House Power OUT/ON indicator of some kind?

[jymbee]

We have a whole house gas generator in our separate garage but it does not have an automatic transfer switch. Not a problem when the power goes out (assuming we're home of course) and after a length of time when we get a notice from the power company that it will be some time before power's restored, I just crank up the generator and flip the switch on the panel in the basement.

However if it's the middle of the night we might not realize the power is out and, when it does come back on we don't know when we can turn off the generator. Restoration notice from the power company typically lags quite a bit so we just resort to seeing lights on across the valley or having a neighbor call.

Searched for some kind of device that would alert us as to when power's out and back on but most of what I found got pretty negative reviews.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[zzvyb6]

My router and Access Point backup power packs have tone alarms that signal when house power is out. You wouldn't even have to plug anything into it. Just use it as an outage indicator.

 

[CalG]

We have a whole house gas generator in our separate garage but it does not have an automatic transfer switch. Not a problem when the power goes out (assuming we're home of course) and after a length of time when we get a notice from the power company that it will be some time before power's restored, I just crank up the generator and flip the switch on the panel in the basement.

However if it's the middle of the night we might not realize the power is out and, when it does come back on we don't know when we can turn off the generator. Restoration notice from the power company typically lags quite a bit so we just resort to seeing lights on across the valley or having a neighbor call.

Searched for some kind of device that would alert us as to when power's out and back on but most of what I found got pretty negative reviews.

Any suggestions appreciated.

An AC voltage presence indicator lamp is only $11 from Am-azon.
and amp clamp and an LED....

 

[LittleBill21]

your looking for this

https://amzn.to/4cEJnnu

 

[mrmikey]

your looking for this

Yup, that's exactly what you're looking for and what I've got. It's so loud that I actually had to put some duct tape over the louvres to quiet it up a bit so it'd be great if it's in the basement. Only thing that may make you nervous is you have to wrap the lead around one of your incoming lines. Do it carefully, pair of good gloves 'just in case' and you're good.

 

[Rustyiron]

I have the same situation except my "generator building" is about 300' away from the house where my remote meter and x-fer switch are on a pedestal & generator.
I originally put in several spare conduits and was able to just install a light and switch the is powered by the utility side of my transfer switch.
When we loose power I start the generator, throw the manual transfer switch and once in the attached garage throw the switch for the simple porcelain fixture in the garage. When that lights up I know that the power from the utility is restored.
Edit, simplify; with my transfer switch I'm able to power that "grid light" from the grid side of the transfer sw and it's protected with a simple in line fuse for safety.

 

[jymbee]

My router and Access Point backup power packs have tone alarms that signal when house power is out. You wouldn't even have to plug anything into it. Just use it as an outage indicator.

The "Out" part is easy-- everything turns off. It's the "Back on" part that's the challenge.

 

[jymbee]

An AC voltage presence indicator lamp is only $11 from Am-azon.
and amp clamp and an LED....

But when on generator, the AC indicator would show voltage.

 

[jymbee]

your looking for this

https://amzn.to/4cEJnnu

Aha, that might be the ticket. Will look into it more. Thanks!

 

[CalG]

But when on generator, the AC indicator would show voltage.

put it on he other side of the disconnect.