Weather

[BigGreenField]

Many people on the board still without power?

Here.  An absolute dose, having to draw water for cattle indoors, then home with a genny but limited enough what can be done with it.  Filling the cistern of the toilet out of 5 gallon drums.
I'll never complain about snow again...

We've no electric and are running of a genny as well. Happy to have it. But f**k me to have no water as well and trying to manage cattle. That's rough. Any idea when you'll even get power back? Seems like the governments on both sides of the border making a f**k up of managing this. Mehole was some **** earlier stirring his hot cuppa tae and telling that lady in Roscommon to ring a number.

What do you want the government to do? ESB/NIE/BT can't be expected to carry engineers on the off chance of a once in a lifetime storm so everyone can have their power and phone back on by the next day.

What a silly comment.

What I want them to do and what they should have done was plan. This was known a week out. In fact, a plan should be ready to go before and after major events like this anyway. They should have had some extra crews already here before the storm knowing they could get to work straight away if needed rather than 3 or 4 days later. And have others where available on standby to come at very short notice depending on the scale of things. It's fairly obvious with events like this that governments do the bare basics and then make it up as they go along.

In addition, trees growing near electric lines higher than the line should be topped or taken down so they don't take the line with them. Most of the power was taken out by falling trees. This could be prevented but a good maintenance plan. It would be much cheaper to implement than the expense of the clean-up. Prevention is better than cure. But jaysus no, we dare not cut a branch of a tree!!!

It ain't nice being affected by power particularly if you are vulnerable, elderly etc however......

North and South for 20 yrs the grid companies have had politicians and lobbying bodies crying at them to reduce investment and lower bills, hence a network that coups. Folk are reaping what was sown.

As regards the trees , I've reported tree/line issues in the past and they've been cut back pretty quickly, if folk don't report them then ESB/NIE don't have the budget and manpower to cover every inch of line - they rely on people reporting. A lot of damage is from trees literally being blown over that are 20 feet away from a line, short of chopping down a ridiculous amount of trees bugger all you can do.

The extra manpower from other areas can only kick in once they know what they need and where (again because it incurs cost and they are regulated and other areas won't release manpower until they know they are ok, not rocket science)

These are not government departments much as we might wish they are and politicians have created the basis on which they operate, if they and we want something different it is in their power to change it, but they won't because it involves doing something other than a press conference.

[BigGreenField]

No, I fully appreciate they are flat out, I've a few cousins that work on networks,  I don't envy them.  It is what it is, it's better to sit down and laugh than sit down and cry.
I do know a few neighbours who wanted to knock trees they felt were a danger were told they'd be fined if they did.  All fine and dandy now, though.

If the tree is in a conservation area or has a TPO you need council permission - but if you notify them of the reason then (if it's valid) they'll ok it. If it's not valid and you chop it, yes there is a fine.

Trees not subject to a TPO can be chopped unless the wood they are part off is of a certain size. Which case a Dept Ag felling licence is needed.

[93-DY-SAM]

Many people on the board still without power?

Here.  An absolute dose, having to draw water for cattle indoors, then home with a genny but limited enough what can be done with it.  Filling the cistern of the toilet out of 5 gallon drums.
I'll never complain about snow again...

We've no electric and are running of a genny as well. Happy to have it. But f**k me to have no water as well and trying to manage cattle. That's rough. Any idea when you'll even get power back? Seems like the governments on both sides of the border making a f**k up of managing this. Mehole was some **** earlier stirring his hot cuppa tae and telling that lady in Roscommon to ring a number.

What do you want the government to do? ESB/NIE/BT can't be expected to carry engineers on the off chance of a once in a lifetime storm so everyone can have their power and phone back on by the next day.

What a silly comment.

What I want them to do and what they should have done was plan. This was known a week out. In fact, a plan should be ready to go before and after major events like this anyway. They should have had some extra crews already here before the storm knowing they could get to work straight away if needed rather than 3 or 4 days later. And have others where available on standby to come at very short notice depending on the scale of things. It's fairly obvious with events like this that governments do the bare basics and then make it up as they go along.

