General Discussion

caraher

(6,357 posts)

135. Sure, running the whole site requires a lot of power

Sat Nov 3, 2012, 01:57 PM

Nov 2012

But that's not the same as running just gas pumps. Most places that sell fuel are convenience stores too, with refrigerators and freezers and the kind of lighting kit we've come to expect in retail stores.

Suppose the goal were more modest - to have generation capacity to be able to dispense fuel in an emergency, but not necessarily enough to run the whole retail operation. That's what I think the OP has in mind. How feasible would a backup system then become? Depending on the number of pumps, I'd imagine backup systems scaled for home use might be adequate, but I don't know what the numbers are...

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

176 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Q: Why Don't Gas Stations Have Gasoline-Fueled Electrical Generators On Hand? [View all] stopbush Nov 2012 OP

Its the law in Florida. Mika Nov 2012 #1

butbutbut . . . thats REGULATION . . . big govment reachin into the pocket of business n/t Strelnikov_ Nov 2012 #42

Not true. A HERETIC I AM Nov 2012 #75

Electrical contractors could easily bring a diesel fired rig to these stations and hook them up 2on2u Nov 2012 #2

Just how many generators do you think they have RantinRavin Nov 2012 #16

What is the efficiency of these generators? etherealtruth Nov 2012 #24

I usually use a hand pump so I really don't have the numbers, maybe a few calories..... n/t 2on2u Nov 2012 #158

LOL etherealtruth Nov 2012 #163

They spent all their money on slurpy machines. awake Nov 2012 #3

I love Slurpees. Don't be dissing those Slurpies, now. nt Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #15

Perhaps they'll install a generator now that they know better. phasma ex machina Nov 2012 #4

Virtually all of them do in JoeyT Nov 2012 #5

Exactly. jp11 Nov 2012 #9

true caraher Nov 2012 #131

But that's just it. That was nine years ago. Indpndnt Nov 2012 #140

Perhaps people will fill up their gas tanks and jerrycans beforehand next time. HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #6

yep and damn those that did not have the resources to do so! etherealtruth Nov 2012 #26

If they have the resources to drive to a gas station... Kaleva Nov 2012 #30

Clearly, you have never known a person that lived paycheck to pay check etherealtruth Nov 2012 #33

I live on $1071 a month for disability Kaleva Nov 2012 #37

Then why the lack of empathy? etherealtruth Nov 2012 #40

I feel sorry for all who are suffering. Kaleva Nov 2012 #61

For a member of the parasite class (the 47%), you have an astonishingly 1%/teabagger outlook. kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #71

Not everyone has the wherewithal to store gasoline SAFELY. marybourg Nov 2012 #90

How about making sure the gas tank is full before the storm hits? Kaleva Nov 2012 #92

In theory that's great Marrah_G Nov 2012 #96

Which makes preparing for such an event weeks or even months before all the more important. Kaleva Nov 2012 #110

So, precisely WHAT punishment do you feel should be meted out to these foolish people?? kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #160

You are the one who appears annoyed. I'm not. Kaleva Nov 2012 #162

Oh, that's right. You're just feeling smug and superior. kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #168

I'm reading your posts and I can only come up with one thing Marrah_G Nov 2012 #170

It could be that some are agitated about this subject. Kaleva Nov 2012 #172

Please explain how someone in the Greater NYC area could live "comfortably" as you say on kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #70

If a person living in such areas can afford a car... Kaleva Nov 2012 #91

I nominate you to be put in charge OF NYC Storm preparedness. Raine1967 Nov 2012 #137

You mistake my arguing that we can all learn from this for judging people Kaleva Nov 2012 #141

Of course you don't care what anyone on DU thinks of you. You don't care what kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #155

They spent all their money on a generator, and couldn't afford gas before the storm? HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #144

Did you ever think that many had generators? Raine1967 Nov 2012 #175

How do you know that they all had the funds available before the hurricane? Do tell. kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #154

Day before storm, no money. Day after storm, money. HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #38

There are a lot of people that didn't receive pay checks because of the storm. Renew Deal Nov 2012 #47

OK, no money and they're in line to buy gas. HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #55

Who said they have no money? Renew Deal Nov 2012 #62

Many people have direct deposit and don't need to pick up their paychecks. stopbush Nov 2012 #74

The poster that opened this subthread with his/her assertion of that. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #100

Then how are they in line for gas a day after the storm? hoboken123 Nov 2012 #58

$$$ etherealtruth Nov 2012 #64

So during/after the storm they recieved and cashed their paycheck and now have money? cleanhippie Nov 2012 #67

I know of people that couldn't get their checks because they couldn't get to work Renew Deal Nov 2012 #69

