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Speaking of generators... as we recently have...

73.236.194.50
Posted on June 14, 2021 at 04:15:39
dark_dave56
Audiophile

Posts: 8395
Location: Ohio
Joined: August 29, 2019
 Power out for over 18,000 in my area as of yesterday evening. Trees down and power out everywhere--a sub-station a couple miles away got struck by lightning.


"And today is for sale and it's all you can afford. Buy your own admission. The whole things got you bored. Well the Lord chooses the good ones, and the bad ones use the Lord"--a very dear friend for decades Michael Stanley (Gee)--RIP

 

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My kid didn't lose power but..., posted on June 14, 2021 at 04:19:21
ghost of olddude55
Audiophile

Posts: 32596
Joined: July 14, 2017
 trees down in her yard knocked two of the awnings off the house.
Her insurance carrier has a 24/7 hotline for taking claims (can't be filed via the website), needless to say nobody answers.
Her power never went out.



The blissful counterstroke-a considerable new message.

 

My tiny generator would be marginal long term., posted on June 14, 2021 at 08:13:57
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46306
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 We had a very short power outage yesterday but I think we were magically switched to another grid or substation very quickly - or however that works.

I have a portable 1000-Watt Yamaha generator, the only reason I still have a gas can in the garage as everything else is now battery powered including the mower, hedger, string trimmer, snow blower, etc.

We do have battery / UPS backup for internet via cable modem Ethernet, WiFi, cordless phone base, and computers that will last a good 4 hours. Plus the cellphones that can act as 'hot spots' for internet access.

My Synology NAS event log captured a brief 1 minute power outage:

Power went out at 5:54pm. Back on at 5:55pm


And we have multiple night lights that turn into emergency flashlights plugged into AC outlets around the house. They remain fully charged until needed and come in very handy until you find your larger battery powered lamps.



 

I have a few of those black out/nightlight/flashlights., posted on June 14, 2021 at 08:19:38
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8491
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 They really come in handy.
Gsquared

 

RE: Speaking of generators... as we recently have..., posted on June 14, 2021 at 08:28:58
Rocket_Powered
Audiophile

Posts: 439
Location: East Coast
Joined: May 15, 2020
 Being w/out power sucks, so sorry to hear and hope you get power back soon.

We have a couple of 2000watt generators as a backup for refrigerators and such, and haven't had to use them...yet.

I have friends with standby generators, but those are costly to install. There is also an option for an 'Interlock' kit that can use a portable generator to energize your current electric panel. Depending on the wattage output from the generator, you selectively switch on which circuits you want to energize - at least with this don't have to run extension cords, and the interlock part prevents the main breaker from being able to switch ON at the same time as the generator. It's definitely the cheaper route, but may not be able to power everything.

 

Handy - and proven reliable...., posted on June 14, 2021 at 08:31:38
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46306
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
We have a few Blackout Buddies strategically placed in parts of the house so we're not totally blind during a nighttime power outage.


 

Please make sure you don't let CO into the house, just the electrical current., posted on June 14, 2021 at 09:09:14
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8491
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 Careful and hope the power stays on.
Gsquared

 

RE: Speaking of generators... as we recently have..., posted on June 14, 2021 at 09:50:15
double28
Audiophile

Posts: 3235
Location: Greensboro, NC
Joined: February 20, 2008
 I have a Kohler powered by Natural Gas and highly recommend the brand.

Cummings builds a battleship as well but I went Kohler due to a couple of stories regarding the former having some electronic issues. I am sure those issues have been ironed out since our installation 2 years ago.

 

RE: My tiny generator would be marginal long term., posted on June 14, 2021 at 10:03:39
fredtr
Audiophile

Posts: 1987
Location: Phoenix
Joined: January 4, 2005
 Start up current for inductive loads can be very high. Soft start circuits are becoming more common, but small generators tend to have problems starting even 1 HP motors.

 

I had a whole house generator at my last house., posted on June 14, 2021 at 10:33:51
srdavis2000
Audiophile

Posts: 10707
Location: Deep South
Joined: January 11, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 16, 2004
 It went with the house when we sold it. Right now I have a little 3 KW Honda which I could use to run the refrigerator, TV and something small.

