I don't know much about electrical generators, except what I see advertised and in local stores like HF, Lowes, and Home Depot. I've considered one in the past when I've been faced with power outages, but in all my experiences, they've been very short term, more a matter of a few hours. In which case I've always had plenty of lights, batteries, etc. and even communications with my ham radio equipment.
Unfortunately our son is now faced with the problem! He moved to the New Orleans area just about three months ago and purchased a home in Harahan, which is like a northern suburb. His home survived with only minor damage with trees down in the back yard and a few shingles gone and the fence bordering his neighbor blown over. But like the millions in his area, they lost their main electrical power, phone and cable service as well as water service.
One of his neighbors has a Generac system and just before they evacuated they told our son that he could plug into that. I got a call the night before Ida landed asking what size extension cord was needed. That was plugged in late the next morning when the wind had subdued. With that, they were able to at least run the refrigerator, a small window A/C, and some lights.
Just a few hours ago, electricity was restored in his neighborhood and now planning for the next hurricane is on the table for key people at his plant. The phone is still a problem as is water at this point. Fortunately he lives within the boundary of the New Orleans levy system that was rebuilt after Katrina; the rest of the area of course is a disaster.
So now, the question of getting his own generator has come up and as I understand it at this point, generators for other key personnel at that plant. As our son describes his days, it's 24/7 with constant phone meetings, no internet and spotty cell service. (I haven't been able to get more than a ten minute phone conversation with him.)
My lack of knowledge at this point is that the typical portable generator might be helpful, but for only a short period to power the house and home office. Typically for $700 or more, you've got less than 8,000 watt capabilitiy running close to half load and consuming at least five gallons of gas in a half day period. Gas is too dangerous to hoard and at this moment it's in short supply with long lines of very aggrevated people. (There was a shooting yesterday in a neighboring area.) On top of that, you've only got 'extension cord' capacity unless you hire an electrician and add an automatic switcing panel. Add to that the question of where are you going to store the generator, gas, etc. (He had a shed destroyed by falling trees and most likely that was where he would have stored a generator. You certainly can't keep in it the house or on the patio and carbon monoxide is a problem unless you use your head (already several people have died because of poor generator placement)
My thoughts are that the only long-term solution is something like a Generac (which is what his neighbor has). I don't know of other brands or solutions and hence the purpose of this post to get experienced advice that I can pass on to him.
Thanks in advance,
CWS
Unfortunately our son is now faced with the problem! He moved to the New Orleans area just about three months ago and purchased a home in Harahan, which is like a northern suburb. His home survived with only minor damage with trees down in the back yard and a few shingles gone and the fence bordering his neighbor blown over. But like the millions in his area, they lost their main electrical power, phone and cable service as well as water service.
One of his neighbors has a Generac system and just before they evacuated they told our son that he could plug into that. I got a call the night before Ida landed asking what size extension cord was needed. That was plugged in late the next morning when the wind had subdued. With that, they were able to at least run the refrigerator, a small window A/C, and some lights.
Just a few hours ago, electricity was restored in his neighborhood and now planning for the next hurricane is on the table for key people at his plant. The phone is still a problem as is water at this point. Fortunately he lives within the boundary of the New Orleans levy system that was rebuilt after Katrina; the rest of the area of course is a disaster.
So now, the question of getting his own generator has come up and as I understand it at this point, generators for other key personnel at that plant. As our son describes his days, it's 24/7 with constant phone meetings, no internet and spotty cell service. (I haven't been able to get more than a ten minute phone conversation with him.)
My lack of knowledge at this point is that the typical portable generator might be helpful, but for only a short period to power the house and home office. Typically for $700 or more, you've got less than 8,000 watt capabilitiy running close to half load and consuming at least five gallons of gas in a half day period. Gas is too dangerous to hoard and at this moment it's in short supply with long lines of very aggrevated people. (There was a shooting yesterday in a neighboring area.) On top of that, you've only got 'extension cord' capacity unless you hire an electrician and add an automatic switcing panel. Add to that the question of where are you going to store the generator, gas, etc. (He had a shed destroyed by falling trees and most likely that was where he would have stored a generator. You certainly can't keep in it the house or on the patio and carbon monoxide is a problem unless you use your head (already several people have died because of poor generator placement)
My thoughts are that the only long-term solution is something like a Generac (which is what his neighbor has). I don't know of other brands or solutions and hence the purpose of this post to get experienced advice that I can pass on to him.
Thanks in advance,
CWS
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