Well tonight the wind blew so of course Rocky Mountain Power has failed in our neighborhood. I guess the gerbil in the treadmill died, or the extension cord got pulled out of the transformer or something. At any rate, for the first time since I got my generator (2 years ago) I'm running the house on it- and I have to say that it's more stable than the power company! Running the computer on gasoline right now (instead of coal and wind) and no complaints. I do run the generator for 10 minutes every 2 to 3 weeks just to keep it lubricated, change fuel every year and use Sta-bil in the gas. Joe Bauman, you've been running your laptop & telescope in the field from a generator for some time now; any insights or comments?
Hi Chuck, It has been a joy to use in the field, though I've only done it a couple of times. It ran all night on the gas in the generator. I've had only three problems: 1, the first time I used it overfilled the tank and it scared me with the gasoline sloshing around and fumes getting out, and the generator in the front of my Jeep; 2, it was a pain in the butt to change the oil in the desert (you're supposed to do that after running it for a while); 3, I keep it in the garage under the box it came in, and yesterday when Iooked at it in the garage, I saw a flap of the cardboard box was damp. Under the generator there was more of this damp material. But when I put smelled it, it didn't smell like gasoline; maybe it was oil. Possibly the oil plug has come loose, or possible gasoline dripped out though I think the latter is unlikely. I need to check it further. The only concern I've heard about using the generator during a power outage, as per the last big discussion, is that it shouldn't be connected to the house when the power goes back on. Instead, according to one of the commentators, it can be used to power individual appliances, not a circuit. -- Best wishes, Joe Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote: Well tonight the wind blew so of course Rocky Mountain Power has failed in our neighborhood. I guess the gerbil in the treadmill died, or the extension cord got pulled out of the transformer or something. At any rate, for the first time since I got my generator (2 years ago) I'm running the house on it- and I have to say that it's more stable than the power company! Running the computer on gasoline right now (instead of coal and wind) and no complaints. I do run the generator for 10 minutes every 2 to 3 weeks just to keep it lubricated, change fuel every year and use Sta-bil in the gas. Joe Bauman, you've been running your laptop & telescope in the field from a generator for some time now; any insights or comments? _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com --------------------------------- Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games.
Hi Joe: On 9/5/07, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman@yahoo.com> wrote:
The only concern I've heard about using the generator during a power outage, as per the last big discussion, is that it shouldn't be connected to the house when the power goes back on. Instead, according to one of the commentators, it can be used to power individual appliances, not a circuit.
I can't recall who that commentator was, but what they told you needs qualification and isn't completely correct. Not being able to power a circuit would be applicable ONLY if your generator is under-rated for the total demands of the circuit and you try to connect it improperly without following the electrical code (meaning you just plug it into an outlet or otherwise jury-rig it to the house somehow). It *can* power the entire house, IF it has sufficient capacity for the demands you want to place on it, and you have a licensed electrician install what's called a "Transfer Switch" next to your main breaker box. These are large isolation switches that disconnect the house from the grid and make it safe to power the house from the generator. Then you don't have to run extension cords everywhere. Under-rated extension cords can actually be a tremendous fire hazard when they overheat. Using a generator with too-small capacity isn't a good idea to power up an entire house. Usually at least 4000W is needed, and then you can usually run only one appliance at a time, if you have a lot of other smaller devices running. Bigger is better for generators intended for home use. Last night, we had the 37" TV, sound system, two lamps and a couple of other room lights, fridge, computer, window fan, and washing machine running simultaneously, and the garage door intermittantly, with no problems at all. Still had some reserve capacity with my 5200W generator. It's too large and heavy for me to lift by myself. I have it on a small dolly with casters so I can easily roll it around the garage and out the back door when needed.
Very cool! I guess someone was warning against a generator causing a flashback type reaction when the utility switches power back on. But in your casae, with a terminator switch, that must not be a problem. Thanks for the great info. Best wishes, Joe Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote: Hi Joe: On 9/5/07, Joe Bauman wrote:
The only concern I've heard about using the generator during a power outage, as per the last big discussion, is that it shouldn't be connected to the house when the power goes back on. Instead, according to one of the commentators, it can be used to power individual appliances, not a circuit.