In addition, trees growing near electric lines higher than the line should be topped or taken down so they don't take the line with them. Most of the power was taken out by falling trees. This could be prevented but a good maintenance plan. It would be much cheaper to implement than the expense of the clean-up. Prevention is better than cure. But jaysus no, we dare not cut a branch of a tree!!!

It ain't nice being affected by power particularly if you are vulnerable, elderly etc however......

North and South for 20 yrs the grid companies have had politicians and lobbying bodies crying at them to reduce investment and lower bills, hence a network that coups. Folk are reaping what was sown.

As regards the trees , I've reported tree/line issues in the past and they've been cut back pretty quickly, if folk don't report them then ESB/NIE don't have the budget and manpower to cover every inch of line - they rely on people reporting. A lot of damage is from trees literally being blown over that are 20 feet away from a line, short of chopping down a ridiculous amount of trees bugger all you can do.

The extra manpower from other areas can only kick in once they know what they need and where (again because it incurs cost and they are regulated and other areas won't release manpower until they know they are ok, not rocket science)

These are not government departments much as we might wish they are and politicians have created the basis on which they operate, if they and we want something different it is in their power to change it, but they won't because it involves doing something other than a press conference.

I'm not for a minute suggesting that people go out and work during a storm. You could have no fault with the lads on the ground. Am sure they are exhausted and there is still some way to go. They are doing a dangerous job and thankfully they are.

It's the management of this and it's the madness that governments can't step in sooner. You can't plan every last detail or scenario but there just doesn't seem to be any planning for events like this at all. Both the event itself and how to minimise disruption by prevention in the first place. It is always all reactive. Makes you wonder what the government do plan for.

Sorry am just very frustrated tonight with it all.

[Milltown Row2]

Was chatting to a lad yesterday who was out during the last big storm 98

He was out 17 days and nights solid, sleeping in the van and reconnecting the electric around the north, he said there is never enough manpower and it wouldn't be viable to have that many people on the books either.

He said, like some have said here, that the maintenance of the places of high risk were being looked at his time working but the amount of land to be covered is just too much for the staff that's actually needed.

Funny he mention ivy as a big problem for trees and mainly the posts, as the ivy can turn the posts to being very soft, so less resistant to the strong winds, so simple things could help.

But if we want a better service we have to pay for it.

[Jim Bob]

Back to the subject of generators. It appears that a lot of people wish to invest in a generator to be ready when the next storm inevitably comes. ( they are coming fairly regular nowadays )
I was looking around and what I have found is that petrol generator's are quite a bit cheaper that diesels. Makes me wonder why this is and are the petrol ones to be avoided...
Anyone got any good advice on buying a generator for a house in the event of being cut off in future ?

[Tony Baloney]

Many people on the board still without power?

Here.  An absolute dose, having to draw water for cattle indoors, then home with a genny but limited enough what can be done with it.  Filling the cistern of the toilet out of 5 gallon drums.
I'll never complain about snow again...

We've no electric and are running of a genny as well. Happy to have it. But f**k me to have no water as well and trying to manage cattle. That's rough. Any idea when you'll even get power back? Seems like the governments on both sides of the border making a f**k up of managing this. Mehole was some **** earlier stirring his hot cuppa tae and telling that lady in Roscommon to ring a number.

What do you want the government to do? ESB/NIE/BT can't be expected to carry engineers on the off chance of a once in a lifetime storm so everyone can have their power and phone back on by the next day.

What a silly comment.

What I want them to do and what they should have done was plan. This was known a week out. In fact, a plan should be ready to go before and after major events like this anyway. They should have had some extra crews already here before the storm knowing they could get to work straight away if needed rather than 3 or 4 days later. And have others where available on standby to come at very short notice depending on the scale of things. It's fairly obvious with events like this that governments do the bare basics and then make it up as they go along.

In addition, trees growing near electric lines higher than the line should be topped or taken down so they don't take the line with them. Most of the power was taken out by falling trees. This could be prevented but a good maintenance plan. It would be much cheaper to implement than the expense of the clean-up. Prevention is better than cure. But jaysus no, we dare not cut a branch of a tree!!!

It ain't nice being affected by power particularly if you are vulnerable, elderly etc however......

North and South for 20 yrs the grid companies have had politicians and lobbying bodies crying at them to reduce investment and lower bills, hence a network that coups. Folk are reaping what was sown.

