Pwr Backup Solutions

[jlehigh]

Hey All,

I see sparatic conversations about backup solutions. We are heading into the higher risk time of year again. Why not cover the options and there pros and cons.

Here is my brain storm:

Fuel Generator:
Range from 300-$$$$$$$$ Average 5000 Watter running about 500.00. Runs on various types of gas. Some are push start while many are pull start. They run indefinately as long as you have fuel. Appliances or extensions plug directly into them

PC Power backup:
Used untis are fairly inexpensive. Many types to choose from at any PC seller. Cost anywhere from 50-1000. Automatically kick on in the even of power failure. Run time varies on rating though usually only good for 30min to a few hrs depending on load.

Inverter:
Hooks up to a car battery converting AC to DC power. I have seen inverters rated from 300 watts to 1200. usually has a switch to start. Runs as long as the car battery has juice. With car running somewhat indenately without dependant on load and raiting but probably not more than a few hrs.

Battery powerd air pumps:
Inexpensive solution to maintina oxygen levels in the tank. Require AA batteries. I don't know much about these and how many are needed.

This was my kick-start attempt. Please add to, comment, or share your experiences.

ALSO! If you have a back-up solution in place, how do YOU prioritize the power consumption? Pumps, Heat, Light ect... and why?

 

[john]

generator

I use a gasoline powered generator with a switch box to power the whole house

 

[jlehigh]

any specs on that generator john? Does the switchbox switch over automaticall in failures or is it manually turned on?

 

[john]

Its a generac 5000 with pull start the swicth box is also generac with manuel switching I run my tank circuts furnace,refrigerator,and lighting I have gas dryer, stove, furnace and water heater so I hardly notice the differance except the noise next time I'll buy a Honda their pretty quite but much more expensive

 

[jlehigh]

I was hoping to convert all of my kitchen over to gas and will probably end up with a very similar set-up. Very nice!

 

[jks1]

I learned how mportant this is last month when we here in Florida were sacked with the four hurricanes. The first one- I didnt have the generator. I put 4 battery powered airstones in the 210g reef. I didnt have anything else to do with no power so pretty much just watched the tank by lantern. All was well until the 10 hour mark when my swallowtail angel started swimming upside down, all other fish soon started showing similiar symptoms. By the 10 1/2 hour mark most corals had closed. Thankfully a neighbor had a generator and allowed me to run 250' of extension cord to get the circulation and skimmer pumps running. Amazingly within about 15 min the fish were acting more normally and within an hour corals started to show more normal behavior. I didnt end up loosing any livestock, but I am confident if I hadnt had my neighbors generator, I would have lost most or all of it. I promptly bought a B&S 6500W. Of course I didnt have to use it on any of the subsequent storms, but the piece of mind is there....

sorry for the long post but this definately scared the @#$% out of me.

 

[dnjan]

I use a battery air pump that turns on when the AC outlet goes dead. Living in the city, with underground wiring, we rarely have outages longer than a few hours. So this cheap solution works well for me.

Of course when the Big One comes, survival of the reef tank itself becomes as much of an issue as loss of electricity ...

 

[jlehigh]

jks1: That would be rough... worrying about the tank is no fun.. 250' cord!! Well given your location I'm sure you will be in need soon enough...