Ice Storm Damage and no parts available

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Minuteman

Minuteman

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The Sooner Nation
Oklahoma is one of a few states that was hit hard by the recent Ice Storm. Ice covered tree branches have ripped tons of service riser off homes & businesses though out the whole state.

The problem is, the supply houses and Big Box stores do not have enough parts on hand. Good luck finding 1 1/4", 1 1/2", or 2" Weather Heads, hubs, or off set nipples. Reducing bushings, house knobs, and any type of connector (split bolt, contact block, Burndy, Furnco, etc.) all gone. Any part used in an electric service.

Generators are selling as fast as they are unloaded, but folks can't get the L14-30 twist lock cord caps. I saw one gen with #14 romex just stuck in the slots of 30A receptacle.

I'm sure they will restock everything soon enough, but it has been a pain trying to reconnect these services with no parts. :rolleyes:

p.s. Oklahoma just tightened up on "undocumented workers" too. So, there is a labor shortage as well. :wink:
 
Don't come to Iowa looking for the stuff, either. We're out, too.

I generally keep a small stock of that sort of stuff on hand for ice storms, but I only have enough for 3-4 services. After that, I'm standing in line with everyone else.
 
We went through the same scenario years ago here in NC. The storm hit on a weekend and we were able to get the supply company to open both Sat. & Sunday but most of the parts were gone.

I tried to salvage as much as possible but the hardest part was getting those weatherheads.
 
Manager at one Supply house said that one EC came in before the storm hit and bought him out. The EC ran an add in the paper and was all set for the storm. Wish I had thought of that!
 
this happens wherever big storms hit, be it an ice --snow -- or hurricane!!
wouldn't you think the manufacturers would invest in a special stock of these items and have them ready for shipping??? it really gets me to see people gouging when selling this "stuff". after hurricane andrew i needed a roll of 35mm film to document some damages we were working on, the photo shop was operating on a generator --they charged me ten bucks for the film!!! i had a large inventory of twist lock receptacles from a group of school renovations and the word got out--never charged anyone for them.... the supply houses took a long time to re-stock these items -- the local box stores were the best source after the storms..
 
480sparky said:
I just figured we'd recognize our own by our vehicles.:grin:

redneck14a.jpg
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Just last week I needed 4WD and chains just to get to the office. I pity the boss in his Audi :p

I've seen several brands of generators that come with a complementary twistlock, though probably not as durable as Hubble.

Down there it's probably less fun than the time I was doing a small telecom room at the same time as they were building a couple Timmy's coffee joints. Try and source an L14-30R then...
 
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PoCo is OUT of 100 amp Meter cans. Says EC's are hording them. I NEED WEATHER HEADS, HOUSE KNOBS, AND WEDGE CLAMPS! Will hire any wireman who has his own parts! :D
 
electricalperson said:
i wonder if you can order stuff in bulk over the internet..
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I would be more than happy to go grab a bunch of L14-30Ps, meter cans, and whatever else will fit in a UPSable box and ship it to OK for a sizeable profit :grin:
 
Minuteman said:
Oklahoma is one of a few states that was hit hard by the recent Ice Storm. Ice covered tree branches have ripped tons of service riser off homes & businesses though out the whole state.

The problem is, the supply houses and Big Box stores do not have enough parts on hand. Good luck finding 1 1/4", 1 1/2", or 2" Weather Heads, hubs, or off set nipples. Reducing bushings, house knobs, and any type of connector (split bolt, contact block, Burndy, Furnco, etc.) all gone. Any part used in an electric service.

Generators are selling as fast as they are unloaded, but folks can't get the L14-30 twist lock cord caps. I saw one gen with #14 romex just stuck in the slots of 30A receptacle.

I'm sure they will restock everything soon enough, but it has been a pain trying to reconnect these services with no parts. :rolleyes:

p.s. Oklahoma just tightened up on "undocumented workers" too. So, there is a labor shortage as well. :wink:
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Same thing here in South Louisiana after Katrina and Rita. A $400 generator was selling for about $1200, and people were camped out trying to get them as soon as the trucks rolled in. Parts, supplies, etc., all were GONE. Plywood?...Forget it! Much better now, though.
 
mwysinger said:
Same thing here in South Louisiana after Katrina and Rita. A $400 generator was selling for about $1200, and people were camped out trying to get them as soon as the trucks rolled in. Parts, supplies, etc., all were GONE. Plywood?...Forget it! Much better now, though.
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And we get called scammers for charging $75/hour?:mad:
 
mwysinger said:
Same thing here in South Louisiana after Katrina and Rita. A $400 generator was selling for about $1200, and people were camped out trying to get them as soon as the trucks rolled in. Parts, supplies, etc., all were GONE. Plywood?...Forget it! Much better now, though.
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Wouldn't that be price gouging?
 
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