Re: power outages; was Re: We're Getting Cool!

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
On Fri 15 Aug 2008 05:42:52a, George Shirley told us...

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
On Thu 14 Aug 2008 08:32:55p, Cheryl told us...

"Sky" <skyhooks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:48A4EF75.1C52@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Speaking of generators, what sort do you have, and do you 'exercise'
it every once in awhile? If so, how often? I purchased a used
'briggs & stratton' 2500 watts (gasoline) generator because I'd heard
it for sale on the radio (local 'garage sale' type call-in show). The previous owner was the original owner and it was in beautiful
shape. Knock on Wood it won't need to be used very often when
circumstances dictate.

I unpacked my generator and never started it up. I figured it would
just make sludge rather than just leave it until needed. Not a bad
idea to do run-through on how to use it.
We're at least quite lucky to live in an area that very rarely has
power outages, and they generally last less than an hour or two. Still, generators are nice to have.

Back in Ohio we had a neighbor who had been "burned" by so many power outages that he finally put in a very costly whole house generator with
an automatic cutover switch. He probably never knew when the power
went out. His generator was powered by natural gas.

We've been looking at those for our home. Installed around here they run
about $8K but with our propensity for attracting hurricanes, tornadoes, etc it would be worth the money in the long run. Still, at our age it is
a major purchase so we're still looking at it.


If your highly susceptible to outages or risks like hurricanes, etc., then it's probably worth every penny. If I were in that situation and had the money, I would probably go for it. Having one, life could pretty much go on as normal. It would be especially good if you happen to have an all-
electric home.

We have gas stove, water heater, and furnace. The last requires electricity to operate as we found out in an ice storm in 1995. I have since wired a separate plug into the line to the fan motor so that we can at least have heat with our portable generator. Of course ice storms here only come about once every hundred years but why take a chance.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: power outages; was Re: Were Getting Cool!
    ... it for sale on the radio (local 'garage sale' type call-in show). ... I unpacked my generator and never started it up. ... power outages, and they generally last less than an hour or two. ... a major purchase so we're still looking at it. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
  • Re: power outages; was Re: Were Getting Cool!
    ... I'd heard it for sale on the radio (local 'garage sale' type ... I unpacked my generator and never started it up. ... power outages, and they generally last less than an hour or two. ... our age it is a major purchase so we're still looking at it. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
  • Re: power outages; was Re: Were Getting Cool!
    ... owner was the original owner and it was in beautiful shape. ... I unpacked my generator and never started it up. ... Back in Ohio we had a neighbor who had been "burned" by so many power outages that he finally put in a very costly whole house generator with an automatic cutover switch. ... at our age it is a major purchase so we're still looking at it. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
  • Re: OT: Ohio Power Outage
    ... It's amazing how we all depend so much on electricity. ... notice this like new Homelite 4400 watt 8 H.P generator ... hook up everything and also trying to get GASOLINE ... keep nearby just for power outages so I can keep light and warmth in my ...
    (rec.sport.billiard)
  • Re: New laws, ideas sought for future power outages
    ... I have an emergency backup generator that I purchased when my youngest ... I now live in the suburban Boston area, where extended power outages ... The explanation of of why extended power outages are so common in New ...
    (sci.energy.hydrogen)
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