On 04/05/2021 8:56 AM k5hm.ron--- via BVARC <[email protected]
<mailto:[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] <mailto:[email protected]>
www.qrz.com/db/k5hm <http://www.qrz.com/db/k5hm>
<image001.jpg><image002.jpg>smaller Prize
*Excelsior!*
*From:* BVARC <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> *On Behalf Of *Mark Brantana
via BVARC
*Sent:* Sunday, April 4, 2021 11:35 PM
*To:* [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>; BRAZOS VALLEY
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
*Cc:* Mark Brantana <[email protected] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[email protected]>
www.qrz.com/db/k5hm <http://www.qrz.com/db/k5hm>
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*Excelsior!*
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