 SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1
1 edit | Generator Time!!! Well, looks like it's time to give the generator a solid workout and test run this weekend in preparation of Hurricane Sandy. While it still isn't guaranteed to hit Connecticut... seems prudent to get everything up and running.
If it does pan out to be the worst storm since the Hurricane of '38, it might be my sole source of power for some time... but hey... that's why I set this thing up in the first place. And wouldn't you know I'm close to full at 400 gallons of propane.. perfect timing! 
All you east coasters out there... might be time to get those generators up and running... |
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 JuggernautIrreverent or irrelevant?Premium
join:2006-09-05
Kelowna, BC
kudos:2 | A good idea to check it out for problems before crap hits the fan!
Keep you and yours safe. Good luck.
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I'm not anti-social, I just don't like stupid people. |
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garys_2kPremium
join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI | reply to SwedishRider
I just ran mine last weekend for a good half hour, powering my air compressor that I ran to blow out my sprinkler lines.
BTW, I'd so much change that black-iron coupler! |
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SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | said by garys_2k:BTW, I'd so much change that black-iron coupler!
When the cover is closed, you really don't even see it. I plan to give my generator a good hour workout this weekend... and I may even shut off the main breakers and power the house for a while with it just to experiment with the loads I can comfortably place on it.
Virtually all models are now indicating an east coast hit by Sandy early next week, but exactly where and how strong is yet to be determined.. |
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Reviews:
 ·ProLog
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·voip.ms
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I topped off the gas cans today. 15 gal in the cans, 6 gal in the Generator.
For those with a short memory, this is the anniversary of the 2011 Halloween fiasco. We were out of power here in NJ for 6 days.
Here is a neighbor's take on last years mess:
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. |
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 alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | reply to SwedishRider
Just like you, JimCT, I would get all "excited" and polish my generator hub caps when I'd see the weather forecast with 30+ mph winds or tons and tons of snow. We had 50+ mph winds, but no dice. Snow simply phoned it in last winter.
Now I'm just "meh" because NOTHING HAPPENED SINCE I GOT MY GENERATOR!!! I had 3 outages totalling 48 hours within a month when I moved in my house, bought a generator, and now our electric poles survived everything.
Now that this winter is announcing itself to be quite a big one, all I'm doing is it taking my time to make sure that all I need to do is press the start button.
Oh well, maybe this winter she'll get a work out. |
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H_T_R_NPremium
join:2011-12-06
Valencia, PA
kudos:1 Reviews:
·voip.ms
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| reply to SwedishRider
I just got mine put away from the last storm that knocked power out for 20 hours or so. It was soooo nice to have power. The boys were playing PS3, the wife was watching Netflix and I was able to get some long overdue beer ratings done. Then the power came back on and I had to get back to work. It was fun while it lasted.
I'm a little to inland to really worry about Sandy, but you never know. |
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H_T_R_NPremium
join:2011-12-06
Valencia, PA
kudos:1 Reviews:
·voip.ms
·Armstrong Zoom ..
| reply to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:Just like you, JimCT, I would get all "excited" and polish my generator hub caps when I'd see the weather forecast with 30+ mph winds or tons and tons of snow. We had 50+ mph winds, but no dice. Snow simply phoned it in last winter.
Now I'm just "meh" because NOTHING HAPPENED SINCE I GOT MY GENERATOR!!! I had 3 outages totalling 48 hours within a month when I moved in my house, bought a generator, and now our electric poles survived everything.
Now that this winter is announcing itself to be quite a big one, all I'm doing is it taking my time to make sure that all I need to do is press the start button.
Oh well, maybe this winter she'll get a work out.
We did the same thing here. Every summer since we moved in the power would go out at least once a month for 8 or so hours. I finally got fed up and got one. Nothing except tests for the next couple years. I figure it was still worth it. The piece of mind knowing that if it did go out you were covered, was almost as good as not having to use it. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | said by H_T_R_N:The piece of mind knowing that if it did go out you were covered, was almost as good as not having to use it. You know what? It's too true.
I'd rather have the generator and never have to use it, than having to use it frequently, or not having a generator and needing it that one time.
