Frequently Asked Questions
Hurricane Prep
1. Shut Down the Generator in Flooded Conditions
If you’re near flooding, we recommend turning off the generator immediately. This helps prevent water from being sucked into the engine, which could cause damage or short out the electrical system in your home. It's always better to be cautious when water levels are rising. If have have already evacuated and you are a customer, call us at (239) 275-4502 to see if we can turn your generator off remotely.
2. Check for Water in the Engine Once Flooding Subsides
Once the flooding has receded, checking the generator’s oil is essential. If any water has entered the engine, it’s best to drain the oil and replace the oil filter. This will help prevent any long-term damage to the unit.
3. Generator Not Starting?
If your Briggs & Stratton generator isn’t starting after a flood, the issue could be related to the starter. If you feel comfortable doing so, tap the starter with a wrench, which may help activate the solenoid and get the generator running. However, if you're unsure or prefer professional assistance, our support team is happy to help. Call us at (239) 275-4502 to schedule an appointment and ensure your generator is properly serviced.
4. If Your Generator Is Running But Not Supplying Power
If the generator is running but there’s no power being supplied to your home, please check the following:
- Generator Breaker: Make sure the breaker on the generator is ON.
- Home Panel Breakers: Check that all breakers in your home’s main panel are ON, including the main breaker.
- Transfer Switch: Ensure the transfer switch is correctly set to "generator" mode. You can manually engage the transfer switch using the lever inside the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) if needed.
Keeping your generator well-maintained and following these steps during a storm or flood can help ensure that your backup power system operates safely and effectively. If you have any concerns or are unsure about any of the steps above, please feel free to reach out to us for assistance.
You will be charged an emergency fee for a service visit during a hurricane. This fee varies based on the timing of the visit and other circumstances. Our Customer Support representatives can help you determine the specific costs based on your situation.
The safety of our technicians and customers is our top priority during a hurricane. Due to safety concerns and potential hazards, we will dispatch service technicians during severe weather conditions as long as it is safe to do so. Our team is trained to assess risks and will only respond when conditions permit. Please check our website, Troubleshooting Guide, or contact us for updates and emergency support options during such events. Your understanding is greatly appreciated!
During a hurricane, our top priority is providing services to ensure your generator is operating while ensuring the safety of our employees. We are here to help through the storm with remote monitoring (Omni diamond members only), on-site diagnostics and repairs (exclusions and limitations may apply), and troubleshooting with our Customer Support teams through email and phone calls.
We value all our clients and aim to provide as many services as possible during a hurricane. Our team will diligently work to filter and prioritize outreach. Due to the nature of a storm and the volume of calls, we cannot set exact expectations on service times. We will prioritize clients who depend on a power source for medical equipment and customers who are Diamond Members. Please ask your Customer Support representative if you want to become a Diamond member so that you can receive priority service appointments during storms.
Check out our Troubleshoot Guide for tips and tricks for Generators during a hurricane.
Bo’s Electric does not provide a service to fill your gas tank. Please see below for a list of Gas Referrals to ensure your generator is adequately fueled in an emergency.
Preferred Providers
- SWFL Gas (239) 334-3131 - Collier and Lee Counties
- Propane Ninja (800) 644-2190 - Sarasota Area
Other Providers
- Blossman Propane Gas & Appliance (239) 244-7869
- Florida Solar Design Group in Ft. Myers (239) 491-8010
- AmeriGas (239) 334-3131
- Locate your key
- Check it is in auto mode
- Ensure it is properly fueled
- Keep your Maintenace up to date
- Protect against water damage and flooding
- Bookmark our Customer Support contact – we are here to assist!
Generators
The InfoHub™ wireless generator monitoring system is designed for universal compatibility. It is compatible with any Briggs & Stratton® standby generator manufactured from August 2005 onwards. This ensures that a wide range of users can benefit from the advanced monitoring capabilities provided by InfoHub™, enhancing their generator maintenance practices.
The InfoHub™ wireless generator monitoring system offers several benefits for your standby generator maintenance needs. It allows you to stay connected and in control of your standby generator, no matter where you are. You can receive real-time updates and alerts about your backup power supply, ensuring peace of mind. With InfoHub™, you can quickly check the system status of your generator from any smart device, ensuring that it is ready to provide power during an outage.
InfoHub™ is designed to work with any Briggs & Stratton® standby generator manufactured from August 2005 onwards. This ensures a wide range of users can benefit from its advanced monitoring capabilities.
Generator maintenance involves regular checks and servicing to ensure the generator is in optimal working condition. This includes inspecting the generator for any issues, testing its performance, and replacing any worn-out parts. Regular maintenance helps prolong the generator's lifespan and ensures it's ready to provide power when needed.
