Need for a Generator?

[tainsley]

I am sitting at home in Chesapeake, VA still without electricity from our unwanted guest, Irene! :cus: Fortunately I have a generator so all the important things are working...refrigerator, cell phone, radio, fan and now my computer. :) (Wish I could plug in my AC!) I thought about selling our generator before we move to TV in January. My question is...is there a need to bring the generator with us? Look forward to hearing from you! :)

[red tail]

I am sitting at home in Chesapeake, VA still without electricity from our unwanted guest, Irene! :cus: Fortunately I have a generator so all the important things are working...refrigerator, cell phone, radio, fan and now my computer. :) (Wish I could plug in my AC!) I thought about selling our generator before we move to TV in January. My question is...is there a need to bring the generator with us? Look forward to hearing from you! :)

only if you will need some items for your garage sale
:laugh:

[JenAjd]

Haven't experienced such a storm yet...but I too have wondered about that question. I've seen advice here on getting ice for the coolers (for the food) but if you had a generator that wouldn't be necessary. I'm thinking that having one would be a "just in case" item.

Will be anxious to see if others who've actually lived here long enough and thru a hurricane cane give the advice.

[Figmo Bohica]

I brought are little gen with us. Runs for 8 hours on a gallon of gas. Has a 220/115 outlet. Used it in NM when the power went out for extended periods of time. Think that it is a nice to have item, if you have one, since this is the lightening capitol of the states. Never know when the power could be out for several hours. A nice way to keep the refrig cold, food frozen, and if necessary power up the computer.

I would not buy one just for that purpose but since I had one, it might come in handy, so we brought it. Better prepared, than wishing that you had been.

[zcaveman]

Been here for 10 years and have never had the need for a generator.

Lived in Jax Fl for 36 years and never had a need for a generator.

If it makes you feel better and it is not too large bring it down.

[Ooper]

Been here for 10 years and have never had the need for a generator.

Lived in Jax Fl for 36 years and never had a need for a generator.

If it makes you feel better and it is not too large bring it down.

I agree... we have been here 10 years, also, through 3 hurricanes and never lost power. Like an earlier post stated, they only seem good for selling something in garage sales. But watch, if you don't bring it with you, that'll be the time you lose power.,, lol

[JenAjd]

As someone else posted here...we are the lightening capital of the world. A couple of weeks ago---maybe three---we had a thunderstorm and a lightening strike in an area of Amelia was without power for maybe 2 or so hours. That was fine because Seco was on top of things and came right out to find the problem and fix it. BUT of course it was hot and muggy and the house started to become a bit stuffy. I have to wonder the BIG "what if" a once in a few years time-frame that we really would have the mega storm that would knock things out for a length of time. BUT good to hear from the person who has lived here for 10 years and has never seen the need. Maybe that gives us the hope we'd need to not having to purchase one!

[buggyone]

I have lived in The Villages for 2 years. So far, I have not had a loss of power. I have had the GFI "pop" a couple of times when a strike of lightning was close. I have had the lights flicker on and off for a second a couple of times but no loss of power to need a generator.

However, if it makes you feel safer, bring it along. Do not forget to drain the gas tank completely before moving.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

To me, having a generator is like having an insurance policy: It's a complete waste of money..............until you need it!! If you need it and you don't have one, you're not a happy camper. :cus:

Where we live in OH, our power goes out with some amount of regularity, not because of lightning but because of winds knocking down trees (or branches) which in turn takes out the above-ground power lines. We had a portable generator for our previous house here and have a permanent/automatic one installed at our current place.

It's all a matter of whatever makes you sleep well at night.

Bill :)

[cquick]

I noticed several houses with lightning rods attached. We have lived in Florida for 12 years and we really never gave it a thought.