I can't recall who that commentator was, but what they told you needs qualification and isn't completely correct. Not being able to power a circuit would be applicable ONLY if your generator is under-rated for the total demands of the circuit and you try to connect it improperly without following the electrical code (meaning you just plug it into an outlet or otherwise jury-rig it to the house somehow). It *can* power the entire house, IF it has sufficient capacity for the demands you want to place on it, and you have a licensed electrician install what's called a "Transfer Switch" next to your main breaker box. These are large isolation switches that disconnect the house from the grid and make it safe to power the house from the generator. Then you don't have to run extension cords everywhere. Under-rated extension cords can actually be a tremendous fire hazard when they overheat. Using a generator with too-small capacity isn't a good idea to power up an entire house. Usually at least 4000W is needed, and then you can usually run only one appliance at a time, if you have a lot of other smaller devices running. Bigger is better for generators intended for home use. Last night, we had the 37" TV, sound system, two lamps and a couple of other room lights, fridge, computer, window fan, and washing machine running simultaneously, and the garage door intermittantly, with no problems at all. Still had some reserve capacity with my 5200W generator. It's too large and heavy for me to lift by myself. I have it on a small dolly with casters so I can easily roll it around the garage and out the back door when needed. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com --------------------------------- Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more.
Exactly, Joe. The transfer switch makes it impossible for the power grid and the generator to ever be interconnected. Last night, when the grid power eventually came back on, I was in the shower at the time. I just kept the house on the generator for another fiteen minutes until I was out of the shower and dressed again. BTW, some locales require a permit from the city to install a transfer switch, and you must have the permit in-hand if you sell your house. Be sure to check local codes. On 9/5/07, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman@yahoo.com> wrote:
Very cool! I guess someone was warning against a generator causing a flashback type reaction when the utility switches power back on. But in your casae, with a terminator switch, that must not be a problem.
The main reason for the transfer switch is you don't want to fry a utility repairman. You can also have an automatic transfer switch, which is what I have, coupled to a 8000W natural gas generator. When the power is off for more than 30 seconds or in a non-spec brown condition it automatically kicks in. Its noise level is only 70 dB so you can't hear it in the house. 8000W is not enough to run the A/C so I keep it in manual mode during the summer. I have a friend with a 15000W unit but it is water cooled and much more maintenance than my air cooled unit. After I installed the unit we stopped having so many power outages so it doesn't get used much. It also runs automatically for 10 minutes each week to keep it in proper running order. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:12 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Generator Very cool! I guess someone was warning against a generator causing a flashback type reaction when the utility switches power back on. But in your casae, with a terminator switch, that must not be a problem. Thanks for the great info. Best wishes, Joe Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> wrote: Hi Joe: On 9/5/07, Joe Bauman wrote:
The only concern I've heard about using the generator during a power outage, as per the last big discussion, is that it shouldn't be connected
to
the house when the power goes back on. Instead, according to one of the commentators, it can be used to power individual appliances, not a circuit.
I can't recall who that commentator was, but what they told you needs qualification and isn't completely correct. Not being able to power a circuit would be applicable ONLY if your generator is under-rated for the total demands of the circuit and you try to connect it improperly without following the electrical code (meaning you just plug it into an outlet or otherwise jury-rig it to the house somehow). It *can* power the entire house, IF it has sufficient capacity for the demands you want to place on it, and you have a licensed electrician install what's called a "Transfer Switch" next to your main breaker box. These are large isolation switches that disconnect the house from the grid and make it safe to power the house from the generator. Then you don't have to run extension cords everywhere. Under-rated extension cords can actually be a tremendous fire hazard when they overheat. Using a generator with too-small capacity isn't a good idea to power up an entire house. Usually at least 4000W is needed, and then you can usually run only one appliance at a time, if you have a lot of other smaller devices running. Bigger is better for generators intended for home use. Last night, we had the 37" TV, sound system, two lamps and a couple of other room lights, fridge, computer, window fan, and washing machine running simultaneously, and the garage door intermittantly, with no problems at all. Still had some reserve capacity with my 5200W generator. It's too large and heavy for me to lift by myself. I have it on a small dolly with casters so I can easily roll it around the garage and out the back door when needed. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com --------------------------------- Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Man, Don, no kidding. I bought mine after the December '05 outage and we haven't had a power outage since, until yesterday. My wife's been shooting dirty looks at the generator until last night, now she's finally sold on the idea! We run a swamp cooler in the house and have a small air conditioner for the bedroom only, so my 5.2KW unit powers the whole house with capacity to spare. On 9/5/07, Don J. Colton <djcolton@piol.com> wrote:
After I installed the unit we stopped having so many power outages so it doesn't get used much. It also runs automatically for 10 minutes each week to keep it in proper running order.
