Power in a Storm

[Kiralynx]

Well, we finally solved the problem of power during a storm.

I hope never to go through what I went through with Hurricane Isaac last year.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=81876&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=Isaac

We worked with a company called Solar Alternatives who do both generators and solar set ups. While we'd've liked to go with solar, we had no place to put batteries, so that would defeat having power at night.

So, we now have a 20 kW Kohler full house generator. We couldn't afford it, but my Dad, bless him, saw what shape I was in last year and gave us a hand.

The Kohler runs on natural gas, and even in Hurricane Katrina in '05, we did not lose natural gas. It comes on automatically when the power fails. It tests itself for 20 minutes once a week. We have a maintenance contract on it.

We even got to test it briefly a couple of weeks ago -- power went out, my UPS on my computer started beeping, and I automatically started to power everything down. Except that the generator came on, and the house lights didn't even flicker. Air conditioning, fan, lights... all functioned perfectly.

Of course, having gotten the generator, we have so far had a relatively quiet tropical season. But the generator is like insurance: you buy it and then pray you never have to used it.

At least now, I will have my Bipap....

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Good for you!

20KW is big ... but better too big, then not enough!

Also don't for get to store a couple of weeks (months would be better) of water and food ...

[hueyville]

Bang for buck you did the best thing in my opinion. I have a natural gas whole house generator and it is nice when power goes out to have all the power come back on in about 10 seconds. When i purchased mine I got the propane conversion kit as I had an issue with a heating system once where it needed to be changed several years later and because of model changes the propane kit was no longer available. The kit for my generator was about a hundred bucks. I put it away for a rainy day. We have since buried a 1,000 gallon propane tank in the back yard. Also have propane conversion kits for our hvac and water heater. If fhere is an extended issue with our natural gas I could have the entire house mechanical systems swapped over in a few hours. That said we have not had issues with our natural gas but I figured why not back it up just in case.

As to alternative energy, while nice, it is expensive if you want to go off grid or use for emergencies. Batteries are expensive and have to be replaced. I have alternative sources and just did a battery upgrade in one of my racks. I opted for deep storage nicads this time due to their 20 year warranty. But they do cost about 500 dollars each and swapping out a rack of 16 gets into the bank account hard. I charge with wind instead of solar as the windmills was able to build myself.

[Hawthorne]

Given where you live and the kinds of weather to which you are prone, this is a very smart move!

[chunkyfrog]

As for emergency food, I was introduced by a former co-worker to bulk freeze-dried food,
much of which I prefer to use daily.
He had Thrive; and I have since bought Honeyville Farms and Auguson.
The quality of FD food is equal to fresh, without the need to run electricity to keep it so.
Many foods can be eaten dry as a snack--but are nearly all additive free.

[Kiralynx]

Good for you!

20KW is big ... but better too big, then not enough!

Also don't for get to store a couple of weeks (months would be better) of water and food ...

With the 20 kW, we can literally run everything in the house, practically at the same time (although why we would want to, I don't know!).

This will keep my freezer and refrigerator intact.

We always have plenty of food on hand, and during hurricane season, it's at least 2 gallons of water per person or critter (10 gallons) a day for ten days.

If, as with the Katrina situation, things are going to last more than ten days, we'll look seriously at going elsewhere!

[Kiralynx]

Bang for buck you did the best thing in my opinion. I have a natural gas whole house generator and it is nice when power goes out to have all the power come back on in about 10 seconds. When i purchased mine I got the propane conversion kit as I had an issue with a heating system once where it needed to be changed several years later and because of model changes the propane kit was no longer available. The kit for my generator was about a hundred bucks. I put it away for a rainy day. We have since buried a 1,000 gallon propane tank in the back yard. Also have propane conversion kits for our hvac and water heater. If fhere is an extended issue with our natural gas I could have the entire house mechanical systems swapped over in a few hours. That said we have not had issues with our natural gas but I figured why not back it up just in case.

"Always remember, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean the universe ISN'T out to get you!"

Our yard isn't big enough for a propane tank like yours!

As to alternative energy, while nice, it is expensive if you want to go off grid or use for emergencies. Batteries are expensive and have to be replaced. I have alternative sources and just did a battery upgrade in one of my racks. I opted for deep storage nicads this time due to their 20 year warranty. But they do cost about 500 dollars each and swapping out a rack of 16 gets into the bank account hard. I charge with wind instead of solar as the windmills was able to build myself.

Yes, and not only are the batteries expensive, you have to have a place to put the dang things, which was an issue in the first place!

That's cool that you could build your windmills yourself. I'd actually like to go with a combination of wind and solar, because we always have wind if there's no sun and vice versa.

[Kiralynx]

Given where you live and the kinds of weather to which you are prone, this is a very smart move!

As I told Harry, "I cannot go through what I went through with Isaac, ever again." And he agreed. It was just finding the right person to do the installation.

Of course, you note that, having the generator, the hurricane season has (thus far) been relatively quite.

Oh, well. Like any insurance, you buy it and then pray you don't need it!

[Kiralynx]

As for emergency food, I was introduced by a former co-worker to bulk freeze-dried food,
much of which I prefer to use daily.
He had Thrive; and I have since bought Honeyville Farms and Auguson.
The quality of FD food is equal to fresh, without the need to run electricity to keep it so.
Many foods can be eaten dry as a snack--but are nearly all additive free.

Chunky, I get some things from Honeyville -- they have excellent blanched almond flour! I have to be very careful about what I get in pre-prepared because so much has sugar, starch, grains, or potatoes, none of which I can have.

