empty gas stations - feature or bug?

[GR4V3 MIST4K3]

As in topic. I usually find gas stations fully functional, but this time I was very surprised after I cleared a huge horde just to find that the gas distributors are empty/not operational.

[Mai Dixie Normous]

Is your power out ?
-If yes then you need a generator at the gas pumps with gas in it to get them working again

[Actimel]

Put the generator near the gas (the place where you take gas away to your car) check if the generator have good condition, and dont forget to turn it on, then you can take away the gas. Beware, turning generators on, Always attracts zombies from far

[GR4V3 MIST4K3]

/facepalm
When I left camp electricity was still on. Flicked a switch after your responses - power went out during travel to the gas station.

Question:
what are the best ways (best defense or most affordable) to fortify a gas station before I turn generators on?

[rav]

you dont really need to fortify it , you take a generator with you put on power, fill all your empty gas cans and pack up the generator again. obviously if theres a bunch of zeds you need to kill them or lure them away first

[GR4V3 MIST4K3]

I was thinking food grows in a safe area on a farm somewhere and I get to enjoy electricity in every day living in the gas station or at a neighboring Spiffo's :)

[Sylvire]

Defense as in city living? Live upstairs, knock down stairs and pull rope up when you are at home. There isn't good enough wall that survives the zombies that spawn in towns. They break down anything that doesn't exist in world at start. That includes items you move.

Are you living at Riverwood? Too many zeds will come even at that town if you fire generator up.

If you want try gas station living then the one at south of Rosewood or north from Dixie are close enough of large towns and far away from most people that after you clean become somewhat safe. Enough woods around those places to try log wall around the building.

[Death]

Originally posted by rav:

you dont really need to fortify it , you take a generator with you put on power, fill all your empty gas cans and pack up the generator again. obviously if theres a bunch of zeds you need to kill them or lure them away first

This. Except I usually take an extra generator to just leave at the gas station. All you have to do is make sure that the area around the gas station is relatively clear before turning it on.

[Lycon]

Originally posted by Sylvire:

Defense as in city living? Live upstairs, knock down stairs and pull rope up when you are at home. There isn't good enough wall that survives the zombies that spawn in towns. They break down anything that doesn't exist in world at start. That includes items you move.

Are you living at Riverwood? Too many zeds will come even at that town if you fire generator up.

If you want try gas station living then the one at south of Rosewood or north from Dixie are close enough of large towns and far away from most people that after you clean become somewhat safe. Enough woods around those places to try log wall around the building.

TIL you can break down stairs and make a rope to climb up. thats awesome!

[Lucifer]

I fired up a generator at the Rosewood gas station and attracted zero zombies in Apocalypse even though I could see some by looking in combat mode. Generator isn’t that loud, the issue is when meta draws them in range of it...

Although, much like vehicles, it may simply take time for them to notice it and I didn’t leave it running longer than it took to fill 11 gas cans and a van.