Hurricane prep

[ninjamini]

You will need a battery marine deep cycle battery $70
Charger forgot the price.
inverter $40-150.

Then consider that you will still need to charge the battery. So you will have to find a generator for that or tap into the neighbor.

I went to price it today and batteries plus and it got expensive quick. I figured it was cheaper to buy a really small generator for just the tank.

But act quick. Looks like a storm is a brewin.


Wait I have another idea. Get a stationary bicycle and hook it up to the generator. You can keep your pumps going and loose some sirius weight.

 

[bigginapk]

deep cycle battery and inverter !

deep cycle battery and inverter !

I do the same thing as sharkonwheels and that is the only way to go you dont have to depend on anyone but the gas station and I would pre buy large gas tanks and store alot of gas !! :bum:

 

[bigginapk]

Oh yea the battery powered air pumps are good to dont buy the yellow ones at wally world buy the $25 ones that are white with a black label I think its got green writing on it !! The yellow ones break after a day of use !!!

 

[coralfragger101]

How about those floating bait keeper things that shoot jets of water. That would add circulation and air at the same time.

 

[jeffbrig]

Re: deep cycle battery and inverter !

Re: deep cycle battery and inverter !

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10561888#post10561888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bigginapk
I do the same thing as sharkonwheels and that is the only way to go you dont have to depend on anyone but the gas station and I would pre buy large gas tanks and store alot of gas !! :bum:

During hurricane season, I keep 45g worth of gas in cans in the garage. This is easily a 5 day supply for me (running a 7kW generator almost 24/7), which is long enough to get through the initial gas crunch.


For anyone that's considering battery backups, my recommendation for extended running time is to use a simple AC air pump (~4 watts) and one or two PVC air lift tubes. You can really generate a significant amount of flow using this method, while using very little power.

 

[Sharkonwheels]

Dent: sent ya a PM with my contact info.

Way I figure it, if NYVP can offer to loan me his $400+ AquaController III so I can develop a program, without knowing me, I can surely do the same with my $75 portable inverter.

this think has it's own battery pack, so it'll be easy to test, and it is easy to use. I also have a 140W curtis if you want to try that one as well. Mine is rigged for use with the chargers for my Nitro R/C cars (Banana plugs) but I have alligator clips with banana plug sockets you can test with.

I'm in the PPines area, across Pines Blvd from Pembroke Lakes Mall.


Tony

 

[pedromatic]

During Hurricane Katrina I grabbed a UPS from my home office and ran a powerhead for about 8 hours. After that, as the storm subsided, I connected an inverter to my car battery out in the carport and ran an extension cord in to my circulation pump.

When the storm was over, I cranked up the generator and ran my normal equipment, at the time FOWLR. I hooked up a battery charger to the generator and charged a marine battery. When the generator wasn't running, I ran the the circulation pump off the marine battery and the inverter.

If you don't have a marine battery or a battery charger, you can use a car battery for short periods. Just remember to crank up the car occasionally to charge it back up. We're talkin' survival here and working with what you have on hand.

Bait well pumps (bilge pumps) are also a good choice since you don't need an inverter. They're cheap and move a lot of water.

 

[Flamehawk]

This is for short term power outage (brown outs) AND longterm power outages ie when a hurricane hits.

For the non-DIYer i'd recommend either a Xantrex or a Tripp-Lite CHARGER INVERTER with Trojan brand deep cycle batteries.

Along with a small honda generator you'll be good for days on about 10gal of gas.

Flaw with most people's generator solution: gas becomes the limitting factor. Remember the long gas lines? And could you really have a truck of propane deliver you gas in a time where everyone else also needs gas?

Our fishroom has a 1,000 watt TrippLite inverter for all the powerheads and return pumps. When there is FPL power, the Charger/inverter keeps the batteries charged, when there is a power outage, it uses the electicty from the Trojan Batteries. When i turn on the Honda generator OR FPL elctricity comes back on, the Tripp Lite changes to "charge" mode and the Trojan Batteries get recharged.

A 2,000watt Honda Generator can charge the Trojan batteries AND run a refrigerator OR wall A/C which is what we have in the fishroom.

Operate the Honda generator during the day and run the inverter at night when you need it to be quiet.

I think a generator-larger charger/inverter combo is the way to go.

JOHNNY

 

[pedromatic]

Johnny,
Are the batteries and charger inside your house. If so, isn't there a danger with highly flammable (e.g. The Hindenberg) hydrogen gas being produced by charging the batteries? Or do gel batteries not have that problem?