I'm not disagreeing with you. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #83

do you really need someone to explain each and every .. etherealtruth Nov 2012 #86

No. Do you need someone to explain the most likely and probable cleanhippie Nov 2012 #89

I guess you are far more knowledgeable than I ... etherealtruth Nov 2012 #93

Bullshit, you are EXACTLY "presuming to know the experiences of others." cleanhippie Nov 2012 #97

What I am saying is that they obtained money .... etherealtruth Nov 2012 #80

If there is no power or services, how did they get a payment? cleanhippie Nov 2012 #85

I am so sorry etherealtruth Nov 2012 #94

What a load of contemptable bullshit. When your nonsense is exposed, you attack me. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #98

Oh my gosh ... etherealtruth Nov 2012 #146

They have resources to do so now. HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #36

Really? etherealtruth Nov 2012 #41

You're the one claiming they live paycheck to paycheck. HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #51

I guess that is not a realistic scenario for you etherealtruth Nov 2012 #126

Really? Renew Deal Nov 2012 #45

Then why are they in line to buy gas they don't have money for? HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #54

So they can go to work to make more money to buy food Renew Deal Nov 2012 #56

No, RD, you are missing the point here. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #76

I'd venture that every person complaining about gas lines HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #145

They had no resources to do so BEFORE the storm, but they now HAVE the resources? cleanhippie Nov 2012 #65

I don't know how people with teabagger viewpoints survive so long on DU. Renew Deal Nov 2012 #68

Wait, asking how a person that had no money before the storm got money during/after cleanhippie Nov 2012 #79

I'm not talking about you Renew Deal Nov 2012 #152

Teabagger viewpoints? Shall we examine them? HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #147

You're talking about a made up person Renew Deal Nov 2012 #153

Perhaps they did Renew Deal Nov 2012 #43

Or maybe they simply weren't smart enojgh to fill up before the storm. HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #60

How do you know this? Renew Deal Nov 2012 #66

So, because they aren't as smart as you they deserve to suffer and die?? kestrel91316 Nov 2012 #156

People are dying because they have to wait in line for gas? HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #171

It's the Private sector ... GeorgeGist Nov 2012 #7

Instead of environmentally unfriendly tanks underground... jenw2 Nov 2012 #8

how would putting tanks on the roof make the public see "just how bad gas stations are" ? BlueMan Votes Nov 2012 #14

You can't see the tanks leaking into the ground water like we have now jenw2 Nov 2012 #17

I've never lived anywhere that had above ground tanks at gas stations... BlueMan Votes Nov 2012 #19

When I was young, some of the pumps actually were hand pumped by the customer. You ladjf Nov 2012 #34

A large gas tank on the roof, as a safety feature for storms? muriel_volestrangler Nov 2012 #20

I'm an old man (64YO) madokie Nov 2012 #21

A large gas tank on the roof? HappyMe Nov 2012 #25

What could possibly go wrong? I love your smilies especially burning stick man KittyWampus Nov 2012 #29

let's remove the insulation from electrical cords so everyone can see how dangerous they are Viking12 Nov 2012 #31

That would be a more inviting/tempting target... -..__... Nov 2012 #39

Tanks now required to be double-walled and corrosion proof. HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #44

So you want upwards of 130 tons of gasoline Codeine Nov 2012 #46

Ideology is great Renew Deal Nov 2012 #50

They could sell advertising space on them. lumberjack_jeff Nov 2012 #84

And what if you are under them if they go BOOM? Odin2005 Nov 2012 #125

Actually the new underground tanks are incredibly safe. Glassunion Nov 2012 #136

They are not used to hurricanes. NutmegYankee Nov 2012 #10

During the power outage here in San Diego nadinbrzezinski Nov 2012 #11

Maybe they evacuated instead of sticking around to sell gas. JVS Nov 2012 #12

Because It Never Occurred To Them... 'Til Now ??? WillyT Nov 2012 #13

A couple gas station owners have told me they only make doc03 Nov 2012 #18

I wish you'd start a thread on this. It's enlightening and comports with what I"ve been told KittyWampus Nov 2012 #32

Even the Non-Franchise makes very little money on fuel. Glassunion Nov 2012 #73

This message was self-deleted by its author doc03 Nov 2012 #101

This has been a while back when gas was $3.00 a gallon but my buddy that has a gas station told me doc03 Nov 2012 #105

Becasue pumps are big power draws on generators coldwaterintheface Nov 2012 #22

Er, you'd power the GAS-fueled generator with GAS from your own tanks? stopbush Nov 2012 #23

Errr .... what would the net gain be? etherealtruth Nov 2012 #35

Seriously? The net gain is that consumers who need gas for their cars would get gas for their cars. stopbush Nov 2012 #63