Anyone with an opinion?
thanks

[tainsley]

As always, thanks for all of your valuable info and opinions. So nice to have such good neighbors!:)

[Shimpy]

Lived in Fla. since 1953 and saw quite a few hurricanes in S. Fla. Up here it seems less vulnerable to hurricanes, and we also have underground power. I sold my generator before moving here. During power outages down there the generator was fine as long as you had gas, but if you ran it at night to keep the refrigerator working you'd keep the whole neighborhood awake. Honda makes the most quiet generators but costs more than double what you'd pay at Home Depot. I'd suggest a Honda, but only big enough to run the refrigerator, a fan and a few lights. Cook on the BBQ for all meals.

[golf2140]

Another 10 year resident and have never lost power.

[allairenjadea]

We are in Maine right now and just got internet and cable back but still no power...the generator is running like crazy...we have been out since sund
ay afternoon...

[tainsley]

We are in Maine right now and just got internet and cable back but still no power...the generator is running like crazy...we have been out since sund
ay afternoon...

I hope you get your power back soon! We were without for two and a half days in SE VA. Fortunately we have a generator!

[senior citizen]

As someone else posted here...we are the lightening capital of the world. A couple of weeks ago---maybe three---we had a thunderstorm and a lightening strike in an area of Amelia was without power for maybe 2 or so hours. That was fine because Seco was on top of things and came right out to find the problem and fix it. BUT of course it was hot and muggy and the house started to become a bit stuffy. I have to wonder the BIG "what if" a once in a few years time-frame that we really would have the mega storm that would knock things out for a length of time. BUT good to hear from the person who has lived here for 10 years and has never seen the need. Maybe that gives us the hope we'd need to not having to purchase one!

It is indeed good to hear that a ten year resident has never needed a generator.

Also, we "hear you" re how fast the heat can build up and make one uncomfortable indoors.

Our power up here seems to go out much more often in the wintertime due to falling trees on power lines.

However, my husband has decided that if we do buy, he will have generator installed outdoors that is permanent. Ditto for the hurricane shutters that automatically go up and down or whatever.

Up in the Orlando area, the people are always complaining about the power outages up that way.......and we know people who went through Hurricane Andrew who were without power for weeks...........which would not be tolerable to those not used to that 110 "real feel" heat and humidity.
This summer up north has been extremely humid and it's not pleasant at all , unless you have "air".
Ours has been running all summer long.

ONE LAST QUESTION:
Are the power lines underground in TV?

[mulligan]

Power is underground in TV, but the grid that supplies it is above ground. As far as a generator is concerned, the big issue would be fuel. I doubt a permit would be issued for a storage tank of any size in this densly built area.

[senior citizen]

Power is underground in TV, but the grid that supplies it is above ground. As far as a generator is concerned, the big issue would be fuel. I doubt a permit would be issued for a storage tank of any size in this densly built area.

Again, thank you........just told hubby and he understands.
No big permanent generator that would use propane gas. One less thing to buy.

Unless it would be a portable one I guess. He said he just sold our two generators that ran about $1,200 each.......for $400 each. They used gasoline. Didn't want to move them.

There are good things and bad things about zoning or lack of zoning or strictly enforced rules or not so strictly enforced rules, as up here.

In N.J. they have to get a permit for every little home improvement; not so in Vermont. Also, up here, the local contractors never make us sign contracts; a handshake is sufficient. But then again, everyone knows everyone and their parents, grandparents and uncles.........so news of a bad job would "get around".

[skyguy79]

Our power up here seems to go out much more often in the wintertime due to falling trees on power lines. In our little upstate NY village we had homes that were flooded where some will not be able to reoccupy for several months and even some that will never be able to return. We're just 3 blocks away from those homes, had a little basement flooding from storm drain backups, but thankfully we never lost power! Go figure?

[senior citizen]

In our little upstate NY village we had homes that were flooded where some will not be able to reoccupy for several months and even some that will never be able to return. We're just 3 blocks away from those homes, had a little basement flooding from storm drain backups, but thankfully we never lost power! Go figure?

