Welcome to California. Make sure to bring a generator ! (San Francisco: credit, houses)

[mgforshort]

We have one, natural gas, with labor and other parts needed our cost was $ 7,829. It offers 17 KW which is not really needed. I change the oil and filter every two years or after 200 hours.
The noise is like a V8 diesel truck with the hood open at idle. Inside the house it is barely noticeable.

If I had to do it again I'd just install a good manual transfer switch and get a portable running on propane. Unless the central air is on, I don't think we need more than 2500-3000 watts. Also in times of an outage I won't run everything at the same time.

Our big Generac supports a 3 ton central air, microwave, electric range, toaster, 3 TVs, washer - drier, desktop computer, and every light in the house easily, with power to spare to a neighbor, and all running at the same time. The thing is, we don't need all that.

If the battery goes dead you can jump start it from a car with jumper cables.

For older people or others not into technical things, the best part is that ours works automatically, no need to get up, no flipping switches in the dark, and no need to keep changing the propane tanks or filling up with gasoline.

You will have to reset all your clocks, though, - there is a 15 second delay.

[JGC97]

And to think these outages are going to be a regular thing. Geez, for being the 5th largest economy in the world, can't imagine what it must be like elsewhere.

[mgforshort]

I asked the cashiers today at SaveMart, our local grocery store. It is a very nice and big store, but they don't have a backup generator. Imagine a place like this going dark for a day or longer. The frozen meats, pizzas, ice cream, all that yummy cheesecakes and cherry pies getting warm.
They said they can get a refrigerated truck and transfer the endangered species. It must be a logistical nightmare for the managers, - wait for the power to return or move everything out. Then move the stuff back when conditions become normal.

I am grateful for that company to open up again, and I hope they stay, but under these conditions some others might leave for good, or simply refuse to come back.

PG&E is considering changing their badly tarnished name to Golden State Power, something similar. Like that would do any good - lipstick on a pig.

[neutrino78x]

Originally Posted by mgforshort

I asked the cashiers today at SaveMart, our local grocery store. It is a very nice and big store, but they don't have a backup generator.

They should invest in some solar panels.


https://environmentamerica.org/repor...ar-superstores

[Csonka]

Originally Posted by neutrino78x

They should invest in some solar panels.


https://environmentamerica.org/repor...ar-superstores

Solar panels don't save you a dime without rebates

Only way they make financial sense

So they are not an "investment" -- just a cost shift from the utility company to the solar company

[neutrino78x]

Originally Posted by Csonka

Solar panels don't save you a dime without rebates

How so? With the generator you have to keep buying fuel. The solar panel works whenever the Sun is visible.

So they are not an "investment" -- just a cost shift from the utility company to the solar company

I think WalMart would beg to differ.

https://news.walmart.com/2018/10/23/...olar-agreement

[mgforshort]

The following is from an e-mail we received today from PG&E. I don't understand why solar won't work unlesss.....maybe someone here can explain it to us.

"Power outages can happen at any time
Backup electric generators can be a part of any preparedness plan. Find out what you need to know about using a generator.


Generators are not connected to PG&E's grid

Backup electric generators operate as a stand-alone power source and are not connected to PG&E's power grid. Generators are typically powered by solar with back-up storage, battery, natural gas, gasoline, propane or diesel fuel.


Ready to go solar? Learn more about your options.



Solar customers, please note: During an electric power outage, your solar system will not function unless designed to work with a battery or standby generator. For more information, call your service provider."

[JGC97]

As usual, PG&E isn't being very clear with their words.

Solar will work during an outage but you must have everything hooked up correctly. The solar panel generates power which is sent to regulator. From the regulator, energy goes to a battery (or you can wire several to the same system to hold a lot of power (some people use marine or golf cart batteries for this because they are deep cycle). The battery will store the power and then it's sent to an inverter that changes DC to AC power which powers appliances and such. As long as you have enough storage in your battery to send power, you're fine. It becomes problematic when, in winter, there isn't enough sun to generate power to the system. That's when a gasoline generator is your only option.

[marino760]

I can understand the concern if you have a family member that cannot tolerate high temps because of a medical condition which could be life threatening.
As for everyone else, get used to it. People have lived without AC up until the the 1960s and 1970s for the most part. You cannot have it both ways. You cannot scream with outrage and want to sue an electric company when high winds knocks over equipment and causes a fire and then scream how being without AC for a few days is going to be too uncomfortable for you. Tough up and stop complaining if you want to live in CA or else move east of the Rockies where this is a non issue.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by marino760

I can understand the concern if you have a family member that cannot tolerate high temps because of a medical condition which could be life threatening.
As for everyone else, get used to it. People have lived without AC up until the the 1960s and 1970s for the most part. You cannot have it both ways. You cannot scream with outrage and want to sue an electric company when high winds knocks over equipment and causes a fire and then scream how being without AC for a few days is going to be too uncomfortable for you. Tough up and stop complaining if you want to live in CA or else move east of the Rockies where this is a non issue.

Sooooo helpful.

If APS or SRP tried this in Phoenix, there would be an armed revolt. Literally.

What my friend marino fails to realize is that old people have lost the ability to regulate their body temperature. Seems like every year in Phoenix some elderly die because they can’t (for whatever reason) get their power turned back on. The electric companies will do it even if your power has been shut off for non-payment but you have to call them and some people don’t.