Lets be safe and get a generator

[Dragonvale]

Where to buy a generator? A quite one also? I read all about the Honda generators but their a boat load! Any suggestions and are these things loud? Never had to use one and the ones I did hear operated a blow up jumpy house. Please help. Looking for a minimum of 500 watts for my return and heaters.

 

[Coelli]

I just bought a 900w at Harbor Freight on sale for $99 (reg $129). The reviews on it were pretty good, considering it's Harbor Freight

 

[Dragonvale]

I just bought a 900w at Harbor Freight on sale for $99 (reg $129). The reviews on it were pretty good, considering it's Harbor Freight

Nice have you tried it out? Just reading about the noise some of these create. Also some individuals making a sound proof box since I'm literally arms length of neighbors LOL

 

[Rarend99]

Lol! I was thinking the exact same thing recently with all this rain!! But when I got to thinking about the noise. It would only be on when the power is out so its not like you're running this thing 24/7

 

[Dragonvale]

Lol! I was thinking the exact same thing recently with all this rain!! But when I got to thinking about the noise. It would only be on when the power is out so its not like you're running this thing 24/7

Yeah, but when power goes out it's like crickets and everything seems amplified. Last thing I want is a loud motor running and these things are loud pending what you get. Ugh.... Just want to be safe rather than sorry.

 

[Coelli]

I haven't fired the HB generator up yet so I can't attest to the noise, but the reviews didn't say it was worse than anything else. Honestly I don't think there's any such thing as a quiet generator; and when weighing annoying my neighbors or killing my tank, the neighbors lose. I also bought 2 battery operated air pumps to use first and will only fire up the generator if it's an extended outage. For heat, floating heat packs should work too. We're in CA so our outages are really only from high winds or earthquakes.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Worried about the neighbors? Offer them a tap in for their frig.

Most non-aquarists can survive without power. Their weak spot is the frig.

With all the news about the upcoming storm being of biblical proportions, I've been thinking about a gen too. For short outages I use an inverter connected to my truck. It provides enough power for circulation and some heat. I rotate it from tank to tank to make sure they all survive.

As a reminder, never run a generator inside your house or attached garage.

@Coelli...
We in NorCal also get rain. The predicted storm coming Thursday is supposed to be high winds and LOTS of rain. About 15 years ago we had a similar storm. Power was out at my house in Santa Rosa for 4-5 days. Hopefully PG$E has learned from that.

 

[swk]

Luckily in my part of town, all the cables are underground. Still if something major happens, it doesn't matter but it does cut down on my outages quite a bit.

I have a generator that'll handle my tank and the fridge. As far as my neighbors go, eff em! I have a lot of $ invested in my tank and they will just have to deal with it. I don't like to be a jerk, but it is what it is.

I need to remind myself to make sure everything is ready to handle an outage with the overflows and sumps, clean the return pump siphon break, etc

 

[Dragonvale]

Just got a generator and its solely for the tank. Its peak is 875 watts and continuous 675. Its an old kawaski and its pretty quite plus the seller was a mechanic at Volvo who was meticulous. Everything fired up and we pluged in a industrial fan to test it out. So since I bought one, I'm sure power wont go out now. LOL

 

[INOKEA]

Just got a generator and its solely for the tank. Its peak is 875 watts and continuous 675. Its an old kawaski and its pretty quite plus the seller was a mechanic at Volvo who was meticulous. Everything fired up and we pluged in a industrial fan to test it out. So since I bought one, I'm sure power wont go out now. LOL

Good to hear Jason, cause I started to stress out but now that you bought one and power won't be going out I'm relived a little. Lol..

 

[ThreeMoneyJ]

I have a Kipor 1000 watt generator. I got it years ago for cheap. It is basically a Honda copy. There are lots of Honda copy's floating around for much cheaper than a Honda!

It's quiet, starts instantly, and runs my tank during power outages. It also runs my tire warmers at the race track which is why I bought it.

 

[Reefugee]

Check out Costco. They have a "Smarter Tool" 2000 watt inverter generator with a Yamaha engine for $599. When I was looking at generators, I considered the Honda and the Yamaha inverter generators. Inverter generators are a lot quieter than the non-inverter generator. They also use less gas since the generator can throttle down on lower loads. I have the Honda EU2000i. It's a great generator. I personally don't think it would bother my neighbors if it ran all day. The Honda EU1000i are VERY quiet.

 

[INOKEA]

Check out Costco. They have a "Smarter Tool" 2000 watt inverter generator with a Yamaha engine for $599. When I was looking at generators, I considered the Honda and the Yamaha inverter generators. Inverter generators are a lot quieter than the non-inverter generator. They also use less gas since the generator can throttle down on lower loads. I have the Honda EU2000i. It's a great generator. I personally don't think it would bother my neighbors if it ran all day. The Honda EU1000i are VERY quiet.

Bought the last one from Costco in RP, hopefully I won't get to use it.

 

[FreshReefer]

generator

generator

My friend has a champion 1800w from tractor supply. I hear they are not as quiet as the Hondas, but they are surely the next step down.... For $199 with a money back guarantee you could buy one and try it out ... Nearest tractor supply is in Windsor.