I contracted to have a 24 KW installed at this house in early February. Apparently, generators are in demand, and back ordered. Since we ordered ours, the Texas power outage freeze happened. Currently there is a 20 week wait. Luckily, we were already in line and ours is supposed to ship this week and be installed soon. The concrete slab, electrical tie-in, gas line, and transfer switch were installed months ago, so they just need to set and tie-in the unit.

Hurricane season started this month. This will be my third whole house generator. I wouldn't be without one here. We often have power out for days and even weeks usually with sweltering heat after a hurricane. After about our third rodeo, my wife got on the band wagon and stayed on my ass until I got us hooked up.

 

Not Bad! 4 Mixed Metaphors in ONE Sentence! nt, posted on June 14, 2021 at 11:10:25
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002
 /

 

For too many years in my current house, posted on June 14, 2021 at 11:15:37
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37672
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 I took the old school approach and kept a landline - just in case we had an extended power outage where our mobile phone batteries might not be kept alive. While a bare bones plan only ran $15/mo, it ended up around $30 including fees and taxes.

Then I finally realized that I could have better spent that same money on a small generator as a contingency insurance policy. I now have an 1800 watt portable Harbor Freight model that can keep the fridge alive along a few other things like recharging device batteries.

Have never had to put it into action. I keep the tank filled with Sta-Bil and run it a bit every month to keep it happy. :)

 

RE: For too many years in my current house, posted on June 14, 2021 at 13:10:15
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Good approach. Me? I'd spend the coin on the HONDA 2kw.....which can be strapped to another same generator.
I think the HONDA is quieter? But more $$$.....

Just looked.....Honda has 'upped' them to 2.2kw and they are around 1100$ each.....
Too much is never enough

 

No doubt a superior choice, posted on June 14, 2021 at 14:12:20
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37672
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 as I own three Honda vehicles. ;)

The half price Chinese clone works fine as a rarely (never) used backup source. Starts every time. And can also be paralleled.





 

I have a Honda generator for a backup. , posted on June 14, 2021 at 17:04:50
srdavis2000
Audiophile

Posts: 10707
Location: Deep South
Joined: January 11, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 16, 2004
 They are extremely quiet when compared to almost anything and are also extremely reliable. They cost more, but in an emergency, I don't need extra drama. The little Honda just works and will also run more than it should. I have run a small window AC unit, the frig and TV with mine. Others I have had do less than advertised. The Honda does more.

 

I had a 5K backup once and two window AC units. , posted on June 14, 2021 at 17:11:26
srdavis2000
Audiophile

Posts: 10707
Location: Deep South
Joined: January 11, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 16, 2004
 The generator would run one of the AC units but not both. In fact it wouldn't even start the one unit by itself. On paper it should have run both.

 

RE: I have a Honda generator for a backup. , posted on June 14, 2021 at 17:20:26
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Good endorsement from an ACTUAL user.

the 2.2kw model is for ME the sweet spot.

Some quick math shows that is probably enough for all my needs.....

.
Too much is never enough

 

People use them for camping, so mine has battery start. , posted on June 14, 2021 at 17:33:43
srdavis2000
Audiophile

Posts: 10707
Location: Deep South
Joined: January 11, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 16, 2004
 That's for people who use them often. For emergency use, just disconnect or remove the battery. Honda's start with one or two pulls. The battery will be dead anyway if not used often.

 

Landline went away when I got rid of my FAX machine..., posted on June 15, 2021 at 06:15:31
dark_dave56
Audiophile

Posts: 8395
Location: Ohio
Joined: August 29, 2019
 ...that was the "last bastion" to overcome. Ever heard of car chargers? And if you don't constantly drive with the low-fuel light fully illuminated, you have heat, A/C, and charging capability. Cell-phone is even an internet "hot-spot" capable of supporting 8 devices.


"And today is for sale and it's all you can afford. Buy your own admission. The whole things got you bored. Well the Lord chooses the good ones, and the bad ones use the Lord"--a very dear friend for decades Michael Stanley (Gee)--RIP

 

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