Plug appliances directly into generator
Don’t attempt to connect your generator directly to your homes circuits or wiring. You should have an electrician install a transfer switch, and plug the generator into this switch. This will keep your generator from feeding power back into the lines, which could put power company crews working on the lines at risk. This will also protect your generator and home wiring from any damage that could occur when power is restored.
Use heavy-duty extension cords from the generator to avoid overloaded cords that can cause fires and equipment damage. Make sure all cords are placed properly to avoid tripping hazards, but don’t put underneath carpets or anywhere where heat may build up.
Never run a generator indoors, and make sure there is proper ventilation all around unit.
Never re-fuel your generator while it is running. Avoid spilling fuel on hot components, and put out all flames or cigarettes when handling fuel.
Consider tri-fuel generators to avoid multiple trips to the gas station and downtime.
Always have a fully charged and approved fire extinguisher close by to your generator.
Don’t overload the generator; only use it when necessary to power essential equipment.
Be cautious handling electrical cords in wet conditions.
Tag Archive: portable generators
I run a catering business. And I pride myself on maintaining the freshest food and ingredients. On the eve of a big wedding reception the power in the building went out. No explanation, it just went out. Now if I wasn’t as savvy and calm I might have lost my cool. Fresh seafood. Chilled desserts. 3 hours until the reception. No problem. You see as soon as the power in the building went out our back up standby generator kicked in and kept my the food cool and this let me kept my cool.
If you plan on moving your generator around regularly, you should consider the weight, dimensions, wheel type and handle style to determine the ease of mobility. If you need your generator to run for extended periods without refueling, like overnight or through full work days, then run time is an important consideration. portable generators operate on gasoline, and some models have a fuel or hour gauge to help you keep track of remaining run time.
When I moved from California to Buffalo I was warned about the climate difference. Snow storms, ice storms. You know mother natures coldest weather systems seemed to be the stomping grounds of where I was going to move my family. My brother in law who had lived in an area such as this had told me with all confidence to invest in a home generator. “Trust me on this one.” He told me. So I bought a power generator and we were now in our new home. The snow and ice was such a shock to me. Definitely felt like a fish out of water. The winters there here can be pretty harsh but it’s always nice to come to a nice warm home. Within, our first winter we were hit by a huge ice storm. Cars, were encased in ice, trees looked like they were made of glass. And without fail the power was out and would be out for a couple days. If it wasn’t for my brother in laws pushing for me to get a generator my family and I would have been frozen solid.
Working from home can be the best thing ever. No going to an office, no commutes and you work on your own hours and in the comfort of your own home! You see I run my own little web business. I create web sites and designs and I also host from home. Because I host from here I thought it would be important to have a home generator just incase the power goes out. If my power goes out and the servers go down then I’m in deep DEEP trouble. Within a year of buying my generator I was starting to question if I made the right choice. I bought a generator but there have been no power outs. All of my regrets washed away when one stormy day the power went kaput. The generator kicked in and my servers were safe and sound. Thanks to this generator the clients who I host didn’t even know anything was wrong.
I live in an area where we are prone to costal storms. I’m not close to the water so my house is safe from damage but the power is almost always certain to go out at the first sign of those dark storm clouds. For the longest time I and my family would just ride it out and wait for the power to come back on. Some times it would take a couple minutes, sometimes a couple hours or even a couple days. There’s just no way of actually knowing for sure. I mean its not like you can turn on the news and see when the power will come on. How could you? There’s no power to turn on the tv. After a while, my husband decided to buy a Generac generator. It’s great! Anytime the power goes out now the generator kicks in. What’s even better is that it’s fairly quiet! I don’t know how we even lived without a generator.