Lou from Wi.
Well-known Member
What A night. Wind in excess of 45 mph Snow, rain. Trees went down and off went the power. NO Lights, pump, furnance motor,Refrigerator computer,any household appliance. Power went out about 4.30 -7pm. Fired up the generator,then the line power came back on, then 5 min later, off again for over 18 hrs.Now that was a workout for our 5,000 watt generator, several years back I wired a panel box in the garage using a 75 Amp 2 pole breaker in the main house panel box out to the garage with another box with a 65 amp 2 pole breaker,wired with # 6=3 in underground conduit. So when the generstor is needed, we cut off the 200 amp main panel breaker and trip off the Electg range,water heater breakers, any appliance that uses 220 volts.That way we have power for the needed items, furnance, lights water pump Micro wave. We shut dpwn the computer so we wouldn"t damage it with surges from the generator. We notify the power company we are using the generator and to call us when they get the power restored, so we wont back feed to the main line hurting the linemen. Now the question arrises for me, I wonder how long that generator will last with similar episodes in the future? Whole house power generators are well over our budget as of now, so the next best thing is a tractor driven generator for our 706 I.H.We have used our old system we have now for several power failures over the last 5 years with out any problems, but I figure it"s about time for Murphys Law to kick in.Now I"m considering the tractor set up for whole house power. Does any of you guys use such a system when you loose power, and how is that system grounded ?Just got our 2010 winter catalog from Northern Tool(master Catalog)and they do handle all sorts of power generators. Most are way to pricey but a couple are barely within our budget. Would like one that is above the 5000 watt series, and can handle ,say an electric range so we could at least cook a meal with out bringing out the gas cylinder small 2 burner camp stove. Thinking along the lines of a auto cut out/cut in switch. Saves tripping the main breaker in the house panel box.Listening to the generator hum is nerve racking after 6 hrs of operation but we can put up with it,if we can have power.Our generator is in the garage and we leave the service door open to remove the carbon monoxide(sp)fumes while it"s running thus the nerve racking DRONE. We are trying for a building this summer, so price had everything to do with any generator purchase. Would appreciate your feed back on the units you guys use.Thanks in advance LOU.