Anyone considering solar panels on the roof, make sure and figure the removal costs for re-roofing into your total cost of ownership. Rick Cary K5RBC
Sent from my iPhone > On Apr 5, 2021, at 7:07 PM, Rick Hiller via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Of course, you could always go with a Tesla Power Wall and Solar set up. > Centerpoint just sent me a marketing e-mail offering them at a reduced rate. > Still about $12K per TP wall. 13 KWH at 5 KW peak. Of course you can > install multiple units and solar panels, etc. Just throw money at it. > > Choose your poison.....RH > > > > Virus-free. www.avast.com > >> On Mon, Apr 5, 2021 at 6:39 PM Home via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: >> I was using open framed generators when my power would go out. It was no >> problem for me to push it out of storage and run the power cords. I knew >> which breakers to turn off or on etc. I was on a job in Ohio when my wife >> called that the power was off and it was 90 degrees inside the house. She >> was not happy 4 young kids no lights, air condition and no water (we live >> outside city utilities). She called an electrician which was a small fortune >> just to have the water well running. I was in the same mindset is it’s too >> expensive for a whole house generator. When I got home we had a family >> discussion. A whole house generator with a transfer switch was installed and >> cost was no object😂 >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >>> On Apr 5, 2021, at 10:42 AM, Mike Hardwick via BVARC <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> All of this gasoline stuff and sizing problems are nothing but a headache >>> when dealing with any generator. Get one of these and it will take care of >>> all of those issues (you can also power the most of your street at well)! >>> >>> https://www.wired.com/2007/12/toshibas-home-n/ >>> >>> You will have plenty of power for that Alpha amp now! >>> >>> Mike >>> N5VCX >>> >>> >>> >>> On Monday, April 5, 2021, 09:13:50 AM CDT, JP Pritchard via BVARC >>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >>> I agree with you Ron about the hassle of a DIY solution, but for those who >>> might feel confident about meeting that challenge, but hesitant to take on >>> a 10 to 20 thousand dollar investment in a "whole house" generator, here's >>> a less expensive plan: Install a single room heat pump style air >>> conditioner, and add a small fridge and microwave. Then power it with a >>> small moveable generator. That set up would keep you warm or cool, keep the >>> lights in your one room going and power for your fridge, microwave and TV. >>> There would be a cost, but not nearly what you'd face with the Generac >>> solution. >>> >>> JP (Richard) K5JPP >>>> On 04/05/2021 8:56 AM k5hm.ron--- via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> Yes, the solution N5PRD describes was possible. We had a portable >>>> generator before we purchased the Generac solution. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> At our age which I am guessing is more advanced, the job of pulling out >>>> the generator from the garage, hooking it up, testing it periodically, >>>> having some type of feed through connection from the generator to the fan >>>> and other things you want to power like the refrigerator and the upright >>>> freezer, storing and hunting around for fuel, going outside to refuel the >>>> generator in the cold dark night were also considerations >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> So I opted for the more automated solution. It is permanently installed by >>>> licensed plumbers and electricians, self-testing, automatically switches >>>> on whenever the utility power goes out. I have a seven year warranty on it >>>> and the maintenance plan too. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> And I also have the satisfaction of knowing that my wife and family are >>>> also protected from electrical failures after I pass on. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> 73, >>>> >>>> Ron, K5HM >>>> >>>> [email protected] >>>> >>>> www.qrz.com/db/k5hm >>>> >>>> <image001.jpg><image002.jpg> >>>> >>>> Excelsior! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> From: BVARC <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Mark Brantana via BVARC >>>> Sent: Sunday, April 4, 2021 11:35 PM >>>> To: [email protected]; BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]> >>>> Cc: Mark Brantana <[email protected]> >>>> Subject: Re: [BVARC] A Thank You to John Stratton, ARRL West Gulf Division >>>> Director >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I just have to wonder, how Generac can justify the cost of their >>>> generator. That is what does not add up for me. >>>> >>>> 4kW = $250 at Home Depot >>>> >>>> 17kW=$10,000 from Generac >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Looking at the chart below; from Hiller, if you want A/C included, it is >>>> going to take that much power. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> If this is not critical, there another option could be considered: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> A whole-house unit would be nice to have, but a Generac would cost about >>>> $120+/mo for four years. The small 4kW portable generator I bought would >>>> be paid for in about 2 months at that rate. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> If you have gas heat, you can run the fan with the smaller unit. In this >>>> option you can buy all the emergency generating power you need for the >>>> cost of the 4kW generator I bought at Home Depot for around $250. Add a >>>> SPDT switch to the fan and wiring for around $100 and the total cost is >>>> about $350. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> It does not have to be Generac or nothing. Even if I had the cash, I don’t >>>> know if I could justify the very high $/kW. I would prefer a few more >>>> vacations. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I would have been very comfortable if I had just been able to run the >>>> heater fan. