How Are Southern Members Doing?

[RUSSELL5000]

I have been reading in the news that winter has extended unusually far south, creating some headaches for folks. Just wondering what challenges this has created for those in areas where snowfall/ice is not typical.

Winter is kind of business as usual here on the shore of Lake Erie. Cumulative snowfall so far this winter is roughly 55 inches, which is a little below average. Usually not all that cold here, and recently typical with lows in the single digits and highs in the twenties. I usually get some fresh air and stretch out some with a snow shovel in the morning at this time of year. My driving strategy is simple: make sure there is weight in the bed of the truck and I run four studded snow tires in the winter (we have a lot of ice around here). Simply slowing down makes a big difference.

My older son is at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and has a had a run of days with lows in the 15 below range and highs in the zero to single digits. My younger son is in the Air Force in Minot, North Dakota, dealing with a series of days with lows of 30 below and highs not making it to zero. So, could be a lot colder, I suppose.

 

[mfurrh55]

I'm in north Tx and it was 4 below zero this morning, and our 2nd round of snow hit at 7:00 pm. Be glad when it's over, it finally warmed up to 18 deg for a high today, better then yesterday... got up to 9 deg.

 

[GCroyle]

SC here. We don't need anymore rain but I think we're getting more later this week. No snow, yesterday saw the sun but breezy. That tornado that hit eastern NC is not too far from us.

Good luck to Texas, OK and other sates.

Russell5000, what part of Lake Erie shoreline? Grew up in Westlake and remember winter storms and Dick Goddard forecasting.

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks for asking. We haven't lost power yet, likely because the power plant is only 6 miles away, but we lost water we're told because the water company lost power to their pumps. It seems the grid's dependence on solar and wind power is a contributor to power outages. I have 52 solar panels that most sunny days feeds excess back onto the grid. I'm considered and calculated into the decentralized power grid.

Woke up this morning and we had water restored.

I have a 25KW diesel generator that has 200 gallons that we estimate would run about 7 to 10 days.

All in all IMHO, the Texas power grid is robust in sunny, warm weather, but over reliance on alternative wind and solar power, make it vulnerable to extended significant cold weather events. High percentage of electric heating also a contributor to high electric demand. We have propane heat.

EDIT: Thought I would add neighbors upgraded to heat pumps this past Summer. Apparently, they don't do well in extreme cold, so they have been using their fireplace. I imagine so have a lot of other folks as well.

Best wishes to all for a WARM and speedy recovery.

Cheers, Ron

 

[GCroyle]

Ron,

We had Geo Thermal in OKC. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wish I had it now. OKC over 100+ outside you could hand meat in our house.

Sun is out getting better, like maybe do some thing today. Oh yeah, still figuring on basement AC/HP acting funky. TBD.

Gary

 

[JR]

I was listening to a report stating that Texas was within minutes of losing power to 85% of the area operated by ERCOT due to ERCOT (grid operator) mis managing grid distribution. They had to shed major load which is what has put so many out. An investigation is already being called for into their handling of the situation.

 

[bcbender]

Warm wishes for all you in the cold.. just a bit colder than normal here in NC. I was kinda getting used to dry cold but its been way wetter than normal and reminds me of when I grew up out west. More ICE comming tonight, but like Ron we have a backup gene. so worst case we'll be eating trough propane to pump water and wood for the stove.

I did not know till today that TX has its "own" power grid, not sure why they cannot leverage surrounding states for power assistance??? (other than cost)

 

[gsbrockman]

Our power went out at 1:30 am EDT on Tuesday, so we’ve been without for about 31 hours now. We have a Centurion Generac 5k continuous/6.25k startup generator. I sourced my Christmas tree exterior decorations extension cords, and have 2 1,500 watt heaters, refrigerator, my fiber optic system, 65” LG OLED tv, and a 48” Braun LED shop light going. I can disconnect a heater an run my microwave as needed. Last count....62% of my county was without power. Nearly 92,000 folks in Eastern Ky are without power. And for yeeeeees and yeee yeeeees.....we have 4” to 8” of snow enroute, with perhaps up to .1” of additional ice. Glad I bought this little 1997 Wrangler on Saturday, as it’s the ONLY vehicle I can get in. Everything else is frozen solid due to the 2” of sleet and ice we already have received.

 

[Wiredawg]

Greg,

Nice Jeep and best vehicle (IMHO) to drive in winter weather. I had mine up on jackstands relubing calipers and flushing 6YO brake fluid. I normally flush brake fluid at 5 years, but surgery recovery prevented it. Anyhoo, finished it yesterday so I could go to Home Depot. Brakes noticebly better.

Stay warm and be safe. Cheers, Ron

 

[GAmes]

I'm one of the lucky ones. No power outages at all on this side of town. My friend who is only 3 miles south of me has been without for over a day. I have a generator prepped and ready in case the power goes out. We saw 5 degrees here in central TX, about 4 inches of snow and ice. Devastating for an area with not one snow plow and very few sand trucks. My only problem is boredom since I can't take the boat to the lake.

The sad thing is there are a number of power plants that produce electricity in the summer but are powered down in the winter due to decreased demand. Apparently it takes quite a bit of time to get them fired up again.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

GCroyle, I live in Erie, PA; right on the Lake Erie - my house is two miles from the lake. Standing on the shore in the winter with the wind blowing will make your eyes water. The spray from waves on the lake freezes and makes big piles called dunes - interesting to look at, but porous and unstable - you don't want to set foot on.

