Just in case anyone along the east coast is hiding under a rock, today would be a good time to test your backup generator and make sure you have a decent supply of gas on hand.
BITOG'ers on East Coast test your generators today
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Did last night!
Unfortunately I can't power the entire house yet, but I'll at least have some power!
Unfortunately I can't power the entire house yet, but I'll at least have some power!
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DON'T FORGET LOTS OF GAS!
A friend of mine bought a large gasoline generator. I checked the web site and his model will use 42 five gallon cans of gasoline a week! Most people have no idea how much these machines use, Even the 10 HP ones like I have use a large amount like several five gallon cans a day.
I went on line and bought a kit to convert my gasoline generator to LP gas so now I don't have to keep gasoline on hand.
Northern Tool on line has duel fuel gasoline/ LP gas generators.
Many times in my area guys generators will not start because of old gas.
A friend of mine bought a large gasoline generator. I checked the web site and his model will use 42 five gallon cans of gasoline a week! Most people have no idea how much these machines use, Even the 10 HP ones like I have use a large amount like several five gallon cans a day.
I went on line and bought a kit to convert my gasoline generator to LP gas so now I don't have to keep gasoline on hand.
Northern Tool on line has duel fuel gasoline/ LP gas generators.
Many times in my area guys generators will not start because of old gas.
While they use lots of gas, you don't need to run them but a few hours a day this time of year...just enough to keep the freezers and fridges cold, and to pump water.
I have no idea how much gas this 17HP deal is going to drink...probably lots!
I have no idea how much gas this 17HP deal is going to drink...probably lots!
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Too far inland for any effects. Maybe a power/cable/internet outage, and that's it.
Internet stays on here. They put electricity on the top wires so trees knock that out. Phone and net wires are lower on the poles.
Verizon Wireless takes their network seriously. I know a tower site that has a hardened bunker with UPS/generator that runs off piped natural gas. Sprint has a guy with a pickup/landscape trailer and a bunch of generators with quick lock plugs and the requisite chains and locks. He runs around with 5 gallon cans of gas.
Originally Posted By: callbay
DON'T FORGET LOTS OF GAS!
A friend of mine bought a large gasoline generator. I checked the web site and his model will use 42 five gallon cans of gasoline a week! Most people have no idea how much these machines use, Even the 10 HP ones like I have use a large amount like several five gallon cans a day.
I went on line and bought a kit to convert my gasoline generator to LP gas so now I don't have to keep gasoline on hand.
Northern Tool on line has duel fuel gasoline/ LP gas generators.
Many times in my area guys generators will not start because of old gas.
I have considered that also. But I only have a large single cylinder of propane gas for the stove. Or do you have a bunch of 20lb ones?
DON'T FORGET LOTS OF GAS!
A friend of mine bought a large gasoline generator. I checked the web site and his model will use 42 five gallon cans of gasoline a week! Most people have no idea how much these machines use, Even the 10 HP ones like I have use a large amount like several five gallon cans a day.
I went on line and bought a kit to convert my gasoline generator to LP gas so now I don't have to keep gasoline on hand.
Northern Tool on line has duel fuel gasoline/ LP gas generators.
Many times in my area guys generators will not start because of old gas.
I have considered that also. But I only have a large single cylinder of propane gas for the stove. Or do you have a bunch of 20lb ones?
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The last time we had a decent storm (like this) come through, it knocked down vast amounts of power lines in the rural areas because they don't trim the trees back. We've also had a lot of rain in the past few weeks, the ground is saturated...so that ought to add to the problem.
I'm not worried about any of it...good excuse to cut firewood if I can't get away from my house! Speaking of that, make sure you have your saw gas, extra chains, bar oil, etc. to cut yourself out to the main road! I'm figuring I'm going to be spending this weekend cutting fallen trees up.
I'm not worried about any of it...good excuse to cut firewood if I can't get away from my house! Speaking of that, make sure you have your saw gas, extra chains, bar oil, etc. to cut yourself out to the main road! I'm figuring I'm going to be spending this weekend cutting fallen trees up.
Originally Posted By: callbay
DON'T FORGET LOTS OF GAS!
A friend of mine bought a large gasoline generator. I checked the web site and his model will use 42 five gallon cans of gasoline a week!
Geez, how big is this generator? My brother has a 5k watt Chonda and it runs about 8 hours on one tank fill, which can't be more than about 3 gallons.
Many times in my area guys generators will not start because of old gas.
Completely agree, kudos to the OP for starting this thread
DON'T FORGET LOTS OF GAS!
A friend of mine bought a large gasoline generator. I checked the web site and his model will use 42 five gallon cans of gasoline a week!
