Well ... these are a lot of interesting responses. I think the extent I wanna go falls short of many of your automatic or whole/house solutions.
Here's where I'm leaning. I'm thinking about a PTO driven generator of about 7500 watts. NorthStar model from Northern Tool.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...?storeId=6970&productId=200308467&R=200308467
I have no distribution of this generator anywhere near me, so looks like I must order and have it shipped. I hate shopping like that! I digress ...
Rather than buy the mounting plate and a wheeled trailer for the thing, I'm thinking I'll get a 3 ph carry all (Howse or KingKutter), and mount the thing to that. I'd like one anyway and they don't take up space. The generator only weighs 110 lbs. They do NOT include a PTO shaft, so I'll have to get on of those. Lastly and perhaps not right away, I'll get an emergency panel to hang next to my panel so I can hook up the well pump (mine is 240), a light or 2, the fridge and the sump. I can go without hot water for a time ...
The costs break down as follows:
$750 for the PTO generator
$25 for the Shaft
$100 for the Carry all and some wood and bolts for iT
$350 for the emergency panel
$100 for the emergency connect cable
$150 labor for the panel hookup (wild guess)
... somewhere between 1500 and 2k ... all said and done.
I looked at the Honda EU3000 inverter technology ...nice, compact, quiet and all of 2000 USD. The B7800 is the perfect size for this generator and the price per watt is better with the PTO class of generators ... There are not a lot of choices however ...
I'm not trying to move off the grid, just save the ranch during outtages...
Opinions on my idea?