trying to prepare for a storm, consider hooking up one of the old fashion outside antenna. Without the antenna, a TV would not be much good for news. I have one mounted over my deck outside and it is amazing the number of clear channels I can pick up. Following a storm, I just switch my input coax (outside) from the cable to the antenna. I have run for weeks with this setup (small generator for power and antenna for TV).
 
We used to have a little generator at my parents' place before they got a big one put in. It could run the fridge and well pump and stuff like that, but you had to run one thing at a time. But I think even that cost several hundred dollars, if I remember correctly, and that was at least 10 years ago.
 
What are you trying to power with that generator? I have a small Harbor Freight 2cycle generator that I purchased for $79. It got me through two hurricanes. It does not power much but it will run a couple lights (best if the lights have LED bulbs) as well as a TV and even ran a fridge just long enough to cool it back down. I think you can still get them for around $89. DON'T try to run much more than this. I also have a small SPORTSMAN 4 cycle generator that I used a couple times. A little more powerful than the 2cycle but still fairly small and fairly inexpensive. Again, these will provide you with some lights, TV and keep your fridge cold but not much else.

Not sure what your goals are but it you are trying to prepare for a storm, consider hooking up one of the old fashion outside antenna. Without the antenna, a TV would not be much good for news. I have one mounted over my deck outside and it is amazing the number of clear channels I can pick up. Following a storm, I just switch my input coax (outside) from the cable to the antenna. I have run for weeks with this setup (small generator for power and antenna for TV).
Preferably something with enough juice for a fridge, and for my oil heat.

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A fridge often requires a lot of juice to start the compressor. Modern refrigerators are supposed to have dedicated 20 amp circuits. That means 2400 watts peak output. The Harbor Freight 2 cycle generator has maximum 900 watt peak and 700 watt continuous power.

I found a 3500 watt propane generator at a pawn shop for about $400. It will run almost everything in my house that is on 120 volt power. It is much quieter than a gasoline generator, and the shelf life for propane is indefinite.
 
A fridge often requires a lot of juice to start the compressor. Modern refrigerators are supposed to have dedicated 20 amp circuits. That means 2400 watts peak output. The Harbor Freight 2 cycle generator has maximum 900 watt peak and 700 watt continuous power.

I found a 3500 watt propane generator at a pawn shop for about $400. It will run almost everything in my house that is on 120 volt power. It is much quieter than a gasoline generator, and the shelf life for propane is indefinite.
Yeah, propane is a big advantage. No clogged carburetor, indefinite fuel life, cleaner burning so the spark plugs last way longer. The only drawback I know of is it’s not as powerful as gasoline, so if you convert a gasoline engine to it you loose 25% of the output. If you factor that in to your needs then your ok.
I’m still planning to buy solar this year before the 30% tax incentives drop down more. I don’t think I will get it installed by the end of the year but a least want the materials on hand. Even without batteries, having clean and noiseless electricity during daylight hours could be manageable. I figure freezing bottles of water while you have sunlight and just not opening the fridge or freezer at night should be reasonable to do.
 
Well our bull has been missing for over a week now and I've suspending the search. I've covered well over 200 miles up and down hills, canyon's, through heavy timber, thick brush and checked around every water hole, spring and creek in the area. If he hasn't been stolen, shot or killed he could be down in a deep canyon somewhere hanging out with some range cattle. I'm hoping that he'll be rounded up this Fall with someone else's cattle and that I'll get him back. No guarantees though.
On a positive note, I explored a lot of beautiful country, found a couple old town sites and lots of old gold and copper mines. And best best of all didn't see another person.
 
Well our bull has been missing for over a week now and I've suspending the search. I've covered well over 200 miles up and down hills, canyon's, through heavy timber, thick brush and checked around every water hole, spring and creek in the area. If he hasn't been stolen, shot or killed he could be down in a deep canyon somewhere hanging out with some range cattle. I'm hoping that he'll be rounded up this Fall with someone else's cattle and that I'll get him back. No guarantees though.
On a positive note, I explored a lot of beautiful country, found a couple old town sites and lots of old gold and copper mines. And best best of all didn't see another person.
Sorry about the bull. But it sounds like you have some beautiful country up there.
 
Sorry about the bull. But it sounds like you have some beautiful country up there.
Thanks. Someone is going to get some quality calves next spring.
That's why we chose this area; low population and lots of open rugged country. If there's ever a real SHTF very few people would find their way up here, and even fewer people would survive the first winter.
 