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Mark >>>> >>>> N5PRD >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Apr 4, 2021, at 8:11 PM, Bruce via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> We had our Generac whole house generator installed in August, 2020. Our >>>> house is all electric. Shortly after, someone cut down a tree about a 1/2 >>>> mile from us, it fell on a utility pole knocking out power to our entire >>>> street for 8 hours. The generator was great during that summer heat. Then >>>> came the cold of February and it worked great for 4 days. The neighbors on >>>> both sides of me and behind me all have generators. The $10,000 investment >>>> will never be recovered however, having power is wonderful. In fact, it >>>> cost me about $1.25 an hour in natural gas to run the generator. Could not >>>> be more pleased. >>>> >>>> For those getting a generator, if you go after a Generac, be sure to watch >>>> their website for warranty specials. I have a 10-year warranty plus the >>>> first year onsite service. Paid my dealer for 5 years of onsite above >>>> that. Changing the oil is a piece of cake as I had to do it during the >>>> cold. Every 25 hours of run time. I bought 6 filters and a bunch of 5W30 >>>> synthetic oil to do it during an emergency when the dealer could not come >>>> out. Takes about 10 minutes to change it. >>>> >>>> Enjoy your generator. >>>> >>>> 73...bruce >>>> >>>> On 4/4/2021 7:57 PM, k5hm.ron--- via BVARC wrote: >>>> >>>> For those of you who don’t know John, I met him when he was the Division >>>> Vice Director. He is very active in the ARRL and a great advocate for >>>> hams in Texas. He has been a frequent presenter at our Ham Fest and club >>>> meetings. He knows his way around Texas politicians too. I’ve never >>>> had much use for lawyers but John is the exception. Perhaps because like >>>> me, he is also an engineer. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Dear John, >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I wanted to thank you for your persistence in guiding the Texas >>>> legislature to pass recent legislation regarding HOA’s preventing the >>>> installation of standby generators. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> During the recent Texas freeze my XYL and I were without power for 4 days >>>> We existed by camping out in our family room with the cats and the gas >>>> fireplace and lots of flashlight batteries. Fortunately, we have a gas >>>> stovetop, so we were able to prepare food. When it was over, I vowed, we >>>> would not have to live without heating and AC winter or summer. We signed >>>> with a local dealer and hopefully we will have the standby system >>>> installed before the 2021 hurricane season begins. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> While we were going through the paper work with the company rep, he showed >>>> us a suggested letter we could send to our HOA that stated >>>> >>>> “I understand it is my responsibility to obtain all HOA approvals for my >>>> whole house generator system. I acknowledge Quality Generators cannot act >>>> on my behalf in dealings with my HOA.” >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> It was then I remembered John talking about his legislation regarding this >>>> problem. So I Googled it. There it was in black and white. Texas >>>> Property Code Section 202.019. I >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> It reads: Except as provided by this section, a property owners' >>>> association may not adopt or enforce a dedicatory instrument provision >>>> that prohibits, restricts, or has the effect of prohibiting or restricting >>>> an owner from owning, operating, installing, or maintaining a permanently >>>> installed standby electric generator. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Thanks again John. >>>> >>>> 73, >>>> >>>> Ron, K5HM >>>> >>>> [email protected] >>>> >>>> www.qrz.com/db/k5hm >>>> >>>> <image001.jpg><image002.jpg><image003.jpg> >>>> >>>> Excelsior! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ________________________________________________ >>>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>>> >>>> BVARC mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >>>> Publicly available archives are available here: >>>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> >>>> Bruce Paige, KK5DO >>>> >>>> AMSAT Director Contests and Awards >>>> AMSAT Board Member 2016-2022 >>>> >>>> ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE >>>> >>>> Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* >>>> Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com >>>> Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes >>>> >>>> Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News >>>> http://www.arrl.org >>>> >>>> AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat >>>> ________________________________________________ >>>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>>> >>>> BVARC mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >>>> Publicly available archives are available here: >>>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>>> >>>> <image004.png> >>>> >>>> ________________________________________________ >>>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>>> >>>> BVARC mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >>>> Publicly available archives are available here: >>>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> >>> ________________________________________________ >>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>> >>> BVARC mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >>> Publicly available archives are available here: >>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> <image004.png> >>> <image002.jpg> >>> <image003.jpg> >>> <image001.jpg> >>> ________________________________________________ >>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >>> >>> BVARC mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >>> Publicly available archives are available here: >>> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > > -- > Rick Hiller > e-mail: [email protected] > Cell: 832-474-3713 > Physical: 9031 Troulon Drive > Houston, TX 77036 > > Virus-free. www.avast.com > ________________________________________________ > Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club > > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org > Publicly available archives are available here: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
________________________________________________ Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list [email protected] http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org Publicly available archives are available here: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
