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OH Sandy :(
- Thread starter ocod
- Start date
OCOD,
I live North and West of Philadelphia out in the burbs about an hour and a half from the Jersey coast. We were projected to receive between 6-8 inches of rain and winds sustained around 60 mph gusting to 80+. I think we might have gotten 2 inches of rain, possibly 3. The sump pump in my basement has gone off more during a regular storm then it has now. The biggest thing was the winds, at times it sounded like a freight train at times. There are massive black outs, we have been without power since 5 PM yesterday, just as I was reheating my leftovers from the night before, oh well. So we took the kids and the dog for a walk around the hood to check the "damages" so far, then I came home and fired up the generator. The generator is still running and has not shut off for almost 28 hours, hope the Mobil 1 can hang tough that is in there. So for us the rain and wind wasn't bad, just the lack of electricity is the major thing. I can run my entire house off my generator, I just limit what the kids use and the majority of the rooms we use I installed LED recessed lighting(the Halogen PAR30 spotlight bulbs were eating me alive), so running 6 of the LED overhead is like running one 90 watt bulb. We have TV, phone and internet running, I can use the electric range, our sump pump will run and I have battery back up on that too. We haven't skipped a beat and we dodged a major bullet. The only thing we don't have is cell reception, but as long as I'm near my wireless network I can use my cell over that. I have used only 10 gallons of fuel in that 28 hours since I'm limiting the draw on the generator, which is stellar on the consumption. I just had to drive about 15 minutes up the road to get gas, and waited in about 10 car line--we all were getting gas in cans. Kids are missing their third day of school tomorrow. Many roads are still closed with tress laying across them in multiple spots with the power lines knocked down. The electric company told my in laws that the power should be restored within a week. Last year at this same exact time we lost power for three days due to a freak east coast snow storm that brought down power lines then too, so I guess this is nothing new.
I bought my generator from my neighbor after he bought it at a yard sale. He never used it, saying he doesn't need a generator that big. Well, guess who said they are going to buy a generator when all this cools down, him, and the exact same size he sold me! My generator is practically brand new, the guy he got it from bought it to build his house and I don't think he used it much at all. So for $350, it has paid for itself twice by saving all my food in the fridge.
We still can't get to the shore to check on my parents place, that is where I 'm expecting to see so problems. We did not get it bad at all and others got trashed so we sure lucked out, I just pray others make out and don't lose anything or anyone.
Chime in guys.
I live North and West of Philadelphia out in the burbs about an hour and a half from the Jersey coast. We were projected to receive between 6-8 inches of rain and winds sustained around 60 mph gusting to 80+. I think we might have gotten 2 inches of rain, possibly 3. The sump pump in my basement has gone off more during a regular storm then it has now. The biggest thing was the winds, at times it sounded like a freight train at times. There are massive black outs, we have been without power since 5 PM yesterday, just as I was reheating my leftovers from the night before, oh well. So we took the kids and the dog for a walk around the hood to check the "damages" so far, then I came home and fired up the generator. The generator is still running and has not shut off for almost 28 hours, hope the Mobil 1 can hang tough that is in there. So for us the rain and wind wasn't bad, just the lack of electricity is the major thing. I can run my entire house off my generator, I just limit what the kids use and the majority of the rooms we use I installed LED recessed lighting(the Halogen PAR30 spotlight bulbs were eating me alive), so running 6 of the LED overhead is like running one 90 watt bulb. We have TV, phone and internet running, I can use the electric range, our sump pump will run and I have battery back up on that too. We haven't skipped a beat and we dodged a major bullet. The only thing we don't have is cell reception, but as long as I'm near my wireless network I can use my cell over that. I have used only 10 gallons of fuel in that 28 hours since I'm limiting the draw on the generator, which is stellar on the consumption. I just had to drive about 15 minutes up the road to get gas, and waited in about 10 car line--we all were getting gas in cans. Kids are missing their third day of school tomorrow. Many roads are still closed with tress laying across them in multiple spots with the power lines knocked down. The electric company told my in laws that the power should be restored within a week. Last year at this same exact time we lost power for three days due to a freak east coast snow storm that brought down power lines then too, so I guess this is nothing new.
