Community Chat

[Mindy D]

---

@shoesnbags wrote:

@tends2dogs 

Yes, we had a very similar problem and ended up installing a new generator and transfer switch.  Our 10 yr. GE generator performed beautifully after Hurricane Ida, running for 10 days straight.  On the 11th day the power company restored electricity to our neighborhood and the resulting surge fried our transfer box.  It was actually smoking and was black with soot.  Power company said it was our responsibility because it was our equipment. 

Since we are unable to evacuate with our disabled son who can't tolerate a long car trip, we need a super reliable power source.  The entire transfer box needed to be replaced ($$$) and we had a new Generac installed.  Mr. Shoes just didn't want to take a chance that something in the GE generator might have been damaged by the surge. 

For what it's worth, we gave the GE to our friend's brother who is good with motors and equipment and he did get it working again for his own use.  Of course, if something goes wrong he is able to deal with it on the spot, whereas we wouldn't have a clue. He is also able to pick up and leave if it quits permanently on him.

I hope that you're able to find a solution.  If not, we really like our Generac.

---

@shoesnbags @My local electric company, FPL, sells insurance that covers damages from surges like yours. Since you have a new generator, you might want to check to see if your power company also sells this coverage. 

[shoesnbags]

@Mindy D 

Good ole Entergy, our power company, doesn't offer anything like that.  Given how cheap and unfriendly to customers they are, I'm not surprised. 

There are now standards in place since 2020 that govern surge protection on generators, so hopefully that will prevent this from ever happening again.  Our old generator gave us 10 or 12 years of service before the surge problem happened.  I'm convinced that one of the guys working for Entergy did something wrong that day - but of course we couldn't prove it.

Entergy is so cheap that they refuse to replace leaning utility poles till they fall.  If they fall during a hurricane, they then add the replacement cost to the extra "hurricane" fee we have to pay on our electric bills for a year or more later.  So I'd never expect any help to come from them.