I assume by this time the Village has the correct phone number for ComEd.
However, I suspect we'll have increasingly more power outages over the next few years. So my question is this:
What's a good recommendation for a generator? I realize that much depends on what you want the power for -- sump pumps, etc. But what are folks purchasing to stash away?
I see those red portable Honda generators -- around $800 or so -- but I also took a look at Home Depot this weekend and noticed several larger (but cheaper) Coleman generators.
What have folks bought since the disastrous storm? (I'm still steaming mad at the Village ineptitude -- but I realize it's up to me to get my s#*t straight and help myself for the next disaster -- especially if it happens after 5pm and the Village rolls down the little wire cage in cashier's office.)
Farber, I bought the following generator right after the power debacle of 2007. My main reason for purchasing this was for the ability to run my sump pumps in the event of a long outtage, and to power the refridgerators so that I don't lose food.
The nice thing about this generator is that you can also power your 120 voltage items like, electric dryer, electric stove, if you needed them. Now, being the winter, this will not help me heat my house, but I am hopeful that we will not need to power any portable heating devices.
Full disclosure, my brother in law works for grainger, so I thought hey, I will get a discount and should get good service as well. Man was I wrong, I would have saved about 20 bucks going through my own companies buying agreement with Grainger and I wouldn't have had to deal with my brother in law. But to keep the family peace, I dealt through him....Biggest mistake I ever made. At least now my wife agrees that her sister married a Jag....
Is that B&S you link to a "pour gas in and go" type thing -- or do you need to mix the oil and gas?
Ideally, I'd like something simple and straightforward. Power goes out, I go into the garage, fill the generator, zip the cord -- and sit back and wait for the Village to do their best Moe, Larry, and Curly and solemnly swear that their response was a good one considering the extraordinary circumstances.
just curious...how DO you hook up a generator to the power in your house? we are lucky enough to not have a sump pump, so i don't really have a need for one...right now...
Farber, it is pour and go. The only thing I had to do was pour in the oil that came with the unit, put gas in the tank and one pull. It is loud as can be, but it will run like a champ. I tested it right after I got it, and powered my sumps to it and they ran no problems.
I start it once a month and let it run for about 20 minutes just to keep everything lubricated.
Howdy, the great thing about my BIL is that he lives in Florida and I don't have to deal with him. I see him once a year, and believe me, that is enough. My wife dislikes him so, that they do not stay in our home when they visit. They have to cram into my mil's place for the week.
Originally posted by howdy60137: just curious...how DO you hook up a generator to the power in your house? we are lucky enough to not have a sump pump, so i don't really have a need for one...right now...
My neighbor has a natural gas generator that is hooked directly up to the electric box. So when the power kicks off, the generator kicks on and is powered by Nicor. It is the slickest unit I have ever seen. I don't think our power goes off enough to do that, but one more outtage, I might start thinking about it.
if you guys are using 4-stroke gas generators (no mix, pour and go type engines), i strongly recommend you use a gasoline stabilizer like Sta-Bil. you don't want that gas going bad in the generator.
