Now THAT is funny! <grin>
On Monday, April 5, 2021, 10:42:37 AM CDT, Mike Hardwick via BVARC
<bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
All of this gasoline stuff and sizing problems are nothing but a headache
when dealing with any generator. Get one of these and it will take care of all
of those issues (you can also power the most of your street at well)!
https://www.wired.com/2007/12/toshibas-home-n/
You will have plenty of power for that Alpha amp now!
MikeN5VCX
On Monday, April 5, 2021, 09:13:50 AM CDT, JP Pritchard via BVARC
<bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
I agree with you Ron about the hassle of a DIY solution, but for those who
might feel confident about meeting that challenge, but hesitant to take on a 10
to 20 thousand dollar investment in a "whole house" generator, here's a less
expensive plan: Install a single room heat pump style air conditioner, and add
a small fridge and microwave. Then power it with a small moveable generator.
That set up would keep you warm or cool, keep the lights in your one room going
and power for your fridge, microwave and TV. There would be a cost, but not
nearly what you'd face with the Generac solution. JP (Richard) K5JPP
On 04/05/2021 8:56 AM k5hm.ron--- via BVARC <bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
Yes, the solution N5PRD describes was possible. We had a portable generator
before we purchased the Generac solution.
At our age which I am guessing is more advanced, the job of pulling out the
generator from the garage, hooking it up, testing it periodically, having some
type of feed through connection from the generator to the fan and other things
you want to power like the refrigerator and the upright freezer, storing and
hunting around for fuel, going outside to refuel the generator in the cold dark
night were also considerations
So I opted for the more automated solution. It is permanently installed by
licensed plumbers and electricians, self-testing, automatically switches on
whenever the utility power goes out. I have a seven year warranty on it and the
maintenance plan too.
And I also have the satisfaction of knowing that my wife and family are also
protected from electrical failures after I pass on.
73,
Ron, K5HM
k5hm....@gmail.com
www.qrz.com/db/k5hm
Excelsior!
From: BVARC <bvarc-boun...@bvarc.org> On Behalf Of Mark Brantana via BVARC
Sent: Sunday, April 4, 2021 11:35 PM
To: kk...@arrl.net; BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <bvarc@bvarc.org>
Cc: Mark Brantana <n5...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [BVARC] A Thank You to John Stratton, ARRL West Gulf Division
Director
I just have to wonder, how Generac can justify the cost of their generator.
That is what does not add up for me.
4kW = $250 at Home Depot
17kW=$10,000 from Generac
Looking at the chart below; from Hiller, if you want A/C included, it is going
to take that much power.
If this is not critical, there another option could be considered:
A whole-house unit would be nice to have, but a Generac would cost about
$120+/mo for four years. The small 4kW portable generator I bought would be
paid for in about 2 months at that rate.
If you have gas heat, you can run the fan with the smaller unit. In this option
you can buy all the emergency generating power you need for the cost of the 4kW
generator I bought at Home Depot for around $250. Add a SPDT switch to the fan
and wiring for around $100 and the total cost is about $350.
It does not have to be Generac or nothing. Even if I had the cash, I don’t know
if I could justify the very high $/kW. I would prefer a few more vacations.
I would have been very comfortable if I had just been able to run the heater
fan.
Mark
N5PRD
On Apr 4, 2021, at 8:11 PM, Bruce via BVARC <bvarc@bvarc.org> wrote:
We had our Generac whole house generator installed in August, 2020. Our house
is all electric. Shortly after, someone cut down a tree about a 1/2 mile from
us, it fell on a utility pole knocking out power to our entire street for 8
hours. The generator was great during that summer heat. Then came the cold of
February and it worked great for 4 days. The neighbors on both sides of me and
behind me all have generators. The $10,000 investment will never be recovered
however, having power is wonderful. In fact, it cost me about $1.25 an hour in
natural gas to run the generator. Could not be more pleased.
For those getting a generator, if you go after a Generac, be sure to watch
their website for warranty specials. I have a 10-year warranty plus the first
year onsite service. Paid my dealer for 5 years of onsite above that. Changing
the oil is a piece of cake as I had to do it during the cold. Every 25 hours of
run time. I bought 6 filters and a bunch of 5W30 synthetic oil to do it during
an emergency when the dealer could not come out. Takes about 10 minutes to
change it.
Enjoy your generator.
73...bruce
On 4/4/2021 7:57 PM, k5hm.ron--- via BVARC wrote:
For those of you who don’t know John, I met him when he was the Division Vice
Director. He is very active in the ARRL and a great advocate for hams in
Texas. He has been a frequent presenter at our Ham Fest and club meetings. He
knows his way around Texas politicians too. I’ve never had much use for
lawyers but John is the exception. Perhaps because like me, he is also an
engineer.
Dear John,
I wanted to thank you for your persistence in guiding the Texas legislature to
pass recent legislation regarding HOA’s preventing the installation of standby
generators.
During the recent Texas freeze my XYL and I were without power for 4 days We
existed by camping out in our family room with the cats and the gas fireplace
and lots of flashlight batteries. Fortunately, we have a gas stovetop, so we
were able to prepare food. When it was over, I vowed, we would not have to
live without heating and AC winter or summer. We signed with a local dealer
and hopefully we will have the standby system installed before the 2021
hurricane season begins.
While we were going through the paper work with the company rep, he showed us a
suggested letter we could send to our HOA that stated
“I understand it is my responsibility to obtain all HOA approvals for my whole
house generator system. I acknowledge Quality Generators cannot act on my
behalf in dealings with my HOA.”
It was then I remembered John talking about his legislation regarding this
problem. So I Googled it. There it was in black and white. Texas Property
Code Section 202.019. I
It reads: Except as provided by this section, a property owners' association
may not adopt or enforce a dedicatory instrument provision that prohibits,
restricts, or has the effect of prohibiting or restricting an owner from
owning, operating, installing, or maintaining a permanently installed standby
electric generator.
Thanks again John.
73,
Ron, K5HM
k5hm....@gmail.com
www.qrz.com/db/k5hm
<image001.jpg><image002.jpg><image003.jpg>
Excelsior!
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