(NAPSA)—Having an emergency generatoris no longer considered a luxury in manyparts of the nation. Brutal storms during the 2004 hurricane season left millions of Florida and Gulf Coast residents without the power to run critical utilities. Because the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2005 outlook “indicates a 70 percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season,” many homeowners are already shopping for ways to protect their homes and that includes buying a generator. Savvy homeowners are not shopping for these generators at retail stores. Homeownersarevisiting local welding supply distributors and learning why gasolineengine powered generator-welders provide a better value than standalone generators. These “two-in-one” machines deliver 4,000 to 10,000 watts of generator power for running lights, appliances andtools. After the storm, they provide welding power for fabrication, metal art, farm/ranch repair and even home-hobbyprojects. Comparedto stand-alone generators of similar-quality construction, generator-welders can cost up to $1,400 less, yet they feature 10 to 22 HP overhead valve (OHV) gas engines from such respected names as Kohler, Honda and Robin. Some models even feature wheels for portability. According to the experts at Miller Electric Mfg. Co., a lead- Because a generator-welder can be used after the storm is over, it delivers more value. ing manufacturer in generatorwelders, you should look for increased fuel capacity so the generator-welder can run longer and deliver more value. The Bobcat generator-welder, for example, can run for 14 hours under a continuous load of 4,000 watts or enough powerto simultaneously run a refrigerator, a well pump, a microwave and a radio. The compact Blue Star 145 DX can run a 20,000 BTU central air conditioner—the equivalent of a 2,500-watt load—for more than seven hours. Also, look for a guarantee that the machine will deliver all the power promised on the nameplate so you don’t get caught short in emergencysituations. To learn more about generator- welders or to find a welding supply distributor, visit Miller Welds.com or call 1 (800) 4-AMiller (800-426-4553).
