Here we go again, FL storm power outage

[Cujet]

Well, I am writing this on Subaru 11HP, Mobil 1 15w50 Synthetic lubricated, generator power. The tropical storm knocked out my power today. The pole across the street is damaged. No idea when it will be fixed. FPL claims to be busy and has no guess as to when it will be repaired.

Just an FYI, This genset has a whole bunch of hours on it. I built my house with it, powered my house with it before I got grid power, powered through 3 extended outages after 3 hurricanes and used it at work to run the air compressor while sandblasting. For sure, 1500 hours of "hurricane time" and a number of weeks additional full and part time use. Guessing nearly 2000 hours. 50-75 hour oil changes.

It's broken down a couple of times, has a new muffler and gen head bearing/brushes.

Other than that, the engine is still running great. Consumes no oil between changes and the oil remains clean. Thumbs up for Mobil 1 15w50 in air cooled, hard working engines.

Chris

 

[Dave Hess]

No power outages here in Broward. I'm surprised that your power is out, considering it hit on the west coast. I went 2 weeks without power after hurricane Andrew hit.

You still live in Jupiter ?

 

[Cujet]

Yup, still in Jupiter.

My power outage is limited to my house. Transformer troubles outside.

Max wind gust here 32MPH on my davis weather system (a good one).

 

[flacoman]

I made sure power would stay on here, I went and filled the fuel cans for the genset!Got a smallish roof leak ,but otherwise OK
regards
Jorge

 

[Slick 55]

Those Subaru/Robin engines are bullet-proof. My dad has a Robin powered Echo generator with 3,000+ hours. Still runs well.

 

[browning300wsm]

you people get nailed with tropical storms ...up here we get nailed with snow storms ..we have to shovel it off our roofs and driveways ..u are lucky it all runs back into the ocean by itself . but the wind down ur place causes a lot of damage ..i guess no place is perfect ...i also use MOBIL 1 in my generator ,it,s only a 2,800 watts unit...

 

[drivewaytech]

Here in drought stricken Georgia, we are hoping to get hit by the tropical system. Early predictions forecasted ample rain for the North Georgia area, but now it looks to track south of us.

Oh well. My lawn was getting exited there for a little while. Sorry you experienced problems Cujet, but glad your generator is performing well.

 

[Dantheman]

If your outtage is localized as you say , you'r at the bottom of the priority list . That's how it works .

 

[Cujet]

Only out for 1 day. The transformer has 2 short wires going to pole mounted inuulators. On one of those insulators, there is a 1.5 foot long "connector" that blew out of it's holder. Not sure if it is a fuse or "disconnect". But it exploded with a mighty bang. They put in a new one and all is well.

The little Subaru powered unit still performs like new. I may purchase a new gen head for it someday. It would be nice to get one that is slightly oversized with an actual voltage regulator. I'll look on Ebay.

I also have a Lister diesel genset. However, I have no shed for it, so I can only use it when it's not raining. Otherwise the belt slips.

Chris

 

[Dantheman]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
Only out for 1 day. The transformer has 2 short wires going to pole mounted inuulators. On one of those insulators, there is a 1.5 foot long "connector" that blew out of it's holder. Not sure if it is a fuse or "disconnect". But it exploded with a mighty bang. They put in a new one and all is well.

Chris


That was the fuse for the primary side of the transformer . You lucked out , it's a quick fix .

 

[javacontour]

I had this sort of outage last year at my former home. A squirrel lost his/her life and blew out that very fuse. My neighbor and I were out of power while everyone else in the neighborhood had power.

I got to test out my little B&S 5K generator set thanks to some hapless, twitterpated squirrel.

 

[Dantheman]

I work for a power company . Squirrels and Racoons are [censored] on transformers and circuit breakers .