Nancy Young wrote:
>
> On 8/2/2013 11:13 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > On 8/2/2013 10:16 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> >> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
> >> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
> >> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
> >> were stuck at home.
> >>
> >> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
> >> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
>
> > Some states are trying to force gas stations to install generators so
> > they can keep operating. While it sounds good, it is expensive and puts
> > the individual stations at a competitive disadvantage unless they can
> > charge much more after a storm.
>
> That's very interesting, I hadn't heard anything about that.
> I wonder what kind of generator they would need to operate just
> the pumps, meaning how big would it have to be. I wouldn't
> oppose state aid to install these generators. The station owners
> are already under a lot of financial pressure, I don't know if it
> should all fall on them when it's all of us who depended on them.
>
> Anyway, interesting idea.
>
> nancy

Figure $25k-$50k total cost depending on the size of the station. That's
a commercial grade generator, transfer switch, installation, permits,
etc. In some cases it could be more given physical space constraints.
It's not nearly as simple as installing a cheap consumer grade standby
generator at a residence.

On 8/2/2013 11:25 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

>
>> Some states are trying to force gas stations to install generators so
>> they can keep operating. While it sounds good, it is expensive and puts
>> the individual stations at a competitive disadvantage unless they can
>> charge much more after a storm.
>
> That's very interesting, I hadn't heard anything about that.
> I wonder what kind of generator they would need to operate just
> the pumps, meaning how big would it have to be. I wouldn't
> oppose state aid to install these generators. The station owners
> are already under a lot of financial pressure, I don't know if it
> should all fall on them when it's all of us who depended on them.
>
> Anyway, interesting idea.
>
> nancy
>

Started with the aftermath of Katrina. I've not followed all that close
but one proposal was stations on evacuation routes to have generators,
another was one of every four stations to assure some supply. .

On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 09:15:29 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

>On 8/2/2013 5:38 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 02:12:25 -0400, Cheryl >
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> I just use my generator to keep my fridge and downstairs freezer going.
>>> Oh, and my hair dryer if the power is still out when I have to go to
>>> work. I will power my laptop if the battery runs out, but with no
>>> internet there's no point really. If I'm bored I'll play computer games
>>> if I can't find something else to do. I also like to keep some lights
>>> going because I can't stand just candlelight or flashlights for very long.
>>
>> Why do you lose internet? Does the cable go out? I have DSL and it
>> will stay on as long as my battery backup has power. I don't think
>> I've ever lost phone service.
>>
>Ah, but there is always an exception. I had DSL when I lived in TN.
>Massive storms knocked out the power in a tri-state area (some places
>for weeks). It also zapped the phone lines in some areas, mine
>included. I didn't have a cordless phone, just plug-into-the-wall
>phones.

A cordless phone is a plug-into-the-wall phone, the base station plugs
into the phone jack.

Nancy Young wrote:
>
>Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
>their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
>cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
>were stuck at home.
>
>When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
>Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.

Ever since I've been driving I very rarely let my gas gauge go below
half before I fill up... and especially with the price of gas
nowadays, I find it disturbing having to pay for like 20 gallons all
in one fell swoop... when I began driving gas cost like 10¢/gallon;
pulled up to a pump, the attendant hustled over and asked "What'll it
be sir?", handed the attendant a buck and said fill her up, high test,
and I got back change. And the attendant cleaned my windshield,
checked my fluids, and the air in my tires, and said "Thank you sir".
That said I wouldn't want a gasolene generator even if someone gave it
to me for free. I have a 500 gallon tank of propane here (I heat my
house with propane) so I would have a propane generator, but if I
didn't have propane I'd choose diesel. I don't want to store large
amounts of gasolene, it's too dangerous, and stored gasolene goes bad
even with preservatives added.

