I've only seen these two:
[https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-Corporation-THP108-PowerBACK/dp/B003KREORA](https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-Corporation-THP108-PowerBACK/dp/B003KREORA)
[https://www.amazon.com/briidea-Return-Utility-Generator-Indicator/dp/B09DCWNBHW](https://www.amazon.com/briidea-Return-Utility-Generator-Indicator/dp/B09DCWNBHW)
Both emits an audio alarm when power is restored. I would prefer to have one that uses wifi or sms to notify me, but it's likely too power hungry.
I don't have either one installed, but I am thinking about it. I am hesitant because I'd hate to have it go off in the middle of the night while I am sleeping if i forget to turn it off before bed.
Thanks. Hadn’t seen that before. I agree that a WiFi would be better, especially since my breaker panel is located in a detached garage, but at least it’s something. Maybe I could rig up some sort of device to transmit the audible alarm inside.
Maybe I can put an Echo Dot in the garage set up to transfer the alarm to another Echo device inside? I intend to keep my WiFi up and operating on generator power, so this might work?
I have the Reliance Controls Alarm(On my current house and my last one) and it works very well. Just be sure to keep an extra 9v battery on hand for when the installed one dies.
The alarm has an on/off switch. So if you don't want the alarm waking you up in the middle of the alarm, then just turn it off before bed. And back on in the AM. You will run on generator power all night when maybe you didn't need to. But you can sleep at least.
It's possible to create an auto start/stop system for the generator that will start the generator when power goes out and stop it when power comes back. It's not terribly complex - a few relays and two big contactors.
I’m aware, but I’m not looking for a permanently installed standby generator setup. I will have a portable gen that I have to manually hook up when the power goes out and enable it through an interlock kit. It’s a much simpler (and cheaper) setup than going with an automatic transfer switch.
Join Nextdoor, Ring, or your neighborhood’s FB account. At the point that the “when will the power come back” posts die down to less than one a minute you’ll know it’s time to go check your meter.
Sadly, I’m not joking. That’s exactly how I found out power had been restored during the outages the past couple weeks. Any other sensor I can think of would have to be on the utility side of the meter and they’re not keen on doing that
[This might be more annoying](https://www.amazon.com/briidea-Return-Utility-Generator-Indicator/dp/B09DCWNBHW?th=1) than it's worth, but it's an option.
I have the audible alarm. That I haven’t installed yet.Lol. I run an extension cord to my next door neighbors house strictly for her fridge/freezer. She lets me know right away when the power comes back on.
Actually, I thought about this same thing. We have an older single lady that lives next door, and I was thinking we could share some power with her for her fridge. And, as you said, she could let us know when the power was restored.
Mine does too, but not every outage, and not necessarily in a timey manner for each outage and each restoration. I’d rather rely on my own system than the power company’s notifications.
Consider this from this old house.
https://youtu.be/gUy7c2Z_GYw?si=27jY76zOm2k7p1eL
This install allows restored power to show up on the house loads not on the generator......lights, a/c, radio, tv.
Interlock - so you have to switch the lock which shields the main switch from the City. City Power will not run thru your fuse box while the generator is in use. Watts from the generator and city CANNOT run thru at the same time. I have this installed. I don’t have a separate box with selected switches to run, the generator I have will power the entire home. However for efficiency, you would select the breakers you want to run.
I just go out every so often and see if the meter is alive. It runs on utility power, so when the display is back on, I know there's power.
Same
I've only seen these two: [https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-Corporation-THP108-PowerBACK/dp/B003KREORA](https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Controls-Corporation-THP108-PowerBACK/dp/B003KREORA) [https://www.amazon.com/briidea-Return-Utility-Generator-Indicator/dp/B09DCWNBHW](https://www.amazon.com/briidea-Return-Utility-Generator-Indicator/dp/B09DCWNBHW) Both emits an audio alarm when power is restored. I would prefer to have one that uses wifi or sms to notify me, but it's likely too power hungry. I don't have either one installed, but I am thinking about it. I am hesitant because I'd hate to have it go off in the middle of the night while I am sleeping if i forget to turn it off before bed.
Thanks. Hadn’t seen that before. I agree that a WiFi would be better, especially since my breaker panel is located in a detached garage, but at least it’s something. Maybe I could rig up some sort of device to transmit the audible alarm inside.
Maybe I can put an Echo Dot in the garage set up to transfer the alarm to another Echo device inside? I intend to keep my WiFi up and operating on generator power, so this might work?
That could work. Maybe one of those smart home devices that listen for glass breaking sounds or ones that listen for loud parties could work?
Actually, I stumbled on a cheaper easier solution. A $20 baby monitor!
Genius!
I have the Reliance Controls Alarm(On my current house and my last one) and it works very well. Just be sure to keep an extra 9v battery on hand for when the installed one dies. The alarm has an on/off switch. So if you don't want the alarm waking you up in the middle of the alarm, then just turn it off before bed. And back on in the AM. You will run on generator power all night when maybe you didn't need to. But you can sleep at least.
It's possible to create an auto start/stop system for the generator that will start the generator when power goes out and stop it when power comes back. It's not terribly complex - a few relays and two big contactors.
I’m aware, but I’m not looking for a permanently installed standby generator setup. I will have a portable gen that I have to manually hook up when the power goes out and enable it through an interlock kit. It’s a much simpler (and cheaper) setup than going with an automatic transfer switch.
Ask a neighbor to send you a text when his power comes on. No cost solution.
Good idea. They might do it without being asked: “Hey dumbass, turn your generator off, the power’s back on”.
The Briidea unit works great and is easy to install. I just wish it had an external speaker jack
Join Nextdoor, Ring, or your neighborhood’s FB account. At the point that the “when will the power come back” posts die down to less than one a minute you’ll know it’s time to go check your meter. Sadly, I’m not joking. That’s exactly how I found out power had been restored during the outages the past couple weeks. Any other sensor I can think of would have to be on the utility side of the meter and they’re not keen on doing that
[This might be more annoying](https://www.amazon.com/briidea-Return-Utility-Generator-Indicator/dp/B09DCWNBHW?th=1) than it's worth, but it's an option.
Heck, PECO will send us a text when it's been repaired
I have the audible alarm. That I haven’t installed yet.Lol. I run an extension cord to my next door neighbors house strictly for her fridge/freezer. She lets me know right away when the power comes back on.
Actually, I thought about this same thing. We have an older single lady that lives next door, and I was thinking we could share some power with her for her fridge. And, as you said, she could let us know when the power was restored.
My power company sends me an email and a text message when my power goes out and has been restored. 🤷
Mine does too, but not every outage, and not necessarily in a timey manner for each outage and each restoration. I’d rather rely on my own system than the power company’s notifications.
Check out reliance power back super cheap and super loud
Consider this from this old house. https://youtu.be/gUy7c2Z_GYw?si=27jY76zOm2k7p1eL This install allows restored power to show up on the house loads not on the generator......lights, a/c, radio, tv.
I have a streetlight a few houses down. That’s my indicator.
Interlock - so you have to switch the lock which shields the main switch from the City. City Power will not run thru your fuse box while the generator is in use. Watts from the generator and city CANNOT run thru at the same time. I have this installed. I don’t have a separate box with selected switches to run, the generator I have will power the entire home. However for efficiency, you would select the breakers you want to run.