I bought my generator from my neighbor after he bought it at a yard sale. He never used it, saying he doesn't need a generator that big. Well, guess who said they are going to buy a generator when all this cools down, him, and the exact same size he sold me! My generator is practically brand new, the guy he got it from bought it to build his house and I don't think he used it much at all. So for $350, it has paid for itself twice by saving all my food in the fridge.
We still can't get to the shore to check on my parents place, that is where I 'm expecting to see so problems. We did not get it bad at all and others got trashed so we sure lucked out, I just pray others make out and don't lose anything or anyone.
Chime in guys.
Dylan Ruwolt
New Member
Yeah, I am much concerned over the Sandy storm and always stick to the news channel as my elder brother with his family is living in NY. The storm is not in the mood of stooping yet. Praying for all people, they may reach to safe place and be fine.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Pittsburgh was supposed to get hit hard. They projected "Blizzard" conditions because there was a cold front that was coming in from the west... and they said... when Sandy hits the cold front... it would amplify the storm.
Well... the front stalled in Ohio... so when Sandy got here... it was just a typical storm. Locally... we got about 2.7" of rain, and the winds never got above 20~25 mph.
With that said... all around us (Ohio, WV, and MD) all got heavy snow.
The town were my shop is (Latrobe) has had some flooding... so I haven't gone into the shop in a couple days.
Well... the front stalled in Ohio... so when Sandy got here... it was just a typical storm. Locally... we got about 2.7" of rain, and the winds never got above 20~25 mph.
With that said... all around us (Ohio, WV, and MD) all got heavy snow.
The town were my shop is (Latrobe) has had some flooding... so I haven't gone into the shop in a couple days.
ocod
Well-Known Member
Racer,
Can't tell you the times SFL has been under the gun only to have it fizzle into nothing but a thunderstorm.
Some you know are going to bad b/c size it covers and category it hits land.
They said it was a freak path that turned into a northeastern.
Usually hurricanes cuts across states but this one was head on
Like Dr said there was that cold front that meet the front of the storm and made for some heavy snow and a lot of it.
The images of the coast turning into a giant sand box and the tunnels/basements flooded like a swimming pool are going to take some serious clean up.
But one thing is for sure the lights will go out and it may take time for it to come back on.
That is the biggest issue here.
A friend was in same ice storm a few years back in MA.
He was with no power for over a week in a hotel.
Definitely not fun with kids.
Do you back feed house with the generator?
Can't tell you the times SFL has been under the gun only to have it fizzle into nothing but a thunderstorm.
Some you know are going to bad b/c size it covers and category it hits land.
They said it was a freak path that turned into a northeastern.
Usually hurricanes cuts across states but this one was head on
Like Dr said there was that cold front that meet the front of the storm and made for some heavy snow and a lot of it.
The images of the coast turning into a giant sand box and the tunnels/basements flooded like a swimming pool are going to take some serious clean up.
But one thing is for sure the lights will go out and it may take time for it to come back on.
That is the biggest issue here.
A friend was in same ice storm a few years back in MA.
He was with no power for over a week in a hotel.
Definitely not fun with kids.
Do you back feed house with the generator?
I hope he doesn't backfeed. That process can and has killed the power company employees working on the lines.
The correct way is to have a transfer box. there are small ones, like the one I have (6 switches but 2 are doubled up for 220, so I actually have 5).
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Back feeding the panel is dangerous and illegal.
When I moved into my new house (10 years ago)... I set up a REAL generator system. It only cost me $400... and it has saved me a few times.
My generator is only 4KW peak (3500w normal)... but it's enough to run the heater (since it's natural gas) and it will power my frig, freezer, and the lights in most of the rooms in the house. AND... if we loose our gas... I have a Kerosene heater down in the garage.
If you live in a state that gets cold... you are STUPID if you aren't prepared for the worst!!!!!
When I lived in SoCal... it sucked when the power went out... but if we loose power in the middle of winter in PA... not only is it dangerous... but I could have damage to the house if it's not kept above freezing. (broken pipes is the biggest issue)
When I moved into my new house (10 years ago)... I set up a REAL generator system. It only cost me $400... and it has saved me a few times.
