Battery operated heaters?

[jja]

I have never seen one but was wondering if anyone knows if they make battery operated heaters. I live in michigan and with winter coming I get nervous because they are building a big sub down the road and have had several power outages over the summer. If this happens during the night for an extended period I worry I could really be in bad shape. Any help would be great.

 

[superman]

May not be in your means, but with a lot of power outages I serious recommend a generator. Even if it is a small one. They can be expensive, but than again so is a fish tank. As for your question, I've never seen or heard of one.

 

[jja]

I have thought about a generator my only worry is that it happens in the middle of the night.

 

[jja]

Also, if there is no such thing-what a great invention. I know I am not the only one who would buy it in a second. Even if you dont have many outtages a backup would still give you one less thing to worry about.

 

[jedininja]

How long is the power usually out for? You can always spend some money and get one of those computer backup power supplies. The more money you spend on one of those, the bigger the battery it will come with and the longer it will last. Do a search for APC back-ups. You should find plenty of info.

 

[jja]

I just looked at the apc backups briefly but they seem to deal with computers,camcorders,cell phones etc...Am I missing something?

 

[jedininja]

It might not be designed for aqauriums, but they serve the purpose just as well. These units plug into the wall and then you would plug your heater into them. They have a rechargeable battery built into them that starts working right when the power goes out. And when the power turns back on, they recharge themselves again. That way when your power goes out, your heater still stays on.

 

[teatime]

My power went out for three days last winter. I used one of those APC's it just lasted a few hours. Thankfully I just had my freshwater tank back then. We bought a kerosene heater and put it near the tank. That seemed to work. We also recharged the APC to run the filter for a little while everyday. A generator would be a lot better to have. I think we will be getting one soon.

 

[jja]

thank you for the insight I may look into an apc to relieve my mind. Again, for all the entrapenaurs out there (battery charged heaters)

 

[spankr]

I live in Minnesota and almost all of our power outages happen in the summer due to everyone starting up the A/C in this hot humid weather. We have never had a problem in the winter. Most all outages in the winter have no affect due to the fact that the heating runs on natural gas or propane. Electric outages only affect A/C.

 

[glazer]

I live in Minnesota and almost all of our power outages happen in the summer due to everyone starting up the A/C in this hot humid weather. We have never had a problem in the winter. Most all outages in the winter have no affect due to the fact that the heating runs on natural gas or propane. Electric outages only affect A/C.
spankr,
what type of furnace do you have? Whatever it is I want one! I'm serious.... I know of NO furnace no matter what the fuel source (other than a wood-burning stove) that will supply heat without electricity.... if the blower ain't coming on the house is getting cold.

 

[jja]

I agree, my power went out last winter right before I set my tank up (new house) and I woke up to 52 degrees on christmas morning! Regarded it was fixed that day but my tank is in the basement which is always colder and it is a glass tank. If that had happened this year(knock on wood) I could really be screwed. Another question to all of you. Can you take a flyer on your homeowners insurance on your tank?

 

[jja]

bump

 

[iceburger]

hmmmmmmm, i wonder, why cant a computer be hooked up to a generator to tell it when to turn on, when the power goes out, kinda like how the computer operated batteries work...

 

[bdubbya]

I just asked the insurance about that, and they said that they will insure the equipment, but not the livestock. So if you have several thousands of dollars worth of fish, coral, and lr your just SOL.

 

[glazer]

Well iceburger your puter can't tell the generator to turn on lessin' IT'S hooked up to a battery backup...no power,no 'puter.
Buuuuuuut generators can be wired into your home's electrical service and be set up to fire up when there is a power loss.

 

[snowbear]

iceburger
hmmmmmmm, i wonder, why cant a computer be hooked up to a generator to tell it when to turn on, when the power goes out, kinda like how the computer operated batteries work...
Well, here in the currently Great Brown North, many businesses and homes have backup generators that fire up automatically when the power goes out. I know it's expensive to set up, but many find it priceless.
what type of furnace do you have? Whatever it is I want one! I'm serious.... I know of NO furnace no matter what the fuel source (other than a wood-burning stove) that will supply heat without electricity.... if the blower ain't coming on the house is getting cold.
Yep, they exist as radiant heat sources, but you're right, if it's a forced air type, the blower won't work without the juice.