Forgive me for making the assumption that you are simply ignorant related to these operations etherealtruth Nov 2012 #77

After reading several of your replies... 99Forever Nov 2012 #102

You should have just stopped at "you don't have much real world knowledge." cleanhippie Nov 2012 #106

Wasn't looking for the cheap insult. 99Forever Nov 2012 #109

Ignorance is one thing, WILLFUL ignorance is something very different. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #115

Agreed. 99Forever Nov 2012 #118

I actually am sorry that my opinions have prompted such a strong response etherealtruth Nov 2012 #139

Perhaps it's because ... 99Forever Nov 2012 #142

I am not so much defending the industry etherealtruth Nov 2012 #143

To save time read post 59 below etherealtruth Nov 2012 #129

Quick question. Honda does not rate their generators on their website by HP, but by Wattage instead. Glassunion Nov 2012 #149

If I remember correctly .... 99Forever Nov 2012 #159

6000 is great for a construction site Glassunion Nov 2012 #165

Post removed Post removed Nov 2012 #103

My assumptions are based on two things etherealtruth Nov 2012 #108

Your "assumptions" are nonsense. cleanhippie Nov 2012 #113

Though you claim I am a hypocrite does not make it so, either etherealtruth Nov 2012 #127

Er, at a loss? hoboken123 Nov 2012 #57

Silliness. stopbush Nov 2012 #72

Not silly Glassunion Nov 2012 #95

Excellent post! etherealtruth Nov 2012 #99

It takes 8000 gallons of diesel.. 99Forever Nov 2012 #107

That isn't what the poster said or implied etherealtruth Nov 2012 #111

It's what he said in roundabout way. 99Forever Nov 2012 #114

That is not what I said Glassunion Nov 2012 #117

It requires a 1000Kw generator.. 99Forever Nov 2012 #119

This a great education hoboken123 Nov 2012 #122

you have to look at the draw of the whole system Glassunion Nov 2012 #132

Example: HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #148

Fuel pumps are significantly more powerful Glassunion Nov 2012 #161

Ok, so you tell me... Glassunion Nov 2012 #123

Gas was hand-pumped for 50 years... HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #151

I understand that completely. Glassunion Nov 2012 #157

In a disaster area ? HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #164

We have no choice. Glassunion Nov 2012 #167

Got a ready made excuse... 99Forever Nov 2012 #173

By "ready made excuse" do you mean federal, state and local laws and regulations? Glassunion Nov 2012 #174

I'd like to thank you.. 99Forever Nov 2012 #176

They can't raise prices, at least in NJ hoboken123 Nov 2012 #116

That seems like an excellent idea. If you owned a station that was one of only a few that could... slackmaster Nov 2012 #27

or a solar panel generator? attached to the roof. Still have a roof, then you have power DonRedwood Nov 2012 #28

That raises the issue of just how much power Codeine Nov 2012 #49

our tank on the farm had a hand pump. DonRedwood Nov 2012 #120

Maybe THAT should be the rule... ProdigalJunkMail Nov 2012 #121

Impossible! Some DUers say it takes 1000kw to pump gas! HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #150

This DUer did not say that. This DUer said that it takes a 1000Kw generator to run the station. Glassunion Nov 2012 #169

Not the problem on LI HockeyMom Nov 2012 #48

This is correct Renew Deal Nov 2012 #52

My daughter got on line at 4:30 AM HockeyMom Nov 2012 #78

In eastern Dutchess, 70 miles from Yankee Stadium, we have the same problem Progressive dog Nov 2012 #53

Couple barges down here at New Windsor unloading... Historic NY Nov 2012 #81

I have an inside track, so I'll tell you why. Glassunion Nov 2012 #59

Thank you. I have purchased and maintained commercial generators. MadrasT Nov 2012 #82

Thanks for your post which offers a good explanation. stopbush Nov 2012 #88

The fuel cost alone is prohibitive with such low profit margins etherealtruth Nov 2012 #104

I don't think any state could afford the incentive program... Glassunion Nov 2012 #112

Sure, running the whole site requires a lot of power caraher Nov 2012 #135

I disagree Glassunion Nov 2012 #138

Funny how it was done for 50 years with hand pumps HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #166

A much more important question. 99Forever Nov 2012 #87

It's not that simple. It takes a fairly large generator to serve MineralMan Nov 2012 #124

Would it be cost effective to have ProdigalJunkMail Nov 2012 #128

There is wisdom in simplicity etherealtruth Nov 2012 #130

+1000 nt ProudProgressiveNow Nov 2012 #133

The DEP would never allow it, however I think it would be an awesome idea. +1000 Glassunion Nov 2012 #134