Outdoor Wood Furnace Info
All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: trz on February 15, 2014, 10:07:41 AM
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How do.you handle a power outage if you don't have a generator?
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If you want heat with an outdoor boiler then buy the generator.
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Thats not rly answering the question.. ??? Im sure most ppl dont have a generator and Im sure some have experienced a power outage.
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I wasn't being smart, simply stating that without power the circulators that are required to get the hot water to the house will not work and the blower, solenoid and aqua-stats also need power to control the fire. A very small 1000 watt generator will run your entire heating system.
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Haha, I well aware that you need power. What I was wondering was whether there were any thing specificallyi should do in the event of a power outage if you don't have a generator.
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Be aware of possible overheat and steam depleting the water level in the boiler, if you have a pressurized unit be sure the relief valves work.
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Trz we lost power last year for 2 days and had to resort back to the fireplace insert in the house for heat for that time. What I did was when my stove was getting ready to boil over due to the circular pump to the house not running I ran a extension cord to my pump and plugged it into a 12 volt 120 converter off my truck to circulate my water until it cooled it off and my coals burned out low enough to not have to worry about it anymore. Also I had just loaded it before we lost power and dug most of the wood out that I could.
TM
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Not sure what boiler you have but my conventional will go into smolder mode with no fan, the embers will stay lit for a few days if using good wood, one thing you dont want to do is open the door and let the fire roar without any pumps, the embers will keep the water hot enough so you shouldn't have to worry about freezing but that is something to watch for if it's subzero, windy and lengthy.
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Would a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) have enough "juice" to run the circs, solenoids, etc...? I have a generator but for those who can't afford one, perhaps a UPS may fill the void? Just a thought. Roger
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Well back in the ice storm of '08 I had no power for 32 hrs..Had a live fire in the OWB…No generator either.. Basically what I did is stuffed insulation around pipes and on the pump..Didn't want nothing to freeze..
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I would just light the stove in the basement. I would run the generator enough to circulate and avoid frozen lines if it was for days. Mine would just sit there and smolder even if a full load; not too worried about overheating.
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Lindova, read Roxann's recent posts
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Here's what I did in a pinch , not saying its the right way but it worked, I gambled when i did it , knowing I could ruin a 100 dollar alternator or loose about 25,000 in inventory , that was the choice at the time , kinda a no brainer, but all went well and no damage to vehicles months later
http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=4319.msg33658#msg33658 (http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=4319.msg33658#msg33658)
Mark
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Thanks all. I guess if I ever loose power I'll just keep an I on it and let it smolder! Mine doesn't typically burn hard without the fan on so I think it. Would just smolder for a long time.
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Seriously, just buy a generator. They're cheap, very useful, and you'll be able to run your system without any worry or modifications. Even if you never plan on back feeding your house with it, you can at least run your fridge, a few lights, and other vitally important items in the house anytime you lose power (and your boiler). You can also haul it out into the middle of a field and have power out there for whatever reason you might need it. Heck, use it to power something 220v in the garage if you don't have 220v out in the garage already. As a homeowner, it's almost stupid not to own at least some type of power generating device for when the power goes down.
If all you want to run is a small load like your boiler and circulators, then this cheap generator will work just fine. There's a coupon on the main page of the site for $99 for this one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/900-peak800-running-watts-2-hp-63cc-gas-generator-60338.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/900-peak800-running-watts-2-hp-63cc-gas-generator-60338.html)
Otherwise, search craigslist and you can find generators 6000 watts and down reasonably priced (new) at around $100 per 1000 watts.
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I have a generator >:D
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Generator also >:D
Make sure you have a switch that's does not send power back to the poll :thumbup:
Don't want those line man to get hurt trying to help you.
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Generator also >:D
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
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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.
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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 :thumbup:
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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 :thumbup:
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?
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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
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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?
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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.
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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
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