 

[MC Lighting]

it takes a lot of overcharging of batteries to produce enough gas to be a problem if you stuff the batteries into a box with no ventelation and something that can spark say a charger then yes this oucld be a problem if they vent inot the room its not a problem... I also recomend the Xantrex inverters I have several models 2-800's, 1500, 4000 and one of the porta pack 300's... Do some searching on here for power fialure or power outages and you will find several posts I have made regarding those that cannot run a generator. Any questions feel free to let me know..

 

[Flamehawk]

The Batteries are completely sealed and are designed for indoor use.

I come from the Dominican Republic, where there is electricity 25 to 50% of the times. people live and die by their inverters and their batteries there. Everybody uses Trojan deep cycle batteries indoors.

Plus Xantrex and Tripp both have smart chargers that are very good at not overcharging the batteries.

Aside from the Batteries, the key is: Get a CHRAGER/INVERTER which both charges and inverts. DO NOT get just an inverter.

When it comes to charger-inverters, Xantrex and Tripp are about the only two that i would trust. Spend the money and buy eithr brand. Tripp has less accessories than xantrex and they dont have a true sine wave inverter. But i have been using modified wave inverters on everything except the new Korallias which i need to test. The modified wave tripp i have runs tv's, fans, pumps, DVD players, flourescent lamps, etc.

If anybody needs more advice, i dont sell them but it is another hobby of mine, you can PM me. Gotta be ready for WW 3, no, LOL?

JOHNNY

 

[MC Lighting]

well just to clarify that you can buy either dealed gell or AGM batteries or regular flooded cells, the flooded cells are cheaper and are actually more durable in the long run but I myself run 4 -4d Sun Xtender AGM's and after 7 years are still running strong with the 4k Xantrex inverter on it...

 

[gasman059]

Well 10 days out of a major storm is about right in terms of getting some propane refill.

I agree with the Xantrex or a Tripp-Lite CHARGER INVERTER with Trojan brand deep cycle batteries. As i've used it in the past , back home P.R. there's also power outages and inverters do work for ya.

Before i built my new setup i thought about going back to a 400 but thought better of it and installed a standby genset with 500 gallon propane- this should last me about 10-15 days w/o a hitch and reduced the size of the display.

As far as refill 7-10 days out is usually more than enought for refill.

 

[RobbyG]

I have been through 3 big hurricanes, and the best piece of advice I can give is always be prepared with a backup and a backup for the backup and make sure that the power system is flexible and can last for days or even weeks.

I have for Tank and House:

1) A Honda Eu3000si Generator (virtually silent)
2) A cheap 4000 watt Genny (Backup if the Eu goes down, but as Loud as a Jet plane but OK for daytime use)
3) 1KW Inverter that can go to car battery if needed
4) Battery Air Pumps.

All of this is no guarantee but it does open up many options during a extended power outage.

If you don't have one already, go get a Generator. It is the only flexible backup source, if worst comes to worst you can siphon Gas from your car or even get some from a neighbor. All other systems can run down and leave you dead if the power outage lasts too long.

If you have a really nice tank and keeping it is important, you need to go out and get a Generator now. Don't wait till next week when Dean or some other hurricane is coming and the Gennys are all sold out. I highly recommend the Honda EU series, and the Yamaha EF series. They are both very very quiet units.

You might think my setup is overkill, but most smaller Genny should not be run 24/7 so the backup genny comes in handy when you need to service or let the main generator cool off.

 

[MC Lighting]

overkill? Not a chance as I have posted in some other threads here is what I have for my system...

4kw 24vdc Trace SW4024 Grid Tie inverter with 4-4d Sealed AGM batteries; this powers the entire circuit the tank is on as well as my office since I work from home..

1kw Honda EU1000 Genset; this although small is nice because it is very portable and very quiet, the inverter has a seperate input that I can plug it into and it will pull right to the max amps on the generator this runs the load and any excess is used for battery recharging; the inverter has the ability to paralell the input from the generator to start large loads even on such a small genset so if I absolutly HAD to I could even run the chiller and fire the halides.

Both of Dodge Diesels have a 800/1500w Statpower Inverter one truck has the standard dual batteries the other has 2 additonal flooded cell Deep Cycles for extended running as my parking space is right outside of my door this is what I use for running room lights the tv, hot water heater combustion fan, hot water heating recirc pump (radiant heating) etc during an outage. Since each truck has a 36 gallon fuel tank that I never let below 1/2 tank I have weeks worth of high idling with the diesels for battery recharging with each having a 136 amp alternator. Even if the genset dies I can recharge the batteries individually even being a pain in the butt its an option..