My generator is only 4KW peak (3500w normal)... but it's enough to run the heater (since it's natural gas) and it will power my frig, freezer, and the lights in most of the rooms in the house. AND... if we loose our gas... I have a Kerosene heater down in the garage.
If you live in a state that gets cold... you are STUPID if you aren't prepared for the worst!!!!!
When I lived in SoCal... it sucked when the power went out... but if we loose power in the middle of winter in PA... not only is it dangerous... but I could have damage to the house if it's not kept above freezing. (broken pipes is the biggest issue)
Last edited by a moderator:
Strizzo
Well-Known Member
i see you do a bit of heli flying too, but boxes stacked up around an electrical panel is also a code violation is it not?
i don't have a genset, but could you not cut off the main breaker and backfeed through one of the circuits that way? or does it still feed back to the grid somehow?
i don't have a genset, but could you not cut off the main breaker and backfeed through one of the circuits that way? or does it still feed back to the grid somehow?
ocod
Well-Known Member
Yes I do, from my shop to my house. BUT not only do I flip the main breaker but I pull the meter head out so that is double insurance that I cannot juice a lineman. The main breaker SHOULD be enough. After stores open and inventory replenishes I'm going to look into a manual transfer switch so I can show the Mrs. how to do it just in case I'm not home, just don't trust the automatic ones.
As far as boxes blocking the electrical panel, yes in most places that is a violation, what's crazy is my panel is in a closet. At least I could quickly toss boxes out of the way if needed. For me to open the door quickly I'd need to back the wife's car out! Also, if your installing a transfer switch it should be inspected by your local officials and should have a signed inspection label placed on it, as well as having a permit pulled to do the work, whether by a home owner or a licensed electrician. Doc, if your generator line is coming from outside you should put a drip loop in it just before it plugs in, just in case any water were to ride down the cord and penetrate the plug.
As far as boxes blocking the electrical panel, yes in most places that is a violation, what's crazy is my panel is in a closet. At least I could quickly toss boxes out of the way if needed. For me to open the door quickly I'd need to back the wife's car out! Also, if your installing a transfer switch it should be inspected by your local officials and should have a signed inspection label placed on it, as well as having a permit pulled to do the work, whether by a home owner or a licensed electrician. Doc, if your generator line is coming from outside you should put a drip loop in it just before it plugs in, just in case any water were to ride down the cord and penetrate the plug.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Right... what they said.
It works... but if you forget to turn off the main (easy to do in an emergency) then you can be feeding the transformer at the pole too. There have been several line-man killed because of it. Also... if the power comes back on, and you don't have the main off... there can be a bad explosion, and/or fire from the double feed.
I have a separate Gen panel... but there are some boxes that have basically 2 "Main" beakers in them. One is the line, and one is the gen. Then... there is a metal plate that forces one to be "Off" when the other is "on".
Yes... I fly basically everything. (lol) From $40 toystore things... to $8,000 Turbines. They are all fun. AND.... actually... that little CPMX (in the picture) is the funnest heli I've owned.
As far as stuff in front of the box... I don't think there is a "Code" since it's residential. But... There are just some small boxes (and RC stuff) in front of it. You can easily walk up to it, and flip the switches.
It works... but if you forget to turn off the main (easy to do in an emergency) then you can be feeding the transformer at the pole too. There have been several line-man killed because of it. Also... if the power comes back on, and you don't have the main off... there can be a bad explosion, and/or fire from the double feed.
I have a separate Gen panel... but there are some boxes that have basically 2 "Main" beakers in them. One is the line, and one is the gen. Then... there is a metal plate that forces one to be "Off" when the other is "on".
Yes... I fly basically everything. (lol) From $40 toystore things... to $8,000 Turbines. They are all fun. AND.... actually... that little CPMX (in the picture) is the funnest heli I've owned.
As far as stuff in front of the box... I don't think there is a "Code" since it's residential. But... There are just some small boxes (and RC stuff) in front of it. You can easily walk up to it, and flip the switches.