On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 11:13:58 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

>On 8/2/2013 10:16 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
>> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
>> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
>> were stuck at home.
>>
>> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
>> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
>>
>> nancy
>
>Some states are trying to force gas stations to install generators so
>they can keep operating. While it sounds good, it is expensive and puts
>the individual stations at a competitive disadvantage unless they can
>charge much more after a storm.

I doubt they'd suffer any loss, they'd be selling gas, better than
essentially being out of business.

On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 11:25:56 -0400, Nancy Young
> wrote:

>On 8/2/2013 11:13 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On 8/2/2013 10:16 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>>> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
>>> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
>>> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
>>> were stuck at home.
>>>
>>> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
>>> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
>
>> Some states are trying to force gas stations to install generators so
>> they can keep operating. While it sounds good, it is expensive and puts
>> the individual stations at a competitive disadvantage unless they can
>> charge much more after a storm.
>
>That's very interesting, I hadn't heard anything about that.
>I wonder what kind of generator they would need to operate just
>the pumps, meaning how big would it have to be. I wouldn't
>oppose state aid to install these generators. The station owners
>are already under a lot of financial pressure, I don't know if it
>should all fall on them when it's all of us who depended on them.
>
>Anyway, interesting idea.

I doubt running a gas pump consumes more electric than your fridge...
and they'd more than make up the cost of a generator from remaining in
business and selling gas.

On 8/2/2013 5:56 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 11:25:56 -0400, Nancy Young
> > wrote:
>
>> On 8/2/2013 11:13 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>> On 8/2/2013 10:16 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>>>> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
>>>> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
>>>> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
>>>> were stuck at home.
>>>>
>>>> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
>>>> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
>>
>>> Some states are trying to force gas stations to install generators so
>>> they can keep operating. While it sounds good, it is expensive and puts
>>> the individual stations at a competitive disadvantage unless they can
>>> charge much more after a storm.
>>
>> That's very interesting, I hadn't heard anything about that.
>> I wonder what kind of generator they would need to operate just
>> the pumps, meaning how big would it have to be. I wouldn't
>> oppose state aid to install these generators. The station owners
>> are already under a lot of financial pressure, I don't know if it
>> should all fall on them when it's all of us who depended on them.
>>
>> Anyway, interesting idea.
>
> I doubt running a gas pump consumes more electric than your fridge...
> and they'd more than make up the cost of a generator from remaining in
> business and selling gas.
>
But can the gas stations get refueled during hurricane conditions?
Doubtful.

Jill

On 8/2/2013 5:53 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 11:13:58 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>
>> On 8/2/2013 10:16 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>>> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
>>> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
>>> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
>>> were stuck at home.
>>>
>>> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
>>> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
>>>
>>> nancy
>>
>> Some states are trying to force gas stations to install generators so
>> they can keep operating. While it sounds good, it is expensive and puts
>> the individual stations at a competitive disadvantage unless they can
>> charge much more after a storm.
>
> I doubt they'd suffer any loss, they'd be selling gas, better than
> essentially being out of business.
>
Only as long as their gas supply lasted. In evacuation situations there
aren't going to be tanker trucks refilling the pumps. When they run
out, they're closed. I always keep at least 1/2 tank of gas in my car.
I get nervous if it gets below that.

Jill

On 8/2/2013 10:25 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

> That's very interesting, I hadn't heard anything about that.
> I wonder what kind of generator they would need to operate just
> the pumps, meaning how big would it have to be. I wouldn't
> oppose state aid to install these generators. The station owners
> are already under a lot of financial pressure, I don't know if it
> should all fall on them when it's all of us who depended on them.
>
> Anyway, interesting idea.
>
> nancy
>


The only states in the South that require gas stations to have
generators, are Florida and Louisiana. This may apply to new stations
only, or stations that are being remodeled.

