Finally got to use my generator !

[theoldwizard1]

I have had a 5500W portable generator for about 20 years. I have exercised it regularly and even drain the gas tank and cleaned out the inside a few years, strictly preventive, but boy was there a lot of crud inside !

I live in suburbia. Power has never been an issue. Longest outage we had had was about 3 or 4 hours, not even worth dragging the generator and extension cords out.

So we had a thunderstorm the other , nothing really that bad, The lights went out for about 30 seconds and came back on. 5 or 10 minutes later, no lights ! My guess was the first outage caused something to switch to a different circuit and that one overload and something big went BOOM !

It was dark. Dinner was on the gas stove, so we ate by flashlight. This AM I dragged out the generator (I had just exercised it a week or two before). It started on the first pull. Living in the same place for 40 years, you "acquire" things. I had 3 75'-100' 12AWG cords (fourth is at my son's house), and a few triple taps and some double taps. It took a few minutes to move the refrigerators and make the connections. I even got the Internet, computers and TV running. I ran out and bought 10 gallons of gas, but power should be back on tonight.

I even took one of my extra power cord and ran it over the fence for the neighbors.

If the power is not back on tonight, that generator is being shut off about 10PM. I don't like the noise.


FYI - A few years ago, I got a quote on replacing my fuse box and install a generator inlet and generator interlock. Retired, fixed income, why bother ! I could do it myself, but I really don't want to break the seal and pull the meter.

 

[jd_1138]

Yeah a gennie is something you never want to have to use, but when you need it, they come in handy.

My disabled BIL was stuck in his electric recliner 2 weeks ago when the power was out for 8 hours, so I bought one of those $90 HF Tailgator generators. I put in an NGK properly gapped plug, and it starts on the 2nd pull. I already verified that it operates the chair.

 

[theoldwizard1]

2nd neighbor plugged in, no problem.

Power back. One casualty. A bottle of (I am sure cheap) wine fell off the top of the basement freezer when I moved it to get to the plug.

 

[larry4406]

2nd neighbor plugged in, no problem.

Power back. One casualty. A bottle of (I am sure cheap) wine fell off the top of the basement freezer when I moved it to get to the plug.

There you go!

Cost of wine, cost to replace wine, cost to chill wine, pain of not having chilled wine, lost opportunities of not having chilled wine, value of your time to find and set up cords, etc and the power inlet and interlock is quite attractive. I know my wife likes chilled wine and if she’s happy....

 

[Rc_Guy]

I have a Honda EU6500IS inverter with about 2600 hours and a Honda 2200 inverter with about 40 hours on that, they are nice when you need them.

 

[txvwnut]

I have a 6500 watt gen-set that I put a plug in the shop for. When the power goes out I just wheel the gen-set out open the master breaker and plug in the cord and let’er rip. Powers the whole house with the only issue being it won’t light the a/c compressor.

 

[rharman]

I have a little Coleman 1500w that I bought at least 27 years ago. It's part of our earthquake preparedness.

Start it maybe 1x a year but we've used it a few times during some day-long Edison maintenance and once when a transformer blew on the pole in our yard. It groans when you plug in the refrigerator but it will run it. Was able to run that, internet/computer, and a couple of fans so well worth keeping it around.

 

[Showkey]

Seems like no big deal until it keeping the whole neighborhood awake ............but a generator that’s going to used, even once in great while needs to be quiet.

 

[Odd-job]

2nd neighbor plugged in, no problem.

Power back. One casualty. A bottle of (I am sure cheap) wine fell off the top of the basement freezer when I moved it to get to the plug.

Wish you were my neighbor! Take it you didn’t need mess with an updraft carburetor on this generator?

 

[tyme2par4]

When we have extended outages I always shut it down around 10pm before I go to sleep. Then I'll get up early and start it up for a couple hours so we can shower and cool the fridge back down.
If it's winter I make sure the wood stove is good and hot so it doesn't get cold.

 

[larry4406]

When we have extended outages I always shut it down around 10pm before I go to sleep. Then I'll get up early and start it up for a couple hours so we can shower and cool the fridge back down.
If it's winter I make sure the wood stove is good and hot so it doesn't get cold.

