Whole house generator (condo, purchasing, live)

[alsidw]

Although I have a portable generator it cant be used until the weather clears. I want something to provide power as soon as the power goes out. Ideas please.

[kokonutty]

Originally Posted by alsidw

Although I have a portable generator it cant be used until the weather clears. I want something to provide power as soon as the power goes out. Ideas please.

Why can you not use it until the weather clears?

[alsidw]

Rain will short out the generator and could electrocute you.

[DJJ8389]

What kind of generator do you have? I have a portable generator that I have used during blizzards and torrential downpours. I thought they were all designed to be used in inclement weather. It's not too often I lose power on a sunny 80 degree day.

[alsidw]

Open frame coleman generator.

[Rabflmom]

Portables are too dangerous to use during the storm itself. Even anchoring it, the winds can pick it up and fly into the house etc. In 2004 we had the big air conditioning units from a condo complex over a block away fly into our swimming pool at the complex we lived in . Also even if your yard normally does not flood, during a hurricane you may have a flooded yard for a day.

It is much safer to wait till after the storm is gone. Then make sure it is at least 10-15 feet away from your or your neighbors house making sure the exhaust is not going towards either. Do not put in garage or on a covered patio.

We use our beach tent/canopy over it to keep the sun and rain off it and all the extension cords are outdoor cords rated to run refrigerator, well, small air conditioner etc. We do not hook it up to the electrical panel. Much too dangerous for us to do because none of us are electricians.

[Threestep2]

We have a Generac whole house with enough capacity for no interruption in our house and enough for neighbors to tap in. Power company services it regularly and moves us from power to generator during peak hours to keep purchasing additional power and thus prices down. For us it means a monthly discount.

[Threestep2]

Check the House forum. Generators have a long thread there.

[alsidw]

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

Portables are too dangerous to use during the storm itself. Even anchoring it, the winds can pick it up and fly into the house etc. In 2004 we had the big air conditioning units from a condo complex over a block away fly into our swimming pool at the complex we lived in . Also even if your yard normally does not flood, during a hurricane you may have a flooded yard for a day.

It is much safer to wait till after the storm is gone. Then make sure it is at least 10-15 feet away from your or your neighbors house making sure the exhaust is not going towards either. Do not put in garage or on a covered patio.

We use our beach tent/canopy over it to keep the sun and rain off it and all the extension cords are outdoor cords rated to run refrigerator, well, small air conditioner etc. We do not hook it up to the electrical panel. Much too dangerous for us to do because none of us are electricians.

My wife is bedridden and requires constant electrical power.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by alsidw

My wife is bedridden and requires constant electrical power.

In that case I would make sure I had the whole house generator with the buried tank. It would be worth the money. Or I would check out the shelters for people who need electricity through the storm.