As regards the trees , I've reported tree/line issues in the past and they've been cut back pretty quickly, if folk don't report them then ESB/NIE don't have the budget and manpower to cover every inch of line - they rely on people reporting. A lot of damage is from trees literally being blown over that are 20 feet away from a line, short of chopping down a ridiculous amount of trees bugger all you can do.

The extra manpower from other areas can only kick in once they know what they need and where (again because it incurs cost and they are regulated and other areas won't release manpower until they know they are ok, not rocket science)

These are not government departments much as we might wish they are and politicians have created the basis on which they operate, if they and we want something different it is in their power to change it, but they won't because it involves doing something other than a press conference.

I'm not for a minute suggesting that people go out and work during a storm. You could have no fault with the lads on the ground. Am sure they are exhausted and there is still some way to go. They are doing a dangerous job and thankfully they are.

It's the management of this and it's the madness that governments can't step in sooner. You can't plan every last detail or scenario but there just doesn't seem to be any planning for events like this at all. Both the event itself and how to minimise disruption by prevention in the first place. It is always all reactive. Makes you wonder what the government do plan for.

Sorry am just very frustrated tonight with it all.

We'll get a few engineers to sit in a van outside your house for the next one.

[93-DY-SAM]

Back to the subject of generators. It appears that a lot of people wish to invest in a generator to be ready when the next storm inevitably comes. ( they are coming fairly regular nowadays )
I was looking around and what I have found is that petrol generator's are quite a bit cheaper that diesels. Makes me wonder why this is and are the petrol ones to be avoided...
Anyone got any good advice on buying a generator for a house in the event of being cut off in future ?

There are quite a few variables most people don't take into account even if they are ready with a changeover for a generator. It all depends on what you want to run and for how long. If you roughly work out the wattage of each item you feel is essential to run it'll give you an idea of the size of generator you need.

Petrol generators are a good bit cheaper but they'll drink the fuel. The bigger kva/kw you opt for the more they'll use. A 6.5kw petrol generator will most likely have a 25l fuel tank. Any small petrol engine should really be run on E5 fuel and not E10. E5 is a few pence more expensive. A 25l tank will run you around 10 hours under 50% load. The more load you put on the generator the quicker it'll clear the tank. You can do the sums on that and it can be a scary enough figure every day. Diesel generators are more expensive to build hence they cost more but they use a lot less fuel. You just have to weigh up how long you could be without mains power, the expense of that and what items you feel are essential to power during that outage.

Different people will have different priorities. For me, a 5kw diesel is the right option. It easily runs the essentials for a week - you'd like to think you'd be restored by then at the longest. It wouldn't be for boiling kettles or running the oven. If you don't have a gas hob you'd be as well with a portable gas stove to boil water etc than ploughing more money into a genny just so you can boil a kettle.

Another thing people buying gennys don't take into account is that they need to run regularly. You'd need to start it once a month or every other month and put some load through it such as an electric heater to keep it ticking over. Many people don't start them for years and then find out when they need it it won't start. 

Finally, like any engine, they need to be run in a well-ventilated area. There has already been a tragedy related to this since the storm.

Don't know if that helps. Just my opinion. But we know what those are like

[Jim Bob]

Excellent guidance there.
One point you made is that they  need to be started up on a regular basis. I had heard that before. That could be a bit of a nuisance having to do thst but I suppose it has to be done   Really if your electric has been cut off due to a storm you'd be content I'd imagine that your generator will run lights tv WiFi and heating. As you say you're liable to be off for a day or two at the most unless you are very unlucky. I think that of you had one at the ready it will give you piece of mind when the weather warning comes. They def are becoming more regular nowadays with their boy next door names but they are a f@@@@@ nuisance

[93-DY-SAM]

Excellent guidance there.
One point you made is that they  need to be started up on a regular basis. I had heard that before. That could be a bit of a nuisance having to do thst but I suppose it has to be done   Really if your electric has been cut off due to a storm you'd be content I'd imagine that your generator will run lights tv WiFi and heating. As you say you're liable to be off for a day or two at the most unless you are very unlucky. I think that of you had one at the ready it will give you piece of mind when the weather warning comes. They def are becoming more regular nowadays with their boy next door names but they are a f@@@@@ nuisance

👍👍👍

[Sportacus]

Back to the subject of generators. It appears that a lot of people wish to invest in a generator to be ready when the next storm inevitably comes. ( they are coming fairly regular nowadays )
I was looking around and what I have found is that petrol generator's are quite a bit cheaper that diesels. Makes me wonder why this is and are the petrol ones to be avoided...
Anyone got any good advice on buying a generator for a house in the event of being cut off in future ?

