I broke down got a Duromax 8500w portable. Transfer switch is next on the list

 

I am trying to get a hold of a dual fuel gasoline/LP. I like the higher availability of fuel.

 

The standby ones can run on NG or LP, on the one i have it is just turn of a lever.

 

Ya know.. I'm a pretty positive thinking individual, but I have to wonder if this is what October/November is showing us what is January/February gonna bring us here?

 

Baby Stellah did not mind the snow

 

We have no gas in the street here so the appliances are electric. I'm realistic and know that with a portable I won't be running the electric stove, dryer, or central air. But, I would like to be able to run the oil burner and everything else in the house.
The portable I'm looking at is the Generac XG8000E. They make their own motors for the XG and XP models. The GP series has Chinese made motors in them. I'm sure they are good too, but for an extra few bucks I would rather go with something that will give me a little more peace of mind.. I'm thinking that unit should cover my needs and possibly run an 8000 BTU AC that I have through the foundation in the finished basement if the power goes out in the middle of the summer. I didn't put central air in the basement when we did the rest of the house because we didn't use that space very much at the time, and it stays pretty cool down there anyway.
A friend loaned me a 5500 watt portable generator the last night before we got power back. He got his power back and had pity on us.
I backfed power in to the house with it (I know it isn't right but we were desperate) after killing the main breaker. I had the oil burner, all lights, TV, etc. I didn't bother with the fridge that night because eveything in it was ruined anyway. The 5500 seemed to do the job with no problem, so I'm thinking the 8000 will be plenty with the fridge running.
Having a proper transfer switch installed by an electrician is also on the "to do" list. Backfeeding was something I did out of desperation when the temp inside the house dipped to 50, but I don't want to make a habit out of it.
I also plan to look in to a whole house standby system, but with no NG in the street and my reluctance to have a 250 lb propane tank hanging around I don't think it is a realistic option.

 

No NG where I live.

 

I was just talking to a friend of mine and realized I should consider a diesel generator. We have an oil burner so my basement has a 275+ gallon oil tank.

A diesel generator will run just fine on that and supply is usually stable for that or I can go to the gas station.

 

That is a good idea, just make sure you oil tank is filled before any storm.

 

we got electricity back a few mins. ago.

 

 

Oil in the oil tank is also tax free

 

my wife is up with our newborn daughter Stellah, the power just went out, the generator kicked on and within 15 seconds we were on backup power, so it works.

 

Ugh, hope ours didnt go out again as well.

Still out by you?

 

Was out from about 2:30 am to around 6:00 am (per my wife, she said she herd the generator go off around then) . I am guessing they may have had to take down the grid by me to do some work.

All I know it was great to stay under the covers and her that thing kick on then the power come back on. Nice to have kept my new baby girl and my son warm, almost made selling my vette to pay for it work it

 

LOL!!

Thats awesome and I agree - Nice to have.

Hey - were there any codes that specified how close to the house you could have that generator?

 

they go by the manufactures specs in the install guide. it also has to have clearance above it for a specified distance be away from windows and doors too.

 

The normal distance for MOST generators and local code is 5 feet from the house.

 

Maybe for gasoline and diesel, just looked at the specs for my NG/LP one: 18" from the house wall, 60" from any point on the generator for any wall openings (e.g. windows doors), 36" on the front and sides for any vegetation over 12", and 48" from any overhang or projections from the wall.

 

Welcome Stellah congrats to your family!!!