I'm Back....FINALLY !!!!

[kirbinster]

Lost power here in NJ at 2pm on Saturday and it just came on a few minutes ago, yes it is about 8pm on THURSDAY. Got to love the power company. Next week I go out and buy a generator.

[JFSanders]

Well what do you expect from that evil G.W. Bush and his global warming machine. . .

Nice to have you back. And I have installed about a bazillion generators since the 2004 hurricane season. Haven't had a real blow since.

Nice thing about living down here is that it doesn't get cold enough to freeze your taters if the power does go out. Although I have heard of people spontaneously combusting from the heat.

Jim

[BuddhaPi]

welcome back Kirbs, try going 2 plus weeks in 90degree heat...not fun! I'm sure those Husk's enjoyed the white stuff!

[Ambrosia76]

We lost power for 4 days in the middle of summer and when I came home the second day and it was 95 inside my house I left and went to a motel...LOL

I could probably take the cold better as we have a fireplace although it hasn't been used in over 2 years.

[Jonbar18]

Welcome back, but from your Flickr posts, it seems Thursday was lucky.

Our heater was broken for a couple days about a month back. It was a particularly cold week, and at night it was 4 degrees (C) inside. Interestingly though, I still prefer that to when our A/C was broken, and it reached 35C

[Bruce A]

Glad you're back on the grid - did you lose a lot of food?

[kirbinster]

Originally Posted by JFSanders

Well what do you expect from that evil G.W. Bush and his global warming machine. . .

Nice to have you back. And I have installed about a bazillion generators since the 2004 hurricane season. Haven't had a real blow since.

Nice thing about living down here is that it doesn't get cold enough to freeze your taters if the power does go out. Although I have heard of people spontaneously combusting from the heat.

Jim

Any recommendations on a generator???

[mosgood]

Welcome back! We have family in NH who also lost power. Truly a frustrating time. Hope you find a good generator soon!

[JFSanders]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

Any recommendations on a generator???

Like anything it depends upon your budget and power requirements. But the general rule is Propane powered because the propane never goes bad like diesel and the gas can't be turned off by the company and diverted to commercial buyers. But you have to have some room to site the tank.

If you want a whole house genset then it is sized by how many a/c or heating units you have and if they are electric (I hope you aren't heating with electric) and if you are on a well for water. If the answer to those three questions is yes then it would probably be cheaper for you to go to a hotel and stay until the power comes back on. Because you are going to need at least a 40 KW and probably a 60KW to power that load. It isn't the running amps that get you it is the start up amps.

If you have gas heat and a well then you can do it reasonably with about a 20KW genset. All of them are pretty good as long as you get the aluminum cabinets so they don't rust out so quickly. I would definitely shop around as deals can be had if you are willing to have it shipped in. Although at this point in your area the prices and availability are going to be very iffy.

I like Kohler engines but Briggs and Stratton's commercial grade engines are pretty good in the 20 KW sizes. If you go bigger then get the Ford powered ones as they have the most experience with propane burners. Generac uses GM engines.

Jim