Wired News on Backhoe Troubles

Wed Oct 21 00:27:13 UTC 1998

[ On Tue, October 20, 1998 at 09:29:47 (-0400), David Lesher wrote: ]
> Subject: Re: Wired News on Backhoe Troubles
>
> Unnamed Administration sources reported that Sean Donelan said:
> > LessonsLearned: Did you know standby generator makers have a universal key
> > for the maintenance hatches on your generator sitting outside your
> > building.  All 'authorized' service people all over the country have
> > it.  How many folks knew there was a black market for generator starting
> > batteries?  ..........
> 
> In many places, the generator is inside a 8' chainlink fence --
> sometimes with razor ribbon on top.

Even if it's in a locked room it won't be doing you any good if the
contacts or cables have corroded, or it's gone dead.  Do you have alarms
on the voltage level and do you regularly perform the normal maintenance
required by such systems?  Are your alarms actually tested and working?

> BTW, this is one reason why old hands have regular generator tests.
> Not "oh, I suppose we should.." but "Every Thursday at 2pm, for 30
> minutes...." We always knew it was Thursday when the Army next door
> cranked up.

Even monthly tests wouldn't hurt -- just don't do it until after payroll
runs the cheques!  ;-)

-- 
							Greg A. Woods

+1 416 218-0098      VE3TCP      <gwoods at acm.org>      <robohack!woods>
Planix, Inc. <woods at planix.com>; Secrets of the Weird <woods at weird.com>