10.30.2019

I went and ran some errands this morning; while I was gone, Jim worked on my computer.  It was time to upgrade the operating system and Jim needed to make sure that my digital file player would work with the new system.  Unfortunately, Jim has to be my go-to person for dealing with my at-home business computer issues.  He worries when there is something that needs attention because he know that everything is critical for my work.  But he got everything working smoothly!

In the wood shop, Jim had a molding assembly line going today...

 A lot more molding made - including small pieces to go next to the wall on the bedroom doors...

Jim continued winter prep - he moved the excavator next to the garage on the new gravel base.  He also brought the snow blower into the auto bay - he's going to upgrade the motor on it before the snow flies!

Then it was time to do all the electric checks for the generator.  The first step was to remove and isolate specific loads in the breaker box.  Jim left on some basic circuits for later testing - stove, kitchen and shop lights - and then switched the main breaker off.

The next step was to shut off the utility power at the meter pedestal, put the generator in manual mode and turned it on.  Then he switched the output breaker to on - so now the power goes into the switch box.

Now Jim is measuring voltage and frequency inside the switch box.  Everything checked out so then Jim turned the main breaker on to power the house loads.  We went inside the house, turned the stovetop and the oven on, which runs the generator to full capacity.

Under that load, everything was great; voltage and frequency were within spec.

Then we powered everything off and put the generator in automatic mode.  We simulated a utility power loss by switching the utility power off at the meter pedestal.  The generator came on within 30 seconds!  After letting it run for a couple minutes, we switched the utility power back on and the generator switched the utility power back to the house and turned itself off.  SUCCESS!!!!

What a relief - now if something happens, we will have backup power.  And it's perfect timing - we are under a high wind warning starting tomorrow evening through Friday evening so you just never know!

High 60/Low 53