Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week

January 31 – February 4, 2011 was Severe Weather Awareness Week, here in Florida. Living in South Florida we are spoiled by some beautiful weather but also know how dangerous mother nature can be.

Here at Florida Power House, Inc. we want everyone in our community to be ready when a storm hits. For our customers, that means exercising and maintaining their generators to be ready for power outages. Even with a home standby generator, and especially with a portable generator, you and your family should still have an emergency plan and kit.

Predictions for the 2011 Hurricane season are showing above-average activity, spread the word and let’s make sure we all are all ready for severe weather!

Check out our full Hurricane Emergency Supply Checklist here!

ONLINE SPECIAL - 8kW GENERAC Guardian Series Generator

Simple field conversion from natural gas to LP.

Generac’s OHVI® engine was designed specifically for generators. It outperforms most competitive generator engines with an engine life that is three to four times longer and has a significantly longer period between scheduled maintenance checkups.

TruePower™ Technology provides clean, smooth operation of sensitive electronics and appliances.

Sturdy, galvanneal steel enclosure with RhinoCoat™ finish for superior weather protection, modeled to withstand 150 mph winds.

External “At-a-Glance” indicator lights offer an easy way to tell generator status without opening the generator enclosure.

Added Sound Reduction with enclosures that are lined with sound reducing foam panels for further noise reduction.

Hour Meter monitors run time, providing information to determine maintenance intervals.

Easiest installation on the market and an excellent value when purchased pre-packaged with a pre-wired transfer switch, or customize your system by purchasing the generator and transfer switch separately. Composite mounting pad is included, eliminating the need to pour a concrete base.

Guardian 5882 8/7kW GH410 Guardian (3600 RPM) Steel -

$1,956.02
Original Price: $2,481.00
Save: 21% off

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Announcing the winner of our generator giveaway!

Welcoming a baby into your family can be nerve-racking for any new parent, but Nancy Suarez and her husband can rest a bit easier knowing that they will have a new free generator at home during hurricane season with their newborn at home.

Congratulations Nancy!

Changing your generator's battery

The life of the battery on your generator is different than that of your car. Even with the correct battery charger, you’ll need to replace the battery every 2 years.

Watch this video for instructions on how to replace it:

Changing the battery on your generator

(also subscribe to our youtube channel for more helpful videos like this one! http://www.youtube.com/user/GeneracGeneratorFL)

Albert Electrical of South Florida

This week Albert Electrical of South Florida closed it doors. Over the years we have maintained a healthy relationship of both competition and mutual trust and support. We wish the best of luck to their employees as they move onto new endeavors.

Not surprisingly, we’ve had a lot of calls over the last few days from many concerned customers. Here at Florida Power House, Inc. we are doing what we can to help make this adjustment a smooth one. Switching to a new generator company for your maintenance and service needs can sound a bit nerve-racking, but our friendly staff will be glad to answer any questions and help you though the process.

You can find pricing for our maintenance plans >>HERE<<

For a limited time mention this blog and receive a FREE generator inspection
when you sign up for one of our yearly plans!

Aluminum vs. Steel Generator Housing

Being located in South Florida means that we would NEVER do an installation of a generator with a steel enclosure. Although steel housing for your generator is less expensive, we know that in areas with high humidity the box will eventually rust and need to be replaced. So although you’ll save in your initial purchase, it will cost you in the long run.

That being said, a steel enclosure for a standby generator can be practical IF it’s being installed in an area of low humidity. Be sure to discuss this with your dealer and decide what is best for you. If you’re in a tropical environment near the coast, like us, your best bet is to opt for Aluminum.

Generac Generator Extended Warranty

Is your generator out of warranty? Generac only allows customers to purchase extended warranty within the first year of generator purchase. So if you wait until your generator’s warranty was about to expire to purchase the extended warranty from the manufacturer, you’d be out of luck! Until Now:

Florida Power House, Inc is offering

our own 1 or 2 year Limited Extended Service Plan!