I looked at a Toyota FJ Cruiser today. It drove way better than I imagined. I figured it would be rough with a tight suspension but it rode smooth as silk. I probably would have bought it today but this one had way too much corrosion under the hood and underneath. Maybe just from road salt but looked more likely like it went thru some flooded streets from hurricane sandy or something and was never rinsed off. Anyways, if there was ever a zombie apocalypse vehicle, this is it! I’ll keep looking for one in better shape.
 
I looked at a Toyota FJ Cruiser today. It drove way better than I imagined. I figured it would be rough with a tight suspension but it rode smooth as silk. I probably would have bought it today but this one had way too much corrosion under the hood and underneath. Maybe just from road salt but looked more likely like it went thru some flooded streets from hurricane sandy or something and was never rinsed off. Anyways, if there was ever a zombie apocalypse vehicle, this is it! I’ll keep looking for one in better shape.
Someone who works in the office down the street from me has one of these. I've always wanted one since I saw it. But my boss whose husband works for Toyota told me they no longer make them.
 
You talking about the Land Cruiser FJ, or the Toyota FJ Cruiser? I had one of the Land Cruiser FJs way back when and it was a beast. I was attracted to the FJ Cruisers, but they were really too small for my needs.

After Toyota discontinued the FJ Cruiser, they positioned some of the 4Runner models to take the FJ Cruiser's place. My wife has one, a 2016 Trail Premium (they now call it the TRD Off-Road Premium). As off-roadworthy as the FJ and more roadworthy with more space. She previously had a 2013 4Runner, and believe me this one is a whole different ballgame. The 2013 4Runner was not a vehicle I would want to take off the blacktop. Even with the factory tires (comes with knobbies) this one will go places my pickup can't, and will probably go places my old Land Cruiser FJ couldn't.
 
I kinda was wondering. I wouldn’t think a FJ Cruiser would be rusted out at this point...

Now, an old FJ, unfortunately, yeah... I’ve wanted one for years but didn’t want to deal with a restoration. They can be found that are done, but damn....
 
Someone who works in the office down the street from me has one of these. I've always wanted one since I saw it. But my boss whose husband works for Toyota told me they no longer make them.
2014 was the last year they were produced. Toyota said sales were still strong, but they suspended production without a good explanation. Fuel economy was probably a part. It gets 17 to 21 in city vs hwy. not an economy car to say the least.
 
You talking about the Land Cruiser FJ, or the Toyota FJ Cruiser? I had one of the Land Cruiser FJs way back when and it was a beast. I was attracted to the FJ Cruisers, but they were really too small for my needs.

After Toyota discontinued the FJ Cruiser, they positioned some of the 4Runner models to take the FJ Cruiser's place. My wife has one, a 2016 Trail Premium (they now call it the TRD Off-Road Premium). As off-roadworthy as the FJ and more roadworthy with more space. She previously had a 2013 4Runner, and believe me this one is a whole different ballgame. The 2013 4Runner was not a vehicle I would want to take off the blacktop. Even with the factory tires (comes with knobbies) this one will go places my pickup can't, and will probably go places my old Land Cruiser FJ couldn't.
Underneath the vehicles are almost the same. Same engine, drivetrain and off road capability. The more I look at them I’m learning the 4 runner is a better value, and you can get new ones, which is a big plus. The FJ’s have become a collectors item and sell used for close to what they sold new for. Financially the 4 runner wins, but the FJ has that cool tough looking factor going for it. I’m 90% sure I will go against my better judgement and get the FJ instead though. I’m getting older now and doing things for enjoyment vs practical is becoming more important to me.
 
2014 was the last year they were produced. Toyota said sales were still strong, but they suspended production without a good explanation. Fuel economy was probably a part. It gets 17 to 21 in city vs hwy. not an economy car to say the least.
To me 17-21 mpg is pretty good milage. If a person wants an "economy" vehicle there are plenty of "throw-away" cars to choose from. When it comes to a 4 wheel drive vehicle my only interest is in performance, horse power, ground clearance and off road capability. For me a 4 wheel drive vehicle is a necessity, not a play thing. I use 4 wheel drive almost every day of the year, and certainly every day during winter.
My F250 4×4 flatbed with a 460 engine gets 10-12 mpg, my Rubicon Wrangler gets 15-20 mpg and the wife's Grand Cherokee gets 17-20 mpg. But the important thing is that they all preform well in tough condition's. When I'm bumper deep in snow, axle deep in mud, climbing a steep hill or pulling a load of hay or cattle, the last thing on my mind is fuel economy.
 

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