Becca

Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
> On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 11:25:56 -0400, Nancy Young
> > wrote:
>
> >On 8/2/2013 11:13 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> >> On 8/2/2013 10:16 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> >>> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
> >>> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
> >>> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
> >>> were stuck at home.
> >>>
> >>> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
> >>> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
> >
> >> Some states are trying to force gas stations to install generators so
> >> they can keep operating. While it sounds good, it is expensive and puts
> >> the individual stations at a competitive disadvantage unless they can
> >> charge much more after a storm.
> >
> >That's very interesting, I hadn't heard anything about that.
> >I wonder what kind of generator they would need to operate just
> >the pumps, meaning how big would it have to be. I wouldn't
> >oppose state aid to install these generators. The station owners
> >are already under a lot of financial pressure, I don't know if it
> >should all fall on them when it's all of us who depended on them.
> >
> >Anyway, interesting idea.
>
> I doubt running a gas pump consumes more electric than your fridge...
> and they'd more than make up the cost of a generator from remaining in
> business and selling gas.

Modern gas stations use common (to all the dispensers) submersible pumps
similar to well pumps in the tanks. You'll have three or more of these
pumps to run at at least 1HP each, plus the dispensers, controls,
lighting, etc.

Figure on at least a 20KVA generator, and for a commercial grade one,
transfer switch, installation, permits, etc. that's going to be
$35k-$50k per station, more for some space challenged stations.

Cheap residential standby generators and half-assed installation won't
fly in a flammable and combustible fuel dispensing facility.

Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
> On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 11:13:58 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>
> >On 8/2/2013 10:16 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> >> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
> >> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
> >> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
> >> were stuck at home.
> >>
> >> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
> >> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
> >>
> >> nancy
> >
> >Some states are trying to force gas stations to install generators so
> >they can keep operating. While it sounds good, it is expensive and puts
> >the individual stations at a competitive disadvantage unless they can
> >charge much more after a storm.
>
> I doubt they'd suffer any loss, they'd be selling gas, better than
> essentially being out of business.

More importantly, while the gas is pumping, they would also be selling
out of everything in their convenience stores - ice, drinks, snacks, ww
fluid, oil, windshield scrapers, etc. which is far more profitable than
the gas.

On Friday, August 2, 2013 10:16:16 AM UTC-4, Nancy Young wrote:
> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
>
> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
>
> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
>
> were stuck at home.
>
>
>
> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
>
> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
>
>
>
> nancy

That's one of my summer 'rules of dumb' - I never let it go below a half tank.

On Fri, 2 Aug 2013 08:55:39 -0700 (PDT), Helpful person
> wrote:

>On Thursday, August 1, 2013 9:30:58 PM UTC-4, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>
>> A small generator will use about 1 gallon of gas an hour... it costs
>> less to lose some food... and much of what folks keep in their fridge
>> really doesn't need to be refrigerated, and butter, eggs, cheese, etc.
>> can last a lot longer than the typical power outage. And if you don't
>> open your freezer food will remain frozen for 48+ hours. You won't
>> die from eating canned foods for a couple three days. When Hurrican e
>> Gloria hit Long Island everyone in my area was out of power fro over a
>> week, I was out 11 days, we all survived quite well without
>> generators... most of us had outdoor grills so everyone pooled their
>> food and we had a giant neighborhood cookout/cook-in, even the pets
>> helped eat all the food, no food I know of spoiled.
>
>For me it's not the cost of losing the food in the freezer but the time
>invested. I make all my own stocks, reduce them and freeze them. It takes a
>whole day for each, making about six months supply of beef, chicken and fish
>stock. This doesn't include the pre frozen home made meals etc.

Then you should own a propane refrigerator freezer, I think Servel
makes a good one. There are kerosene refrigerator freezers too.

On 02/08/2013 6:08 PM, jmcquown wrote:
arge much more after a storm.
>>
>> I doubt they'd suffer any loss, they'd be selling gas, better than
>> essentially being out of business.
>>
> Only as long as their gas supply lasted. In evacuation situations there
> aren't going to be tanker trucks refilling the pumps. When they run
> out, they're closed. I always keep at least 1/2 tank of gas in my car.
> I get nervous if it gets below that.

