re: Beryl Thread - the clean up begins...

Posted by dandan

Member since Nov 2007

4952 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 7:49 am to TulaneUVA

Congrats to other bottom ~5% without power.

We definitely need some type of bad beat payout from CenterPoint now.

3 ...

Posted by billjamin

Houston

Member since Jun 2019

16309 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 9:11 am to dandan

quote:
Congrats to other bottom ~5% without power.

from the bowels of CenterPointless’s coverage area.

Since the middle of May I haven’t had power for 13 days now. Astonishing.

Posted by Oates Mustache

Member since Oct 2011

25808 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 10:49 am to billjamin

Quick question about generators.

I'm considering a Kohler, but I'm worried about local parts availability versus Generac which seem to have stuff in stock at every big brand store in BR.

Any thoughts on that? Last thing I want is to have to repair something like billjamin and not be able to get the parts quickly.

3 ...

Posted by tigburls

Member since Feb 2010

591 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 10:55 am to TulaneUVA

We got it back in Candlelight plaza last night. Think the hold up for a lot is the limited number of cranes. There were two huge ones pulling trees off the lines. Takes a few hours to do one tree, replace pole/transformer, reline.

Posted by LaLadyinTx

Cypress, TX

Member since Nov 2018

7107 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 12:28 pm to Oates Mustache

My plan is to do what 1000s have been doing. People are buying large portable generators that are tri fuel and hooking to their natural gas line with a quick connect and getting an interlock switch and plug put on their breaker box. My neighbor is one who did this and was all in for <$3k. Look at the FB group Generators: portable generators to power entire house. This group was started by a guy in Cypress after Feb 21 freeze to help folks do this after that power outage. LOTs of resources there. Recommendations and pricing for plumbers and electricians that are used to doing this.

I'm considering the Westinghouse Tri fuel 12500 that's on sale for prime day for $1,175. It will power my whole house, including at least one (maybe both) my ACs, if I install soft starts. I think at this price, I'll be all in for around $2k.

Posted by alphaandomega

Tuscaloosa-Here to Serve

Member since Aug 2012

16576 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 1:15 pm to Oates Mustache

quote:

Quick question about generators.

I'm considering a Kohler, but I'm worried about local parts availability versus Generac which seem to have stuff in stock at every big brand store in BR.

Mine is a generac and other than oil changes and batteries I have never had a problem. I buy the filters (Wix) from amazon in 6 packs. I keep enough oil to change it 3 times.

I imagine both are good engines and would serve you well. The peace of mind is well worth the expense in my opinion, especially if I lived closer to the coast.

Only question would be does the natural gas ever get turned off after these disasters... I could see it if there was catastrophic damage and lines were leaking but with it being underground I would think that would be rare.

Posted by billjamin

Houston

Member since Jun 2019

16309 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 2:20 pm to Oates Mustache

quote:
I'm considering a Kohler

Be warned, they're loud AF.

quote:
I'm considering a Kohler, but I'm worried about local parts availability versus Generac which seem to have stuff in stock at every big brand store in BR.

Access to the parts was a game changer for me. I had my concerns about Generac, but there were enough places that had parts to get me through. After tearing into it, there isn't much to them really. Have oil change products, maybe a jump box in case the battery takes a dump and a set of brushes ($20) in case it's extended and they wear. The controller failure so a freak thing from the lightning.

Posted by billjamin

Houston

Member since Jun 2019

16309 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 2:21 pm to tigburls

quote:
We got it back in Candlelight plaza last night

just got mine back about 30 minutes ago in OF section 11.

Posted by Dire Wolf

bawcomville

Member since Sep 2008

39788 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 2:26 pm to dandan

quote:
We definitely need some type of bad beat payout from CenterPoint now.

I got the bad beat for the derecho and received a bill above my average summer use

So good luck with that

This post was edited on 7/16/24 at 2:27 pm

Posted by Oates Mustache

Member since Oct 2011

25808 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 2:32 pm to LaLadyinTx

quote:
My plan is to do what 1000s have been doing. People are buying large portable generators that are tri fuel and hooking to their natural gas line with a quick connect and getting an interlock switch and plug put on their breaker box. My neighbor is one who did this and was all in for <$3k. Look at the FB group Generators: portable generators to power entire house. This group was started by a guy in Cypress after Feb 21 freeze to help folks do this after that power outage. LOTs of resources there. Recommendations and pricing for plumbers and electricians that are used to doing this.

I'm considering the Westinghouse Tri fuel 12500 that's on sale for prime day for $1,175. It will power my whole house, including at least one (maybe both) my ACs, if I install soft starts. I think at this price, I'll be all in for around $2k.

I've thoroughly researched this option as well, auto start versus manual switch isn't really an issue for me. I don't mind having to manual switch over of necessary. The only time it becomes an issue is if you aren't home for days and it goes out.

My real debate is buying something like a 15kw Duromax and only being able to run a portable AC, fridges, and a few other items for around $4000 versus spending $10k-ish for a 20kw auto start and running the whole house.

Posted by TJack

Member since Dec 2018

3059 posts

Posted on 7/16/24 at 2:46 pm to Oates Mustache

quote:
I've thoroughly researched this option as well, auto start versus manual switch isn't really an issue for me. I don't mind having to manual switch over of necessary. The only time it becomes an issue is if you aren't home for days and it goes out. My real debate is buying something like a 15kw Duromax and only being able to run a portable AC, fridges, and a few other items for around $4000 versus spending $10k-ish for a 20kw auto start and running the whole house.

I have a 10/8kw Champion tri fuel already plumbed and hooked up for NG. I have the interlock (I’ll install myself) and cord just need electrician to move 3 breakers and install wire 30a inlet. I don’t have a large home 1350sq/ft. the wiring will be outside maybe a foot. I can soft start and run my 2.5 ton A/C, fridge, etc.

This post was edited on 7/16/24 at 2:48 pm