Geez, how big is this generator? My brother has a 5k watt Chonda and it runs about 8 hours on one tank fill, which can't be more than about 3 gallons.
Many times in my area guys generators will not start because of old gas.
Completely agree, kudos to the OP for starting this thread
Yep I fired mine last night and changed the oil(how's that for a BITOGer?)...
Actually mine is a 1998 Homelite 4400 watt with a 8Hp Briggs that I bought BARELY used, I don't think the oil had ever been changed... I drained it in a large Pizza pan and oil was fairly clean but did have that metallic paint look...
Actually mine is a 1998 Homelite 4400 watt with a 8Hp Briggs that I bought BARELY used, I don't think the oil had ever been changed... I drained it in a large Pizza pan and oil was fairly clean but did have that metallic paint look...
After the last 'cane to hit Louisiana, I was without power for 11 days. Temp's in the 90's during the day, 80 at night. Ran my Yamaha 6.6kwatt generator 24/7 with 2 short pitstops per day to fill up gas and check oil (changed oil at day 5). Constantly ran 2 window AC units, refrig, deep freeze, couple of box fans, TV/Satellite, PC, and several lights at night. I estimate I went thru ~110 gal of gas during that period....and gas was running a little over $4/gal at the time. The 6000 and 8000 BTU window unit AC's made the gas expense WELL worth it!
During this summer, I have been running the genny at least once per week. ANYTIME I need electricity outside (vacuuming car, running shop fan outside when doing vehicle maintenance, etc) I start up the generator and let it provide the juice for me. That way I know for sure it is in great running conditions when/if the next storm hits.
During this summer, I have been running the genny at least once per week. ANYTIME I need electricity outside (vacuuming car, running shop fan outside when doing vehicle maintenance, etc) I start up the generator and let it provide the juice for me. That way I know for sure it is in great running conditions when/if the next storm hits.
I think I have you all beat. no need to test my generator. It always starts.
It's a Kubota GL6500, sold by Yamaha in the USA awhile back. I bought it for $1000 with 200 hrs on it, sips diesel fuel and is pretty quiet. Helps that I have two 330 gallon stainless steel IBC totes of diesel fuel in the shop. with a couple gallons of Rotella, I could go off the grid for months. The hurricane is nothing. bring it on.
It's a Kubota GL6500, sold by Yamaha in the USA awhile back. I bought it for $1000 with 200 hrs on it, sips diesel fuel and is pretty quiet. Helps that I have two 330 gallon stainless steel IBC totes of diesel fuel in the shop. with a couple gallons of Rotella, I could go off the grid for months. The hurricane is nothing. bring it on.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Smiles*
I too, have one of these dinky lil 2-cyl for emergency powering of fridge + freezer (in the garage). By then when that (power outage) happens, I will have no internet anyways (ISP fibre demarc is only 50metres away, and been told that no power backups within that box).
I have stocked up on Coleman fuel + lanterns that will last me, well, at least a week of intermittent usage.
Q.
Smiles*
I too, have one of these dinky lil 2-cyl for emergency powering of fridge + freezer (in the garage). By then when that (power outage) happens, I will have no internet anyways (ISP fibre demarc is only 50metres away, and been told that no power backups within that box).
I have stocked up on Coleman fuel + lanterns that will last me, well, at least a week of intermittent usage.
Q.
They say the cheezy 900 watt generators won't start a fridge.
I say bollocks.
The secret is to plug a power strip into another power strip, and a hairdryer into the end of the chain. Run the hairdryer on low (700 watts) to get the generator governor to full throttle.
Kill the 2nd power strip while plugging the fridge into the first one. My fridge then chugs along nicely on 260 watts.
Only downer is it needs monitoring, as when the fridge thermostat cycles it will then need help restarting. But if the fridge shuts off, you might as well shut off the generator as well.
I also have a beefy 4 cycle briggs loud monster, but the gas guzzling makes it less attractive.
I'm just pleased I won't have to deal with or worry about frozen pipes.
I say bollocks.
The secret is to plug a power strip into another power strip, and a hairdryer into the end of the chain. Run the hairdryer on low (700 watts) to get the generator governor to full throttle.
Kill the 2nd power strip while plugging the fridge into the first one. My fridge then chugs along nicely on 260 watts.
Only downer is it needs monitoring, as when the fridge thermostat cycles it will then need help restarting. But if the fridge shuts off, you might as well shut off the generator as well.
I also have a beefy 4 cycle briggs loud monster, but the gas guzzling makes it less attractive.
I'm just pleased I won't have to deal with or worry about frozen pipes.
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