Fairfax 4.0T

So Roger was kind enough to give me his 2 year old car battery for the starter of my 12hp generator. When he first gave it to me (he upgraded to a light-weight battery), it wouldn't turn over the generator, and I assumed it had just run down a little. I connected a trickle charger to it and assumed it would be fine.

This morning at 5:15am, my alarm clock sounds in the battery back-up mode, power is out. I go out to start the 1970's era generator, but when I hit the start switch, I just get "click" like the battery is dead.

I curse Roger and start yelling up a storm (Roger, could you hear me in Arlington?) Well I get the old battery and jump it, but no go. I get the kart starter battery and jump it but no go. Then I try to turn the flywheel by hand, but something has rusted up and things won't turn.

Eventually, I wrap a rope around the flywheel and tie the rope to a 6 foot pipe which I use as a lever/breaker bar. After a struggle, the motor breaks free. I use the electric start and the thing starts right up. The generator mechanism froze up.

Roger, thanks a lot for the battery and I'm sorry that I yelled at you.

The paved road off of Route 123 leading to my house had the wires draped with trees. The power came on for about 2 minutes and then a transformer exploded. WOW! That was loud. With all of those trees on the line, I doubt that power will be restored before night. Good having a generator for heat, the well and septic pump, fridge/freezers. It comes in handy about once every 5 years.

Thanks again, Roger!

Jimax

Haha! Glad you got it going.

apk-S4

I think everyone says Roger's name in vain at some point in their lives (warranted or not) :P

Roger @ CA

Lol, priceless :-) Enjoy.

absolutcq20v

It was a brand new genset, but only 7500 watts so I had to juggle the loads on it. Toughest part was that I have a heat pump with electric aux. heat...I had to disconnect the aux. elements to keep the genset from popping the breaker. Problem with just a heat pump is that there isn't much heat to pull out of 10° air...I had the genset parked next to the compressor and boxed it in to collect some heat off it. Between that and the wood-burning stove, we kept the house at a crisp 50°.

With the heat pump started up and running constantly, I could alternate between some lights and the fridge to the water pump and water heater. I was having fun, but K made me promise we'd get a hotel next time. :P

Fairfax 4.0T

Running a heat pump off a generator is tough. Luckily, I have propane heat and propane hot water.

BlueDog

just fired up my generator just to make sure its warmed up and ready to go when the power goes out. Wife was out walking dogs earlier and heard a tree fall down on the back part of the property. Hopefully it didn't take down part of the pasture fence.

achilleas101

never have to deal w/ all this power outage BS. I've lived in my place for 5 years now, and there have been at least 2 times where Tysons Corner was the only lit area within miles. Just this single, maybe 2 mile diameter blip in an otherwise dark FFX county.
:-D

OLight:TNG

Until they start relocating them for the Metro extension!

absolutcq20v

to LP (liquid propane). I have an LP range, but the tank is only about a 100 lb'er. Egh, maybe if the 23 year-old water heater kicks the bucket, I'll tap into the tank.

Propane, and propane accessories...
<img src="http://www.damascusroadchurch.org/mediafiles/hank-hill.jpg">

PS - I left the aux heat disconnected...nothing like a 10kW draw to suck your wallet dry. :/