Power outages are usually localized. Unless the refineries or storage
facilities are in the affected areas the fuel can be trucked in.

On 8/2/2013 8:41 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

> I don't have Verizon phone service, but I do have fios for
> internet and cable. They both go down when the power goes out.
> However, there is a battery in the box in the garage that is the
> backup for phone service. I know because mine's dead and it gives
> a loud beep every so often. Can't hear it unless you are out there
> with the door open.
>
> Just wondering if you should have phone service if your battery is
> working.
>
> nancy
>
My battery is working fine, it's in a hidden spot in the living room.
I've found it really doesn't do much for power outages more than a short
time. Even when work is being done and the breaker is shut off, I lose
internet and TV services until the breaker is turned back on. I think
the phone stays working, but I've never tried it during work where the
breaker is off.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On 8/2/2013 10:16 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

> Seems obvious to me, but many, many people were caught with
> their car tanks low on gas after Sandy. I was glad I had two
> cars full so I was good for the 10 days but a lot of people
> were stuck at home.
>
> When all the electricity is out, the gas stations are out, too.
> Fill 'er up if you know a storm is coming.
>
> nancy

After we had that east coast storm they called a derecho a couple of
years ago and I was caught off guard without gas in my vehicle, that's
now on my to-do list when a storm is forecast. But to be honest, that
derecho came out of nowhere and a storm of that strength wasn't forecast.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On 8/2/2013 12:08 PM, Nancy Young wrote:

> It's all coming back to me now. Like a bad flashback. The gas
> stations in my town did have power, for whatever reason my little
> village was about the first place back up.
>
> However, they had no gas to sell. The place where the gas comes
> from, that area was also without electricity. They needed
> generators first.

Part of the problem too is that roads need to be open for the tankers to
get to the gas stations. Our worst storm here had so many trees down
and traffic through the only roads open was backed up for hours.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On 8/2/2013 2:16 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> Started with the aftermath of Katrina. I've not followed all that close
> but one proposal was stations on evacuation routes to have generators,
> another was one of every four stations to assure some supply.

Maybe there should be special filling stations open only along those
emergency routes that are operated and owned by the oil companies and
only required to be open during emergencies. That takes the burden of
the added expense off of the individual station and franchise owners who
aren't making as much money as the oil companies. They also should be
monitored so they don't gouge people who are just trying to flee from a
disaster. Now, how the oil companies would protect the employees
required to stay, I don't know.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On 8/2/2013 5:29 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:

> I don't want to store large
> amounts of gasolene, it's too dangerous, and stored gasolene goes bad
> even with preservatives added.

No need to store it for long. Stock up if a storm is approaching and if
you luckily don't lose power and don't need to use it, put it in your car.

--
CAPSLOCK–Preventing Login Since 1980.

On 8/3/2013 3:05 AM, Cheryl wrote:
> On 8/2/2013 2:16 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>
>> Started with the aftermath of Katrina. I've not followed all that close
>> but one proposal was stations on evacuation routes to have generators,
>> another was one of every four stations to assure some supply.
>
> Maybe there should be special filling stations open only along those
> emergency routes that are operated and owned by the oil companies and
> only required to be open during emergencies. That takes the burden of
> the added expense off of the individual station and franchise owners who
> aren't making as much money as the oil companies. They also should be
> monitored so they don't gouge people who are just trying to flee from a
> disaster. Now, how the oil companies would protect the employees
> required to stay, I don't know.
>
Good point. It wouldn't work in NJ because they don't allow
self-service gas pumps.

