we have been out of power 1 other time when it was like 3 or 4 days.. that was when we used our 1,500 watt ( running current ) inverter to run the fridge, it is a 2,000 watt surge power inverter.. could only let it cycle once, as if you didn't rev the car up when you turned the inverter on, it would stall the car from the alternator load.... but I think after this, were buying a generator.