You all were very very lucky. WE keep seeing news pics of Prattsville and surrounding area. So sad. So hopeless for the business owners and residents. No one ever dreams something like that would come into their lives. There is a town in Vermont, Rochester, where the caskets were unearthed from the cemetery and floating around.....that's how powerful water is. Is there a perfect place to retire? Makes one wonder. WE are NOT enjoying the humidity up here lately..........very muggy. Our airconditioner is going all the time. Can't wait for autumn crisp cool weather.

Our soggy carpeting is from the fact that our backyard is a hill and the torrential rains.....more like monsoons, naturally come downhill. Even though it had all been graded very well to begin with..........when the ground is saturated from the previous storms this summer........the water has to go someplace. First time that hubby didn't complain; he saw that it could be much worse with the news photos of the full basement flooding in Vermont and vicinity not to mention homes falling off their foundations and being washed away..............so better to put it all into perspective. We were lucky as well.

[starflyte1]

I have a 2000 watt Honda generator and a tiny window air conditioner. If the power goes out, I can have a/c in the kitchen and a refrigerator that cools. (not all running at the same time). Most important to the neighbors was the coffee pot.

When the power is out and the temperature is 99 degrees, a generator becomes priceless. We had a large generator when we lived near the gulf, but the smaller will do for us in TV.

[senior citizen]

I have a 2000 watt Honda generator and a tiny window air conditioner. If the power goes out, I can have a/c in the kitchen and a refrigerator that cools. (not all running at the same time). Most important to the neighbors was the coffee pot.

When the power is out and the temperature is 99 degrees, a generator becomes priceless. We had a large generator when we lived near the gulf, but the smaller will do for us in TV.

Sounds like a plan. Honda is a good brand.

Yes, the coffee would be the first thing missed and really appreciated by your neighbors......for sure. Yours will be the "go to" house in emergencies.

More than twenty years ago, we had an October 4 ice storm up here which knocked out our power for a few days; since this was during fall foliage season, all the leaves were still on the trees........then heavily laden with snow and ice, they all fell at once.............

My husband, like you, was extremely well received by the neighbors when he was able to make not only coffee, but oatmeal, hot cocoa for the neighbors children, soup, etc........on the kitchen Jotul woodstove.

In that house we had prepared for all calamities with the woodstove, the fireplace of course, plus in the basement were two furnaces, one oil fueled and the other a wood burning furnace.........so if the Arabs had raised the price of oil astronomically, we had the wood which would still heat the hot water baseboards and carry heat throughout all the rooms.

Some people up here and in Maine add "gas" so they have electric to start with, fuel oil and wood plus propane gas............all as options for when the electricity goes out. Very few , if any homes, have central air....but down there I would also get the window airconditioner for an emergency if the generator could do that as well as the frig.

Great solutions. Thanks.

[senior citizen]

Lived in Fla. since 1953 and saw quite a few hurricanes in S. Fla. Up here it seems less vulnerable to hurricanes, and we also have underground power. I sold my generator before moving here. During power outages down there the generator was fine as long as you had gas, but if you ran it at night to keep the refrigerator working you'd keep the whole neighborhood awake. Honda makes the most quiet generators but costs more than double what you'd pay at Home Depot. I'd suggest a Honda, but only big enough to run the refrigerator, a fan and a few lights. Cook on the BBQ for all meals.

I thought of the barbecue after I answered the last poster who used their Honda generator to power the frig and a window airconditioner....which I thought was a really good idea.........I told hubby and he said he just sold two 4,000 watt Honda generators but would definitely get a new portable one down at TV.

Up here, unfortunately, our power would usually go out in the winter..........and although it's been done.........standing out in a blizzard grilling is not fun..but yes, a gas grill would work in TV. We also had a camp stove ready for this past hurricane, but never needed it.....nor the lanterns, flashlights, etc.

All good hints to keep the food safe, etc. Thanks.

[starflyte1]

The 2000 watt gen does only the refrigerator or ac at one time, but is very doable.

If the power is out, the coffee pot is working.