I assumed power outages were due to ice storms - happens here occasionally, accumulation of ice on power lines and tree branches brings lines down and causes outages. A little surprised that demand would cause the outage; I assumed that ability to meet summer demand for air conditioning would be ample for winter heating demand.

At any rate, I hope everyone has a quick resolution to their challenges.

 

[NIsaacs]

I have a generator prepped and ready in case the power goes out.

How/what do you guys do about hooking up your generator in an outage? We are really fortunate here so in the 43 years I have never really needed a generator.

Since my son gave me a good 5k unit this past summer I am planning on setting it up for a "just in case"

My plan is to leave it in the shop and just back feed from my welding circuit rather that attaching at the main pole and deal with the snow, dark or whatever weather. Can I do this and just shut the main breaker off and any others that I can't always run? I have both plugs and some 10 gage wire I plan to make a short cord out of. What say the electricians?

 

[GAmes]

Nothing fancy in my case. It is a small 2k Yamaha that we used on our trip to AK in the 5er. I put it on the front porch which is covered. It has two outlets to which I plan to plug two extension cords, run them under the door and plug in a couple of LED work lights and a space heater (or two if it will support it). The RV is parked out back with full propane tanks so we can cook in it or even set up the gen and sleep out there if need be.

 

[DavidC]

How/what do you guys do about hooking up your generator in an outage? We are really fortunate here so in the 43 years I have never really needed a generator.

Since my son gave me a good 5k unit this past summer I am planning on setting it up for a "just in case"

My plan is to leave it in the shop and just back feed from my welding circuit rather that attaching at the main pole and deal with the snow, dark or whatever weather. Can I do this and just shut the main breaker off and any others that I can't always run? I have both plugs and some 10 gage wire I plan to make a short cord out of. What say the electricians?

Is the generator 120 or 240 ?. Is the welder outlet 120 or 240 ?. You will not know when the power has been restored without checking the line side of the main breaker.

 

[endoscott]

Transfer switch not expensive and easy to install. Your electrical utility workers will prefer that I think. Probably a code requirement too, maybe an electrician here can advise.

http://generatorgrid.com/blog/transfer-switch/

 

[bcbender]

Can I do this and just shut the main breaker off and any others that I can't always run

Some do but it is illegal as far as I know; and if for some unfortunate reason a lineman was injured (or worse) and someone found out you were "back feeding" you could be liable. A manual transfer switch is the least cost option and can easily be configured to run (and isolate) the needed circuit's but it surely is not a convenient task to do during a storm. Also be mindful of running generators near doors, windows, etc as CO can accumulate and be drawn in even when outdoors. Always point the exhaust away from your building can keep as far away from exterior openings as possible (never run indoors!) . For added safety a good CO monitor is a good idea.

 

[BigPapa]

I wired a dryer outlet on my deck that’s on it’s own breaker. I made a 10gauge cable to plug in the dryer outlet and the 240 outlet on my generator. I’ve talked to my power company and they said my setup is fine if I use an Interlock Kit. The Interlock Kit is basically a bracket that screws to the cover plate in the breaker box (the cover even has dimples in it for drilling the holes) that has a piece in it that slides up and down. To turn the breaker for the generator on, you have to turn the main off, slide the piece up, then flip the generator breaker on. Before turning the main back on, you have to flip the generator breaker off and let the sliding piece down.

Amazon product ASIN B00IIVC2AE
They got into this on the tractor forum I was on, that’s why I quit. The forum “generator police” said an interlock isn’t good enough, that you must use a transfer switch and it has to be installed by a licensed electrician then inspected. Anything less than that and you were a driveling idiot mouth breathing Neanderthal.

 

[NIsaacs]

Is the generator 120 or 240 ?. Is the welder outlet 120 or 240 ?. You will not know when the power has been restored without checking the line side of the main breaker.

They are both 240. The generator has one 30 amp 240/4 way and several 120's. The welder plug is a 3 way. I hooked up a small 1800 watt 120v generator twice in the past, direct from the 120 generator plug to both outdoor plugs on the house and it worked fine. Each outdoor plug is on one leg of the 240. I shut off all the breakers to any 240 appliance and all breakers at the main box including the house. It worked fine for the refrigerator, pellet stove and several lights. We didn't need it very long and the power came back on. If we ever need it, I guess we can have someone notify us when it is on.

I didn't even think of what the power company requires or recommends. Out here in the bush we don't think about that much. I do know the main needs to be off so no back feed down the line where they might be working on it.

 

[bcbender]

The Interlock Kit is basically a bracket that screws to the cover plate in the breaker box that has a piece in it that slides up and down. To turn the breaker for the generator on, you have to turn the main off, slide the piece up, then flip the generator breaker on. Before turning the main back on, you have to flip the generator breaker off and let the sliding piece down.

That in my understanding is basically a Whole House manual transfer switch which is another option. There are also meter base units that have th plug built in. Most power companies will install a meter base unit for a very small fee ( I had a whole house surge protector installed for $125 including the cost of the unit).

http://www.generlink.com/generlink.html

 

[GAmes]

I hooked up a small 1800 watt 120v generator twice in the past, direct from the 120 generator plug to both outdoor plugs on the house and it worked fine.

So you have a cord with a male plug on each end, one for the generator and the other into the house electrical inlet?