Salty, broomer and other Junkyard Warriors
- Thread starter beth
- Start date
marc42fe
Member
Beth
IMO for 5 - 7 days, I think for the money I would go with a small 4000 watt generator. I just cant see 2 cart batteries holding out that long. maybee 2 or 3 days if you constantly kept them topped off with a small trickle charger when you have power (which is how I keep my skilift backup systems going) thats a little too intricate system for the average person to keep up with. If you don't keep them topped off you just might find that you wont have the power when you need it. a generator is simple just start it, plug in and feed gas at regular intervals till you get your power back. just my opinion though
Marc
IMO for 5 - 7 days, I think for the money I would go with a small 4000 watt generator. I just cant see 2 cart batteries holding out that long. maybee 2 or 3 days if you constantly kept them topped off with a small trickle charger when you have power (which is how I keep my skilift backup systems going) thats a little too intricate system for the average person to keep up with. If you don't keep them topped off you just might find that you wont have the power when you need it. a generator is simple just start it, plug in and feed gas at regular intervals till you get your power back. just my opinion though
Marc
mr . salty
Active Member
For most people this would be a good backup,,But for you(in FLA.)I would also suggest a generator.However I think you should get at least a 5000watt one.That way you could also power most of your house with it...This is what I have,and it worked great the last time I needed it...I have mine wired directly into my breaker box....
cwfish
Member
If you consider that a large car battery holds about 100 Amp Hours @12V so with loss to the inverter, etc, 2 batteries would power 110v stuff at about 18AH. Figuring a 1.5Amp average draw you are looking at about 12 hours of runtime out of 2 batteries. I would go the route of the generator.
mr . salty
Active Member
Mine is gas powered,with a 8 HP b/s engine..It has enough power to run the fridge,TV,furnace,and the tank...It pretty much can keep the house going as long as I pour gas into it...In your case,you could allways stock up on gas when you know a big storm is comming.Then if you don't need it,dump it in the car...It's not a good idea to store gas around the house...
mr . salty
Active Member
Sunshine is usually not seen during a hurricane....
stacy
Member
I don't thinl though that it will stay cloudy forever. The batteries in solar can last a couple of days without charging depending on how much load you have. That should be more than enough time for the coulds to clear. I've lived through a few hurricanes myself, and the clouds are usually gone as soon as it's over.
broomer5
Active Member
Beth - a small gasoline powered generator really is about the most reliable and troublefree way to insure you'll have electric backup power when you need it the most.
Just another thing to have to spend money on - but you'll be glad you did when the time comes - and the time WILL come for sure for sure.
I broke down and finally bought a 3000 watt unit that works fine for what I bought it for.
Just another thing to have to spend money on - but you'll be glad you did when the time comes - and the time WILL come for sure for sure.
I broke down and finally bought a 3000 watt unit that works fine for what I bought it for.
I already briefly thought of the solar panels...believe it or not, it is very sunny just before a hurincane hits and immediately after they blows away! However, its the blowing that creates the problem with solars....they blow off your roof during hurricanes!! The last hurricane that hit had sustained winds of 110mph for 12 hours [Georges stalled right on top of us!]
Forgive me for being a Southern Bell thats never been beyond the Dixie Line [actually I was born in Canada but that was a very long time ago] but how much power does a furance pull? Is it comparable to an AC? Boy I'd sure like to at least power up my small ACs cause I nearly had a heat stroke when we were down with power during Georges. It would be nice to use my central AC, but I know that would require a huge generator that cost too much.
So there's no one that likes propane generators? I already have propane gas installed for my stove and will be replacing most other appliances as needed with natural gas. [My electric bill here averages $200 mo.]
During Huricane Georges the power was out for nearly a wk. I had my FO then and kept the tank going with only those little airstone battery pumps! You think I could get by with that again in a reef tank?
