[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by armymom1228

If you have a septic tank.. consider methane. We used to heat and cook with methane on the ranch in colorado back in the day.
There is also a catalog of items for those who live without electricity.. Lehman brothers I _think_ it is called. You can even buy refrigerators that operate on propane.

Another thought, My house in Key West is part of a 'compound'.. the cistern that was created for all two houses and two apts sits beneath it.. all the gutters in the compound lead to that one house. The cistern was 500 gallons.

One thing is very very important, even the B&S will die if you don't do a regular maintenence check on things like gaskets and such. I Have a honda 2k generator here. I use it off the dock for the AC unit or to charge my batteries if needed. It is part of my 6 month maintenence check, and the big overall yearly check on everything mechanical on the boat, which I live on.
I have it in a file that I cna print out and then highlight as each system and its various comoenents are checked, and verified GTG. I keep records over each time I do this and what is replaced or fixed and why it needed that replacing.
It allows me to track what is worth keeping and what is potential dumpster food.

Might also consider wind or solar. Air X makes a decently priced land wind generator. Back in the 1930's in Miami solar water heat was all the rage.
I think there is some stoff on the web about thier methods. Fairly simple... black coiled hose on the rooftops to a storage bin painted black.

Sounds like overall you did well though..
AM

AM, I believe your a qualified 18C! Because for a woman(and I don't mean to sound or to be disrespectful) your surprisingly knowledgeable in mechanical, electrical, and just about any other technical subject that comes up. Remarkable,I've even picked up a few pointers from you..................

GB TFS