Running a generator at night.

[Nightfall]

Well, the power went out last night at about 11pm. I fired up the generator and went inside to go to bed. I wasn't going to let the power sit out all night. The power came back up at about 4:30am, in which case I got up, shut off the generator and went back to bed.

Now, is it ok for me to run my generator at night? This is a gas powered generator and my wife and I bought it for the express purpose of running when the power went out. My wife was concerned that our neighbors would get pissed, but I really didn't care much to be honest. We have had power outages in our area last as long as 3-4 days. Part of the reason to buy a generator is to avoid those outages and provide power to the furnace, fridge, freezer, and other essentials.

What do you think?

 

[hjo3]

3-4 days? Sheesh... Michigan sucks.

Re: actual topic: Fsck yes run the generator.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: hjo3
3-4 days? Sheesh... Michigan sucks.

Re: actual topic: Fsck yes run the generator.

Let me explain about the 3-4 days part.

My wife and I live in Grand Rapids, MI which is no small town. However, our power is fed through a neighborhood that has a "natural beauty road" going through it. Pretty much, everyone on the street is not allowed to cut trees down, add a lot of flowers, and pretty much make it look as nice as possible. The problem is that the power lines go through that place and it looks like spagetti. Trees go pretty high above the lines and the tree cutters only maintain the minimum amount of trees since it is a beauty road.

If we get a nice ice storm or snow storm, *BAM*, the power goes out for at least 3-5 hours if not days.

It is definetly the dumbest thing about living in the area we live.

 

[Megatomic]

I say run the generator as needed, but do you think it's situated such that your immediate neighbors will be able to hear it (keep them awake at night)?

 

[The Stigenator]

well generators generally have become a lot quieter over time.. some of the new stuff are pretty quiet.. the honda quiet line ones.. but they cant run the whole house.. but they do have like 2000Ws or whatever.. good for a few lights.

If you got to run it, run it, neighbours are goign to have to suck it or get one themselves.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I say run the generator as needed, but do you think it's situated such that your immediate neighbors will be able to hear it (keep them awake at night)?

Well, I keep it in the garage and keep the door about 1/2 way up for ventilation. Now, my house is about 1600 square feet. When in my house just inside the door to the garage, I can hear it. If I walk to the back of the house, I can't hear it at all.

As for if it is necessary, it is. My wife has sleep apnea so she needs a special mechanism to sleep at night. That needs to have power. Since I have a nice high power generator, I just ran a bypass switch into my house that powers a select few outlets, lights, and the furnace so we don't freeze.

 

[The Stigenator]

well you got a medical reason to run it.. they cant complain.. looks like you got it setup right.

I had sleep apnea but no longer.. they operated on me, took out my tonsils and the uvla.. and i no longer snore or have sleep apnea. what a relief.. i had no idea how much i couldnt do before.

 

[Bozono]

The first ice storm without power, your neighbors will be begging you to have them over in your warm, cozy abode. If the power is out I'm sure they'd understand.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I say run the generator as needed, but do you think it's situated such that your immediate neighbors will be able to hear it (keep them awake at night)?

Well, I keep it in the garage and keep the door about 1/2 way up for ventilation.

You DO have the exhaust running outside of the house, correct???

 

[Kelemvor]

You'd have to check with your local laws regarding noise violations. Just call up the local police startion and ask them if you can do it. It's not like any of us know the local laws at wherever you live...

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I say run the generator as needed, but do you think it's situated such that your immediate neighbors will be able to hear it (keep them awake at night)?

Well, I keep it in the garage and keep the door about 1/2 way up for ventilation.

You DO have the exhaust running outside of the house, correct???

The door being up isn't enough?

 

[GimpyOne]

Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Megatomic
I say run the generator as needed, but do you think it's situated such that your immediate neighbors will be able to hear it (keep them awake at night)?

Well, I keep it in the garage and keep the door about 1/2 way up for ventilation.

You DO have the exhaust running outside of the house, correct???

The door being up isn't enough?

Unfortunately, it can not be if the garage is attached to your house. Some builders do not do the greatest job isolating the house from an attached garage. The easiest test is this, if you open the garage door after it's been running for a while, can you smell exhaust? If so, it shouldn't be there like that.

My grandparents are in a similar situation to you, only they are in BFE northern WI.(near UP border by Marinette...closest "town" of 3000 is a half hour drive from them) Anyway, they don't have neighbors, but didn't want to hear the generator, so my grandfather built a little insulated box to have it in. About a quarter of 1 side, facing away from the house, folds down. It makes it almost impossible to hear inside. Maybe you could do something similar and direct the sound away from any neighbors.(if possible)