Lost power
- Thread starter jh2pizza
- Start date
MarineFishGuy
Capn Jack Sparrow
If you have a Utility outlet in your vehicle (key not needed for power) then you do not need to leave it running or have the key in it.
A large portion of Cigarette lighter outlets require the key to be in the ignition.
I ran a Tunze 6045 and small fan off of my inverter for 5 hours without running the car at all. I was still able to start the car without any noticeable drain on the battery.
How long you can run and how much you drain the battery depends on a lot of factors, so don't assume your car can do the same without testing.
I have a heavy duty battery and I was only running about 50watts.
When I cleaned up our garage recently I moved the Generator so it was easy to get to, just in case.
A large portion of Cigarette lighter outlets require the key to be in the ignition.
I ran a Tunze 6045 and small fan off of my inverter for 5 hours without running the car at all. I was still able to start the car without any noticeable drain on the battery.
How long you can run and how much you drain the battery depends on a lot of factors, so don't assume your car can do the same without testing.
I have a heavy duty battery and I was only running about 50watts.
When I cleaned up our garage recently I moved the Generator so it was easy to get to, just in case.
jiriki
New member
Most cigarette lighter outlets will power on if you turn your key to accessory (the one that turns on the radio and power windows).
There are three cars in my driveway so draining one battery would not have been a big deal. Easy to jump it if I had to. I actually did another 8 or 10 hours with another car. This event happened after the hurricane last year. I kept both my pico (it drew 1 watts) and my biocube (koralia drew 3.5 watts - just looked it up) with zero losses. I even took a long mirror out and directed some sunlight into the cube. I had polyp extension and the clam opened up towards the mirror.
I would definitely not run too much off a car battery if you're looking to get the most out of it. I imagine in a large reef, a couple of koralias is enough to circulate the water. I'm planning on using the wavebox (i think it draws a lot of wattage) on an APC and then switch over to a car or generator.
There are three cars in my driveway so draining one battery would not have been a big deal. Easy to jump it if I had to. I actually did another 8 or 10 hours with another car. This event happened after the hurricane last year. I kept both my pico (it drew 1 watts) and my biocube (koralia drew 3.5 watts - just looked it up) with zero losses. I even took a long mirror out and directed some sunlight into the cube. I had polyp extension and the clam opened up towards the mirror.
I would definitely not run too much off a car battery if you're looking to get the most out of it. I imagine in a large reef, a couple of koralias is enough to circulate the water. I'm planning on using the wavebox (i think it draws a lot of wattage) on an APC and then switch over to a car or generator.
RokleM
Premium Member
Actually, you need to be careful with cigarette lighters and/or utility outlet in the vehicle, you MUST READ your manual to see what max draw is. Many of those are made for very low draw, and if you hook a 500-1000w inverter up, you can easily fry your wires. It's almost always best to hook straight to the battery with clamps.
Just with UPS's, generators, etc, it's best to look for an inverter that produces a true sine wave (if running any AC equipment which the fast majority of us are) to ensure it doesn't damage your pumps/powerheads.
Just with UPS's, generators, etc, it's best to look for an inverter that produces a true sine wave (if running any AC equipment which the fast majority of us are) to ensure it doesn't damage your pumps/powerheads.
jiriki
New member
I purchased my generator from Menards, on clearance. It's only 800w but for the price and the fact that it generates a true sinewave I couldn't pass it up. I think it's made by TQ or something. Never heard of them. I've only started it twice and works pretty well. Good enough to run the wavebox and a few other small pumps. Can probably just power the Hammerhead pump, it's draw is only 300w (after startup).
It says it's 68 decibles at 15 feet. I'm sure the Honda units are 10x quieter than this one.
It says it's 68 decibles at 15 feet. I'm sure the Honda units are 10x quieter than this one.
UWUALineman
Member
I've been putting off buying backup batteries for my Vortechs and I shouldn't be.
The more money I put into the tank the more I realize I need an alternative if needed.
The more money I put into the tank the more I realize I need an alternative if needed.
jiriki
New member
Just an FYI,
If this unit does not produce a true sine wave output, I believe it's good enough to power small to medium pumps and saws, drills, etc. If you want to power a bigger pump, it will work 20% harder due to the quasi-sine wave. This applies to refrigerators too. It will say on the box if it does or not, it costs a lot more. If it does, I will have to go look at Costco
Let us know!That being said, during hurricane Ike, I think a lot of ppl ran their bigger pumps and fridges on said generators and were fine. I think I only remember one person who burnt out their pump but it was only speculation that the generator caused it.
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Reefdiver72
Premium Member
I have to let my truck run with 3 batteries in it or it kills all 3 of them in about 15 minutes but thats running almost my whole house and tanks
jiriki
New member
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...6&perpage=25&highlight=generator&pagenumber=1
This guy had a disaster with that battery backup in a heavily stocked tank.
Vortecs run at 50% when on backup mode?
