Irene is here and she's seems to be strong!!

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2011
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    I just heard that Polk HQ is without power.

    SNOW DAY!!! :biggrin:
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • VSchneider
    VSchneider Posts: 443
    edited August 2011
    Power is finally back on after 30-some hours! Not bad.
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited August 2011
    No loss of power but had to build a retaining wall and dig a ditch for the water so my house would not flood.

    Fun times at 2am Saturday.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited August 2011
    Hi all. Day 2 without power, but having a generator is awesome. This is my first storm/blackout since getting wired for it. Watching those sump pumps doing their thing during the power outtage was such a huge relief.

    The flooding threat is now gone, the wells for the sump pumps don't seem to be taking on more water, so now I think I'm going to start conserving generator hours, and not run it constantly. We can shut it down while we're at work and shut it down while we're sleeping. Running it for a few hours at a time a couple of times a day should be more than enough to keep the refridgerators cold as long as we're not opening them.

    Crazy weekend...
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2011
    nspindel wrote: »
    Hi all. Day 2 without power, but having a generator is awesome. This is my first storm/blackout since getting wired for it.

    Power still out for me - 30 hours so far. I have a friend's generator but the cable modem won't connect to the cable company's equipment. At least my food won't go bad.

    I'm buying a generator after this. What's a good minimum power? I have a frig, a freezer, and electric hot water.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2011
    maximillian wrote: »
    Power still out for me - 30 hours so far. I have a friend's generator but the cable modem won't connect to the cable company's equipment. At least my food won't go bad.

    I'm buying a generator after this. What's a good minimum power? I have a frig, a freezer, and electric hot water.

    I would think you'd also want to take into consideration some form of heat. What sort of system do you have?

    Also, our Carlstadt, NJ location just got power back on.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited August 2011
    I wouldn't get less than 9-11 hp/6000 watt, unless you've got a heat pump or other heavy draw heat system, then you'll need to do some figuring. If I "juggle" the breakers I can run: oil furnace,water pump, elec.water heater,refrig.,freezer,lighting & electric range with my 6000 watt unit. I'd love to get a bigun' someday!:biggrin:
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2011
    Most critical are: oil furnace, frig, and a stand-up freezer. Electric water heater and microwave are moderate importance. Least importance is the rest: basic lights, electric range, TV, couple laptops, etc. I think a 6-7K watt generator should do then.

    My friend's generator is running now at only half its capacity since the power cable is only 1 phase. It ran the freezer and frig after it got settled down. However the power fluctuates between 95-115V at times. I unplugged the freezer to avoid damaging the compressor and it ran steady at 105V. I would expect a newer more powerful generator that is hooked up properly would run at a more steady voltage.

    This really sucks though. If you check out the outage map you can see (at least in Mass) the area is spotted with outages. I think it's going to take a while to get power back.

    http://www.nationalgridus.com/outagecentral/

    Not having Internet access at home to look this stuff up is also a pain. My only hope is that my next door neighbor's wife works for some emergency response guy at National Grid. He told his wife not to come home unless she gets us power soon. :)
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited August 2011
    Make sure you get a tank that does not need refilled every hour.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2011
    maximillian wrote: »
    Most critical are: oil furnace, frig, and a stand-up freezer. Electric water heater and microwave are moderate importance. Least importance is the rest: basic lights, electric range, TV, couple laptops, etc. I think a 6-7K watt generator should do then.

    My friend's generator is running now at only half its capacity since the power cable is only 1 phase. It ran the freezer and frig after it got settled down. However the power fluctuates between 95-115V at times. I unplugged the freezer to avoid damaging the compressor and it ran steady at 105V. I would expect a newer more powerful generator that is hooked up properly would run at a more steady voltage.

