Does anybody here own a portable generator? If so what type? I am looking to purchase a generator to run my heater and circulation pump, a home heater and a lamp (under 1000 watts). Does anybody have a suggestion? Just curious, what do you guys do in the event of a prolonged power outage.
Portable Generator
- Thread starter eengmd
- Start date
Just something I have been thinking about as well. I have lived in my home for 11 years and have never lost power for more than an hour or so, but with three tanks I am concerned what if?
I see the generator in my case as an insurance policy that can be fairly expensive, and would only be required to run pumps and heaters on my tanks.
I am considering a less expensive alternative. A 1000 watt power inverter that can be powered from any of my three cars in an emergency. I have seen them on-line for $75-100.
I figure I could run a couple tanks and then alternate the power and cover all three tanks.
this is just a thought right now. A co-worker of mine dropped $2000 on a generator, didn't periodically run it and after 4 years when he needed it the battery was dead so he tried jumping it and fried some circuits and has not been able to get it running since, after spending a couple more hundred on parts.
I see the generator in my case as an insurance policy that can be fairly expensive, and would only be required to run pumps and heaters on my tanks.
I am considering a less expensive alternative. A 1000 watt power inverter that can be powered from any of my three cars in an emergency. I have seen them on-line for $75-100.
I figure I could run a couple tanks and then alternate the power and cover all three tanks.
this is just a thought right now. A co-worker of mine dropped $2000 on a generator, didn't periodically run it and after 4 years when he needed it the battery was dead so he tried jumping it and fried some circuits and has not been able to get it running since, after spending a couple more hundred on parts.
those power inverters are only good for a very limited amount of time, they consume a lot of energy form a 12 volt system. you will have to have a car running at a decent rpm to keep the battery charged and power the inverter. i have a 3000 watt makita generator that will power my fridge 2 pumps, 2 heaters, 2 air pumps and a couple of lamps. i have had to use it 3 times in 2 years.power was off over 24 hours.
Do you recommend robo, dwarf or fancy?
I remember in 2004 when the power went out in Memphis in the middle of the summer for 3 days. I floated bags of ice, manually stirred water, changed water to keep everything alive. Things were going well then the power turned on and all my fish were dead. I forgot that the water in the sump went stagnant and bam instant ammonia spike. Sad day, happy to have power but the SPS slowly faded and the only thing that survived were my softies and LPS.
Chalk that up to another tough lesson learned in this hobby. Even though I have a nano now, it is still not worth the heartache thus the generator investment. I can imagine winter would be harder than summer. Last winter my partners in my practice were out power for three days and me for one which could mean death throughout my tank.
I remember in 2004 when the power went out in Memphis in the middle of the summer for 3 days. I floated bags of ice, manually stirred water, changed water to keep everything alive. Things were going well then the power turned on and all my fish were dead. I forgot that the water in the sump went stagnant and bam instant ammonia spike. Sad day, happy to have power but the SPS slowly faded and the only thing that survived were my softies and LPS.
Chalk that up to another tough lesson learned in this hobby. Even though I have a nano now, it is still not worth the heartache thus the generator investment. I can imagine winter would be harder than summer. Last winter my partners in my practice were out power for three days and me for one which could mean death throughout my tank.
let me clarify my thoughts, about the generator. I would much prefer a generator. But since I have never lost power, do I need one?
Some areas/ neighborhoods are more prone to power outages than other.
Learning from my co workers mistake I would get a pull start generator over a push button, a generator with a dead battery wont do you much good. Also run it periodically and mantain it.
Running a car to power for an inverter is not very efficient, but if you only need it once every 5 or 10 years it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
All considered you have to weigh your needs, with a generator you could power some appliances in the house as well.
Some areas/ neighborhoods are more prone to power outages than other.
Learning from my co workers mistake I would get a pull start generator over a push button, a generator with a dead battery wont do you much good. Also run it periodically and mantain it.
Running a car to power for an inverter is not very efficient, but if you only need it once every 5 or 10 years it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
All considered you have to weigh your needs, with a generator you could power some appliances in the house as well.
Der ABT
New member
I have the new honda 2000 or 2500 cant remember which.
its 47decibles so it is soo freaking quiet.
i used to go to Formula one at Indy/Montreal and other race events and used it for camping and RVs there, now its just a backup for the house.
runs so quiet and havent had any problems. Ran it for like 4 days just had to refill the gass.
the new honda's are the quietest out there.
its 47decibles so it is soo freaking quiet.
i used to go to Formula one at Indy/Montreal and other race events and used it for camping and RVs there, now its just a backup for the house.
runs so quiet and havent had any problems. Ran it for like 4 days just had to refill the gass.
the new honda's are the quietest out there.
