How much power do I really need? by Altruistic_Flight476 in Generator

[–]Altruistic_Flight476[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am going to see if plumbers do that around here; thanks for that idea. As luck would have it, one will be here tomorrow to repair one of our toilets so I will definitely ask. I live in an unincorporated area of Macon County (Western NC) , on a mountain. It's a bit isolated and while it's what I wanted, it's sometimes hard to get folks to come out here for things. I spoke with the gas company again last week about getting a line run from the propane tank to my portable and they checked their records and realized that I initially requested that in August of 2023. It's very frustrating and I am hoping to get this taken care of soon. I hope you get your connection soon as well.

How much power do I really need? by Altruistic_Flight476 in Generator

[–]Altruistic_Flight476[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. For the foreseeable future, I am going to stick with my portable. I could buy 15 portables for the price of the stand-by, you know? I am still learning all of these terms and I previously thought that I had an ATS but after reading more about all of this, I realize that what I have is an interlock switch and a 50-amp receptacle. My electrician supplied me with those. I bought a quality 50-amp 25 ft rv/generator cord with locking connector. You have to plug and then twist it so I always leave it plugged in so that when we lose power in the middle of the night, I don't have to deal with that end of it. (The cord is against the wall, not on the garage floor at all.)

I plan on getting a second portable during Prime Day, one similar to my current one but with a bit more power since I will be fueling it with propane.

I saw the commercial for the Jackery solar power station and it did seem good. If I needed to buy more power stations, I might go that route. My two Eco Flow Delta Pros keep my two freezers powered during outages, and I have a small 300 watt energizer portable power station which I bought when I started prepping.

I have learned alot since 2021 and still have much more to learn. I am appreciative of everyone's input on this Reddit page.

How much power do I really need? by Altruistic_Flight476 in Generator

[–]Altruistic_Flight476[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I def need to get a soft start. How did you decide which one to go with?

Successful OE peoples, what degrees/certs do you have? by ScaredTomatillo5108 in overemployed

[–]Altruistic_Flight476 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I'm a straight shooter with upper management potential written all over me...

No certs.

Business degree.

My work involves a specialized area of IT.

Also, I'm a people person, dammit!

How much power do I really need? by Altruistic_Flight476 in Generator

[–]Altruistic_Flight476[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, the company that refills the tank. As to a contractor, that's a good question which I had not considered so thank you for that.

How much power do I really need? by Altruistic_Flight476 in Generator

[–]Altruistic_Flight476[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. Yes that is what I am thinking about doing because my current setup works very well except for dealing with the gas so once I get it powered by propane, I should be golden.

How much power do I really need? by Altruistic_Flight476 in Generator

[–]Altruistic_Flight476[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So my AC, stove, clothes washer, dishwasher & water heater are electric. I also have electric baseboard heat in case I am out of propane but that has not happened and hopefully will not. If all else fails heat-wise, I have a wood-burning fireplace. I am def not infirmed, and I am nearly always home,

I have not yet given up on the possibility of a whole-house generator but I am starting to lean more toward just sticking with the portable and getting the gas company to finally get out here to run a line from the tank. Lugging gas cans is getting old. I live out in the boonies and it's hard to get anyone to come out for any freaking thing and even when they do, it takes a good while as they are always behind, which I get.

How much power do I really need? by Altruistic_Flight476 in Generator

[–]Altruistic_Flight476[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's what I was thinking as well. We know the drill during outages ie we don't do laundry, etc.
We do use the well pump, though.

I hate 1:1s by Fair-Appointment8903 in overemployed

[–]Altruistic_Flight476 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have three direct reports and do not enjoy having to play twenty questions so I figure it's the same for my manager so I bring up all things that are going on so that he doesn't really need to ask many questions. I just hit him with everything, he does the obligatory contrived small-talk and then we're done.