InfoHub™ works by constantly monitoring the signal from your standby generator. When the generator's status changes, InfoHub™ instantly sends an alert to your email or phone, keeping you informed about your generator's condition and readiness.
A generator monitoring system, like our InfoHub™, is a wireless system that constantly monitors the status of your standby generator. It provides real-time updates and sends alerts to your email or phone whenever the generator's status changes.
At Bo's Electric, we understand that every home is unique. We take into consideration factors such as property layout, service panel location, and specific lights and appliances requiring backup power. This allows us to tailor a backup power solution that meets your specific needs.
The system is always on standby, ready to detect any interruption in the utility power supply to your home. When a power outage occurs, the generator automatically starts, and the automatic transfer switch shifts your home's selected electrical circuits and appliances to backup power. Once utility power is restored, the system automatically reverts your home back to the main power supply.
Electric Services
To get started with Florida electrical contractors from Bo's Electric, simply contact us. Our knowledgeable team will guide you through the process, answer any questions you may have, and provide a tailored solution to meet your specific electrical needs. Whether you require installation, testing, repair, or replacement services, we are here to provide high-quality support and ensure the safety and efficiency of your electrical system.
Yes, Bo's Electric, renowned for Florida electrical services, offers comprehensive testing and inspection services tailored to your electrical system. Recognizing the critical role of a dependable electrical panel, our team of Florida electrical contractors is equipped to replace your existing panel to enhance safety and support additional electrical loads. Our testing and inspection services ensure the safety and efficiency of your electrical system, giving you peace of mind.
Bo's Electric offers installation services for a variety of electrical systems. Our range of installations includes switches, outlets, smart home automation, solar systems, battery backup, surge protection, lighting systems, timers, and more. Whether you want to enhance convenience, harness renewable energy, maintain comfortable temperatures, or add a stylish touch to your home, we have options to suit your needs.
Electrical testing and inspection, a cornerstone of Florida electrical services provided by Bo's Electric, involves checking your home's electrical system to ensure it's safe, efficient, and up to code. This includes inspecting the wiring, checking the electrical panel, testing the outlets and switches, and more. We also provide load bank testing to test your generator's capacity and performance.
Bo's Electric takes pride in being one of the leading electrical contractors in Florida. We have a team of skilled professionals who are committed to delivering high-quality service. With our expertise and attention to detail, we ensure that your electrical systems are safe, efficient, and up to code. We offer comprehensive services to meet all your electrical needs, making us your one-stop solution.
Bo's Electric's team of adept Florida electrical contractors delivers an extensive selection of electrical services designed to meet every possible need. We provide expert-level assistance for electrical system installation, testing, repair, and replacement. Our services include electrical wiring, installation of various electrical systems, testing and inspection, panel replacement, and generator installation and repair, all provided with the expertise and commitment to quality you expect from leading Florida electrical services.
General
For over 50 years, Bo’s Electric has been the local generator experts of Florida. Committed to delivering the utmost customer satisfaction, we offer cutting-edge security and safety solutions at highly competitive prices. We install and maintain generators so that our customers always have the power they need.
At Bo’s Electric, we understand the importance of being prepared for power outages, especially during hurricane season. That’s why we’ve partnered with Greensky to provide a range of financing options. See all of our financing options here.
Yes, all our heaters for pools, including the natural gas and propane pool heaters, are designed with energy efficiency in mind, ensuring minimal ecological impact while maximizing your pool enjoyment. As leading Florida electrical contractors, our focus extends to offering environmentally friendly solutions that align with your lifestyle and values.
All home standby generator systems have a function known as exercise mode, which automatically turns the generator on at a scheduled time. Once on, the generator will typically run for 20 to 30 minutes and then shut off. This is important as it keeps everything lubricated and allows you to monitor the standby generator system for any issues.
The generator can be programmed so that it switches to exercise mode each week on a specific day and time. After the installation is complete, the electrician will set the system so that it turns on in exercise mode. During this time, the generator will run but the transfer switch will not activate. This enables the electrician to inspect the standby generator system and make sure that there are no leaks or other issues.
Once this is done, you can then program the unit so that it switches to exercise mode at a day and time of your choosing. It is always best to set it so that this happens when you will be home and can monitor the standby generator system for any signs of a problem. Most manufacturers recommend that you set it so that the generator runs once a week, but some say it is only necessary every two weeks or even once a month. Whatever the manufacturer recommends is what you should follow.
How is the generator connected to my electrical panel?
Learn how to connect a generator to an electrical panel:
Once the transfer switch is mounted, wires are run from the switch, fed through an inlet box, and then wired directly into the panel. The wires are connected to breakers within the panel. If no empty breakers are available, they will need to be installed.
