[AT] lost--generators

charlie hill charliehill at embarqmail.com
Sun Dec 22 07:32:09 PST 2013


Ralph,  I know several folks who have dedicated stand by
generator sets wired into there houses.  These things are
in insulated, soundproofed containers.   They start themselves
once a week or so and run for a few minutes.  Some are wired to
send diagnostic data to the owners computer.  When the power goes
out the use an automatic transfer switch and the lights in the house
barely blink.

Ice storms are not our primary concern.  We live in hurricane country.
We've been relatively lucky in recent years but sooner or later a
bad one will hit.

We have a lot of retired people here and while I hesitate to bad mouth
them, most of them have no real ties to the community and behave as if
they are living in an armed camp rather than trying to become a part of the
community.  They have a bad habit that infuriates me but as long as the big
box stores put up with it they will continue.  If a hurricane is expected, 
these
folks will go to Lowes, etc. and buy up all of the portable gensets they 
have
on hand, take them to their houses and hold them.  If their power doesn't go
out or is only out for a while they take them back a week or so later and 
demand
their money back.  Meanwhile some of the locals who don't have the extra 
cash
to do that will end up loosing their power and in desperation scrape up the 
money
to buy a generator only to find the are all gone.   Then the next week Lowes 
is
loaded with returned generators.  Some are still in the boxes unopened. 
Some have
been removed but not run but some of these folks have the nerve to run the 
things
for a few hours or days and then take them back with some complaint about
performance and still demand and get their money.

I don't blame this on the retirees lightly.  I've heard them brag about 
doing it.  I've never
heard a local talk about doing it.   The up side of the situation is that if 
you get in tight
with the folks at Lowes you can get a deal on a unit a few days after a 
storm.

Charlie

-----Original Message----- 
From: Ralph Goff
Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2013 10:00 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] lost--generators

On 12/22/2013 8:19 AM, Richard Fink Sr wrote:
> We have a 10KW gas powered  welder generator in the little garage. have it
> wired under ground to house will run complete house. Have it for snow and
> ice storms. Have not used it where we live now. And have a 3500 to loan to
> neighbors if needed.
> R Fink
> PA
Interesting to see how well prepared some of you are for long term power
outages. I guess we have been lulled into a false sense of security here
by years of never having needed any back up power source . Ice storms
are rare here, or if they do happen it is not to the degree that you
have in the south or east. A lot of the power lines are underground in
this area which helps too .
Plus, trying to start a generator out in the cold at -20 or worse below
could be a real challenge. And don't even think about firing up a diesel
tractor without a power source to pre heat the engine. I could likely
get the old gas powered tractors running to power a pto generator but
considering fuel costs of close to $15 per hour even for small tractors,
it would be an expensive option.
It is happening in Eastern Canada right now according to this news.
  http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Travel+chaos+power+outages+storm+grips+Ontario+Quebec+Maritimes/9315648/story.html

Ralph in Sask.
>

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