Strizzo
Well-Known Member
The multi breaker with lockouts is how it's done on the motoryachts, on the parents mainship 430 there are shore power hookups at the bow and stern on separate breakers plus the genset. it has two sliders so that only one breaker can be hot at a time so even if the breaker outside at the plug is hot or the gen is still running when you make the switch.
I live in NE Ohio. We lost power and I decided to give it 24 hrs. After that I was going out to buy a generator. I have them at my other houses, but not at this one. Well,,, 23 hrs out we cleaned up, got dressed, opened the door and the ceiling fan turned on...
So, we got our power back JUST under 24 hrs.
That said,,,, Winter is coming and it is sure to happen again. So I think I will go out and get me one that can run my frige, heater, and some of my 110 for normal use. Like others, I will build a box so that I can run my home but not send power back up the line.
I hope everyone is fine and has power by now...
So, we got our power back JUST under 24 hrs.
That said,,,, Winter is coming and it is sure to happen again. So I think I will go out and get me one that can run my frige, heater, and some of my 110 for normal use. Like others, I will build a box so that I can run my home but not send power back up the line.
I hope everyone is fine and has power by now...
Going on day three, no power. Supposedly by 11 pm tonight, but we heard the exact same thing yesterday. Makes no difference to me, made pizza in the oven and had the fryer going for fries, tots, and mozzarella sticks. Life really hasn't stopped. I keep checking the incoming power on the meter head contacts. My neighbor turned on a candle light in his window. I got so exited last night I killed the generator, disconnected the cord, popped in the meter head and threw the main on-nada. Then put it all back to the generator and texted my neighbor and confirmed the candle, battery powered- he was pranking me, jerk! So now he's not staying at home, I'll text him tomorrow if we get electric back tonight.
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Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
ocod
Well-Known Member
^racer
WOW.
As long as I have access to gas.
A nice hot shower always feel nice at the end of the day.
Turn off the main of your neighbor's box so when the light go on say something must of happen when you were away.
:reddevil:
Glad its only power and no damage.
Anything happen to parents house?
WOW.
As long as I have access to gas.
A nice hot shower always feel nice at the end of the day.
Turn off the main of your neighbor's box so when the light go on say something must of happen when you were away.
:reddevil:
Glad its only power and no damage.
Anything happen to parents house?
Not sure yet only permanent residents are allowed back on the island. Supposedly Non residents are allowed on Tuesday. I guess all the property taxes he pays don't mean squat. That's what jacks me up. He pays his taxes just like the full time residents. Some how he'll make it out without damage, fingers crossed.
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Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
The other thing that has happened with insurance companies is they rewrote policies starting that their coverage would not cover hurricanes. Thankfully the storm was changed to a nor'Easter right as it made land fall, so insurance companies will have to process the claims. That's a dirty business, I just went through it with my kitchen, 12 months from the day it happened till the day I got my last check-pricks!
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Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
ocod
Well-Known Member
That some shady chit right there.
ocod
Well-Known Member
Yah for the electric company.
Yep they actually did a great job, my parents live about 4 miles from me and are still without electricity. They need to sink 4 new poles and re-string the wires about a 1/10th of a mile away and then they MIGHT have juice. But Pops is old school, running a generator and heating the house with the wood stove. Only thing different for him right now is he's using a generator and if gas was cheaper then the electric company he'd be off the grid and running a generator 24/7.
Ok guys,
This is your alternative to an expensive transfer box. It's a Generator Interlock Kit.
I can actually get one for my Siemens box from HD for $50. I'm down with this for sure, no more pulling the meter Head
http://www.interlockkit.com/index.htm
This is your alternative to an expensive transfer box. It's a Generator Interlock Kit.
I can actually get one for my Siemens box from HD for $50. I'm down with this for sure, no more pulling the meter Head
http://www.interlockkit.com/index.htm
harryb
New Member
Ok guys,
This is your alternative to an expensive transfer box. It's a Generator Interlock Kit.
I can actually get one for my Siemens box from HD for $50. I'm down with this for sure, no more pulling the meter Head
http://www.interlockkit.com/index.htm
Found my interlock on this site; www.natramelec.com. I found their prices to be a little better.:thumbsup:
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