powerless

[stiff tip]

sense 6pm last night ,,no power anywhere, its 4am now cable down too.BUT i have a generator 3yrs now gutta luv it.lucky me

[leptar]

That sucks but thankfully you have the generator.

maybe we should have a thread regarding generators and battery backup's... (Emergency power equipment)


On my list to get... scared me last night we lost power on and off for a minute or 2 a few times... thankfully i have the wood stove burning for heat... Just brought my daughter home on the 24th and i really don't want the power to go out... kicking myself in the arse for not picking up a Honda 2500 when it was $399 on clearance a few years ago... It would have been more then enough to power the boiler.

Here are some brands that i am looking into.. yes pricey but i have been following a few RV/camping sites and these are the brands most talked about.
Yamaha

and

Honda

& many people are converting to propane for less maintenance/noise levels.
To convert (some) generators to propane


I think for myself a generator to handle the boiler, sump and freezer would be more then sufficient... but i ask myself do i want more..

This seems to be buy the biggest you can afford type items.

I don't know so thats why i am seeking info from those that own these...

Sorry stiff tip about using your thread, I think we can help out the ungenerator-educated on what to look for and what to get.

[stiff tip]

back on line 6am .1 tank of gas 6gal for 12hrs i'll take it , love the gen.we got 4" of snow and 1" of rain ..its sloppy out ...to the north over the bridge all snow good luck digging out..

[UserRemoved1]

coleman 3500

cheap, wicked reliable, wheels and a handle.

Ran my parents house numerous times for WEEKS on end up in maine. I backfed a circuit breaker and gave them heat and lights. I would not recommend anyone do this, it's dangerous but when you have no power and your house is 45 degrees you got to do something.

Starts every time.

Rule #1 with generators. Size it to what you need. DON'T over or undersize it. You need to be able to run it....have a plan for FUEL... what do you do when the gas station is out of fuel/no power...

[Saltheart]

I've considered buying one for a long time. I have a friend who has the automatic start etc . It senses the power lose and kicks right in. Smokey has one at his house too do to the need for the lift for the wheelchair bound guy upstairs.

Everytime I go look I get swamped with all the decisions and end up putting off the buy. One of these days!

I have the heat situation licked as I have a stove that runs off the pilot light thermo sensor voltage. That brings some peace of mind since for several years , all the heat sources would be lost if power failed. I think as time goes forwar the need to be self sufficient will increase.

[Swimmer]

I have a Honda 5000. Have only used it a few times. My next project involves getting electrician here to do what #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& did for his folks. It costs quite a bit to do though. Finished the 200 amp. transformation, so on to the generator automatic come on device next. Bought it hotly after 9/11 on line from a company called alemea (ae) (ai) .com in Colorado then. 1700 included shipping. It ended up being a grand less than around here in Mass.

[ProfessorM]

Hey Dave I Just got the call from Pocasset ,no 3 phase at work yet. Might get the nite off and I will need it after 3 plus hours of clearing a 200 foot driveway, 3 cars and a boat. I'm old. I should have had more kids. Thank god for the Ariens but it was so heavy and a good 2 inches of slush at bottom that it wasn't easy. I did suck a brick into the tines and stalled it out as I did around the wood pile. Had to break it with a hammer it was so jammed but no harm. I even had a nice unknown friend do the end of driveway with a plow before i got out there this morn.

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

Hey Dave I Just got the call from Pocasset ,no 3 phase at work yet. Might get the nite off and I will need it after 3 plus hours of clearing a 200 foot driveway, 3 cars and a boat. I'm old. I should have had more kids. Thank god for the Ariens but it was so heavy and a good 2 inches of slush at bottom that it wasn't easy. I did suck a brick into the tines and stalled it out as I did around the wood pile. Had to break it with a hammer it was so jammed but no harm. I even had a nice unknown friend do the end of driveway with a plow before i got out there this morn.

Make sure you didn't screw up the belts, that's what happened to me this with an ice jam. Crap is like heavy styrofoam it just doesn't move.