Subj : Re: PoE Window Passthroug To : Barry Martin From : Ky Moffet Date : Mon Dec 29 2025 14:10:00 BARRY MARTIN wrote: > Hi Ky! > KM> Huh. I wonder what my sister's system did different, being it's > KM> so seamless. It wasn't terribly expensive, but it handles a big > KM> house. > > The only thing I can think of is it's a constantly running generator, > but would seem like hear the generator. OTOH if the electricity- > generating device (so like the alternator in a car?) was constantly > running and on a flywheel when the street power failed the (alternator) > could immediately take over and maintain enough output until the > generator itself (the big unit) kicked in. ...Probably another of my > Rube Goldberg ideas. No idea. I know it doesn't run continuously. However, it works well enough that come the day, I'll be looking at the same setup. > In hindsight I would have 'interviewed' the dealer also. Going with > Lowe's possibly was better as originally purchased a 13KW unit, got a > call from the salesperson a day or two later the 16KW unit was on sale > for $90 more (total - not per month) so got that one. It's going to cost enough to rewire the house that whatever backup power costs is a trivial afterthought... so will go with the proven commodity. > KM> The main breaker box is in the back porch, so that's where it > KM> would tie in. > > Makes sense, though also depends on where the generator is placed: has > to be a certain number of feet away from windows (and probably doors). > If there hadn't been a semi-solid privacy wall on the porch above where > the generator is here the generator may have had to be placed elsewhere. > (Though here may have been easier and cheaper to build that wall if it > hadn't already existed!) > > ..Reason is the exhaust fumes. If it exhausts directly out of the engine, yeah. If it goes up the pipe like the furnace,. that makes different options. > KM> Huh. I have right angles in the garage, but that's old enough to > KM> be rather large iron pipe. And isn't in use. There's also some > KM> plastic line that apparently was meant for the dryer but was not > KM> hooked up. So I have extras already. :) > > Or so you think! At one time this house had a gas-fired air conditioner > -- the big cement slab it was on is under the bach porch. Even better: > the gas line is capped (in the basement) about ten feet from where the > generator is. They determined the pipe diameter was too small for the > generator. Well, if all else fails, we need to make another tie-in just below the meter anyway, to run gas to the barn and shop. Which could easily become another line to wherever else. > ...OK, maybe not the complete story. They did determine the original > a/c pipe was too small, Also in the calculation was where everything > was connecting. The new generator line connects at the gas meter. The > gas feeds for the furnace, dryer, and stove -- obvious eventually to the > gas meter but I don't know if separate runs or tree'd. So also no idea > where the a/c feed connected. Mine is probably underused, actually. > > All that because the longer length of gas pipe acts as a bit of buffer, > so when the generaor kicks in the furnace feed isn't starved --> the > natural gas itself expands and contacts some, buffering the feeds. A > starved feed would be like when running the water in the sink and > flushing the toilet: the cold water to the bathroom sink lessens for a > bit. Yeah, would make the furnace unhappy. > > > KM> Actually, a very small gas wall heater in the garage (manual > KM> thermostat) might be a good thought too. > > May as well while you're at it! 'Obviously' size correctly: too small > will either just keep a small area warm or will be constantly running > (or both); too big will probably 'overheat' the garage and be off too > much. Actually the criterion is one that lets you set the thermostat really low, like 40 degrees. Same as I want for the barn. Really just anti-freeze, not to heat the place. > Generator with its fumes inside in the basement?????? Maybe there are > multiple types of geneators, just like your sister's kicks in almost > instantaneously. Probably. Same as there are vented and ventless heaters. > KM> Other options being the garage (already has gas line, and could > KM> tie into an existing unused vent) which is partially heated to > KM> keep the washing machine from freezing, or the back porch, which > KM> is enclosed but not heated. > > I'm thinking the garage, but there is still an issue with fumes. (Person > committing suicide by sitting in car with motor running inside a garage > with the door closed.) Garage is open to the house, so it would be very slow suicide. Also, you'd need something smaller than a VW Bug, because the stairs to the above-garage bedroom take up half of it. > I also prefer to have them do all the work as then if something goes > wrong there is no question as to who was responsible. Yeah, good thought! þ RNET 2.10U: ILink: Techware BBS þ Hollywood, Ca þ www.techware2k.com --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com (454:1/1) .