    This really sucks though. If you check out the outage map you can see (at least in Mass) the area is spotted with outages. I think it's going to take a while to get power back.

    http://www.nationalgridus.com/outagecentral/

    Not having Internet access at home to look this stuff up is also a pain. My only hope is that my next door neighbor's wife works for some emergency response guy at National Grid. He told his wife not to come home unless she gets us power soon. :)

    Is your oil furnace a hot water baseboard system, or forced air? Check the current ratings on the system, either the blower motor or the recirculating pumps. I'm assuming if you have an electric hot water heater, you're not running hot water baseboard.

    Basically, just look at all your critical loads... they should all have current draw ratings. Also, you'll need 220 for your water heater.

    The voltage fluctuation might've been from the compressor in the freezer kicking on. Or, the governor on the motor might not be holding steady.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2011
    nadams wrote: »
    Is your oil furnace a hot water baseboard system, or forced air? Check the current ratings on the system, either the blower motor or the recirculating pumps. I'm assuming if you have an electric hot water heater, you're not running hot water baseboard.

    Basically, just look at all your critical loads... they should all have current draw ratings. Also, you'll need 220 for your water heater.

    The voltage fluctuation might've been from the compressor in the freezer kicking on. Or, the governor on the motor might not be holding steady.

    Forced air system heating. Electric hot water for showers/sink.

    The generator is several years old so it could be faulty. That's why I am babying it a bit and not running everything at once.

    Thanks for your reply.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited August 2011
    That 7500w electric start Generac for $999.00 shipped is a tasty deal!:eek:

    http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/quick_search.php
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2011
    gdb wrote: »
    That 7500w electric start Generac for $999.00 shipped is a tasty deal!:eek:

    http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/quick_search.php

    Assuming you're talking about this - http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Generac-5943-Portable-Generator/p5508.html

    We're looking to get one of these for our datacenter at work - http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Generac-QuietSource-QT04842KNAX-Standby-Generator/p2154.html

    480v 3ph 48kW... oh yeah :)
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2011
    That Generac looks nice. I see the specs say 240V single phase. I would think that some 240V equipment require a neutral as well. So perhaps this may not work to power some items? A range and dryer have low level control circuits that may derive their power from one phase. So I would hate to burn out the circuits with this. Anyone know if an electric hot water will run off of it?

    I guess I could buy a single phase to dual phase transformer; but at 5-7kVA that would be heavy and expensive.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2011
    maximillian wrote: »
    That Generac looks nice. I see the specs say 240V single phase. I would think that some 240V equipment require a neutral as well. So perhaps this may not work to power some items? A range and dryer have low level control circuits that may derive their power from one phase. So I would hate to burn out the circuits with this. Anyone know if an electric hot water will run off of it?

    I guess I could buy a single phase to dual phase transformer; but at 5-7kVA that would be heavy and expensive.

    You should only have a single phase being fed into your house.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2011
    Yeah, someone just explained to me that the house is actually single phase center tapped. So I should be good.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited August 2011
    I believe Polk HQ is back in business.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2011
    I was about to call the Police.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • VSchneider
    VSchneider Posts: 443
    edited August 2011
    maximillian wrote: »
    ... the power fluctuates between 95-115V at times. I unplugged the freezer to avoid damaging the compressor and it ran steady at 105V. I would expect a newer more powerful generator that is hooked up properly would run at a more steady voltage...
    That's where an inverter generator should help.

    I have looked into generators and spoke with someone supposedly with experience yesterday. Basically, typical gas powered generators will always suffer from under/over voltage when heavy appliances turn on or off.

    Inverter generators are also supposed to be a lot quieter under less than full load and more efficient, but they cost more and have (again supposedly) shorter life span.
    maximillian wrote: »
    ... The generator is several years old so it could be faulty. That's why I am babying it a bit and not running everything at once...
    One tip I heard is to run some constant resistive load on smaller generators, such as a 60W bulb, which should help them cope with voltage spikes.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited August 2011
    In Bawlimore that would be "poe-lease", hon!
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited August 2011
    ....Quote the RAVENs - never more! By the way, fun game in the BATTLE of the Beltway.

