So, 3 days or 70 hrs with no power...

…, thanks to the ice storm, and the pellet stove ran fine on the GE 12k standby generator. The stove even did an auto restart after an outage, as the generator waits a minute before coming on. I highly recommend the GE generator. No problems in the 5 years I've had it. It's run about 200hrs total, and I've only had to change oil and filters.

During the outage, I did my first one ton vent pipe clean out, and also opened the smoke chamber cover and vacuumed out the chamber. When I put the cover back on, I found it extremely hard to get the gasket right.

So, my question is, is there a trick to putting the smoke chamber gasket back on?

For those interested in the GE 12k standby generator, I got it at HD, $3000 after 10% off sale, delivered. The key is it comes with a 200amp whole house smart transfer switch, allowing you to use a smaller generator than in years past. In the past I would price out a 17k-18k generator for close to $5k. With the smart transfer switch, you can use a smaller generator, which costs less, which means less fuel and longer running times, etc. Your install costs will vary, but I have a licensed electrician friend who did the parts and connections for $350, and the local gas company did the black pipe and regulator, etc for another $400. So, altogether, under $3800, and the generator comes with a 5yr warranty.

MikeNH said:

Did you get power back yet? We went 9 days during the ice storm of 2008. After day 5, I swear I could hear the 60Hz hum in my sleep, even when all the generators in the neighborhood were off for the night. It was a good experience in the sense that it exposed the holes in my previous backup plan.

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Yeah, only 3 days or 70hrs. Right thru Christmas.

In the Ice Storm of 1998, I was without power for 2 weeks! My mom's house was in the city and she was without power for a week. The ice diameter around little twigs was 4 inches! This storm the ice diameter around a twig was only an inch. Amazingly, in 98, my mom had just had brain surgery, successfully, in Boston, and they kicked her out of the hospital after ONE DAY! They knew we had no power due to the ice storm, but what the hey, the hospital is not a hotel. But still, one day for brain surgery recovery! I setup my mom's house with a 5000w portable generator which I picked up in Boston, since everything was sold out in Maine. I still shake my head at the whole experience. Anyhow, that's why I decided that when I could afford it, I'd install a standby generator, since my mom now lives with me. The standby units are slightly quieter than the portable ones, and my mom can't even tell when it's on!

velvetfoot said:

Was this propane, or ng? You mentioned black pipe so I'm thinking ng?

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Actually, it's propane. The local fuel company did the piping.

reg1952 said:

We were out for 5 days. I have a 15k Generac hooked to the house that I bought used off Kijiji for $750. Got it home and it had never been started. Sweat deal. I switched between my Portable 5k Honda and the Generac. The Generac is a pig on propane if it was to run 5 days.

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Wow, what a deal!