I was using open framed generators when my power would go out. It was no problem for me to push it out of storage and run the power cords. I knew which breakers to turn off or on etc. I was on a job in Ohio when my wife called that the power was off and it was 90 degrees inside the house. She was not happy 4 young kids no lights, air condition and no water (we live outside city utilities). She called an electrician which was a small fortune just to have the water well running. I was in the same mindset is it’s too expensive for a whole house generator. When I got home we had a family discussion. A whole house generator with a transfer switch was installed and cost was no object😂
Sent from my iPad > On Apr 5, 2021, at 10:42 AM, Mike Hardwick via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: > > All of this gasoline stuff and sizing problems are nothing but a headache > when dealing with any generator. Get one of these and it will take care of > all of those issues (you can also power the most of your street at well)! > > https://www.wired.com/2007/12/toshibas-home-n/ > > You will have plenty of power for that Alpha amp now! > > Mike > N5VCX > > > > On Monday, April 5, 2021, 09:13:50 AM CDT, JP Pritchard via BVARC > <[email protected]> wrote: > > > I agree with you Ron about the hassle of a DIY solution, but for those who > might feel confident about meeting that challenge, but hesitant to take on a > 10 to 20 thousand dollar investment in a "whole house" generator, here's a > less expensive plan: Install a single room heat pump style air conditioner, > and add a small fridge and microwave. Then power it with a small moveable > generator. That set up would keep you warm or cool, keep the lights in your > one room going and power for your fridge, microwave and TV. There would be a > cost, but not nearly what you'd face with the Generac solution. > > JP (Richard) K5JPP >> On 04/05/2021 8:56 AM k5hm.ron--- via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> Yes, the solution N5PRD describes was possible. We had a portable generator >> before we purchased the Generac solution. >> >> >> >> At our age which I am guessing is more advanced, the job of pulling out the >> generator from the garage, hooking it up, testing it periodically, having >> some type of feed through connection from the generator to the fan and other >> things you want to power like the refrigerator and the upright freezer, >> storing and hunting around for fuel, going outside to refuel the generator >> in the cold dark night were also considerations >> >> >> >> So I opted for the more automated solution. It is permanently installed by >> licensed plumbers and electricians, self-testing, automatically switches on >> whenever the utility power goes out. I have a seven year warranty on it and >> the maintenance plan too. >> >> >> >> And I also have the satisfaction of knowing that my wife and family are also >> protected from electrical failures after I pass on. >> >> >> >> 73, >> >> Ron, K5HM >> >> [email protected] >> >> www.qrz.com/db/k5hm >> >> <image001.jpg><image002.jpg> >> >> Excelsior! >> >> >> >> From: BVARC <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Mark Brantana via BVARC >> Sent: Sunday, April 4, 2021 11:35 PM >> To: [email protected]; BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]> >> Cc: Mark Brantana <[email protected]> >> Subject: Re: [BVARC] A Thank You to John Stratton, ARRL West Gulf Division >> Director >> >> >> >> I just have to wonder, how Generac can justify the cost of their generator. >> That is what does not add up for me. >> >> 4kW = $250 at Home Depot >> >> 17kW=$10,000 from Generac >> >> >> >> Looking at the chart below; from Hiller, if you want A/C included, it is >> going to take that much power. >> >> >> >> If this is not critical, there another option could be considered: >> >> >> >> A whole-house unit would be nice to have, but a Generac would cost about >> $120+/mo for four years. The small 4kW portable generator I bought would be >> paid for in about 2 months at that rate. >> >> >> >> If you have gas heat, you can run the fan with the smaller unit. In this >> option you can buy all the emergency generating power you need for the cost >> of the 4kW generator I bought at Home Depot for around $250. Add a SPDT >> switch to the fan and wiring for around $100 and the total cost is about >> $350. >> >> >> >> It does not have to be Generac or nothing. Even if I had the cash, I don’t >> know if I could justify the very high $/kW. I would prefer a few more >> vacations. >> >> >> >> I would have been very comfortable if I had just been able to run the heater >> fan. >> >> >> >> Mark >> >> N5PRD >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Apr 4, 2021, at 8:11 PM, Bruce via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> We had our Generac whole house generator installed in August, 2020. Our >> house is all electric. Shortly after, someone cut down a tree about a 1/2 >> mile from us, it fell on a utility pole knocking out power to our entire >> street for 8 hours. The generator was great during that summer heat. Then >> came the cold of February and it worked great for 4 days. The neighbors on >> both sides of me and behind me all have generators. The $10,000 investment >> will never be recovered however, having power is wonderful. In fact, it cost >> me about $1.25 an hour in natural gas to run the generator. Could not be >> more pleased. >> >> For those getting a generator, if you go after a Generac, be sure to watch >> their website for warranty specials. I have a 10-year warranty plus the >> first year onsite service. Paid my dealer for 5 years of onsite above that. >> Changing the oil is a piece of cake as I had to do it during the cold. Every >> 25 hours of run time. I bought 6 filters and a bunch of 5W30 synthetic oil >> to do it during an emergency when the dealer could not come out. Takes about >> 10 minutes to change it. >> >> Enjoy your generator. >> >> 73...bruce >> >> On 4/4/2021 7:57 PM, k5hm.ron--- via BVARC wrote: >> >> For those of you who don’t know John, I met him when he was the Division >> Vice Director. He is very active in the ARRL and a great advocate for hams >> in Texas. He has been a frequent presenter at our Ham Fest and club >> meetings. He knows his way around Texas politicians too. I’ve never had >> much use for lawyers but John is the exception. Perhaps because like me, he >> is also an engineer. >> >> >> >> Dear John, >> >> >> >> I wanted to thank you for your persistence in guiding the Texas legislature >> to pass recent legislation regarding HOA’s preventing the installation of >> standby generators. >> >> >> >> During the recent Texas freeze my XYL and I were without power for 4 days >> We existed by camping out in our family room with the cats and the gas >> fireplace and lots of flashlight batteries. Fortunately, we have a gas >> stovetop, so we were able to prepare food. When it was over, I vowed, we >> would not have to live without heating and AC winter or summer. We signed >> with a local dealer and hopefully we will have the standby system installed >> before the 2021 hurricane season begins. >> >> >> >> While we were going through the paper work with the company rep, he showed >> us a suggested letter we could send to our HOA that stated >> >> “I understand it is my responsibility to obtain all HOA approvals for my >> whole house generator system. I acknowledge Quality Generators cannot act on >> my behalf in dealings with my HOA.” >> >> >> >> It was then I remembered John talking about his legislation regarding this >> problem. So I Googled it. There it was in black and white. Texas Property >> Code Section 202.019. I >> >> >> >> It reads: Except as provided by this section, a property owners' association >> may not adopt or enforce a dedicatory instrument provision that prohibits, >> restricts, or has the effect of prohibiting or restricting an owner from >> owning, operating, installing, or maintaining a permanently installed >> standby electric generator. >> >> >> >> Thanks again John. >> >> 73, >> >> Ron, K5HM >> >> [email protected] >> >> www.qrz.com/db/k5hm >> >> <image001.jpg><image002.jpg><image003.jpg> >> >> Excelsior! >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Bruce Paige, KK5DO >> >> AMSAT Director Contests and Awards >> AMSAT Board Member 2016-2022 >> >> ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE >> >> Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* >> Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com >> Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes >> >> Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News >> http://www.arrl.org >> >> AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> >> <image004.png> >> >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > ________________________________________________ > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > Publicly available archives are available here: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > <image004.png> > <image002.jpg> > <image003.jpg> > <image001.jpg> > ________________________________________________ > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > Publicly available archives are available here: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
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