Virginia Reef
New member
Keep in mind something especially with inverters...the distance from the power source (car/inverter) to the use (tank) can be a major factor in the ability of the inverter to power the intended device. I suspect that you need plenty of excess capacity in the inverter if you have a long run to support...may also need a heavier weight extension cord to lessen power loss in this case.
Cayenne (Landen) or any other engineering types out there?
Cayenne (Landen) or any other engineering types out there?
CWebHokie
New member
Another option may be to use a power inverter on a Deep Cycle battery.
If you had a small tank and only wanted to run a power head and a small heater, I believe this would do the trick. In the event of a long power outage you could hook the battery up to your idling vehicle with jumper cables to charge it. (This is not the preferred method of charging a Deep Cycle battery but will do in a pinch.)
When not using the battery you can leave it on a $15 trickle charger to insure that it is always ready. They also make solar powered trickle chargers, but they are significantly more expensive and I'm not sure how well they work.
Marine Deep Cycle batteries pack a ton of juice but unfortunately most cheap power inverters are pretty inefficient. I am not sure how bad they are but if I was doing the calculations based off of the Amp Hour rating on the battery I would probably be comfortble assuming a 50% efficiency.
There are 2 other things to keep in mind if you go this route.
1.) It isn't the best idea to use a marine or car battery inside. They evolve hydrogen gas during use which is very explosive.
2.) Buy a marine use approved plastic battery box to go with it. Any lead-acid battery has the chance (albeit a very small one) to explode during use. These boxes are designed to withstand that. Hot sulfuric acid all over the place is not your friend...
I wouldn't think twice about using this setup in my garage or out on my deck with an extension cord running inside, but I don't think I would be comfortable with it in my living room.
If you had a small tank and only wanted to run a power head and a small heater, I believe this would do the trick. In the event of a long power outage you could hook the battery up to your idling vehicle with jumper cables to charge it. (This is not the preferred method of charging a Deep Cycle battery but will do in a pinch.)
When not using the battery you can leave it on a $15 trickle charger to insure that it is always ready. They also make solar powered trickle chargers, but they are significantly more expensive and I'm not sure how well they work.
Marine Deep Cycle batteries pack a ton of juice but unfortunately most cheap power inverters are pretty inefficient. I am not sure how bad they are but if I was doing the calculations based off of the Amp Hour rating on the battery I would probably be comfortble assuming a 50% efficiency.
There are 2 other things to keep in mind if you go this route.
1.) It isn't the best idea to use a marine or car battery inside. They evolve hydrogen gas during use which is very explosive.
2.) Buy a marine use approved plastic battery box to go with it. Any lead-acid battery has the chance (albeit a very small one) to explode during use. These boxes are designed to withstand that. Hot sulfuric acid all over the place is not your friend...
I wouldn't think twice about using this setup in my garage or out on my deck with an extension cord running inside, but I don't think I would be comfortable with it in my living room.
manderx
New member
bort did a deep-cycle battery. he got a pretty cool computer UPS that had connections to daisy chain in other batteries and chained in the deep-cycle. but battery power will not run a heater for long, only circulation pumps.
If you want to get fancy, you can get a propane conversion kit for most gas generators. makes it easier to start since the fuel doesn't gum up if you never use it, and you can put a large cylinder on it so it runs longer between fillings. i've always wanted to do that with the smallest yamaha generator.
If you want to get fancy, you can get a propane conversion kit for most gas generators. makes it easier to start since the fuel doesn't gum up if you never use it, and you can put a large cylinder on it so it runs longer between fillings. i've always wanted to do that with the smallest yamaha generator.
Shivaji
Premium Member
Wander over to the DIY forum and check it out. Searching for something like 'backup power' or 'Portable Generator' brings up 5-6 pages of hits. Specifically, you may want to look at this thread for ideas.
Good luck ...
Good luck ...
pprmntshrmps
New member
In your neighborhood I wouldn't think power outages would be much of an issue. Everything is underground and in that part of town AEP is useually on top of things.
ade
New member
I use the battery powered air pumps when ever I have loss of power. The house temp is set around 70-72 and my tank is set around 76 so even with loss of power the only concern I have is a loss of O2 and the air stone helps with O2 and water movement. I found them at Harbour Freight for around 5$ or you can get them at mosst pet store for around 15$.
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