Blessed wrote:
Hmm, I kicked around the idea of getting an LP or NG a couple of years back when a hurricane swept through and left us in the dark for 7 days. After checking out the specs on fuel consumption on a 6-7kw vs. local prices it worked out that it would be significantly cheaper to stay in a hotel. Damages resulting from the blackout are insurance beyond that. Would be a nice accessory, just not very cost efficient around here. Then there is another thing to maintain . . .
Not really concerned about efficiency as much as inconvenience. I can only have just so much battery capacity to keep my computer rack running. Then there's the very annoying surprise of discovering the batteries have crapped out in one of the UPSes. So instead of the typical 15 minute coverage it dies in 2. This happened in three units, in a row. Power dropping out plays hell on the systems. I just want a genset to come online within a minute and keep power going for, on average, about an hour and half. This happens at least twice a month. Looks like most are around $2k all told. Seems like a reasonable cost to save the headaches.