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[johnybcold]

I have a generator 

[Ohiowood]

Generator also 
Make sure you have a switch that's does not send power back to the poll
Don't want those line man to get hurt trying to help you. 

[Jack72]

Generator also

Some day would love to have a automatic one I hear they are nice.    I have the mechanical ability and friends that are electricians so that's not the issue it's just getting a big enough one a dishing some money to buy it of course 
I don't lose power enough to justify I guess at this point but when we get freezing rain we always lose power.  It would be nice not have to worry about freezing rain that season is coming soon going into Feb/March.      I  haven't had that problem this year knock on wood.

Jack

[mlappin]

Have a generator as well, would love to have a automatic standalone as I have nat gas at the farm. Would be expensive though, would have to replace a 24K pto unit.

[ecc_33]

I flip the main breaker off in my panel and turn my generator breaker on. Pull generator outside start and plug the cord into the house. 7500watts and 9375 start watts. Runs the whole house like nothing ever happened

[Jack72]

I flip the main breaker off in my panel and turn my generator breaker on. Pull generator outside start and plug the cord into the house. 7500watts and 9375 start watts. Runs the whole house like nothing ever happened

So you don't have a transfer switch I take it.      How much money do you have in that setup if you don't mind me asking?

[Roger2561]

I have one of those auto start generators.  It's really  nice.  When the power goes, it wait 45 seconds to be sure the power is out and then it fires up.  Ten seconds after that power is back on.  It'll shut itself down when the POCO has restored line power.  But, have it installed the right way.  You don't want the lineman severely injured or killed due to trying save a few bucks.  Roger 

[Jack72]

I have one of those auto start generators.  It's really  nice.  When the power goes, it wait 45 seconds to be sure the power is out and then it fires up.  Ten seconds after that power is back on.  It'll shut itself down when the POCO has restored line power.  But, have it installed the right way.  You don't want the lineman severely injured or killed due to trying save a few bucks.  Roger

Yeah your right Roger.      I know   I may not be home when it goes out nice not to have to worry about it.

How often do you lose your power?

[Ohiowood]

Got about 2000.00
In my set up 15000 watt generator.
Transfer switch runs boiler, fan off of my furnace, air in the summer and a lot of outlets and fridge and freezers. 
Nice little set! Generator is on a trailer so just pull it up to the house and plug it in. 

[Farmer85]

Stand alone generators are getting more and more affordable. Automatic transfer switches are very nice. I've installed hundreds and occasionally they go haywire but for the most part are great. The biggest thing people mess up on are not exercising there generators when they are home. Everybody wants to let them cycle when there gone and then they call in the middle of the storm and you find out the battery went bad months ago and it hasn't even been running once a week like it was designed. The ones I use keep a maintenance log with time and date. I just want to emphasize on transfer switches for all the readers, buy one!  If nothing else buy a manual transfer switch, mount it outside or in the basement and then use your generator of choice. When I hear someone say "oh I just shut off my main breaker" it makes me quiver. When you open up a main breaker on a panel there is a very good chance the contacts may stick or open one side and not the other. The reason for this is because the main takes the most abuse, heat from large amp load, and gets operated the least. By the time you figure this out you may of killed a lineman. Most people don't realize that a transformer works both ways. You will put high voltage back onto a power line, and thus endanger anyone working on that line, if even for a second. So please think twice about cheaping out on a transfer switch when setting up a generator. I'll jump off my soap box now. Thanks

[mlappin]