Jill

On 8/2/2013 10:51 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 02/08/2013 6:08 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> arge much more after a storm.
>>>
>>> I doubt they'd suffer any loss, they'd be selling gas, better than
>>> essentially being out of business.
>>>
>> Only as long as their gas supply lasted. In evacuation situations there
>> aren't going to be tanker trucks refilling the pumps. When they run
>> out, they're closed. I always keep at least 1/2 tank of gas in my car.
>> I get nervous if it gets below that.
>
> Power outages are usually localized. Unless the refineries or storage
> facilities are in the affected areas the fuel can be trucked in.
>
Not in the event of a mandatory evacuation. We are talking about
hurricanes, after all. The thread drifted to power outages in general
but the OP was talking about hurricane preparedness.

Jill

Cheryl wrote:
>
> On 8/2/2013 8:41 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>
> > I don't have Verizon phone service, but I do have fios for
> > internet and cable. They both go down when the power goes out.
> > However, there is a battery in the box in the garage that is the
> > backup for phone service. I know because mine's dead and it gives
> > a loud beep every so often. Can't hear it unless you are out there
> > with the door open.
> >
> > Just wondering if you should have phone service if your battery is
> > working.
> >
> > nancy
> >
> My battery is working fine, it's in a hidden spot in the living room.
> I've found it really doesn't do much for power outages more than a short
> time.

I have a friend with a computer battery backup. It's not for continuous use.
It's mainly to give you a few minutes to back up any info and shut down
properly.

G.

jmcquown wrote:
> >
> Good point. It wouldn't work in NJ because they don't allow
> self-service gas pumps.

That might be your main reason but I'll guess you also wouldn't work in NJ
because of the commute. hehehe

G.

In article >, says...
>
> "T" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >, says...
> >>
> >> "Polly Esther" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > It's time again to prepare for hurricanes with one storm in the
> >> > Atlantic
> >> > and one in the Pacific. More or less. Tis the season to start packing
> >> > your freezer - with water in milk jugs etc. A freezer will hold temp
> >> > much
> >> > longer if it is full. Last year, I froze water in the lasagna pan. It
> >> > was quite handy to hold an ice chest cool when all else failed. Polly
> >> >
> >> Wouldn't it be worthwhile buying a small generator?
> >> Graham
> >
> > Well - the generator assumes fuel supplies will last. I've said when we
> > do purchase a property I'm putting in a 10kW natural gas fired
> > generator. That way you only have to worry as far as National Grid.
> >
> Assuming you are out of power for a few days, or even a couple of weeks, a
> small generator, used every few hours should be more than enough to keep the
> fridge and freezer ok, which is what most seem to be worried about. It would
> certainly save chasing around for dry ice like scores or 100s of others.
> Graham

Here in southeastern New England it still gets fairly cold in the
winter. And we've got gas forced hot water, which requires pumps and
electronics.

So the generator in addition to using natural gas would supply the power
to keep the heat on. I was pricing out 10kW units - they're not that
expensive.

