Now where's Royal?

[JackiBlu]

Royal, I don't know about charging up the LT battery. I tried to ask my guru, but I can't reach him right now. I didn't have my LT during the 04 storms here and I don't think he gave me instructions if we had gotten Ike or Hanna. But as soon as I talk with him I will ask.

AS far as the generator goes. You need to change out the oil pretty often. I have a 5500 gen, as long as I had gas I used it. I'd shut it down for a couple hours a day but usually ran it prolly 20 hours a day if I could obtain the gas. Doing that, I changed the oil about every other day or about every 50 hours. I think that is what my instructions said. It is a simple process even for me. I was warned bad oil, bye bye generator = $800 at that time. DO NOT fill it when it is running - it can make your wife's fears come to fruition. (fire)

Do not keep it anywhere near a window (opened or closed - those toxic/deadly fumes CAN and WILL find you) they are odorless. I kept mine about 15 feet or more from the house, pointing the exhaust in the wind direction which took it away from the house. After the storms, I had a 'pony tail' made up for it, which is a direct connect thru my dryer plug. I turn off the main power switch in the fuse box. Plug in the pony tail and start the generator. The bestest thing since peanut butter when you have no electric.

They had printed a list in our paper here on how much you can run on XXX watts. As well as how much pretty much everything was watted.. ie fridge, TV, toaster etc. You can tell if you have too much on, as the Gen will drag and poop out ifyou don't turn something off.

IF there is any thing else I can help with, please let me know...
Good luck.. and smile, it does get better..

Hugs

[Ross]

Just a brief comment on generators, I use one. I agree with all the comments here so far. As for charging batteries on a laptop, generators are fine. I wouldn't run a PC directly from one (as well as Home Theater, etc.) but charging a battery is a no-brainer. The Laptop battery is, in effect, a UPS. DC power is extremely safe compared to AC power. The venting discussion should be strongly emphasized. Never run a generator in an enclosed space, especially a dwelling.

[Royal]

It sounds like we had the same crash course. The friend who was nice enough to lend it out to me told me to change the oil every 50 hours. I'm OK there.

We did have it going on the back porch while it was still raining, but it's open air, and the wind blowing pretty good still. Now it's as FAR from the house as possible (noise).

I'm just running extension cords b/c this gen is only a 1200. Not really big enough to even run a 220 "pig tail" as they say in TX (looks more like a pony tail to me).

Oh, and thanks for the info, but I'd never fuel ANY engine while it's running! That only happens with non orchid growers.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Oh, and thanks for the info, but I'd never fuel ANY engine while it's running! That only happens with non orchid growers.

I hate to reveal this, but in Viet Nam we regularly refueled the generators (really big ones) while running. Only source of power during the year, and we couldn't go down and risk no radio communication. But the point is well taken in civilian life.

[JackiBlu]

Yup, pig tail it is.

I was trying to get everything right.. LOL.. I guess I screwed it up. My brother raises prize pigs, you would think I would remember that. I prefer horses I guess.

OK.. here is my last BIT@H.. do NOT put that generator on the porch. It isn't necessary. Generators are for the outdoors.. if its raining put a piece of wood over it. It doesn't melt. Usually used by construction yards. --- Seriously, it does not take but a couple minutes from carbon monoxide and every other little poisonous gas to getcha. 1200 is better than none AND with a pig tail is still fine you don't need to keep the door open for the extension cords and mosquito's. My pig tail was a blessing. A 120 pig tail can be made up too, but I am sure you know that. Be glad your nights have cooled down. Here it is always HOT and miserable except one time it brought in a cool front behind it. That was wierd cos it had never happened before and was a blessed surprise.

Another thing some people will do by mistake is run their gas or charcoal or habatchee (sp) grill inside the house or near/under windows.. No no no.. same thing with the poisonous gases w/ added fire.

I still haven't caught up with Guru yet, I will post when I know. and mostly BE CAREFUL

[Royal]

Originally Posted by JackiBlu

My pig tail was a blessing.

Taken out of context that sounds pretty funny. I think we've found a new quote for your signature!

[cb977]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

I think we've found a new quote for your signature!

[JackiBlu]

[Lorraine]

I'm glad you are alright Royal.

There is nothing scarier than dealing with the loss of power and cleanup after a hurricaine. We got a generator 2 years ago after Wilma hit and have not had to use it yet, just test it once in a while. I had forgotten about replacing the oil. Thanks for the reminder.

[gmdiaz]

I am so laughing about the pigtail and so happy Royal is back with us.

*BIG GRIN*