View Full Version : God Bless generators!!!
I'd like to shake the hand of the person who invented the portable gas-powered generator!
Got home tonight to find my neighborhood in the third power outage in two weeks. They're not weather related...it's just that Pacific Gas & Electric sucks. Judging by the time indicated on my mechanical light timers, the power had been out for about 2 hours (almost four hours right now). Thankfully, I went to Home Depot last Monday and bought a 1500 watt portable generator :D :)
Through an elaborate maze of extension cords, I've got the critical components running on all my tanks, along with some of the non-essential equipment like small lights, skimmers, etc. The computer (duh), some house-lights and the satellite TV are also up and running ;)
I'm sure my neighbors aren't happy though....they're probably annoyed by the generator noise, and they're probably angry that they don't have one of their own. :p
Finally.....I can relax and have a warm beer.
OrionGirl
01-24-2003, 8:10 AM
Scary to think the power company takes such poor care of their customers. I know I would be griping to my state legislator if I had that problem.
Glad all your fish buddies are safe! It's sad to think how many people have lost their tanks this winter, with the eastern areas getting such a harsh winter.
slipknottin
01-24-2003, 8:20 AM
Originally posted by OrionGirl
It's sad to think how many people have lost their tanks this winter, with the eastern areas getting such a harsh winter.
:( I lost three corals and a angel a month or so ago in a power outage.
Greg- may I ask how much that generator cost you? Im considering getting one for next winter.
Originally posted by slipknottin
:( I lost three corals and a angel a month or so ago in a power outage.
Greg- may I ask how much that generator cost you? Im considering getting one for next winter.
Sure, it was $379 at Home Depot. You can find more info on this particular model at: http://www.colemanpowermate.com/generators/pm0401850.shtml
It uses a Briggs & Stratton motor so it's plenty reliable. Of course $379 is a lot of money, but it's nothing compared to what we've got invested in our tanks!
Originally posted by OrionGirl
Scary to think the power company takes such poor care of their customers. I know I would be griping to my state legislator if I had that problem.
It weird. I've lived in the same place for 11 years and only started having regular power outages last year.
Before that, the power would go out now and then, but usually not for more than 30 minutes or so...that would happen about once or twice a year. Now the outages are MUCH more frequent and last MUCH longer :mad: :mad:
I should send PG&E the bill for the generator!!
Originally posted by gcvt
Finally.....I can relax and have a warm beer.
WARM BEER.....:D :D ....THAT WAS GOOD
I lose power from time to time....my worry wart of a girlfriend called the company to "female dog"..........
Our company advised to keep all receipts and they will reimburse for any losses......
too bad the power wasn't out when my wrasse died:D
slipknottin
01-24-2003, 4:20 PM
$380? thats not so bad, I was thinking they were around a Grand...
Looks like thats what Ill be getting next year for Christmas. Hopefully I wont have any more power outages this year.
slipknottin
01-24-2003, 4:22 PM
Originally posted by makai
Our company advised to keep all receipts and they will reimburse for any losses......
too bad the power wasn't out when my wrasse died:D
I was always under the impression that they wont pay for anything that you loose when the power goes out like livestock and such. They claim its an act of god and there not responsible. :confused:
Originally posted by slipknottin
$380? thats not so bad, I was thinking they were around a Grand...
Looks like thats what Ill be getting next year for Christmas. Hopefully I wont have any more power outages this year.
Well, if you're willing to spend $1000, you can get one of these babies!...
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/eu1000.htm
A buddy of mine has one of these and they are sweeeeet. Very light-weight and extremely quiet.
I just wasn't willing to spend $1000 :)
slipknottin
01-24-2003, 4:47 PM
I think this is the one I should get
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/eb11000.htm
hah I could light up half the city with that thing.
Originally posted by slipknottin
I think this is the one I should get
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/eb11000.htm
hah I could light up half the city with that thing.
LOL! :) That thing has a bigger motor than my dirt bike...and costs about as much!
act of god.........
i can see your point.....
i'm just relaying what they told us
If bad weather causes an outage, I could see them using the 'Act of God' excuse. But what if it's really nice out and they blow a transformer or circuit breaker? Wouldn't that be an equipment failure on their part and not an Act of God? What if it was a construction crew that chopped through an underground line?
Depending on the circumstances of the outage, I could see where you'd have grounds to file a claim.
Well....here I am once again, posting on AC, using generator power! My power went out a couple hours ago :( but all my tanks are up and running :)
God Bless Generators.
EDIT: Going on five hours now :mad: Guess it's not just me...looks like 24,600 homes in SF have no power. There is no estimated time for the power to be restored. I may have to go buy some more gas...if I can find a gas station that has power. Otherwise I'll siphon some out of my truck or drain some from my bike. This sucks.
Fishiebusiness
03-07-2003, 9:18 PM
Hey did ya hear about the millions and millions in bonuses the PG&E executives are getting?
:mad: PG&E
VoodooChild
03-08-2003, 12:30 AM
A quick question about this. I don't really have to worry about this too much. Up here we get maybe an outage a year, for only 1/2 hour or so. But anyways, would you have to worry more about water movement in powerheads and the like more, or the heating. Just wondering. Sorry to hear about your plight. If something of mine died because of it, I'd stick'er in an envelope and mail it to the company. If you only get power sometimes anyways, what's the difference if you blacklisted?:D
Originally posted by VoodooChild
A quick question about this. I don't really have to worry about this too much. Up here we get maybe an outage a year, for only 1/2 hour or so. But anyways, would you have to worry more about water movement in powerheads and the like more, or the heating. Just wondering. Sorry to hear about your plight. If something of mine died because of it, I'd stick'er in an envelope and mail it to the company. If you only get power sometimes anyways, what's the difference if you blacklisted?:D
Well, I keep my heaters in my sump so if I have no water movement, I have no heat - it's kind of all or nothing. But I think a quick drop in temperature would be more harmful than lack of current.
BTW, I used to just get 1/2-hour outages too - ah, those were the days :) Now they average more like 6 hours.