Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Yep - 10" of snow - wet, heavy blanket Wires down everywhere No power - so no lights no heat, no water Fire in the fireplace When the missus gets up, I'll hear it again...."I thought you said we didn't NEED a generator????" Well, I've got an hour and a half on the laptop.... LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Logan #12252 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 This is a direct result of the dreaded Global warming.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Buckshot, SASS #2901 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Yup, we owe it all to the FOUDER OF THE INTERNET, Al Snore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfgang, SASS #53480 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Yep - 10" of snow - wet, heavy blanket Wires down everywhere No power - so no lights no heat, no water Fire in the fireplace GREAT TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE ISN'T IT ? When the missus gets up, I'll hear it again...."I thought you said we didn't NEED a generator????" Well, I've got an hour and a half on the laptop.... LL Ya won't see this for a bit . . as yur lap top ran dry about 4:30a m . . . how about goin' shopping for a generator ? It probably looks pretty out . . snow on the trees and all that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Yep - 10" of snow - wet, heavy blanket Wires down everywhere No power - so no lights no heat, no water Fire in the fireplace When the missus gets up, I'll hear it again...."I thought you said we didn't NEED a generator????" Well, I've got an hour and a half on the laptop.... LL Get the generator, Loophole. I put it off for 40 years. It is a good investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 Get the generator, Loophole. I put it off for 40 years. It is a good investment. I'm rationing computer time - have 30 min left. My street is blocked at both ends with trees and wires; not going anywhere for awhile. So...portable generator or whole house back up? No NG here, so it's propane or gasoline. Recommendations? Tx. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 If you lose power a lot, a whole house propane generator is the way to go. We don't lose power too often, so I have a 10K gasoline generator (Honda engine) with a transfer switch, which is adequate for short periods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashpowder Hal Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 LL, First purchase is ah chain saw, Then ya' kin worry bout da' eleptrisical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Here ya go. Sing it. No Blues Like Snow Blues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Hair, SASS #29557 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 I'm rationing computer time - have 30 min left. My street is blocked at both ends with trees and wires; not going anywhere for awhile. So...portable generator or whole house back up? No NG here, so it's propane or gasoline. Recommendations? Tx. LL I got a Generac generator that for about $390.00 can be converted to burn gasoline, natural gas or propane. Now I kinda overdid it on mine because it's a 15KW one, but the conversions come for most sizes. Good luck, Dawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Day 3 and still no power. Drained my 80 gal water heater dry for water to flush the toilets; kept the living space warm with the fireplace (well, sort of) Able to leave the neighborhood by driving under a fallen tree, held up by electric wires - sorta like driving through a leafy tunnel. Darned lucky that the temps aren't sub-freezing; still, 36 at night is hard to fight with no heat. Going to lose my tropical fish - that's for sure. Sitting in a hospital waiting room now - power to recharge the lap top. My neck of the woods looks like a war zone; trees down everywhere, many with tops snapped off or huge trunk splits. The leaves had not yet fallen, so when the heavy wet snow came in, it loaded them and they gave. When the lights come back, I'll pick up on your recommendations and go generator shopping. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 If you lose power a lot, a whole house propane generator is the way to go. We don't lose power too often, so I have a 10K gasoline generator (Honda engine) with a transfer switch, which is adequate for short periods. Mine is slightly smaller but my house is smaller than Okies. I was out for 9 days in 2006 storm. Could have used it then. One thing to consider, is that when the power goes out big time, there is no electricity to pump gas, usually. Most gas stations around here do not have backup power. They just lock the door and go home. Propane, while being more expensive to install, generally are more user friendly in the fuel department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 36 hours last Feb. has us considering one as well. Will follow this with interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I bought a Northstar 10K generator 13 years ago from Northern Tools. It has a Honda engine. It still purrs like a kitten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hope things get repaired quick like pard! GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Thing that has me scratching my head is how big of one do I need? have electric heat here. Just a fridge and lights, plus two computers.........Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Thing that has me scratching my head is how big of one do I need? have electric heat here. Just a fridge and lights, plus two computers.........Buck Buck: Got my power back about an hour ago. Several generator mfg. have estimating web pages to help; from what I can see, a 2300 sq ft house, with the usual array of ordinary appliances, with the added load of a well pump, freezer, and microwave (but not including the A/C or dryer)would run about 10-12 KV. The lower cost of the portables is attractive, but the fixed units have the advantage of LP fuel, lower noise, insulated enclosures, automatic switch over and special winter starting packages meant for northern applications. I'm looking at units that run around $4000 including automatic transfer switch. Big nut, but I've had it with draining water from my water heater so I can flush a toilet. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 If you can stand the initial cost of the propane, that is my recommendation. If not a good size gasoline will do the job. Honda makes a very quiet motor. I needed a new service box when I had mine installed. So I don't really feel that cost was inclusive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama Red Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Whatever you decide to go with, please do me a favor. As soon as its hooked up call your local electric utility and let them know you have a generator. They will advise you on what you may be required to install to keep your generator from backfeeding onto their system. A backfeed from a single generator can easily kill a lineman working on lines to get power back on for you and your neighbors. Lots of units (usually the high end ones) come with a switch that will automatically disconnect your house from the grid when your generator is operating and make it safe to operate and not endanger anyone. Sorry - my former training just kicked in! (Safety rant over.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 My 5500 watt generator uncharacteristically started up on the first few pulls, Wooohoo, Hooorah! Ran a few extensions off it and have the house nice and warm. When it looked like the power was going to fail I set the house thermostat at 75 so I could have some extra time to get going in the morning, also to give me an extra edge again some of my pipes freezing. Now keeping it stocked with gas is another matter. Had to drive to Manchester twice to load up. The first time was "credit system is down" I sure am glad I carry cash, just in case. The second time was "We only have Super, sorry for the inconvenience. But there were only two stations pumping, you take what you can get., even if it was an $80 fillup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.