[Goldwingnut]

I have a 5KW generator sitting in the garage for emergencies. Used it only twice in 4 years due to power outages, and was glad I had it. I take it out about 4 times a year, start it up and use it to run the electric lawn mower and weed eater just to give it a little run time and keep things fresh. 9KW may be a little large for your needs here but your neighbors may also appreciate being able to keep the refrigerator running and the lights on.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

So I am sure it is all now clear as mud. Personally ours has been collecting dust for 2 years now.

[Dan9871]

Originally Posted by pauld315

Typically, you don't power up your generator during the actual hurricane. They are used the days following a major storm if you lose power.

Right, but sometimes the power goes out at the beginning of a storm... that's certainly our experience. When we had our "pull out of the garage" generator back in MA when tropical storms hit us the power sometimes went out at the beginning of the storm and it might be a day before the rain stopped enough so I could drag out the generator and hook it up without getting electrocuted

When we had our Generac it just kicked in when the power went out. In one snow/sleet storm... they say it was a"snow-cane" we lost power at the beginning of the storm... it snowed/sleeted for over almost two days and we were on Generac power for almost 6 days.

Sometimes I think we retired to Florida just so we could have reliable power

[rjm1cc]

A whole house generator will cost you about 10,000 installed. Depending on how yours gets installed I would bring it. If you never need it so what.
Last year we were without poser for about a week. Problem was our outage was caused by a down tree but only affect a few people so we were at the end of the repair list.

[thelegges]

We have about the same size gen up north, runs our entire home. We lose power sometimes weekly, and have been without for up to 10 days in January more than once. In fact as I am writing this my other half has been running the gen since 9:06 this am. We have gotten our money out of it and then some.

Even if you bring it down it’s easy to sell, contractors love them.

[EdFNJ]

Slightly off topic but can generators be rented anywhere down here for one day? Having some construction done soon that will require SECO relocating the service then an electrician reconnecting the panel. This thread gave me the idea to rent one for the day only for our refrig and small freezer chest.

[Nucky]

I sold or gave my generator away along with many tools and all the lawn equipment as my thought was to repair and maintain EVERYTHING with a checkbook once we got here. Reality is that it just doesn't work out that way and you always end up doing stuff and needing to replace what seemed like the right thing to do by disposing of something while you are packing. Don't get rid of it. Bring it because if you don't you'll end up scrambling to find a replacement. With a generator that size I hope you buy in my neighboorhood.

5 out of the 7 house across the street from me have had Generac Units installed over the summer, they are ready! Good Luck.

[Fredman]

It is better to have a generator and not need it than to need a generator and not have it. Bring it

[Alana33]

Bring it.
9 days without power last September when Irma blew thru last September.

[MaryRDH]

If it’s in good working order, yes, unless the cost of moving it is not worth it. You may just buy a new one in June when you may be able to buy one tax free for hurricane season. Also consider a “whole house “ generator that comes on automatically.
We never lost power during Hurricane Irma last year here in The Village of Lake Deaton.
You may never use it, but it’s a great peace of mind.

[Chatbrat]

Just like a parachute or a life vest--hope you don't need it

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

Slightly off topic but can generators be rented anywhere down here for one day? Having some construction done soon that will require SECO relocating the service then an electrician reconnecting the panel. This thread gave me the idea to rent one for the day only for our refrig and small freezer chest.

Yes. The Home Depot (Lady Lake) rents generators.

[ColdNoMore]

A generator large enough to power all refrigerators/freezers...can pay for itself.

A set large enough to also run the A/C and a few lights is a nice convenience, but the beauty of living here is that you don't have to worry about water lines freezing and bursting in extreme cold...during an extended outage.

In cold northern locations, ensuring that you have the ability to heat the entire home during an electrical outage...can save tens of thousands of dollars.


Whatever you do though, ensure that the gen-set is properly wired so that it won't back-feed into the power grid...and potentially kill those utility workers restoring power.


Generator Safety | Dubois REC

But, if installed incorrectly, your generator system could threaten the lives of family, friends, neighbors, and electric utility crews trying to restore service.

There are specific ways to properly install generators in your business or home.

Safe Electricity strongly suggests you have a qualified electrician assist you.

To safely operate a standby generator, make sure it has a transfer safety switch to isolate the load from the normal utility source. Without this safety switch, there is a chance electricity can travel back through the lines, causing "back feed." Back feed creates a dangerous hazard for anyone near lines, particularly utility crews working to restore power.

[Odysseus]

As one person responded...it depends on where in The Villages you live. It wasn't only the historic district that lost power during Irma. The Villages south of Spanish Springs (Lake County) lost power for many days. I understand some in Marion County lost power too. My neighbor has a generator permanently installed because his wife's health needs. If you own a generator and it isn't too expensive to ship it down if only to guarantee you'll never need it!

[tjlee500]

I have a small one I brought from St. Pete where I moved from. Just nice to have4 to save food and hopefully beep TV and Internet going. Probably best to sell a big one. You can always but a small one once hear once you see if you have garage room. It is important to plan for garage as I brough too much stuff with me.