    ...Did the Inner Harbor sustain any damage?
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited August 2011
    I don't believe there was any damage to the inner harbor also Fells Point wasn't a problem. Many people who live there were worried about the combination of storm surge and high tide. But, the prevailing winds kept the bay fairly low so there wasn't much damage.
    There were a few photo ops with the mayor filling sand bags. I was going to ask her for one for my turntable, but the timing didn't seem right.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited August 2011
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    I don't believe there was any damage to the inner harbor also Fells Point wasn't a problem. Many people who live there were worried about the combination of storm surge and high tide. But, the prevailing winds kept the bay fairly low so there wasn't much damage.
    There were a few photo ops with the mayor filling sand bags. I was going to ask her for one for my turntable, but the timing didn't seem right.

    The mayor........., hmmm don't you mean wind bag ? :cool:
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,501
    edited August 2011
    nap wrote: »
    The mayor........., hmmm don't you mean douchebag? :cool:

    Fixed it.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited September 2011
    Well like I said, I've been in VB since Sunday, damage wasn't bad in the city, more so coming into the city. Got to the OBX area last night, and I'm slowley making my way to Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area, thought I'd post a few pics of some of the damage I've seen, these we're just snapped 'drive-by' style, they never saw it coming.

    Well, it won't let me upload right now. Basically it was photos of flattened houses, lots of peoples possessions are in their front yard waiting to be hauled off. This isn't the worst damage I've ever seen, but I'd just hate to have to start all over. I feel for them.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,146
    edited September 2011
    codyc1ark wrote: »
    Well like I said, I've been in VB since Sunday, damage wasn't bad in the city, more so coming into the city. Got to the OBX area last night, and I'm slowley making my way to Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area, thought I'd post a few pics of some of the damage I've seen, these we're just snapped 'drive-by' style, they never saw it coming.

    Well, it won't let me upload right now. Basically it was photos of flattened houses, lots of peoples possessions are in their front yard waiting to be hauled off. This isn't the worst damage I've ever seen, but I'd just hate to have to start all over. I feel for them.

    Thanks for trying to share the photos. I'll be looking for them. I'm in awe of the damage above us. We (Wilmington, NC ) were just nicked by Irene from what I've seen since the news has shown footage from States above. Those old covered bridges stood for decades but one hurricane can change everything.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited September 2011
    tony millard wrote: »
    Thanks for trying to share the photos. I'll be looking for them. I'm in awe of the damage above us. We (Wilmington, NC ) were just nicked by Irene from what I've seen since the news has shown footage from States above. Those old covered bridges stood for decades but one hurricane can change everything.

    I'll upload them when I get back home, may be going back tomorrow. The Scranton/Swan Quarter area is just destroyed. I feel because it is such a rural area, they aren't getting the help they need.

    I met with a man today who lost all of his vehicles, and his house, I can't believe how good of mood he was in about it. He went on to tell me that the house was the one his dad had grown up in, and gave to him. His dad is still alive, and lives 100 yards away from him in a trailer in a low spot. He told me he called him during the middle of the storm, saying the water was getting too high as he is in a wheelchair; he drove his F-350 through the water to his dad?s house to find him in CHEST deep water. I've never known love for a father, but from what I could tell even though he lost everything, he was able to load his dad up in the bed of the truck and save him, and that?s all that mattered to him. I was in complete awe.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited September 2011
    Just got back from a whirlwind tour of Baltimore. Lots of fun stringing cable back up.
    Noboody on our crew got hurt or killed. Hope everybodys life has returned to normal in B-town. I'm tired.
    Lightman Russ
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited September 2011
    Thank you Russ, it's wonderful people like you who make the sacrifices to help others in need.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited September 2011
    lightman1 wrote: »
    Just got back from a whirlwind tour of Baltimore. Lots of fun stringing cable back up.
    Noboody on our crew got hurt or killed. Hope everybodys life has returned to normal in B-town. I'm tired.
    Lightman Russ

    Heck of a job ! Kudos to you sir. :cool:
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