In article >, gravesend10
@verizon.net says...
>
> On Thu, 1 Aug 2013 19:39:12 -0600, "graham" > wrote:
>
> >
> >"Brooklyn1" > wrote in message
> .. .
> >> On Thu, 1 Aug 2013 18:58:01 -0600, "graham" > wrote:
> >>
> >>>
> >>>"T" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>> In article >, says...
> >>>>>
> >>>>> "Polly Esther" > wrote in message
> >>>>> ...
> >>>>> > It's time again to prepare for hurricanes with one storm in the
> >>>>> > Atlantic
> >>>>> > and one in the Pacific. More or less. Tis the season to start
> >>>>> > packing
> >>>>> > your freezer - with water in milk jugs etc. A freezer will hold temp
> >>>>> > much
> >>>>> > longer if it is full. Last year, I froze water in the lasagna pan.
> >>>>> > It
> >>>>> > was quite handy to hold an ice chest cool when all else failed.
> >>>>> > Polly
> >>>>> >
> >>>>> Wouldn't it be worthwhile buying a small generator?
> >>>>> Graham
> >>>>
> >>>> Well - the generator assumes fuel supplies will last. I've said when we
> >>>> do purchase a property I'm putting in a 10kW natural gas fired
> >>>> generator. That way you only have to worry as far as National Grid.
> >>>>
> >>>Assuming you are out of power for a few days, or even a couple of weeks, a
> >>>small generator, used every few hours should be more than enough to keep
> >>>the
> >>>fridge and freezer ok, which is what most seem to be worried about. It
> >>>would
> >>>certainly save chasing around for dry ice like scores or 100s of others.
> >>>Graham
> >>
> >> A small generator will use about 1 gallon of gas an hour... it costs
> >> less to lose some food... and much of what folks keep in their fridge
> >> really doesn't need to be refrigerated, and butter, eggs, cheese, etc.
> >> can last a lot longer than the typical power outage. And if you don't
> >> open your freezer food will remain frozen for 48+ hours. You won't
> >> die from eating canned foods for a couple three days. When Hurrican e
> >> Gloria hit Long Island everyone in my area was out of power fro over a
> >> week, I was out 11 days, we all survived quite well without
> >> generators... most of us had outdoor grills so everyone pooled their
> >> food and we had a giant neighborhood cookout/cook-in, even the pets
> >> helped eat all the food, no food I know of spoiled.
> >
> >I suppose people survived quite well in the old days without a fridge or
> >freezer. I was in my teens before my parents could afford to buy a small
> >one.
> >Graham
>
> I grew up with an ice-a-box. Our first fridge was a 1948 Kelvinator,
> its freezer held two ice cube trays (watery cubes). During NYC
> winters most folk's freezer was their fire escape. Back then people
> shopped every day... frozen foods at the supermarket were a novelty...
> in 1950 supermarkets were a novelty.

Yes indeed - we are a far cry from what it used to be years ago. I
recall how different supermarkets were even in the 1970's. I was just a
kid but I recall they had a meat department that would actually cut meat
to your specifications. Everything wasn't shrink wrapped.

In article >,
says...
>
> On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 02:12:25 -0400, Cheryl >
> wrote:
>
>
>
> >
> >I just use my generator to keep my fridge and downstairs freezer going.
> >Oh, and my hair dryer if the power is still out when I have to go to
> >work. I will power my laptop if the battery runs out, but with no
> >internet there's no point really. If I'm bored I'll play computer games
> >if I can't find something else to do. I also like to keep some lights
> >going because I can't stand just candlelight or flashlights for very long.
>
> Why do you lose internet? Does the cable go out? I have DSL and it
> will stay on as long as my battery backup has power. I don't think
> I've ever lost phone service.

It's the achilles heel in all the broadband services in the U.S. The
routers at the end of the connection lose power and all bets are off.

Which is bizarre because there is about 90VAC on the CATV lines in the
area. You could power the devices off that.

In article >, says...
>
> Cheryl wrote:
> >
> > On 8/2/2013 8:41 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> >
> > > I don't have Verizon phone service, but I do have fios for
> > > internet and cable. They both go down when the power goes out.
> > > However, there is a battery in the box in the garage that is the
> > > backup for phone service. I know because mine's dead and it gives
> > > a loud beep every so often. Can't hear it unless you are out there
> > > with the door open.
> > >
> > > Just wondering if you should have phone service if your battery is
> > > working.
> > >
> > > nancy
> > >
> > My battery is working fine, it's in a hidden spot in the living room.
> > I've found it really doesn't do much for power outages more than a short
> > time.
>
> I have a friend with a computer battery backup. It's not for continuous use.
> It's mainly to give you a few minutes to back up any info and shut down
> properly.
>
> G.

Unless of course you oversize the UPS a bit. Then you can get some
serious time.

When I engineered the soluting at one office we had an APC Symmetra
system. It was three fulll height cabinets, one the controllers the
other two basically battery boxes.

It was engineered for a 300 server load for 45 minutes. We had half
that. Plus it had a 125kW Natural Gas fired generator that kicked in
within 10 seconds of power fail. So the servers and I.T. cubes and MDF
were always up and running.