PG&E shut us off again, but who needs them....?

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by GypsyR

The local phone company has some diesel generators at their substations to power the phone system in case of power failure. One of those generators costs more than my car. Perhaps one could ask them why chose to spend so much on such equipment instead of much cheaper alternatives.

So not a Honda inverter/generator!

I once specified a new million dollar generator for a project at three times the cost of used. The board asked me why and my reply was that it was more reliable. Did I have data? Yes, the 4 similar generators they were running.

So yes there are reasons to pay more but the same reasons can be used to pay less.

So buy a 'nice' generator and pay less.

[2Yung2 Quit]

Originally Posted by GypsyR

What an extraordinarily wandering thread.

The way I personally look at emergency generators is that they are a gamble.

Will you ever even need or use one?

When? Next week? Next year?

If you do need one in extraordinary circumstances, will it start, run, and fulfill its purpose?

Who knows. But if you invest in quality equipment it puts the odds more in favor of success.



The local phone company has some diesel generators at their substations to power the phone system in case of power failure. One of those generators costs more than my car. Perhaps one could ask them why chose to spend so much on such equipment instead of much cheaper alternatives.



I won't. I could live without a generator. It'd be nice to have one though I have no critical need for one. Therefore I expect a bargain version would suit me fine.

In my area of San Diego, we consistantly lose power 2-3 times a year. I just run a cord to the 5'er and power up the freezer, fridge, and TV. I have the Onan 5.5 in the 5'er.
I'm considering a more permanent solution.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by 2Yung2 Quit

In my area of San Diego, we consistantly lose power 2-3 times a year. I just run a cord to the 5'er and power up the freezer, fridge, and TV. I have the Onan 5.5 in the 5'er.
I'm considering a more permanent solution.

I have a stand by generator at my house. 16.5 KW. If the power goes out there is a 30 second delay, the generator starts up and the transfer switch trips over to power the house.
Mine is propane powered as we don't have natural gas out where I live.
Lynn