ICE STORM
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 97
From: great white north
Just get a small generator, electric heaters with fan, led light strings, electric frying pan, gas bbq, heavy duty power cables, mobile electric cooler, pick a few rooms to heat. Pull out the sweaters, wool socks and sleepbags.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 26,394
Likes: 482
From: Ontario
Awesome. The last time I recall an ice storm of this order was when my brother and I with a bed sheet between us skated the 401 for few miles. Getting back was a bitch though. That was 50 years ago.
Race Car
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 164
From: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Even 1000 watt inverter & a car battery will run the furnace a few times.
It's only the fan motor that need juice.
City Panic 24 (CP24) would have you running for cover.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 61
From: Guelph Ontario
It's not that hard. If you want PM me and I can talk you through it. I'm working x-mas day anyway and if I'm not that busy I may be able to help you out. It will be tomorrow evening until I can get back to you.
Rest In Peace Jaak
Cable Guy
Rennlist Member
Cable Guy
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 15,654
Likes: 4
From: Don Mills, Canuckistan
1. Turn off the Main Breakers on the panel. THIS IS A MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Look at the panel and locate the furnace breaker. The row it is located on is called a phase. MAKE SURE THE MAIN BREAKERS ARE TURNED OFF!!!!!
3. Find an electrical outlet on the same phase that is close to where your generator is located. Turn off all the other breakers on that phase. Turn off the furnace at the switch by the furnace.
4. Take a 12 gage extension cord and plug one end into the generator. The other end requires a jumper that has two male plugs on both ends. Make sure it is 12 gage wire. This can be made up from parts at any hardware store. MAKE SURE THE MAIN BREAKERS ARE SWITCHED OFF. Take this jumper and plug one end to the extension cord and the other into the electrical socket that is on the same phase as the furnace. To make the jumper follow this code. Black Gold, white silver and green ground. The corresponding wire must be connected to its corresponding coloured terminal.
5. Turn on the furnace and check to see if it is running. It should be running fine if the above is followed. The furnace should run until the house gets up to a nice temp which is usually less than an hour. You only need to run the furnace every once in a while. Same with your fridge and freezer so the generator does not need to be running constantly. This way a tank of gas will go a long way.
I would look for a generator that puts out close to 25 Amps or more to be able to run the furnace which has about 6 amps current draw, a fridge which is less than 6 amps and a few lights and chargers for phones, laptops and your cordless phone. This will keep you going for a while.
Remember:
TURN OFF THE MAIN BREAKERS FIRST
Once hydro is restored, remove the generator and cords first before turning the main breakers back on.
Hope this helps.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Every Era of 911 Owner Explained in One Sentence
Verdad Gallardo
Thinking of Buying a Porsche? Do These 10 Things First
Joe Kucinski
Pixar Pals Turned Into 1-of-1 Porsches!
Michael S. Palmer
Theon Goes Full Carbon Fiber With Stunning New Build
Verdad Gallardo
Genius Porsche-Themed Gifts That'll Make Any Dad or Grad Smile
Joe Kucinski
10 Used Porsches Are Selling for Way Too Cheap
Joe Kucinski
Tuner Is Converting Porsche 911s Into Shooting Brakes
Verdad Gallardo
This Coachbuilt Creation Is A Modern Take on the Legendary Porsche 917
Verdad Gallardo
Is This Convertible Cayenne A Steal, Or A Returnless Investment?
Verdad Gallardo
Rest In Peace Jaak
Cable Guy
Rennlist Member
Cable Guy
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 15,654
Likes: 4
From: Don Mills, Canuckistan
Oh, for the first time my hydro did NOT go off. They ran a new feed and replaced the first 3 poles that feeds my hood. Everyone else was down and they are slowly coming back up. Tonight they are still out for many blocks.
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 17
From: Ottawa
I have a small generator that hooks directly into my natural gas line. Coincidentally enough, I had it installed last week. Enough to operate fridge, heat, hot water and some lighting in bedrooms and bathrooms. Was not cheap but I am always worried about doomsday scenarios... Which is why I also have a gun locker 
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,751
Likes: 669
From: Toronto Canada eh!
Thanks very much for the advice/offers. It actually is not that cold in the house new around 12 on the main floor 15 in the basement. Running a space heater now off the generator and had the fridge running for a couple hours. My family is at the inlaws nearby they have power. Came down to office to get internet, and watch the end of the football game and it was an awesome finish. I think it would be hard to get the parts at a hardware after midnight (now) but if power is out tomorrow, I will take Jack's advice and get the furnace going...thank you for the instructions, I will print them out now. I will crash on the couch tonight with a -30 sleeping bag.
Thanks again for the help guys.
Thanks again for the help guys.
Drifting
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 150
From: Heidelberg, ON
Just a note.
What Jaak is suggesting is illegal in Canada. Even simple lockout switches are illegal up here. You need to get a transfer switch.
In emergencies, maybe...
MAKE SURE the MAIN is OFF.
Another work around is to take the romex out of the electrical panel, and put a male end on that and plug it into an extension cord.
This is assuming you are comfortable with electricity.
What Jaak is suggesting is illegal in Canada. Even simple lockout switches are illegal up here. You need to get a transfer switch.
In emergencies, maybe...
MAKE SURE the MAIN is OFF.
Another work around is to take the romex out of the electrical panel, and put a male end on that and plug it into an extension cord.
This is assuming you are comfortable with electricity.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 18
From: between TO and Barrie
Just a note. What Jaak is suggesting is illegal in Canada. Even simple lockout switches are illegal up here. You need to get a transfer switch. In emergencies, maybe... MAKE SURE the MAIN is OFF. Another work around is to take the romex out of the electrical panel, and put a male end on that and plug it into an extension cord. This is assuming you are comfortable with electricity.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 0
From: Half an hour from Mosport
I'm finally back in my house after 2 days. Spent yesterday afternoon emptying my hot tub one bucket at a time and then managing to borrow a generator for 30 minutes to shop vac all of the jets dry. Hopefully I managed to get all the water out, or I am down one very expensive hot tub 