• After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.

    I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.

    For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.

    From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.

    Sincerely, Jeff D.

Standby Generators

Pat Palmer

EF2
Joined
Apr 22, 2004
Messages
145
Location
Spotsylvania, VA
Not exactly chasing, but storm related...

Anybody have a standby generator for the house? Not the pull start 2-5KW types, but the 10KW+ natural gas or propane powered types that are connected through the house breaker and start when the power goes out.

All it takes is a small garden variety non-severe t-storm to hit nearby and power goes out for anywhere from a half hour to ten hours.

We're looking at a 12KW Briggs and Stratton, propane, with a 120 gallon tank to fuel it.

Anybody have one? Thoughts or comments?
 
While I don't own one that big (mine is 6500 watts)I have worked on them, I was a small engine mechanic for 17 years before switching to computers.
I don't care for the propane as a fuel source for air cooled aluminum bore engines because the upper cylinders run too dry and the lifespan of the engine is reduced.
If it is a cast iron cylinder or sleeve then that problem all but goes away.
One MAJOR need while installing any standby generator is to use a transfer switch so the electricity doesn't back feed down the line and injure a worker or the general public because they think the line is dead.
If caution and good planning is used before installing then it is a great asset to have.
 
I use a 7500watt Coleman with a transfer switch. now this is all manual but I can run six different circuts in my house, then when the power comes back on it shut off the transfer switch. The one that you are talking about that sets outside like next to the AC unit, I looked into those AFTER I did my set up. Pros and Cons both ways.. I like the Nat Gas kind because the one I looked at had a auto switch on it so if power goes out then it come on by its self, that is a nice feature. Also it had a weekly auto check feature that every week it would come on and make sure it still will work. The unit was like $3500 not installed. But the down side is can't take it with you to the lake or to a familys or friends house if they need power. I spent like $1500 on my set up, but we had an ice storm in January, lost power for like 3 days, it was well worth the cost.
 
Generac 15 kw

I purchased a Generac 15 kw natural gas generator for my house and love it! The generator will run my 3 / 5 ton air conditioner and about 3/4 of my house. During tropical storms my neighbors curse me as the frost on my windows melts away from the humid 90 degree temeratures outside!

I also purchased mine from http://www.norwall.com/generac2.htm. I found that they are a little less expensive than Home Depot / Lowes and they offer free shipping.

The generator was the best investment my wife and I have made!

Gary
 
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