(02-16-2014 10:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-15-2014 08:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  Damn...Just got the power back on tonight since shortly after the above post. Our area was hammered with freezing rain. My back yard looks like it was hit by a tornado. Three trees down and limbs every damn where. I was prepared this time. I have my house wired for my generator and between gas logs and the Kerosene heater..we stayed warm. Even watched the US/Russia game this Am on the 60. Drank a ton of Vodka. Good times.

Still over 5000 out of power in our area. I have to commend the linemen from all over...they have been working their asses off trying to restore power. We really do take utilities for granted. If the power goes off for a month?...All schit would hit the fan.

IF you don't mind me asking, what does a whole house generator cost these days? I'm looking around and seeing quotes ranging from $8k to north of $10k. I'm talking a generator that will run everything.

I have 7KW portable generator/welder unit that cost about $850 10 years ago. I bought this because of the dual purpose aspect. I use it all the time for small welding projects. I had a transfer switch installed by my an electrician friend of mine. All together I have about $1100 in everything including wiring. I can run pretty much everything in the house in an emergency as far as electrical. I can even run my AC in the Summer as long as I scale back other usage. Honestly...I would not spend the money on a whole house unit. I just can't see the payback of the big expense. I mean just how many times are you going to need it? I highly recommend you get a transfer switch even though it can be expensive. Some folks backfeed generators and as long as you know WTF you are doing? It is fine. Otherwise you can kill yourself or someone else. Power companies discourage this and in some states...it is illegal to backfeed. If you forget to cut off the MAIN...it is possible to electrocute a line worker because you are feeding the grid with your power. I just like the transfer switch because of my wife. She can set up our house as easily as I can.

I highly recommend buying the welder/generator combo. Lincoln electric has nice line of them. It just makes the purchase pay off by being able to use it more often.

(02-16-2014 11:09 AM)QuestionSocratic Wrote:  

(02-16-2014 10:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-15-2014 08:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  Damn...Just got the power back on tonight since shortly after the above post. Our area was hammered with freezing rain. My back yard looks like it was hit by a tornado. Three trees down and limbs every damn where. I was prepared this time. I have my house wired for my generator and between gas logs and the Kerosene heater..we stayed warm. Even watched the US/Russia game this Am on the 60. Drank a ton of Vodka. Good times.

Still over 5000 out of power in our area. I have to commend the linemen from all over...they have been working their asses off trying to restore power. We really do take utilities for granted. If the power goes off for a month?...All schit would hit the fan.

IF you don't mind me asking, what does a whole house generator cost these days? I'm looking around and seeing quotes ranging from $8k to north of $10k. I'm talking a generator that will run everything.

I did a Generac 14KWH and had it installed for about $5k. Count your circuits, you shouldn't need more than 15 to get everything covered. Make sure you get the automatic transfer panel. Installation can add $1000 - $1500 depending on how far the gas line has to run, and local costs.

That is a nice setup. I have a friend that has something similar. The autoswitching is nice for when you are out of town.

(02-16-2014 10:51 AM)firmbizzle Wrote:  It's 70 here in Orlando. You guys should come down. Maybe a spin room convention.

Come on out to Vegas...it's about 75 right now.

(02-16-2014 05:32 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(02-16-2014 10:51 AM)firmbizzle Wrote:  It's 70 here in Orlando. You guys should come down. Maybe a spin room convention.

Come on out to Vegas...it's about 75 right now.

Working on June.


Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

(02-16-2014 11:09 AM)QuestionSocratic Wrote:  

(02-16-2014 10:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-15-2014 08:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  Damn...Just got the power back on tonight since shortly after the above post. Our area was hammered with freezing rain. My back yard looks like it was hit by a tornado. Three trees down and limbs every damn where. I was prepared this time. I have my house wired for my generator and between gas logs and the Kerosene heater..we stayed warm. Even watched the US/Russia game this Am on the 60. Drank a ton of Vodka. Good times.

Still over 5000 out of power in our area. I have to commend the linemen from all over...they have been working their asses off trying to restore power. We really do take utilities for granted. If the power goes off for a month?...All schit would hit the fan.

IF you don't mind me asking, what does a whole house generator cost these days? I'm looking around and seeing quotes ranging from $8k to north of $10k. I'm talking a generator that will run everything.

I did a Generac 14KWH and had it installed for about $5k. Count your circuits, you shouldn't need more than 15 to get everything covered. Make sure you get the automatic transfer panel. Installation can add $1000 - $1500 depending on how far the gas line has to run, and local costs.

Is that tapping into your regular gas line or do you have a propane tank? In a disaster I'd think a propane tank would be more reliable.

(02-16-2014 05:33 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(02-16-2014 11:09 AM)QuestionSocratic Wrote:  

(02-16-2014 10:28 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(02-15-2014 08:44 PM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  Damn...Just got the power back on tonight since shortly after the above post. Our area was hammered with freezing rain. My back yard looks like it was hit by a tornado. Three trees down and limbs every damn where. I was prepared this time. I have my house wired for my generator and between gas logs and the Kerosene heater..we stayed warm. Even watched the US/Russia game this Am on the 60. Drank a ton of Vodka. Good times.

Still over 5000 out of power in our area. I have to commend the linemen from all over...they have been working their asses off trying to restore power. We really do take utilities for granted. If the power goes off for a month?...All schit would hit the fan.

IF you don't mind me asking, what does a whole house generator cost these days? I'm looking around and seeing quotes ranging from $8k to north of $10k. I'm talking a generator that will run everything.

I did a Generac 14KWH and had it installed for about $5k. Count your circuits, you shouldn't need more than 15 to get everything covered. Make sure you get the automatic transfer panel. Installation can add $1000 - $1500 depending on how far the gas line has to run, and local costs.

Is that tapping into your regular gas line or do you have a propane tank? In a disaster I'd think a propane tank would be more reliable.

Since everything is underground, gas lines are pretty reliable and you don't have to worry about where you are going to get a propane tank filled up. That type of system often has automatic start ups on a scheduled basis to insure that the unit is operational. Nothing worse than a generator that will not start when you need it. Even though I put fuel stabilizer in my gas...I start mine up and let it run about every other month. During hurricane season I start it up every couple of weeks to keep it in good shape. The biggest problem people have is letting the unit sit for long periods of time without running.

I was out of power after a storm for 8 days. It was miserable. It won't happen again if I can avoid it.