Includes limited comprehensive coverage on parts and labor for 2 years.

&

*Refer to Florida Power House, Inc. limited extended service plan terms for limitations.

For pricing and other information, please email us to: extendedserviceplan@floridapowerhouse.com

or CONTACT US through our webpage.

GENRATOR FEATURE: for off-grid power solutions

When your off-grid renewable energy resources (solar, wind etc.), are insufficient in reaching your demands, this is a great option to improve power consistency and reliability.

The GENERAC EcoGen Series LP 6kW generator:

EcoGen 6kW

This generator is designed to integrate into an inverter and battery storage system.

How it Works

For more information on this and other GENERAC products [CLICK HERE] to visit their website.

What Your Generator Company Should be Checking

Our current maintenance customers will recognize these checks from our paperwork, but those of you doing your own maintenance or who have a different maintenance company these checks are essential for making sure your generator is running properly:

1. Check the engine oil level. Adjust as necessary.

2. Check the engine coolant level. Adjust as necessary.

3. Check the engine coolant thermal protection level. Correct as necessary.

4. Check the natural gas delivery system for leaks and correct pressure on gas engine driven units. Tighten connections as necessary.

5. Check the air inlets and outlets for debris. Clean as necessary.

6. Check the battery electrolyte level and specific gravity if accessible. Adjust as necessary. Battery charger voltage _______ Battery voltage _______

7. Check the battery posts, cables, and charger for loose connections, corrosion, and proper operation. Correct as necessary.

8. Check the unit wiring for loose connections, corrosion, and damage. Correct as necessary.

9. Check the engine accessory drive belts and fan coupling device if equipped for correct tension, wear, weather cracking, and damage. Replace as necessary.

10. Check the engine valve clearance. Adjust as necessary.

11. Visually inspect the unit looking for leaks, wear or damage, loose connections or components, and corrosion. Correct as necessary.

12. Test the engine and transfer switch safety devices. Correct and/or adjust as necessary.

13. Perform a 5 minute NO LOAD operational run of the unit looking for any post service problems.

14. Initiate an automatic start and transfer of the unit to site load and exercise unit looking for leaks, loose connections or components, and abnormal operating conditions. Correct as necessary.

15. Note: Oil pressure _______ Frequency Hz _______ AC Voltage _______ DC Voltage _______ Coolant temp _______ Hour meter _______

16. Check gearbox oil level (if equipped).

17. Change the engine oil.

18. Replace the engine oil filter(s).

19. Replace engine spark plugs. Clean and re-gap or replace as necessary.

20. Return the unit to standby setup for operation when required.

In addition to this routine, your generator’s battery should be changed about every 2 years. Also, a radiator flush should be performed to all liquid cooled generators just as often.

Maintaining your generator when you don’t need it, will insure it working when you do.

Properly shutting down your portable generator (without damaging your carburetor)

Chances are, when you own a portable generator, you bring it out during power outages and then store it away for extended periods of time.

Here are some great tips to ensure that your portable generator will start when you need it to:

1. If your generator has electric start, install a 2AMP battery charger/maintainer.

2. Add gas stabilizer to extend the life of your gas OR drain out your unused fuel (gasoline).

3. When preparing to store your generator for more than one month at a time, Florida Power House, Inc. recommends you shut off the fuel supply while the generator is running, letting the generator’s carburetor run out of fuel in turn allowing the generator shut off on its own.

You can see this demonstrated here:

Shutting down your portable generator

-check back with us next week for more helpful posts! Or CLICK HERE to sign up to our monthly newsletter!

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Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week

January 31 – February 4, 2011 was Severe Weather Awareness Week, here in Florida. Living in South Florida we are spoiled by some beautiful weather but also know how dangerous mother nature can be.

Predictions for the 2011 Hurricane season are showing above-average activity, spread the word and let’s make sure we all are all ready for severe weather!

Check out our full Hurricane Emergency Supply Checklist here!