Generator

[Godofgods]

I was wondering what type of generators different ppl have in case power goes out. (For those that have one)

Theirs a lot of ppl in my state with power out due to storms. And with weather here lately, it would be way to hot for my chins if the power went out and they had no a/c. This apartment is poorly insulated and heat builds up quick. Its actually warmer in here in the late evening then during the afternoon. The building gives off to much heat.

 

[mercynursie]

My biggest question would be can you use a generator in your complex? Many codes ban their use in multifamily dwellings.Next would be do you have an outdoor balconly that it and the gas canister for fueling/refilling it can be kept?Generators must be kept out of living areas or carbon monoxide poisoning is a high risk.So check before you invest.

 

[Sycamore Chins]

We've briefly researched it and plan on saving up to buy a Honda EU3000iS or something similar. Enough to power a window a/c unit and the fridge and some miscellaneous other things. But we have a townhouse with a yard, so are allowed to have one. I don't think you'd be allowed to have one in an apartment even if you have a patio or deck. Plus they can be quite noisy - the 3000iS is one of the quietist Honda's, that's one reason we like it so much.

 

[Godofgods]

My biggest question would be can you use a generator in your complex? Many codes ban their use in multifamily dwellings.Next would be do you have an outdoor balconly that it and the gas canister for fueling/refilling it can be kept?Generators must be kept out of living areas or carbon monoxide poisoning is a high risk.So check before you invest.

hadn't thought of that. No, theirs no out door area, I'm on 2nd floor. The place is privately owned, not some big complex.

As for being allowed, i could care less. And codes really don't matter because this town/state does what ever they want to anyway. Proof of that, they failed the building because they didn't like the paint job on the bathroom door, but have no problem with the fact that the building is slowly caving in on itself. Or the ceiling fan that fail because it had to receive power. Yea, care less about them.

Carbon monoxide however... would be a problem. That really kinda kills that idea. Would you be able to keep the unit in one room with windows open, and extension cord it to a closed room with the a/c unit?

Just throwing out ideas. Its only in case power out for to long, nothing more.

 

[AZChins]

If you have a balcony, you could put it out there and run an extension cord...or put it on the ground level outside and run a long extension cord from it. When the power goes out and you need to keep the chins cool I would assume that you could go ahead and just do what needs to be done. It's only going to be temporary anyway...so if anyone got angry about it, they would just need to be patient and wait for the power to come back on.

When we have had to run the generator it has only been for maybe 6 to 8 hours at the absolute maximum. It's a temporary measure until everything goes back to normal. I run extension cords from outside...

 

[Godofgods]

If you have a balcony, you could put it out there and run an extension cord...or put it on the ground level outside and run a long extension cord from it. When the power goes out and you need to keep the chins cool I would assume that you could go ahead and just do what needs to be done. It's only going to be temporary anyway...so if anyone got angry about it, they would just need to be patient and wait for the power to come back on.

When we have had to run the generator it has only been for maybe 6 to 8 hours at the absolute maximum. It's a temporary measure until everything goes back to normal. I run extension cords from outside...

That could serve two good purposes. Cooling my chins and rly upsetting town/state workers (They tried telling us that the use of any extension cord in an apartment is forbidden lol)

Are their any types of generators that don't run on gas? If they can generate electricity, one would imagine they could be capable of powering themselves.. :/

 

[jags]

It takes energy to run a generator, they cannot power themselves. Running long extension cords of not the right capacity to handle the load causes heat that can burn up the cords or what they are plugged into which in turn can cause fires is why they are not allowed in a lot of places. They also need ground fault protection if in wet conditions. If tying into your home electrical system with any generator you need a disconnect from your power source or it can feed back through the lines and electrocute someone. While it is easy to ignore rules set forth for our protection you must be careful not to do something that makes the problem worse just because you do not understand how and why things are what they are. People over simplify things and then end up with more than the bargain for.

We have a large generator set up about 20 feet from the house with a very heavy gauge wire to carry the load of more than twice the entire capacity of the generator. We have a main disconnect from our main power that turns off all outside connections to the power company it is either on for outside power or on for the generator, no way to back feed electric to the men working on the lines. The generator is big enough that it runs a good portion of what we need, lights, water, air conditioners, fans and fridge. If need be we can turn off some thing and turn on other things as needed.

 

[mercynursie]

Your best bet may be to have a friend or family member who owns their home be willing to let you use their place in such an emergency.Then you could get a small generator and either a small window unit or portable ac to use at their place if needed?? Oh and you would want to make sure they would trust you with a house key just in case.

 

[Godofgods]

Just typed this whole thing out, then lost it >< So ill just make some key notes'

I have no family in this state. Only one friend that might be able to let me use the place to cool the chins. But their are a few issues. (Assuming i was allowed)

One, i have 2 boys, 3 girls, and only two small pet carriers. But a short ride bunched up would be the lease of the concerns.

The real big issues would be; they have 3 cats and a dog their with free reign of the house. Guess id have to try to block off a bed room or something, if theirs enough room in their. However i only have one small cage, so id have to get another. (My guys can not be allowed to even see the girls).

Bigger issue would be, since were in the same town, if my power goes out, theirs a chance that theres might too. In which case id need to get not only another small cage, but a generator and a window unit a/c. (They have Central air, and I'm not even sure if their windows would support a window unit. so id have to check)

Which would lead to the last problem, being disabled due to back injury, i don't have a clue how id be able to get any of it over their if needed.

Of course all that is assuming worst case, and the entire town went dark.