I mean, aside from man testosterone chest pounding pride that comes from showing off having a generator that runs the house furnace, tv, computer, fridge, etc, it's actually a freaking hassle to have to run outside in a snow storm to start it up, worry about gas and worry about whether or not to let it run over night. |
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SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | said by alkizmo:...it's actually a freaking hassle to have to...worry about gas...
Depends what fuel the generator runs on.  |
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PSWired
join:2006-03-26
Annapolis, MD | reply to SwedishRider
Thanks for ensuring with your preparations that Sandy turns out to sea 
We had enough fun here in June.
That said, I do have 250 gallons of fuel ready to go. |
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 ptrowskiGot Helix?Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
kudos:4
·VOIPo
| reply to SwedishRider
I was actually thinking abotu picking this up. Thoughts?
»www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Alt···_reviews |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | Looks good.
You can use its full capacity through the 30A 240V twist lock.
Its fuel consumption is average.
Enough reviews with consistent high scores to know people are satisfied with it.
However you should calculate the load of what you'd run with that generator, because maybe you could down size. 1000W out of a 3000W generator uses less fuel than 1000W out of a 6800W generator. Correct me if I am wrong.
Since I heat with natural gas (and water too), I found that 3000W was plenty, as long as I didn't plan on using the dryer and range.
6800W might allow you to cook OR use the dryer, but not both, and I don't think it would be able to kick start a whole house AC. Correct me if I am wrong. |
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ptrowskiGot Helix?Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
kudos:4 | For me I would be looking for lights, TV, fridge, and oil heat. Stove would be nice as well. |
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1 edit | reply to SwedishRider
Yesterday I starting thinking about, "Great! A Hurricane. This time I'm going to make sure I put water in the tub, etc." Then I remembered, I busted my bawls installing the standby generator last winter, I can just carry on as usual. I guess I should check the tanks and make sure we have some propane.
How quickly we forget... Two switches, one for the generator, then right next to it s the transfer switch. Tested it last month under load. Had central air going and a few other circuits humming for good measure. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | reply to ptrowski
said by ptrowski:Stove would be nice as well. It would be a luxury of short term.
If I wanted to cook a pizza or something for the stove (not range), I'd use my toaster oven. Heck I already use my toaster oven for everything as long as it fits. I hate the pre-heat delay on full sized stoves.
As for the range, you can always buy a cheap little 1800W single element range for the emergency times.
The toaster oven and "hot plate" can run on 120V. My generator doesn't even have 240V but nothing of 240V could run on it anyway.
Consider that on prolongued outages, you'll be using maybe 1000-1500W. So maybe for a 48 hours outage, you'd only use 1000-1500W for 46 of those hours. Fuel efficiency comes in handy, especially for gasoline generators.
Again, guys, correct me if I am wrong about larger generators being less fuel economic than smaller generators for small loads. |
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| reply to SwedishRider
I have gas appliances, so it would be business as usual here.
We got a generator after Irene and we needed to use it after last October's snow storm. Good thing I got it too as there was a ham radio contest that weekend and I would have been off the air had I not gotten my generator.
Guess what? There's one this weekend too, but it looks like Sandy will miss it completely.
If your generator runs on gasoline, make sure you have a few cans full. I have 30 gallons stored in the barn, away from the house. Fresh gas from a few weeks ago with Sta-Bil marine formula. Should be enough for a few days continuous running, or more than a week with part time use.
I doubt power will be out that long.
Don't forget to keep some oil on hand for oil changes too because if you're running your genny for a long time you need to change its oil. |
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ptrowskiGot Helix?Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
kudos:4 | reply to alkizmo
I would eventually have the transfer switch wired in as well. |
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Which reminds me.. I have 2 empty gas cans... but at least the generator has a full tank... |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | reply to ptrowski
said by ptrowski:I would eventually have the transfer switch wired in as well.
Yes, doesn't mean you cant use a smaller generator with a transfer switch.
If you are buying a generator, get the switch at the same time, if not before. It takes time to install a transfer switch and the wiring for the generator. |
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