That pretty much sums up what we do.

 

[dcg9381]

Seems like no big deal until it keeping the whole neighborhood awake ............but a generator that’s going to used, even once in great while needs to be quiet.

Now you're running the price up. Price of a 3000 watt generator and a 3000 watt "quiet generator" is a big spread..

You do make a fair point.. .

Course, doesn't matter if your neighbor evacuated or if your nearest neighbor is far enough away that a 3,600 RPM genset isn't heard...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Cost of wine, cost to replace wine, cost to chill wine, ...

Cheap wine, probably been sitting ON TOP of the refrigerator for a couple of years ! NO LOSS, just a messing cleaning up !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Seems like no big deal until it keeping the whole neighborhood awake ............but a generator that’s going to used, even once in great while needs to be quiet.

No, you need to not be an ******* and turn the damn thing OFF around 9PM. No later than 11PM !!

 

[theoldwizard1]

The 3000W (peak) Predator and Champion generators are pretty quiet. If you have a detached garage, put it in there.

What most people do not realize is that a 2000W-2500W (peak) inverter generator will probably run 2 refrigerators (if they don't start at the same time), a TV, cable/internet box, and a couple of computers. If you need to run a gas/oil fired furnace, disconnect one of the refrigerators.

People with wells or big sump pumps need a generator that make 240V @ 20A+ continuously. (You can buy TWO 2000W inverter generators, run them in parallel and then feed a 120V - 240V transformer 4000 Watt Step Up/Step Down Transformer)

Most "whole house" generators will not run central air. If you live in the South, buy 2000W inverter generator, a small window shaker and set it up in a bedroom. Add a small refrigerator and your cable box (my internet worked perfect once it got power) and TV and you are good for days. You might have to turn the A/C off to run the coffee maker or microwave.

 

[Platonic Solid]

I'd have moved years ago if I didn't have a whole house 20KW auto-switching generator. Trees are always falling over the power lines in winter storms somewhere along the only exit road. The little woman loves that we're never out of power for more than 30 seconds.

 

[Farmall450]

Seems like no big deal until it keeping the whole neighborhood awake ............but a generator that’s going to used, even once in great while needs to be quiet.

Eh, if the power's out and it's spoiled stuff or a noisy gen, I know which one I'm picking everytime. Briggs Vanguard has some bark to her.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Now you're running the price up. Price of a 3000 watt generator and a 3000 watt "quiet generator" is a big spread..

You do make a fair point.. .

Course, doesn't matter if your neighbor evacuated or if your nearest neighbor is far enough away that a 3,600 RPM genset isn't heard...

$4000.00 for our 6500 inverter when we bought it. We have it for our BBQ vending trailer, the 2200 is to run the smokers and fridge only while we drive to an event.

I want to be able to plug our house into the 6500 when the power goes out

 

[vavet]

We had a food truck at work today. While waiting for our food, I mentioned to my coworker how quiet their generator was. Not sure of the size, but it was a little Honda unit mounted on the front of the trailer. We could’ve stood next to it and had a conversation at normal volume.

 

[txvwnut]

I just leave mine in the shop with the doors shut and the exhaust fan on low speed. But even if I were to leave it outside the shop is 75 feet from the house, so if it’s not loud in my house I know it’s not loud for the neighbors.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I think I'm going to run up to HD and buy the parts to make a 15A 2 duplex "break out" box. I can shorten one of my existing 12 AWG SJOOW cords 3' (I had to replace the end already) and buy a new male end. I noticed that Carlon does not make a 2 gang Handy Box.

 

[BD1]

No, you need to not be an ******* and turn the damn thing OFF around 9PM. No later than 11PM !!

[emoji23][emoji23] That's funny . My backup is a Miller Trailblazer 302 and runs everything I need.
I bet my neighbor would love that sound if it was running furnace. I don't care about time, as long as it meets noise level codes . Even if it doesn't, I doubt any law enforcement would order you to turn it off.
I'm comfortable, appliances running, and have lights.


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