The other problem is that the canisters are so BIG. They're meant for full families, not just two people plus three Hounds. (And the Hounds can't have the freeze dried meat because it has too much salt!)

I wish I could find a company like Honeyville which had smaller cans of stuff!

[bosstow]

The other problem is that the canisters are so BIG. They're meant for full families, not just two people plus three Hounds. (And the Hounds can't have the freeze dried meat because it has too much salt!)

I wish I could find a company like Honeyville which had smaller cans of stuff!

Check out Mountain House pouches - 2 servings per pouch and a lot of their stuff is really good.

[SMenasco]

That was probably one of the best decisions you have made. And Kohler is one of the better engines. As a 30 year general manager with two invester-owned utilities, it is my opinion that conditions in that industry have changed dramatically. Up until the 80s, a significant percentage of a utility's budget was for operations and maintenance, keeping the system in optimum operating condition. Now, general distribution system maintenance has been reduced substantially. This means that systems where maintenance monies are directed elsewhere, (which, in my opinion, are most) customers experience more momentary outages as well as those of longer duration. So, the whole house natural gas-fueled generator, is really a great investment; not for a financial return, but for comfort and peace of mind. Good choice.

[Hose_Head]

Bang for buck you did the best thing in my opinion. I have a natural gas whole house generator and it is nice when power goes out to have all the power come back on in about 10 seconds. When i purchased mine I got the propane conversion kit as I had an issue with a heating system once where it needed to be changed several years later and because of model changes the propane kit was no longer available. The kit for my generator was about a hundred bucks. I put it away for a rainy day. We have since buried a 1,000 gallon propane tank in the back yard. Also have propane conversion kits for our hvac and water heater. If fhere is an extended issue with our natural gas I could have the entire house mechanical systems swapped over in a few hours. That said we have not had issues with our natural gas but I figured why not back it up just in case.

As to alternative energy, while nice, it is expensive if you want to go off grid or use for emergencies. Batteries are expensive and have to be replaced. I have alternative sources and just did a battery upgrade in one of my racks. I opted for deep storage nicads this time due to their 20 year warranty. But they do cost about 500 dollars each and swapping out a rack of 16 gets into the bank account hard. I charge with wind instead of solar as the windmills was able to build myself.

You have a 1000 gallon propane tank buried in your back yard?!!! Is it full of propane?

Oil tanks that are buried underground have a propensity to corrode and leak. The result is a messy and extremely expensive clean-up of leaked oil. A propane tank also can be expected to corrode and leak. The result could be extremely explosive! You could level a neighbourhood if that much propane were to ignite.

Please, make sure that you have adequate permanent monitoring for leaks from your tank. You won't like the possible consequences if you don't.

[avi123]

They are all too noisy to be running in my town at night.

USE DAYS TIMES

MAX DECIBELS dB(A)


General

Monday - Sunday

9am – 9pm.............60
9pm – 9am.............50

Except may be the Honda









Honda generator just for the XPAP:


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200585498

[CapnLoki]

Honda generator just for the XPAP:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... 7AoddlQARQ

It would be crazy to get a $1000 Honda just to run a CPAP. Get an AGM (whatever size, but a 80 Amp-Hour is under $200) and then maybe use the Honda to charge it during the day. I actually have one of those Honda's; its backup on the boat and emergency power at home in the off season. But I wouldn't run it all night - I'd be afraid if there's a long term blackout someone would snarf it off my porch!

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Bang for buck you did the best thing in my opinion. I have a natural gas whole house generator and it is nice when power goes out to have all the power come back on in about 10 seconds. When i purchased mine I got the propane conversion kit as I had an issue with a heating system once where it needed to be changed several years later and because of model changes the propane kit was no longer available. The kit for my generator was about a hundred bucks. I put it away for a rainy day. We have since buried a 1,000 gallon propane tank in the back yard. Also have propane conversion kits for our hvac and water heater. If fhere is an extended issue with our natural gas I could have the entire house mechanical systems swapped over in a few hours. That said we have not had issues with our natural gas but I figured why not back it up just in case.

As to alternative energy, while nice, it is expensive if you want to go off grid or use for emergencies. Batteries are expensive and have to be replaced. I have alternative sources and just did a battery upgrade in one of my racks. I opted for deep storage nicads this time due to their 20 year warranty. But they do cost about 500 dollars each and swapping out a rack of 16 gets into the bank account hard. I charge with wind instead of solar as the windmills was able to build myself.

Chill out!

Propane Underground tanks are built to a differnt standard than above ground tanks ...

No it is not full ... Regulations allow for room for expansion (just like above ground tanks do) but since there is less tempuature swings ... A UG tank is considered "full" at 85% ... Or 850 gallons for a 1000 gallon tank ...

Installation of UG tanks require that the have sacrificial anodes attached ... And back filled with sand ...

There are millions of UG propane tanks all over the country, they are buried usually to protect them from cold winters, but some time just because people don't want to look at the tank!

Sorry I typed in the wrong area on my iPhone

You have a 1000 gallon propane tank buried in your back yard?!!! Is it full of propane?

Oil tanks that are buried underground have a propensity to corrode and leak. The result is a messy and extremely expensive clean-up of leaked oil. A propane tank also can be expected to corrode and leak. The result could be extremely explosive! You could level a neighbourhood if that much propane were to ignite.

Please, make sure that you have adequate permanent monitoring for leaks from your tank. You won't like the possible consequences if you don't.

See above in bold for my response to hosehead