Team USA

[VCheng]

I expect the power to go out. I haven't started my gas generator (LOL my Y2K one! 4000XL) in years.

Hey do you have a generator recommendation? You must go through lots of them.

It took me three times as long as usual to clear the driveway of well over a foot of the heavy wet snow, but thank God we did not lose power. It was almost like wet cement.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

It took me three times as long as usual to clear the driveway of well over a foot of the heavy wet snow, but thank God we did not lose power. It was almost like wet cement.

UGH!!!!

 

[Gomig-21]

I expect the power to go out. I haven't started my gas generator (LOL my Y2K one! 4000XL) in years.

In some ways that's a good thing since it means you haven't needed it!

Hey do you have a generator recommendation? You must go through lots of them.

We've installed a few but TBH I usually defer to my electrical contractor and the architects to the brands, but I can get you a recommendation for sure.

https://twitter.com/x/status/969610788129386497

It took me three times as long as usual to clear the driveway of well over a foot of the heavy wet snow, but thank God we did not lose power. It was almost like wet cement.

Really? You guys getting hit there in NY too? Is it mostly wet snow or are you getting these brutal winds too?

 

[VCheng]

Really? You guys getting hit there in NY too? Is it mostly wet snow or are you getting these brutal winds too?

Hey, it's upstate. We are getting both, and plenty.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Hey, it's upstate. We are getting both, and plenty.

Seems to have somehow skipped over us.

 

[VCheng]

Seems to have somehow skipped over us.

Lucky break!

 

[Gomig-21]

Hey, it's upstate. We are getting both, and plenty.

My sister in-law was born, raised and grew up in Rochester. Beautiful area.

 

[VCheng]

My sister in-law was born, raised and grew up in Rochester. Beautiful area.

All of upstate is gorgeous, no doubt.

 

[Gomig-21]

All of upstate is gorgeous, no doubt.

Yeah...but look at our beautiful city of Boston from the space station! You got nothing on us!

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Lucky break!

This 2nd storm is making up for it.
My power failure alarms went off just before midnight. Power didn't come back on until a half hour later. Could hear the hums of my neighbors' whole-house backup generators.

I'd say almost a half foot of snow. Looks like the wet stuff.

 

[VCheng]

This 2nd storm is making up for it.
My power failure alarms went off just before midnight. Power didn't come back on until a half hour later. Could hear the hums of my neighbors' whole-house backup generators.

I'd say almost a half foot of snow. Looks like the wet stuff.

I guess the lucky break came our way this time.

I hope you get power back soon. Good Luck with clearing the heavy stuff!

 

[Gomig-21]

Hey do you have a generator recommendation? You must go through lots of them.

So I looked into it for you and this is the brand we used the last time and supposedly this is one of the better companies and units by Generac. There are different models, this one is a bit up there. You can find ones for half that price and it also depends on the sqft of the house etc.

https://www.electricgeneratorsdirec...MI8M7J45ff2QIVQlcNCh3M1wYeEAQYASABEgK5C_D_BwE

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

So I looked into it for you and this is the brand we used the last time and supposedly this is one of the better companies and units by Generac. There are different models, this one is a bit up there. You can find ones for half that price and it also depends on the sqft of the house etc.

https://www.electricgeneratorsdirec...MI8M7J45ff2QIVQlcNCh3M1wYeEAQYASABEgK5C_D_BwE

This one seems to have good reviews. In the past people seem to have had some big complaints with Generac and recommended ones with Honda Motors instead. Not sure what’s in this one.

My biggest issue is where to put it. It has to be a certain distance from windows, vents, and it can’t be under the deck. I’d have to run a 2nd gas line through the basement to the other side of the house (already have one for the fireplace) and then put it somewhere near the A/C unit.

Actually I was asking about the portable generators you probably use on the job. I have a Generac 4000xl which supposedly is reliable and easy to find parts for. Well my carburetor was leaking because the pin had deteriorated and finding a replacement wasn’t fun. I then broke the pull cord (yes it is simple to fix). Admittedly I have been treating this generator like crap (leaving it out in the rain) and well what should I expect. I paid about $500 for it in 1999 I think I need a new one it’s a bit of a wreck.

So what generator do you have in the back of your truck? I think I’ll have to buy another one.

 

[Gomig-21]

My biggest issue is where to put it. It has to be a certain distance from windows, vents, and it can’t be under the deck. I’d have to run a 2nd gas line through the basement to the other side of the house (already have one for the fireplace) and then put it somewhere near the A/C unit.

Yeah, sounds like running another gas line shouldn't be a big deal, although to have a licensed plumber do that for you might be a little pricey. Those guys charge quite a bit, especially for gas since they have to pull a permit for even just a new line like that. Keep that in mind.

Actually I was asking about the portable generators you probably use on the job. I have a Generac 4000xl which supposedly is reliable and easy to find parts for. Well my carburetor was leaking because the pin had deteriorated and finding a replacement wasn’t fun. I then broke the pull cord (yes it is simple to fix). Admittedly I have been treating this generator like crap (leaving it out in the rain) and well what should I expect. I paid about $500 for it in 1999 I think I need a new one it’s a bit of a wreck.

I wasn't sure if you were looking for a main, dedicated generator or a portable one. Sounds like you would be fine with the latter and there are many choices out there. If you don't really experience frequent and major outages, a portable one is fine. Do you have it set up to power the entire house or just the appliances and certain rooms? That's usually what many do, isolate the priorities and power them only off the main panel. And make sure your panel is 200amp service as that would help with capacity. From what you've told me, your house is relatively new so I'm guessing you already have 200amp service.

So what generator do you have in the back of your truck? I think I’ll have to buy another one.

Don't operate one, bro. Never really had the need for it since we always manage to have power on site, even for the larger frames and if it's a newly developed area where power isn't onsite yet, my framing contractor has his own generators so I never have to worry about that. It's much more efficient to have a framing crew put up the frame in those cases. I only tackle the frames if they're a certain size and below and in almost every one of those cases, power is already available on site.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

I wasn't sure if you were looking for a main, dedicated generator or a portable one. Sounds like you would be fine with the latter and there are many choices out there. If you don't really experience frequent and major outages, a portable one is fine. Do you have it set up to power the entire house or just the appliances and certain rooms? That's usually what many do, isolate the priorities and power them only off the main panel. And make sure your panel is 200amp service as that would help with capacity. From what you've told me, your house is relatively new so I'm guessing you already have 200amp service.

I have a sump pump that when it rains heavily starts kicking in. When the power went out the first thing I did was check it out. The water definitely was slowly rising but still below the cement floor.

So I'm not sure I want to go crazy and get some 25,000 watt whole house system (may be better to wait&see where Tesla Powerwall tech ends up).

Hmm...so tempting..plus you can install it only 18" from the house and it is smartphone enabled.



Maybe something to run the pumps, 2 electric space heaters, some of the refrigerators, and the microwave would be adequate.

I already have some pricey 10 gauge 100 foot power cords.

Consumer Reports gave a thumbs up to Generac's RS line for voltage consistency.
I like the dial with electric start so I don't have to fumble around in the dark..plus my wife can operate it.