I recall posting that on the first generator thread- but funny thing, nobody seemed to care about zapping anybody associated with (then) Utah Power! (now Rocky Mtn. Power). My neighbor is a funny guy. When he's on his generator, he turns-on every light he can. Lights that he never turns-on otherwise, all exterior lighting too. Like he's advertising that he has a generator. Then you see them dim when someone inside turns on one-more appliance and the generator sags a bit. He's the same neighbor who uses a chain-saw for cutting 1" diameter saplings and brush. I went over with my bow saw and parrot-nosed nippers and he felt genuinely offended. Not macho or noisy enough. Also uses a riding mower for a 15' x 30' lawn! LOL! On 9/5/07, Don J. Colton <djcolton@piol.com> wrote:
The main reason for the transfer switch is you don't want to fry a utility repairman.
Not everyone is practical like you Chuck. Some people like to splurge and buy "guy" stuff and some even get a kick out of using them. I've often thought about using one of my 3 chain says to edge the lawn, or, cut the grass. Not because I don't have anything better to use, but because I would get a kick out annoying my neighbor. Quoting Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com>:
My neighbor is a funny guy. When he's on his generator, he turns-on every light he can. Lights that he never turns-on otherwise, all exterior lighting too. Like he's advertising that he has a generator. Then you see them dim when someone inside turns on one-more appliance and the generator sags a bit. He's the same neighbor who uses a chain-saw for cutting 1" diameter saplings and brush. I went over with my bow saw and parrot-nosed nippers and he felt genuinely offended. Not macho or noisy enough. Also uses a riding mower for a 15' x 30' lawn! LOL!
On 9/5/07, Don J. Colton <djcolton@piol.com> wrote:
The main reason for the transfer switch is you don't want to fry a utility repairman.
Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
PLEASE call me when you use the chainsaw to edge the lawn!!! PLEASE!!! ;o) On 9/6/07, diveboss@xmission.com <diveboss@xmission.com> wrote:
Not everyone is practical like you Chuck. Some people like to splurge and buy "guy" stuff and some even get a kick out of using them. I've often thought about using one of my 3 chain says to edge the lawn, or, cut the grass. Not because I don't have anything better to use, but because I would get a kick out annoying my neighbor.
Chuck Hards wrote:
Well tonight the wind blew so of course Rocky Mountain Power has failed in our neighborhood. I guess the gerbil in the treadmill died, or the extension cord got pulled out of the transformer or something.
At any rate, for the first time since I got my generator (2 years ago) I'm running the house on it- and I have to say that it's more stable than the power company! Running the computer on gasoline right now (instead of coal and wind) and no complaints. I do run the generator for 10 minutes every 2 to 3 weeks just to keep it lubricated, change fuel every year and use Sta-bil in the gas.
Joe Bauman, you've been running your laptop & telescope in the field from a generator for some time now; any insights or comments?
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THOSE OF YOU WHO USE A BACK-UP GENERATOR I also use a generator to keep essential things going in my house when "Utah Flash & Flicker" drops off the line. Wednesday morning my community arose to find the power out; it was still pretty dark so I fired up the generator. When I connected the plug I found it difficult to lock it into the receptacle, but it seemed tight so I switched all the circuits to generator power and fired up. A few minutes later while I was shaving the lights suddenly dimmed, then went VERY bright and then blew out with a bright flash and a loud pop. I could hear a loud growling noise coming from the kitchen area, so I rushed out to the generator to shut it down - I found my wife sweeping the garage floor under the area where the generator sits in waiting (I wheel it outside the garage to run, with a heavy cable that connects into the separate power panel provided for generator power). She was brushing against the cable from the generator causing it to sway gently, and that movement was apparently causing a 'make and break' in one or more of the circuits. The result was momentary application of 230 VAC across some of the 115 VAC lines. This little blunder on my part cost me: the microwave oven, a couple surge suppressors (which saved my computer, the Hi Fi equipment, and some other expensive stuff), soot stains on the carpet under the surge suppressors, and many light bulbs. If the refrigerator or the freezer had been on at the time it probably would have taken them out as well. There may still be other things that I haven't found that are smoked as well. Lesson learned: BE SURE THE CABLE IS INSERTED ALL THE WAY, AND LOCKED IN, BEFORE STARTING THE GENERATOR. I have been using this setup for about fifteen years with no problems at all. It was professionally installed to meet all codes. Only the operator screwed up... Norm
I will ALWAYS make sure the twist-lock plug is secure! I don't have it hardwired-in so that I can take the generator elsewhere if needed, so your advice is well-taken. Thanks, Norm. Live and learn. On 9/7/07, Norm Hansen <norm.hansen@mtngreen.net> wrote:
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THOSE OF YOU WHO USE A BACK-UP GENERATOR
participants (5)
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Chuck Hards -
diveboss＠xmission.com -
Don J. Colton -
Joe Bauman -
Norm Hansen