Sandy has my attention

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,238]

With a statement like this:

"We looking at one of the worst storms on record that we've seen in this region," said Hurricane Specialist Carl Parker

Time to get a generator!

The word historic is also being tossed about. I've delayed long enough.....

[rmaynard 15,407]

Time to check the oil in mine, fill all my gas cans, store some water, and hope that the storm models are all wrong.

[CRE1992 135]

If you are going to get a generator please do no get one of the Chinese import ones. As an electrician this summer (go to school during the fall and spring) we received a huge number of calls asking us to fix their generators. While arriving to see if it was something minor, or operator error. It was normal for a blown engine (no brand name) so it was probably a clone. And you will typically have to spend at least 2 times as much for a new, nicer one, but they are worth it.

If you have the money, I recommend going with either a Kohler stand by generator, generac stand by or a Honda portable. Honda generators are very smooth and quiet running for the most part, they also produce clean voltage.

The new generac generators while they will last awhile if taken care of, are not built nearly as well as the generac generators of the past. I am talking about the ones at home depot, lowes or tractor supply. We have a 7.5KW with electric start, and its okay for now but it has had some problems with it and it only has 20 hours on it. After speaking to the generac service technician at the local electrical warehouse he said when it comes to worrying about a standby generator "go big, or go home". Not meaning buy the biggest generator you can, but buy a more expensive one, typically they have a lot better quality as compare to the ones people buy at home depot, lowes, or tractor supply.

[Coadster32 793]

I'll be prepping this weekend as well. Gotta fill-er-up, and stock up.

[mowerman1193 32]

If I was going to get one again, I would look at either one that hooks to my tractor or they now have them that run on a LP tank. For no more than they get used it seems as though you have to tinker with them to get the motor going..

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,238]

Well, day late. Everyone sold out last night. While I have winterized the camper, I might be filling it up with water, this way at least we can have hot showers and drinking water!

[rmaynard 15,407]

Well, day late. Everyone sold out last night. While I have winterized the camper, I might be filling it up with water, this way at least we can have hot showers and drinking water!

Make sure that the camper is tied down. I nicely equipped camper is no good if it's in the next county.

[stevasaurus 22,683]

You guys might want to consider early voting also...power could be out for some time. Good luck with the storm...it does look impressive. :bow-blue:

[dsholler 54]

Did a bunch of research about portable generators last year before Irene. The ones that run on LP gas have gotten poor reviews...(although that is the way to go if you have a whole house standby generator). I bought one that was a Briggs&Stratton brand. Briggs engine did not have a place of origin, so it could be re-branded chinese I suppose, but so far so good...puts out power as it should, although a bit thirstier than I expected. The best thing is the transfer switch.. it makes a big difference if you can run the heat in the house and the fridge. (Hurricanes are much more fun if you can eat ice cream. )

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,238]

Right now a store near by is expecting some 7000 watt Briggs generators. Hopefully I'll get it timed right to pick one up when they come in. Of course there'll be no time for a transfer switch, but I can run the fridge and lights and the TV!

Well, day late. Everyone sold out last night. While I have winterized the camper, I might be filling it up with water, this way at least we can have hot showers and drinking water!

Make sure that the camper is tied down. I nicely equipped camper is no good if it's in the next county.

Hopefully it's 13,000# weight will help keep it grounded! Now the tree falling on it, now that's a different story!

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,294]

I'm running a Briggs Generator. Its 7000 watts running with an 8000+ starting capacity. So far so good with about 70 hours on the hour meter. I have a 200amp whole house transfer switch that ties it to my house.

Mike..........

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,238]

Mike, that looks exactly like the one I am interested in!

[CRE1992 135]

Mike, that looks exactly like the one I am interested in!

There is actually away to run the whole house with one, however it is considered hot wired, and you absolutely must turn off the main coming in from the street and it is illegal. It is illegal because it has caused people working on the lines to get shocked and possibly killed by people not turning the main off when doing it.

