Don't Be an Idiot: Safe Generator Usage...

[SHANEA]

Generator - piece of equipment powered by an internal combustion engine that generates electricity.

1.  Generates copius amounts of carbon monoxide - hence, don't run it in the house or the garage or any enclosed area.  Run it outside and if it's raining, put a table over it.  Afraid of it getting stolen, wrap a chain around it and padlock it down.

2.  Don't fill up the gas tank with the engine running.  Caught my neighbor doing this tonight.  Said it was too hard to start when it was turned off.  Told em to get me and I'll get it started.  Spark plug generates SPARKS - gasoline vapors love sparks.

3.  Generator generates electricity - electricity and puddles of water don't mix.

4.  Electric cords running through the house - careful, easy to trip and fall over a tangle of cords in the dark.

5.  Had another neighbor that was doing a "reverse plug in"  - he chopped off the female end of an extension cord and replaced it with a male end - thus, the extension cord had two male ends.  Then he wanted to plug it into an electrical socket and power part of the house with it on that circuit.  Only problem is that it energizes the lines and the power workers could get shocked - plus I'm not sure it would work in the first place.   

http://www.moline.il.us/newsevents/news/2008%20News/Portable_Generators.asp

• Read all manufacturer instructions. Make sure you understand them and are able to follow them before using the generator.
• Carefully follow all instructions on properly “grounding” the generator.
• The total electric load on your generator should never exceed the manufacturer’s rating.
• Good ventilation is important. Generators produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that can result in serious injuries, and sometimes even death, if levels become too high. For this reason, your generator should never be
operated in your home, garage or other enclosed building. It should always be located outside in a dry location.
• Handle fuel carefully. Turn the generator off to refuel, because gasoline and its vapors can catch on fire if they come in contact with an electrical spark. Store fuel in a properly designed container in a safe location, away from children.
• Use only UL-listed, three prong extension cords of the proper size with your generator.
• Keep cords out of the way so you don’t trip over them, especially in dimly lit areas.
• Never run cords under rugs or carpets where you may not notice damage that could result in a fire.

[homerboy2u]

Pictures to go along?..this is a good thread shane.

[SHANEA]

Pictures to go along?..this is a good thread shane.

Pictures of what happens when you do stupid things?

[Boojum1]

Also, don't put the plastic gas can next to the generator exhaust.  I learned that one the hard way (meltdown, but no fire, thankfully).

[SHANEA]

Generator Fire Kills

I  how many chainsaw injuries there are going to be with all of this - another piece of equipment that needs a lot of respect.   From what I recall, some poor child got killed before Ike even hit when a tree they were clearing out landed on him.   

[SHANEA]

Also, don't put the plastic gas can next to the generator exhaust.  I learned that one the hard way (meltdown, but no fire, thankfully).

WOW!  You are lucky there was not an explosion that tossed the generator high into the air. 

Yea, I keep my gas can about 30' away from it.  Turn off the generator and let it cool down, then refill it carefully.  Probably not a good idea to light that cigar while you are refilling the generator either.      

[Peach]

Very good thread....I'm going to buy a generator in the event I'm not so lucky next time.  And yep, we need one on chain saws.  I bought one this year and have had some trouble using it....and before you ask...yes, I read the instructions!

[homerboy2u]

....and before you ask...yes, I read the instructions!

 You see, Chain?...you gotta post some pictures of the folks screwing it up.

[Undertaker]

What the hell, what ever happened to the NATURAL THINNING OF THE HERD????? If you keep the stupid around they make more stupid people, THIN THE HERD!!!!!!

[Boojum1]

Very good thread....I'm going to buy a generator in the event I'm not so lucky next time.  And yep, we need one on chain saws.  I bought one this year and have had some trouble using it....and before you ask...yes, I read the instructions!

Re: chainsaw...they make kevlar chaps, and, chain sharpening is a good skill to learn.

Re: generator....buy a Honda.  Hands down the most reliable, easiest to start, and cleanest power (very important for operation sensitive electronic equipment, FYI).

[homerboy2u]

Good advise...still waiting for those pics, Shane

[Undertaker]

Now that I have vented, have been traveling around the area and have noted that by and large, the vast amount of folks are not wining and area putting themselves to hard work and helping out, not complaining (need to complain make it the man upstairs), folks actually sitting outside (NO Air) TALKING with the neighbor they may not have even known a week ago. Cooking with one another and since there is no computer power actually learning to hold a conversation face to face. Have traveled over most of the counties looking at homes have been amazed with good spirits, looked at home yesterday with large oak through home they had set up camping in detached garage and were staying with next door neighbor, they were actually BBQ-ing for neighbor that they were staying with. Texas has the can do attitude, I can say again Texas is not a state but a state of mind (hard working no BS, nothing will keep us down). 

[SHANEA]

Good advise...still waiting for those pics, Shane

Going to be a long wait Homero.  I'm severely bandwidth challenged running off of my AT&T Wireless cell internet card and running the home office off of the Honda Generator.  Gotta keep the cash flowing as I doubt the Fed and Treasury are going to bail me out the way they have everyone else in the financial sector. 

[TexasAggieHiker]

I saw a guy on the news who had been rescued after passing out from using a generator in his house.  His exact quote, in the most hillbilly accent you can imagine: "If they say don't use it inside, don't do it.  That was horrible.  I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."  Don't use it inside..........YA THINK??  jeez............... ......

[SHANEA]

Indespensible for keeping the generator dry.  Put a small wooden pallet underneath the generator and the Porta Privy keeps it dry.  Easy to setup and take down.  Large enough to give the Honda Generator EU3000i plenty of room and away from the sides so that it doesn't burst into flames.

Porta Privy

Just don't use the privy while the generator is running!