However, sometimes there isn’t enough available space inside the panel. When this happens, an electrician may be able to combine some of your other circuits to free up space inside the panel. If this isn’t possible, you will either need to have a larger panel installed or move some circuits to a sub-panel.
If you have more questions for us, similar to "How is the generator connected to my electrical panel?", explore our Electrical Services page.
The location of the transfer switch depends on its type and the size of your generator. In most cases, the transfer switch is mounted on the wall next to your main breaker panel - this panel is inside a garage, the transfer switch will be inside the garage. Likewise, if the breaker panel is outside of the home, the transfer switch will also be installed outside of the home.
For smaller generators powering only essentials, the non-essentials may remain in the main panel, and essentials may be placed in a sub-panel. With this setup, the transfer switch is installed at the sub-panel to ensure that those essential appliances are powered by the generator in the case of an outage.
The automatic transfer switch is what controls the generator and signals it to run whenever the power goes out. It works by constantly monitoring the flow of electricity coming into your breaker panel. When it detects that no electricity is flowing, it simultaneously isolates your home from the electrical grid and signals the generator to start. As soon as the generator starts, the switch activates so that electricity from the generator flows into your home.
Whole-home generators can run off of either natural gas or propane. If you live in a residential area, it is always best to simply tie into your home’s existing natural gas line. This is done by using a tee to connect to the main gas line and then running an additional pipe to the generator.
In rural areas without access to natural gas, you will need to have a large propane tank installed if you don’t already have one. In this case, you will also require an additional concrete pad for the propane tank to sit on. Most regulations require that propane tanks be at least 10 feet away from any source of ignition, and this includes a whole-home generator. That being said, the tank shouldn’t be much more than 10 feet away if possible as manufacturers still recommend that the generator is as close as possible to the fuel source.
When making decisions about your generator monitoring system, the very first thing to do is mount the generator outside your home. National Fire Protection Association code requires that the generator is at least 1.5 feet away from the house or any other structures. However, if the generator is located near an exterior wall with any doors, windows or vents, it needs to be a minimum of five feet away from the wall.
Most local regulations also state that the generator cannot be within five feet of your front, side or rear property lines. In addition, the generator cannot be mounted within three feet of any trees, shrubs or other vegetation. Lastly, the generator needs to be mounted so that the exhaust is pointing away from the house.
While these distances are the minimum allowed by code, many manufacturers and installers recommend installing the unit further away. You should always go with whatever the manufacturer’s recommendation is or else you could void the generator’s warranty.
Some local codes also require that the generator be mounted up to 20 feet away from the building. In this case, the generator will also need to be located in an area that is also at least 20 feet away from your neighbor’s house. These regulations can be different across counties, cities, and even homeowner associations.
After selecting the appropriate location, a concrete pad will need to be poured for the generator to sit on. The size and weight of the generator will determine how large and thick the concrete slab needs to be. The weight of the concrete needs to be at least 125% of the combined weight of the generator and fuel, i.e. a 10,000-pound generator needs a minimum of 12,500 pounds of concrete. Concrete weighs 150 pounds per cubic foot, and this number is used to calculate how large the pad needs to be.
Natural Gas & Propane Services
Bo's Electric specializes in natural gas services in Southwest Florida. Our range of services includes sales, installations, appliance repairs, and more. We handle the entire process of setting up natural gas in your home, including running the gas line from the main supply and installing the necessary appliances and fixtures. We take care of obtaining the required permits and making the final connections to ensure a smooth and efficient installation.
Yes, Bo's Electric, your trusted provider for propane services and natural gas services, offers versatile fire feature solutions. We offer propane or natural gas fire bowls that come with CSA certified burner assembly. These safe and easy-to-install features can be operated manually or automated. Beyond fire bowls, our expertise extends to offering propane service(s) for pool heaters and tankless water heaters, ensuring your comfort and convenience.
Propane and natural gas are both efficient and clean-burning fuels, making them environmentally friendly options. They are also reliable sources of energy, ensuring your home has power even during outages. Opting for propane service(s) or natural gas service(s) translates to a versatile, clean-burning fuel choice that supports a wide array of residential applications such as heating, cooking, and powering generators.
A natural gas installation involves setting up the necessary infrastructure to supply natural gas to your home. This includes installing a gas line from the main supply to your home and setting up the necessary appliances and fixtures. At Bo's Electric, we oversee every step, from securing the appropriate permits to executing the final connections, thereby ensuring a smooth transition to natural gas service(s) for your home.
Our natural gas services encompass sales, service, installations, and appliance repairs. We are also your go-to specialists for propane or natural gas fire bowls, complete with CSA certified burner assembly.
At Bo's Electric, our propane services include sales, tank service, installations, appliance repairs, and more. We specialize in automatic standby generators, pool heaters, fire features, and tankless water heaters.
