Natural gas generator?

[vbak]

Several weeks ago during a nasty storm we lost electricity for about 16 hours. The DH bailed water all night from the sump pump to keep it from entering our lower level of a tri level. The school where I teach at is on the smae line that we're on. Yes, I had to go to school the next day but it was cancelled at 9:00 a.m. This is not the first time, nor is it likely to be the last time. In july we lost power twice and one day in May we lost power 7 times in one day. Winter is a whole nother story. Obviously, I am sick of it. So, does anyone have a generator of this type? It kicks on seconds after the electric fails. Thye come in different sizes to accommodate your living needs.
We borrowed a gas generator for the sump and fridges and freezer. That thing scares the bejezus out of me. TIA.

Vicky

[ChristyMarie]

We don't, friends do and I really want one. I believe this would be a professional install as a gas line needs to be run.

You can get a marine battery backup for the sump pump.

[beacooker]

I thought this thread was going to be about my DH! :D

[vbak]

I am howling over here!:) :)

[charley]

We had one installed last year as part of our remodel/addition. We don't lose power as often as we used to, but when it's hurricane-related it's off for days. That's pretty miserable in hot & humid Louisiana.The generator goes through a 10 minute test cycle once a week and does come on within minutes of a loss of electricity. I look at it like insurance. It's there if we need it.

[wintersummer]

Vicky - We've had one for about 3 years. In the years leading up to installing it, we lost power about 4-5 times/year, often for a day or so. We also had several ice storms where power was out for up to 5-7 days. Also, we occasionally are impacted by high winds left over from hurricanes that hit the NC coast, bringing down trees and power lines, leaving us without power.

With all that said, it's easy for you to appreciate how much I love our generator. Most appliances in our home are gas, so we have a relatively small generator that powers up the rest of the house. When power goes off, there's about a 15 second period of time when there's no power....the generator automatically senses this and cracks up and starts and everything in house has power! It sits about 10 feet outside house and is connected to natural gas. No need to worry about refilling gas or running out of gas. It goes through a weekly 15 minute self test. I can't tell you how great this thing is....no worries about food in refrigerator, about hot water, about simple lights. We love it!

[Hammster]

I thought this thread was going to be about my DH! :D


Hey! I thought this thread was going to be about me. :D

[vbak]

Thanks for your replies even the ones from the comedians!:D

Vicky

[TravelingJ]

Check out Tractor Supply. They have several options that should work for you. I have been researching them myself, as I want to give one to my mom. She spends more time worrying about power outages than she needs to. There are a few different types of systems. Some that are remote start (power goes out, you hit a button, you have power) some that are automatic (power goes out, generator kicks in) some that give whole house power, and some that you build in a second power panel that it powers.

I plan to get the model where you have a second panel and link in the circuits that you want powered in event of a power outage. The device senses when the power goes out, and kicks in. When the power comes back on, it turns right off. Basically-you never have to worry about anything. Most models work off of natural gas or propane, so you should be set. Anything beats running out for gas with everyone else in the world.