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Yet another sign of the apocalypse

Dan S
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I will be saying good-bye in about an hour because our electric utility is turning our power off due to high winds and fire danger - in March. The winds will be dying down a few hours later, but I don't expect the power to be restored for about 24 hours because they have to inspect all the lines and make any needed repairs before turning it back on.

This has been happening more and more often - looking into a back-up system.

Screenshot 2026-03-14 at 12.45.38 PM.webp
 
Davidt
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Wow. How strong is the wind predicted to be?
 
Dan S
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Davidt Davidt
Wow. How strong is the wind predicted to be?
Unfortunately, I think the administration shut down all the weather prediction, apparently it's DEI.
 
Dan S
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But seriously, not that strong. They are saying 60-70 mph gusts where I am, although maybe they will be stronger a bit south and they're shutting down the whole area. A couple of days ago, there were 90mph gusts in the general area, and some semis flipped on the freeway.

In terms of fire danger, however, it's extreme. This has been the driest winter in memory, maybe ever and the relative humidity is in the single digits with the strong warm katabatic winds. The conditions are primed for a disaster. The utility company just doesn't want it be their fault.

But don't worry, my watches are ready for evacuation.
 
blufinz52
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Might be time for an 8,000-9,000 watt generator to run most things in the house. Ours has been a life saver.
 
pdxleaf
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We raised our daughters with go-bags. There's the risk of fire, but along western Oregon it's the overdue big-one, supposed to be a 9.0 quake.

When our youngest moved to Austin, the topic of go-bags came up. Her friends had never heard of them and thought she was in a cult.

Anyway, stay safe Dan. It does look like the next couple years are going to be tough water years.
 
Dan S
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Interestingly, my power never went out, or at least not yet. The boundary for the outage was about half a mile away. Go figure.

Still, I'm research backup systems. One of my neighbors was bragging about his Tesla powerwall, and how his house can run for days and days on it (he doesn't have solar). But when I looked it up, the capacity is only about 13 kW-h, which wouldn't even get me through a single daylight period with the A/C. And it's insanely expensive. Natural gas generators or even a high capacity gasoline/propane portable generator look more practical as backup systems.
 
josiahg52
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I read after several very heavy winters, there is no county in California in a drought condition. Remarkable, really. In New Hampshire, even after some good winters and a particularly heavy one this year, drought conditions still prevail. Having grown up in the high desert Sierra regions of California, it's hard for me to consider what I see in New England as drought like. Just odd how weather and things work. So variable, ever changing, different.

Defensive fire breaks and home fire suppression should be considered. Generators and fuel sources are very important. Go bags are a great idea. A plan is critical.
 
josiahg52
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Dan S Dan S
Interestingly, my power never went out, or at least not yet. The boundary for the outage was about half a mile away. Go figure.

Still, I'm research backup systems. One of my neighbors was bragging about his Tesla powerwall, and how his house can run for days and days on it (he doesn't have solar). But when I looked it up, the capacity is only about 13 kW-h, which wouldn't even get me through a single daylight period with the A/C. And it's insanely expensive. Natural gas generators or even a high capacity gasoline/propane portable generator look more practical as backup systems.
I'd recommend diesel simply because some of the generators can be purchased that can run on almost any medium or heavy distillate. Wind and solar are fine, but without a way to bank that energy, I think it's imperfect as a true backup or standby.
 
Dan S
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josiahg52 josiahg52
I'd recommend diesel simply because some of the generators can be purchased that can run on almost any medium or heavy distillate. Wind and solar are fine, but without a way to bank that energy, I think it's imperfect as a true backup or standby.
I hadn't considered diesel, just gasoline, or the dual-fuel gasoline/propane. I'm guessing the diesel generator is a lot louder, which could be an issue in my HOA. I'm also thinking it might be an issue in cold weather, but I'll definitely look into it.
 
Archer
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Dan S Dan S
I hadn't considered diesel, just gasoline, or the dual-fuel gasoline/propane. I'm guessing the diesel generator is a lot louder, which could be an issue in my HOA. I'm also thinking it might be an issue in cold weather, but I'll definitely look into it.
Do you have natural gas? We have been looking into getting one that starts up automatically in the case of a power outage, but by the time you pour the pad, buy the generator, and get all the hookups done it adds up…
 
josiahg52
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Dan S Dan S
I hadn't considered diesel, just gasoline, or the dual-fuel gasoline/propane. I'm guessing the diesel generator is a lot louder, which could be an issue in my HOA. I'm also thinking it might be an issue in cold weather, but I'll definitely look into it.
Personally, I'd recommend a military generator, something like the MEP 802A 5kW or 803A 10kW at 5000 feet. They're classed as tactical quiet generators and are not much louder than a typical gas one, except for the very quiet ones. Run about 0.5 or 1 gph "full" load, respectively. Fuel consumption can be improved, again, with a solid power banking plan to use at night. The 803A is a little quieter (4 cylinder) and nearly as good as the 802A at partial loading regarding fuel consumption. Put it behind a house or a three wall enclosure and it'll be very modest. Go turbocharged and there's almost no derating, even at altitude (above 5000 through 10000 feet). No pad required nor recommended. Maybe a gravel bed, if you want it to look nicer.
 
Dan S
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Archer Archer
Do you have natural gas? We have been looking into getting one that starts up automatically in the case of a power outage, but by the time you pour the pad, buy the generator, and get all the hookups done it adds up…
Yes, I have been considering these. Agree, it's a lot for something you might use once or twice a year. The better portable (gasoline/diesel/propane) generators have apps, and an electrician can connect them through a transfer switch, so they are nearly as convenient. And a lot cheaper, but you need to replenish the fuel.
 
blufinz52
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Dan S Dan S
Yes, I have been considering these. Agree, it's a lot for something you might use once or twice a year. The better portable (gasoline/diesel/propane) generators have apps, and an electrician can connect them through a transfer switch, so they are nearly as convenient. And a lot cheaper, but you need to replenish the fuel.
It's been a few years since we had a transfer switch installed, which was $750. We got a gas generator for $1K, and it runs pretty much everything except things that run on 240V, like the oven. It's been a life saver.
 
ErichPryde
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Is there a risk of any sort of natural gas infrastructure failure where you live? During the 2020/1 Texas freeze (and resulting crisis) gas stopped working many places in Houston. Not because the natural gas itself froze- but because other things/systems did.

It sucked.

I don't know if you have any concern of a natural gas infrastructure failure where you are, but it's definitely an advantage of a gasoline generator. And if you're concerned about diesel being effected by low temps... well....
 
josiahg52
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Dan S Dan S
Yes, I have been considering these. Agree, it's a lot for something you might use once or twice a year. The better portable (gasoline/diesel/propane) generators have apps, and an electrician can connect them through a transfer switch, so they are nearly as convenient. And a lot cheaper, but you need to replenish the fuel.
If you want gas, the "Westinghouse" branded iGen variable speed generators are a pretty good buy. VERY quiet, completely portable. Not bad fuel consumption, a little more than the similar rated 803A. Both the MEPs and iGens output a sine wave safe for electronics. The MEPs do it naturally, runing at synchronous speed, the iGens use electronics to convert the generator's DC output to a pure sine wave. Again, a reliable power bank is the key, I believe.
Edited:
 
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