There are quite a few variables most people don't take into account even if they are ready with a changeover for a generator. It all depends on what you want to run and for how long. If you roughly work out the wattage of each item you feel is essential to run it'll give you an idea of the size of generator you need.

Petrol generators are a good bit cheaper but they'll drink the fuel. The bigger kva/kw you opt for the more they'll use. A 6.5kw petrol generator will most likely have a 25l fuel tank. Any small petrol engine should really be run on E5 fuel and not E10. E5 is a few pence more expensive. A 25l tank will run you around 10 hours under 50% load. The more load you put on the generator the quicker it'll clear the tank. You can do the sums on that and it can be a scary enough figure every day. Diesel generators are more expensive to build hence they cost more but they use a lot less fuel. You just have to weigh up how long you could be without mains power, the expense of that and what items you feel are essential to power during that outage.

Different people will have different priorities. For me, a 5kw diesel is the right option. It easily runs the essentials for a week - you'd like to think you'd be restored by then at the longest. It wouldn't be for boiling kettles or running the oven. If you don't have a gas hob you'd be as well with a portable gas stove to boil water etc than ploughing more money into a genny just so you can boil a kettle.

Another thing people buying gennys don't take into account is that they need to run regularly. You'd need to start it once a month or every other month and put some load through it such as an electric heater to keep it ticking over. Many people don't start them for years and then find out when they need it it won't start. 

Finally, like any engine, they need to be run in a well-ventilated area. There has already been a tragedy related to this since the storm.

Don't know if that helps. Just my opinion. But we know what those are like

Thanks for that.  Maybe a stupid question, but would you have any insight on how to connect them up to the house.  My house doesn't have any external connection that I know of.  Would I just link a generator up to an extension cable as an alternative?

[Jim Bob]

Best thing would be a changeover switch.
You'd need to get an electrician to fit one. It's a unit which is fitted beside your fuse box and is connected to a fitting which he would fit on  an outside wall. My changeover switch which I had fitted last February was £250 which included the labour
Once you buy a generator you connect the cable from it to the outside fitting , turn it on for a couple of minutes then change the switch over on your unit from mains power to generator power. Fairly straightforward operation

[HiMucker]

Back to the subject of generators. It appears that a lot of people wish to invest in a generator to be ready when the next storm inevitably comes. ( they are coming fairly regular nowadays )
I was looking around and what I have found is that petrol generator's are quite a bit cheaper that diesels. Makes me wonder why this is and are the petrol ones to be avoided...
Anyone got any good advice on buying a generator for a house in the event of being cut off in future ?

There are quite a few variables most people don't take into account even if they are ready with a changeover for a generator. It all depends on what you want to run and for how long. If you roughly work out the wattage of each item you feel is essential to run it'll give you an idea of the size of generator you need.

Petrol generators are a good bit cheaper but they'll drink the fuel. The bigger kva/kw you opt for the more they'll use. A 6.5kw petrol generator will most likely have a 25l fuel tank. Any small petrol engine should really be run on E5 fuel and not E10. E5 is a few pence more expensive. A 25l tank will run you around 10 hours under 50% load. The more load you put on the generator the quicker it'll clear the tank. You can do the sums on that and it can be a scary enough figure every day. Diesel generators are more expensive to build hence they cost more but they use a lot less fuel. You just have to weigh up how long you could be without mains power, the expense of that and what items you feel are essential to power during that outage.

Different people will have different priorities. For me, a 5kw diesel is the right option. It easily runs the essentials for a week - you'd like to think you'd be restored by then at the longest. It wouldn't be for boiling kettles or running the oven. If you don't have a gas hob you'd be as well with a portable gas stove to boil water etc than ploughing more money into a genny just so you can boil a kettle.

