Onan Air Filters

Take steps to keep power flowing this summer

The summer storms arrive, and this means that stories of brownouts and blackouts.

According to the Blackout Tracker annual report for 2010, published by Eaton Corp., Michigan ranked number nine nationally with 116 power cuts in 2010 and each failure lasted an average of 3.5 hours. Unfortunately, if you have been involved in any of the 116 power outages, you know they can last much longer than the average of 3.5 hours.

While portable generators can be a good short term solution during an outage, they are noisy, bulky, can be difficult to start and can provide power for several devices at once. That's why many homeowners are beginning to consider options for backup power permanently.

Backup power permanent housing, or emergency generator systems, come in a variety of sizes. They are connected either to natural gas in your home or the line of propane, are much quieter than a gasoline generator, portable, and feature an automatic transfer switch that starts your system when your utility service is interrupted.

Manufacturers of quality home standby generators include Briggs & Stratton, www.briggsandstratton.com; Cummins Onan, www.cumminsonan.com; Generac, www.generac.com; GE Generator Systems, www.homestandbygeneratorsystems.com; Kohler, www.kohlerpower.com; and Kubota Engine America, www.kubotaengine.com.

According to Mike Bratcher, Bratcher Electric, (734) 722-0037, www.bratcherelectric.com, unlike a portable generator, a permanent backup power system offers a lot more features.

"Today's backup power units feature computers and Internet access to both maintain and remotely monitor the system," Bratcher said.

They allow for quicker power transfers and the system won't switch back to utility power until the voltage is both available and consistent.

If you already have a portable generator and want to upgrade, Bratcher said you can have a manual transfer switch added to your main electrical panel for around $1,000. That will enable you to directly connect the generator and power up key appliances in a home, rather than running a bunch of extension cords.

Gary Marowske, owner of Flame Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical, (888) 234-2340, www.flamefurnace.com, has received many inquiries about backup systems due to the recent outages in the Detroit area. But as with any home improvement project, Gary warns that homeowners really need to be aware of deals that are "too good to be true.

Stratton Part | The Bee Keeper Considers Garden Equipment

You have a previous model and engine B & S # 60102, Type # 940187;. Serial number 6219061.Governor link must be replaced (linkage is broken and the spring is stretched) My problem is related to the air vane and the throttle lever is just hanging out the photos vane.Any look good the way it should be connected? Looked everywhere on the net without success.I ordered the parts for it but there is not. Thank you

I do not have any pics but I feel if you think about what he does you can imagine.When the palette is as far from the fly wheel as possible, the link should open the carburetor plate will be wide open.

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