[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Plinker

This is how I tackled this issue. Would appreciate your feedback. I purchased a dual-fuel generator (accepts gasoline or propane from bbq, etc.), with a flip of a switch. It has 9,500 watts and 12,000 peak watts. Electrician installed an interlock on breaker box (not a transfer switch). I also purchased a 30 foot, 50 amp power cord and simply plug one end into the plug the electrician attached to the breaker box and the other to the generator. I can run central a/c, lights and two refrigerators with no problem. If I turn off breaker for a/c then I can run hot water heater and most everything else. No, you can’t run EVERYTHING all at once but can pick and choose, as needed. Generator is Westinghouse DF 9500 for $1,100. Electrician charged $700 for install and the 50 amp cord was $275.
Wife is happy ! The electrician commented that this is the exact generator and setup he has and is very happy.

You nailed it, I did something similar back up north, but we had gas heat, so a 2 kw generator was all we needed for almost a week without utility service.