Any idea how long it takes an electric company to fix / replace a transformer?

[Madrone]

I'm in the dark! The transformer puked on the pole and took out power to me, my elderly neighbor on one side, the neighbor on the other side, and the two unoccupied houses across the street. It's cold and SNOWING.

I've got a slight charge on the laptop and am hanging off someone's unsecured access point.

The laptop is gonna die long before I have power restored. :cry: The guy at the power company said it's usually 90 minutes to 2 hours for a truck to arrive... and that's not counting how long it will take to fix the problem.

[merh]

1. From what I recall after the transformer near me blew,

it takes a couple of hours to replace the transformer.

You need to gather all your blankets and your pup and get under the covers and just sleep. By the time you wake up it will be fixed.

You cannot afford to get a bad chill - you need to take care of yourself. So get all the blankets you can find, get a stocking cap for your head and put on your sweats and crawl under those blankets and stay warm.

:hug:

[Madrone]

2. So far, everything is still toasty.

That won't last for the duration though, I am sure.

The dogs are unperturbed. I, however, have trouble just laying down and going to sleep. I watch tv in order to focus on something outside of my own head in order to wind down enough to nod off. Obviously that ain't happening at the moment. AHHHHHHHHH!

I've got critters in the bed and plenty of available blankets though so ... that part should be covered.

Thanks and :hug: backatcha. :)

[merh]

3. Things in your head keeping you awake?

You need to make them mundane. Think about how you could reorder your cabinets or your closet.

Or count sheep. ;)

Just stay warm and take long relaxing breaths, focus on your breathing, in through your nose and out through your slightly parted lips.

You'll fall asleep soon and when you awake your power will be back on.

Then be sure to charge your laptop.

:hug:

:boring: :boring: :boring:

[Madrone]

6. It's even WORSE now ...

I think I'm swinging from hypo to hyper thyroid (and back) lately .... I've been feeling like I've taken 5 shots of espresso when I go to bed. It totally sucks. I also often find that after finally falling asleep I end up waking up at 2 am and can't get back to sleep. That's never been a problem I've had ... once I finally fall asleep I'm usually OUT. Waking up is only a problem because I can't ... I think I prefer that to waking up at 2.

I see a new doctor at the end of this month, and I can't wait.

[vadawg]

7. one word moonshine

a good shine will knock you out, but i recommend sleeping in the bath in case of accidents whilst you are comatose :)

[Madrone]

8. lol

I think I'll have to pass on that. Alcohol and I don't get along very well. I get the spins, and that makes me sick. :puke:

Totally not fun.

[vadawg]

9. hence the bathtub in case of the grand slam :)

[Madrone]

4. Holy crap, that was fast!

I've been laying here trying to go to sleep ... unsuccessfully. Heard the truck pull up and the guys outside talking, and minutes later the power came back on. I'm impressed. Score one for Puget Sound Energy! :woohoo:

Now I can watch tv and try to go to sleep. They are still outside, so hopefully this isn't temporary and it will go out again as they are working on it.

Anyway - I am amazed. I live in a small rural town and have no idea where the truck had to come from to get here. They didn't mess around.

[vadawg]

5. one word emergency backup generator

best thing you will ever invest in...


lol just realised what i wrote, the effects of being 10 hours into a night shift....

[david13]

12. Emergency back up generators are not all they are cracked up

to be.
First, they produce far far less power than the average house uses, unless you buy a huge monster nearly as big as the house.
Second, they are seldom if ever used, so it's not unusual they don't run when you need them. They need to be maintained.
Third, they have to be wired in, etc.
Sixth, where do you put them so they don't get stolen.
And finally, why bother, even in this small town they fix it in 1 hour?
That is fast.
dc

[Mopar151]

14. Coupla things

First, a lot of the reliability issue has to do with RFG (gas w/ethanol) going bad fairly quickly. A lot of times, it will run OK in a warm engine, but won't make enough vapor to start - especially in winter. There is an answer, tho. Some racing gasoline is quite stable - car collectors have been using that for a while. One of the big racing fuel companies (VP) has come out with a specialised small engine gas, for stuff that HAS to start - like generators, pumps, rescue saws - and is selling it in 5 gallon cans

VP Racing Fuels, recognized around the world for innovation in fuel technology and top quality products, today announced the introduction of SEF94TM Small Engine FuelTM. “SEF94 is a 94 octane unleaded fuel that will provide easier, quicker starts for chain saws, generators, leaf and snow blowers, and other gasoline-powered small engines used for work or play,” said Jim Kelly, VP’s Eastern Regional Manager.

Street gasoline containing ethanol often makes such equipment difficult, if not impossible, to start, because ethanol can absorb moisture and form deposits in carburetors and fuel systems. SEF94 contains no ethanol, making it a much more dependable and cost effective solution. The unique properties of SEF94 also make it an excellent long-term storage fuel, allowing quick starts even after equipment sits idle for many months.

“SEF94 is the most dependable fuel on the market to help ensure equipment will start when it’s needed at work, play or in an emergency,” Kelly added. “Outdoorsmen, farmers, loggers, landscapers, emergency workers, rural homeowners and many others know what it’s like to deal with a tool that won’t work when needed and the inconvenience of costly rebuilds, but with SEF94 that frustration will be a thing of the past.” SEF94 is for use in portable power equipment only. It is not a street legal fuel, therefore should not be used in a motor vehicle of any kind.

To purchase SEF94 direct, to find the nearest dealer or distributor, or inquire about becoming one, contact VP at 210.635.7744 or [e-mail] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Also, my wife sleeps with a BiPAP breathing machine. In outage season, we keep a deep cycle battery, inverter, and charger stashed near her bed, so we have a couple nights of power for that without a generator.

[cleveramerican]

10. an hour or less once they arrive

there is a guy in California who invented a gizmo to power up a portion of his house off of his idling Prius.
I was stunned when I saw him on TV and wonder why Toyota hasn't jumped on it.

[Orrex]

11. If they have access to the All-Spark, it should take about ten seconds

But then Megatron will drop by and totally try to fuck your shit up.

[quakerboy]

15. Someone had to go there

and I am glad it was you, because i had the mental connection but nothing clever was coming.

[Orrex]

16. I'm only sorry that nothing clever came to me, either

That post was, unfortunately, as close as I could get...

[david13]

13. What good luck and good service that it was fixed so fast.

We have been out for days over here. Ugh.
dc