Buying a Generator
At the end of Woods Road, even before the weather extremes of the last several years, we lost power frequently, and for us that means losing water as well. We bought a trifuel generator years ago; back then, it wasn’t easy to find one that ran on natural gas. Over the years our generator came in handy, but it was a primitive model, very loud, and difficult to start, particularly while standing out in the rain or snow, which is usually when the power went out.
When our generator died this year (from exposure, another issue with portable models), I discovered that the technology has come a long way. These days natural/LP gas standby generators are probably easier to find than gasoline- powered; there are many reliable brands in a range of sizes. Depending on the needs of your house you may be able to get by with something as small as 7 KW, or you might go as high as 15 KW or more for a deluxe disaster experience (if you are not comfortable calculating your electrical requirements, check with your electician). Most have durable weatherproof enclosures and self-contained pads, are relatively quiet, start themselves and have programmed exercise cycles to keep them in ready condition.
Prices start at under $2,000 (Amazon.com!), but you’ll need to make sure an automatic transfer switch — to hook into your house circuitry and switch over to generator automatically when power goes out — is included, or buy one separately (this can be a pricey item). You’ll also need a licensed plumber to run the gas line, and a licensed electrician to do the wiring. Though we were quoted as much as $1,700 - $1,800 for the wiring, we found Tunell Electric of Palisades (845-613-7520) a convenient, local, and very cost-effective alternative.
When buying a generator, look for durability and reputation, and do your own research. Be careful of the local maintenance companies pushing a brand they happen to prefer — one recommended a Cummins-Onan model similar to what we finally bought, but at more than double the price. Ask your neighbors for recommendations, and compare service contract prices. I originally called EPS* for service on our old generator; they were prompt and helpful, but when it seemed that I knew as much as the technician did about our model, I decided to go with another company (Gentech) for my purchase and setup of a new generator, and am very happy with the result (others may have had different experiences).
Once you have a generator, make sure it’s serviced properly. Although an engine running on natural/LP gas will stay cleaner (than gasoline/diesel-fueled) and has no carburetor to gum up, it’s still vital to make sure there’s enough oil (many engines have low-oil cutoff switches) and change it regularly. Keep dirt and debris away from the enclosure. There are several generator maintenance companies that operate in this area, all of which offer emergency service, sales, and maintenance contracts:
Generator Maintenance Companies
Electrical Power Systems (EPS)
Westwood, NJ
1 (888) NO JUICE (665-8423)
Gentech, Ltd.
New Windsor, NY,
845-568-0500
R&J Control, Inc.
Dover, NJ,
973-328-6880
Gabel Equip. Corp.
Port Chester, NY
914-937-8100