My demo trailer has a 1400 watt statpower with its own dual deep cycle batteries and also can be charged either from the trucks or the eu1000 plus has a small solar panel to keep it topped off.

Lastly I have a 300w porta pack inverter which I use for running the air pumps on my freshwater tank as it will run those for about a day and then just charge it with the truck off the main battery for quick recharge.

So no I don't think you are overkill at all I have been told I am nuts but then again like mentioned if these tanks are our pride and joy it is just as important for them to survive weeks worth of power failure as it is for the fridge to so we can continue to be happy. Last winter the power was out here in Washington for over 9 days in some areas; 6 where I live.

 

[RobbyG]

That's what Im talkin about Options !!
Most people don't realize until there in a real hurricane situation just how inadequate there one method of backup is. Even multiple methods can let you down but the chances are greatly reduced.
BTW that EU1000 is probably the smartest thing a tank owner can buy. 5 Gallons of Gas and an EU1000 can keep a tank alive for a whole week.

 

[Sharkonwheels]

It's not THAT efficient - it'll run about 8 hours on .6g running 250W. that would be about 68-72 hours assuming 24hours running, and assuming 250W, but there is a threshold it won;t go under, because it is running an engine, and it is driving a generator.

Also gotta factor in, for it's output, it is EXTREMELY expensive. At that price, you can get a whole-house generator, but of course, it will use more gas. But, with the Honda, I don't think you can run much, so what're you going to do about the fridge, water heater (i *HATE* cold showers), etc...?

Smart bet is getting a decent (Sears, etc..) 5000-6000W continuous at about $600-800 (same as the Honda), get a small inverter, and some alarm batteries, and a charger, so you don't have to run the big genset all the time, but still have the 5000W when you need it.

I guess it's all in how much you want to be able to power up. When we've lost power, I've been able to have a window AC unit, watch the plasma, power everything for internet access, the fridge, the freezer, microwave, coffee maker, water heater (only when needed),etc... You really don;t miss much when you can basically power the house with a 5-6K generator.

Tony

EDIT: Hmm....just found THIS option, for $299:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93881

Not the best name, but Harbor Freight extended warranties are pretty decent enough. I have a metal lathe, drill press, vertical mill, chop saw, etc., from them, and none have even had a burp yet...

Northern Tool has a 1000W for $120, which is cheap as beans!
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200313480_200313480

I may get one of them, just because it's so stupid-cheap!


T

 

[MC Lighting]

"Also gotta factor in, for it's output, it is EXTREMELY expensive. At that price, you can get a whole-house generator, but of course, it will use more gas. But, with the Honda, I don't think you can run much, so what're you going to do about the fridge, water heater (i *HATE* cold showers), etc...?"

Well a few comments on that is that the eu1000 is very efficent since it runs on a variable rpm based on load as it is a inverter based genset and it is worth the $400 that I paid for it since it is very quiet and lives in the truck box as it is small and lightweight, I also have a 6500 Generac that if I started where I live now would have me shot. Sure you can have 6500 watts of power at 2 gallons an hour but you are very limited on the hours you can run it and the big size is a royal PITA.

With the setup I have (knowing it is expensive) I can still run everything you list but do it in a more flexible way and can run it with the small 1k genset. I am able to run the refrigerttor, and anything I need to on the tank but at night can shut down to the bare minimum and run completly silent. Not to mention the way this is setup I can be away from home and everything that is on the same circuits I know will have power for at least a day so it leaves me with great peace of mind where the generator only method I have to be home to save things...

The inverters you list are fine and they are cheap however with such a dirty square wave they will harm most motors and most anything else will buzz like crazy. I do use my high end square waves in the trucks for things but even those still buzz and hum on CFL's and tv's etc. But for those that cannot afford a setup like what I have then the cheap inverters are a great option to run on a pump that they don't care may or may not be harmed by the square wave.

 

[gasman059]

All of you make me feel so sane!!!

genset 15kilos with a dedicated breaker for my tank.

 

[MC Lighting]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10577660#post10577660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gasman059
All of you make me feel so sane!!!

genset 15kilos with a dedicated breaker for my tank.

So whats your backup plan when you get fuel contamination? I have had 3 different standby gensets not fire due to fuel problems (anything from 10k - 1MW).