[manderson0805]

I'm watching lighting all around me tonight as I cool off by standing in my kid's wading pool and taking a few practice swings with an old steel shaft driver , I was wondering what everyone does in case of a power outage. I know short term you can just make sure the sump starts up ok, but long term, what do you do? This is my first storm season with a "real" reef tank, and really don't care to lose any inhabitants.

 

[clyde]

I'm thinking of buying those cheap generators that I see at home depot, usually the returns that are marked down nicely, at 230.00 or so, 15 amp should run the reeftank nicely if I need it, I m not too worried about a 1 2 hour outage, its the outages that I see on TV

"36,000 homes are out of power since 1 AM, most are resumed today by 5 PM, about 9,000 still have no power, expected to have power restored by wed evening, or early thursday'

thats yucky.

something like this is what I m thinking

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...&TEST=Y&productId=200004724&categoryId=280777

a bit excessive ? I think I only want to run a heater, sump return pump, and maybe skimmer for aireation, but i could simply use an airstone and return pump

but those three Ifeel are important and I think ABOUT 7 amps total usage ?

 

[clyde]

forgot to post this url

was thining of building a generator on my next place whenever, with an automatic generator system, I had a few items bookmarked ready

I saw those homedepot things, 10,000bucks for em, I thought there was cheaper units out there, and there is

http://www.gen-tran.com/

all I need now is to get a generator head, as it apepars you can easily use any motor, as long it turns the generator motors.

I've not really looked though/studied it enough, so I dont think I can actually answer questions... yet

heh

 

[reeftanktime]

My power went out at 11 and it is still out. I am just waiting it out. Hopefully it will not be all day long. It sure is different without any water movement in the tank. Good luck to all.
Dennis

 

[Graham]

I know a few fellas use this:

http://www.jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/HARDWARE_/Battery_Backup_System/battery_backup_system.html

David Grigor and SawCJack both use these I believe.
Initial expense is a little more than a cheap generator, but it requires no gas. I am hoping to go this route as well once I have a $500 hole burning in my pocket...

 

[clyde]

Graham: nice url/info

I like.

 

[SawCJack00]

Yep that's the ticket. you can get them cheaper here:

http://www.etechwarehouse.com/ProductInfo.asp?v=D1&idProduct=12600994

I also have a generator for longer outages.

 

[Graham]

Nice Bill.
50 bones is 50 bones...that's more like it.

Can marine deep cycle batteries be used with these or is "Lead acid" synonymous with deep cycle?
Forgive ignorant boy...

 

[SawCJack00]

You can use either marine deep cycle (that's what I use) or lead acid batteries.

 

[otolith]

Since this subject came up, check out this post and the referring link in it, posted by alligator. You can make something for cheaper...but I think I'll still end up buying one instead of making one...not enough time in the day the way it is when it comes to getting stuff done around the house.
Derek

 

[David Grigor]

The battery backup already mentioned is nice because it switches automatically. You don't have to be home. I have it hooked up to 2 batteries ( 129amp and a 65amp ). It will keep my circualtion pump - Mak4 ( 110w ) running for about 15-17 hours. Depending on how many watts and duration you need you just keep stringing batteries to the unit. Under normal circumstances ( ie: not out of town ) the 15-17 hours is enough time for me to get home from work and deal with it.

The next phase is a generator for the longer outages but haven't purchased yet.

If looking into a generator make sure it has a large gas tank and not one the size of a typical lawnmower. Otherwise, you'll have to set your alarm every 1-2 hours to add gas........

 

[uryy4me]

I picked up a generator a week and a half ago, it sure came in handy Tuesday night/ Wed morning....I paid ~ $1200 (including tax) for a Generac 7000 @ HD, in my mind it has already paid for itself. Comment made about getting a generator w/ a large gas tank cannot be emphasized enough. I could not imagine waling up every couple hrs to have gone out in the pouring rain to add gas. I also built a small "shed" for the generator and this worked out well....now I just need to find an electrician to hook it up to the house for me...got any recommendations?

Thanks!

- scott -

btw - about those UPS units, any thoughts on how many batteries it would take to run a Sequence 4600 for 8 hrs?

 

[David Grigor]

Any idea what the actual wattage is on that Sequence pump ?

 

[uryy4me]

Does 273 watts sound reasonable?