If you turn the main off you do not have to worry about it. Though getting a transfer switch is the right thing to do. If you want to know how pm me. This is just a temporary solution so that you can run most of the things in your house. Including the furnace.

-Charles

[CasualObserver 3,408]

Charles... we've covered that a lot in the past... there are several professional electricians and linemen in our membership and every year during hurricanes or winter storms it comes up. Search the word backfeeding and you should be able to find most of them.

For a tractor forum... there have been some pretty in depth discussions on the matter.

Karl.... 'bout time. Just be glad.... or perhaps we should just be glad.... that you aren't running RS on your personal server anymore!

[CRE1992 135]

Charles... we've covered that a lot in the past... there are several professional electricians and linemen in our membership and every year during hurricanes or winter storms it comes up. Search the word backfeeding and you should be able to find most of them.

For a tractor forum... there have been some pretty in depth discussions on the matter.

I know, but I just thought I would bring it up. I have done it in the past, but I did not want to exclusively announce how to do it so no one does anything stupid...

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,294]

Figured I would get my gas stuff taken care of before the big storm rush. I like everything full right before a potentialy huge storm. So I filled my car, filled a 5 and a 6 gallon gas can (generator is allready full) and only topped off my truck......$190.00 !! Its $3.98/gallon here.

OUCH!

Mike.........

[CRE1992 135]

Figured I would get my gas stuff taken care of before the big storm rush. I like everything full right before a potentialy huge storm. So I filled my car, filled a 5 and a 6 gallon gas can (generator is allready full) and only topped off my truck......$190.00 !! Its $3.98/gallon here.

OUCH!

Mike.........

Lol I don't like the prices of fuel either! Just be happy you don't have to fill this monster up, it has a 34 gallon tank under the bed, and a 120 gallon tank in the bed!!! Last time I filled it up from almost empty it cost me a little over $530. Talk about expensive! But it can go more that 2100 miles on a full tank of fuel!

[Forest Road 594]

My neighbor was just west of Milford PA today. He shelves were full of generators!!!! If you're really desperate make some phone calls and take a trip.

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,238]

Got my generator, hopefully pick it up tomorrow. I got the Briggs & Stratton Elite 7000 Watt portable generator. Seems to have quite a number of thumbs up, so hopefully it'll work well for me. Next will be the transfer switch, but I'll have to make do without it for now. Been a great fall, got my long sought after leaf blower and now a decent sized generator. I plan to use it with the camper as well, this way we can dry camp in style!

[Ken B 3,164]

Mike, that looks exactly like the one I am interested in!

There is actually away to run the whole house with one, however it is considered hot wired, and you absolutely must turn off the main coming in from the street and it is illegal. It is illegal because it has caused people working on the lines to get shocked and possibly killed by people not turning the main off when doing it.

If you turn the main off you do not have to worry about it. Though getting a transfer switch is the right thing to do. If you want to know how pm me. This is just a temporary solution so that you can run most of the things in your house. Including the furnace.

-Charles

I did it last time this yr. when we were out of power for 10 days. My generator handled it no problem. Obviously, you don't want to run too many big draw items at once on a 30 amp breaker.

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,238]

Funny, this storm is just about going to hit the same day as the October snow storm last year.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,294]

More freaky than funny.

Good luck with the generator!

Mike.......

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,238]

You know of course, that there will be NO power outage with this storm! That's due in part to the generator purchase. Now if for what ever reason, I don't take delivery, the entire northeast will be without power until Christmas!

[midnight rambler 36]

good luck karl, another idea guys if your handy you can always look at a portable welder, kinda expensive but wont blow away and will hold its value.

another thing to concider is a portable welder, expensive but will hold its value and multiple uses. good luck karl and the east coast.

[Coadster32 793]

Let's just hope this will be a big dud!! Our next door neighbor neglects his hollow trees in his yard. Unfortunatly, they sit right above the neighborhood power lines. :*****: