We had some nasty wind storms yesterday and we lost power at about 10am yesterday. Our power came on again just before midnight so it was a good test of our preps. The first thing I did was go to the iPhone and fire up 5-0 Radio and listen to the police and EMS scans. From that I figured out there were lines down in a couple areas and a couple transformers near us had burst into flames.

We had ways to cook but decided to go out to get pizza instead. I kinda wanted to test our gear but our 2 and 6 year old were wanting pizza more then what I could cook on the grill or lp cook top.

We got home around 2pm and decided it was time to get the generator setup and running. I took the fuel cans out of the generator shed, fueled up the generator.

Get the fuel cans out of the Gen Shed!


Put the Generator in it's shed!


The fancy 30A to four splitter cable (this is a 25-footer so power cord goes from Gen Shed to inside garage!


From there I ran extension cords from the splitter in the garage to where we needed power and power cords were easy to route as we had plenty of heavy duty cords. We plugged in the refrigerator, freezers, TV, and a light. We have a gas fireplace so we turned that on with a fan sitting in front of it to get the heat out into the room. I also dug out a glass oil lamp and filled it up with oil as if the generator stopped we would be in the dark and we left the oil lamp in the kitchen.



My wife wanted to go shopping so we turned off the generator while we were gone. In the process I learned I should have put a guard in front of the attic fan in the gen shed as I bumped the fan with the generator handle and it bent two blades. Easy to bend them back but it could have chopped off a finger so I have to rework that!

(pics soon)

Anyway, while we were shopping I called home and because the answering machine did not pick up we knew the power was still out. Well, I decided it was time to get a Generator transfer setup and Lowes had a 6 switch Reliance unit for $275 so I bought it. Originally I wanted the reliance unit with 2 more circuits but this will work. I have posted a photo and a link to the item I got as well as a video overview of how these install in the second post of this thread. These install so easily a caveman could do it

Anyways we got home fired up the generator again and dug out sleeping bags and we camped out in the family room. About midnight the power came back on and I had to unplug the extension cords and plug things back into the wall but boy was it nice to have the blower for the furnace working again so we could sleep in bed.

Overview, my "cheap" 5250 Watt (7350 Startup) Brigs Generator did what it was supposed to but the Gen Switch could have made life more comfortable! Our battery powered radio, flashlights, and lanterns were handy and enjoyed before we fired up the generator. My 40gal fuel supply was comforting even though we used less then 5 gal. I want to check just how much we used. Learned I should have not put off getting and installing the gen transfer switch as I had to get one a little smaller then I had planned, but it was the last Lowes had and while I didn't install it yet it would have been installed this morning had prower not been restored! Finally, I was pleased to discover we had more then enough extension cords as this was our first real test of the Generator that I have owned for over 8 years ago!

But but bbut you had the generator, so murphy says you should have grid up forever

Now I need to read the post


ETA glad things worked out.


Gentlemen and Ladies; this is what getting into survivalism(preparedness if you insist) should be all about. Making stuff that could ruin your day into no big deal.

ETA2 Thank you for the AAR Quarterbore. I'm sorry to have been rude in not saying thank you sooner.

dont tell us you didnt have fun. i always do.

what part of PA are you? we had strong winds, but didnt loose power.

SWPA here

Thanks for the post Quarterbore. The video link from Reliance made the transfer switch installation look pretty easy. I've been putting off getting a transfer switch because I thought I'd have to pay an electrician to install.
Earlier this month we were without power for about 60 hours after an ice storm. I did use my buddy heaters and lanterns to keep the main room livable but firing up the generator would have been a lot easier.

you mean a totally electric furnace? how much generator do you need to run one? i bought a 8000watt, that surges to 12000, and im planning to use it for a few basics, and a hot water heater, i dont think it will operate the central air system though.

Our furnace has it's own breaker but it is a normal 120v outlet and our electrician did hook it into a plug/outlet. Our house also has a separate outlet for the sump pump which I think is a bit crazy. I plan to rewire the outlet the sump is on so it will be on the breaker for the furnace blower. Our heat is Natural Gas so we only need to power the blower and thermostat!

I could have run an extension cord however like you describe. Perhaps I shouldn't admit that to the wife as that was the big selling point to spend another $300 in preps!

I have a Coleman 3250 generator. In the past when I lost power I used it to keep the fridge, TV and small window A/C running using heavy duty extension cords. With such a small generator I am wondering if I need a transfer box?

Careful regarding gas cooking stoves - we replaced an older one with a new model with an electronic push panel - no pilot light. Big mistake. No power - no stove. Currently using an older stove and oven with only pilot light - not electricity/no problem.

Even a cigarette lighter converter off your vehicle has enough juice to power a

pellet stove or fan to your fireplace. Just get an extension cord and your GTG.

I've even used one for powering a 30,000 btu redi-heater construction heater.

Not exactly the most efficient method but the alternative at the time was rather cold.

I came to the same conclusion and actually returned it this morning. I got up and made a list of what we were going to hook up and decided we really wished we had a couple more options (circuits) so I returned the 6 circuit unit to Lowes and I am going to order the 10 circuits unit here:


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200321029_200321029

The six circuits will then be:
1. Furnace/Sump Pump
2. Refrigerator Circuit (kitchen)
3. Freezers Circuit in basement
4. Family Room (TV, Lights)
5. ??????????
6. ??????????
7 & 8 Stove
9 & 10 Air Conditioner

This is only $90 more but it does not come with the power cable. Not a big deal as the cable that comes with the kits was too short anyways so I need to buy a 25-ft or longer 30A cable so that little cable would have been wasted money. The extension cable will cost me about $75 to $150 depending on the length I can find.

I have not ordered yet until I can decide if I really have the right panel for us this time but it looks like a much better fit considering the red circuits are what I gain!

I have that model but mine has a cover for outdoor use. I like it. Install was easy and my testing of it has been fine. I haven't had a chance to really put it to use.

I'm not sure if you'll really be able to run the air con off the generator. If you can you won't be able to run anything else. I wired mine up so that each bedroom could run a space heater. One bedroom in the house won't have overhead lights but all of the outlets work so a lamp will do.

Be sure to sit down and balance the load across each leg before you do the install. Also consider the breaker amps and what circuit you power. I chose to power the kitchen using one of the 20 amp breakers so the microwave, toaster, and coffee maker could be used without opening the breaker. The furnace also got a 20 amp breaker.

For one of your available circuits you should have a bathroom powered. Your wife will probably want to do her makeup and hair even if the power is out in the morning and showering in the dark isn't fun unless the wife is in there too.