Another thing people buying gennys don't take into account is that they need to run regularly. You'd need to start it once a month or every other month and put some load through it such as an electric heater to keep it ticking over. Many people don't start them for years and then find out when they need it it won't start. 

Finally, like any engine, they need to be run in a well-ventilated area. There has already been a tragedy related to this since the storm.

Don't know if that helps. Just my opinion. But we know what those are like

Good stuff 93DYSAM, started a thread on generators and thats the sort of info I was looking for. On the bit in bold, Ive read some of the better ones have automatic diagnostics that run periodically to ensure there is no problems. Is that just a load of bollocks or would it negate having to run it every once in a while when not needed?

[Milltown Row2]

Anyone get caught out with black ice today? Christ I thought I was going to end up on the side of the road this morning..

[Sportacus]

Best thing would be a changeover switch.
You'd need to get an electrician to fit one. It's a unit which is fitted beside your fuse box and is connected to a fitting which he would fit on  an outside wall. My changeover switch which I had fitted last February was £250 which included the labour
Once you buy a generator you connect the cable from it to the outside fitting , turn it on for a couple of minutes then change the switch over on your unit from mains power to generator power. Fairly straightforward operation

Ah right, thanks very much.

[93-DY-SAM]

Back to the subject of generators. It appears that a lot of people wish to invest in a generator to be ready when the next storm inevitably comes. ( they are coming fairly regular nowadays )
I was looking around and what I have found is that petrol generator's are quite a bit cheaper that diesels. Makes me wonder why this is and are the petrol ones to be avoided...
Anyone got any good advice on buying a generator for a house in the event of being cut off in future ?

There are quite a few variables most people don't take into account even if they are ready with a changeover for a generator. It all depends on what you want to run and for how long. If you roughly work out the wattage of each item you feel is essential to run it'll give you an idea of the size of generator you need.

Petrol generators are a good bit cheaper but they'll drink the fuel. The bigger kva/kw you opt for the more they'll use. A 6.5kw petrol generator will most likely have a 25l fuel tank. Any small petrol engine should really be run on E5 fuel and not E10. E5 is a few pence more expensive. A 25l tank will run you around 10 hours under 50% load. The more load you put on the generator the quicker it'll clear the tank. You can do the sums on that and it can be a scary enough figure every day. Diesel generators are more expensive to build hence they cost more but they use a lot less fuel. You just have to weigh up how long you could be without mains power, the expense of that and what items you feel are essential to power during that outage.

Different people will have different priorities. For me, a 5kw diesel is the right option. It easily runs the essentials for a week - you'd like to think you'd be restored by then at the longest. It wouldn't be for boiling kettles or running the oven. If you don't have a gas hob you'd be as well with a portable gas stove to boil water etc than ploughing more money into a genny just so you can boil a kettle.

Another thing people buying gennys don't take into account is that they need to run regularly. You'd need to start it once a month or every other month and put some load through it such as an electric heater to keep it ticking over. Many people don't start them for years and then find out when they need it it won't start. 

Finally, like any engine, they need to be run in a well-ventilated area. There has already been a tragedy related to this since the storm.

Don't know if that helps. Just my opinion. But we know what those are like

Good stuff 93DYSAM, started a thread on generators and thats the sort of info I was looking for. On the bit in bold, Ive read some of the better ones have automatic diagnostics that run periodically to ensure there is no problems. Is that just a load of bollocks or would it negate having to run it every once in a while when not needed?

Sorry, hadn't seen that thread and maybe got a bit sidetracked on this one about generators.

Not sure about that to be honest. I'd imagine for something that like you'd be getting into far bigger money when it's just as easy to start it yourself. A lot have a key start so easy started. You just need to remember to do it. Also, it's best if they are drawing some kind of current rather than running with nothing plugged in. An electric heater or something of that nature would be ideal. Something to make it work, even if it's only for 10/15 mins.

You can get into automatic transfer switches which will kick in the genny automatically if there is no power but again that all depends on how deep your pockets are. I don't see the need for that unless you are running essential medical equipment. If you have solar panels/batteries you need to remember to isolate them as well from the generator. If the panels kick in and send current back to the genny it'll fry it. You can get all kinds of automatic isolation switches which detect this but again depends on how deep your pockets are compared to just taking a minute and doing it yourself.