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Post by spike99 on Apr 26, 2007 10:39:31 GMT -5
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One of my buddies is on Oxygen 24/7 and living in the "cleaner air" country. With this in mind, he got professionals to install a Generator last summer (when his lungs and body was much stronger). He got this large 12 HP generator mounted in his garage, vented outside, valves to switch to a different reserved gas tanks and installed a manual master switch going into his basement's main electrical panel. It was all installed by professionals and looks very impressive. Wish I took many pictures to show you. A system that might be cloned for others. Others who need backup electrical via strong generator system as well.
Anway... He told me that in late Jan, the electrical grid in his country area went "off-line" for 7 hours. If wondering, this is common in his area. He was ok for the first 15-20 minutes. Just enough time to run out and manually start his generator engine. To their surprise, he didn't have the physical strength and his wife doesn't have the physical strength to pull start his generator engine either At that time, his local neighbors were working at their employee locations and simply couldn't quickly "run over" to start his large generator engine. So, his wife had to "panic phone" a few "strong men folks" in his area - hoping they were home - to come to his rescue. He needed a strong person to pull start his generator engine (that is much harder to pull start in freezing cold weather).
Sorry to mumble on about the details of his situation. Just wanted to point out that if you are on Oxygen and need a generator back UP system as well, do get a model with a 12V battery electric start feature. Thus, one can "push a button" to start its engine. And better yet, install an "full auto start" engine and "full auto" bypass switch on main panel feature. YES. This advanced system is expensive to buy/install but for my buddy last Jan, such an advanced system would have been worth it.
Hope this helps others....
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Post by larrynz on Apr 26, 2007 18:13:05 GMT -5
I am surprised a 12 hp had manual start, up to 5 hp would be OK, just, it should have had a battery start.
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Post by spike99 on Apr 26, 2007 22:55:05 GMT -5
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Post by spike99 on May 4, 2007 21:31:45 GMT -5
Talk about generators.... I bought a 5500 - 6875 (Peak) gas powered generator today. It was "on sale" and I couldn't resist.  !!!! During this summer, I'll ask my neighbor to install a bypass switch (on our main breaker box) and electrical cord (via dryer flip door system) to the outside of our house. Come this fall, I'm hoping we'll be prepared. Prepared for electrical grid outages - that happen every 3 years in my winter time area. If wondering, the "pull cord" generator I bought is a Coleman 5500 - 6875 (Peak) Watt "portable" model. Its got little wheels and is easy to pull around. For more details, surf: www.buypowermate.com/product.asp?product=RPMA525500&utm_source=PriceGrabber&utm_medium=PPC&utm_term=RPMA525500Hopefully, this portable generator will serve our family well. At home and at our seasonal camp site. Only time will tell.... . |
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Post by morningstar on May 4, 2007 21:47:48 GMT -5
Thank you Spike, Tom and I have talked of getting one several times . We will both research this sites and then decide thanks also about the heads up on the pull start. You are so right I would be unble to do this if Tom was not here.
Happy Trails
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Post by spike99 on May 4, 2007 22:40:26 GMT -5
. For some Home Base generator units, surf: www.buypowermate.com/category.asp?section=GEN&subcat=STANDBY I seen one model that uses natural gas, has full auto start and has auto by-pass switch. Everything was automatic in that model. If you plan to keep your house for 10+ years, the cost per year (over 10 year period) might be worth it. Tom: If I use this math in my buying justification, my wife sometimes lets me buy the item. (wink, wink). Note: Do shop around because product features, price and install costs do vary. Hope this helps as well... . |
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Post by chrisw on May 7, 2007 11:47:16 GMT -5
Ooo! Fancy units!
I bought a Champion 2800 Watts (continuous) from Costco for about $400.
Starts first (gentle) pull every time. Enough power to run concentrator, a few lights, two computers, fridge, and microwave or a kettle or a small heater.
I have to go three steps outside my back door to start it, and I have a permanent cable to a pair of outlets in the house.
We had to fire it up six times last year, but it does keep us out of trouble and a lot easier to justify than several thousand. ;D
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!!!! During this summer, I'll ask my neighbor to install a bypass switch (on our main breaker box) and electrical cord (via dryer flip door system) to the outside of our house. Come this fall, I'm hoping we'll be prepared. Prepared for electrical grid outages - that happen every 3 years in my winter time area. 