Forgive me for being a Southern Bell thats never been beyond the Dixie Line [actually I was born in Canada but that was a very long time ago] but how much power does a furance pull? Is it comparable to an AC? Boy I'd sure like to at least power up my small ACs cause I nearly had a heat stroke when we were down with power during Georges. It would be nice to use my central AC, but I know that would require a huge generator that cost too much.
So there's no one that likes propane generators? I already have propane gas installed for my stove and will be replacing most other appliances as needed with natural gas. [My electric bill here averages $200 mo.]
During Huricane Georges the power was out for nearly a wk. I had my FO then and kept the tank going with only those little airstone battery pumps! You think I could get by with that again in a reef tank?
stacy
Member
You should be able to determine what you need by looking at what your going to run. Each appliance should have a label with wattage, amperage, and voltage. If you go through the house and write down everything that you want to run on a list. Take that to a generator sales shop and they should be able to determine what you need. Remember if it's not on your list don't try to turn it on while your running the generator. A good rule is to unplug anything thats not on the list. The problem with running propane is the danger of a leak. It can be hard to detect especially after a hurricane.
lnarobbins
Member
Beth I live in Oregon what is a hurricane are they a really big storm?
here we get some ice/wind storms not even close to you get but for me living up in the woods near a small town I have a 3000wt gas generator wired into my breaker box it runs the house heater,stove and fridge and the tank, my problem here is that it does not get hot after the storm but, it gets cold and I live far enough from town that me getting power is a low priority. At the firehall we have a big a$$ generator that runs off a 1000 gallon propaine tank that automaticaly takes over any time the power is off for a second
I know this did not help you I just wanted to let you know that power outages are a common thing even here on the west coast
(hot to me is over 80)
here we get some ice/wind storms not even close to you get but for me living up in the woods near a small town I have a 3000wt gas generator wired into my breaker box it runs the house heater,stove and fridge and the tank, my problem here is that it does not get hot after the storm but, it gets cold and I live far enough from town that me getting power is a low priority. At the firehall we have a big a$$ generator that runs off a 1000 gallon propaine tank that automaticaly takes over any time the power is off for a second
I know this did not help you I just wanted to let you know that power outages are a common thing even here on the west coast
(hot to me is over 80)
Stacy, that's a good point, I will do a check as you suggest.
As for hurricanes...well, the largest storms in the world, is what they are. I know that other people in the county have power outages, especially if you live in California but blackouts are not comparable to natural disasters. When Georges came thru here 2 yrs ago, we were actually under Marshell Law! The military was posted at various checkpoints to control access into various areas and everyone had a curfew. The power was out everywhere for a wk, and, in some places longer than that.
<a href="http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/gensupframe.htm" target="_blank">Check out the 5500 model</a>
As for hurricanes...well, the largest storms in the world, is what they are. I know that other people in the county have power outages, especially if you live in California
but blackouts are not comparable to natural disasters. When Georges came thru here 2 yrs ago, we were actually under Marshell Law! The military was posted at various checkpoints to control access into various areas and everyone had a curfew. The power was out everywhere for a wk, and, in some places longer than that.<a href="http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/gensupframe.htm" target="_blank">Check out the 5500 model</a>
stacy
Member
I like the fact that it's liquid cooled. I know what the temps can be like down there. Also if you want I can find out what the dealers cost is on that unit. May help when you get to the bargaining table. One of my partners owns a honda dealership here in CA. He's done well in the last few years selling generators between the Y2K scare, and the rolling blackouts.
stacy
Member
jeffandnance,
You must be some of the lucky ones that don't have frequent power outages. I have about 1 every 6 months. When el nino hit I was without power for a few days. Never again. Lost everything in the fridge. At that time I only had an outdoor pond, and it did O.K. without power. Now that I have my salt tanks no way will I go that long without power. I have more invested in fish than I will ever admit. A backup device is worth the investment.
You must be some of the lucky ones that don't have frequent power outages. I have about 1 every 6 months. When el nino hit I was without power for a few days. Never again. Lost everything in the fridge. At that time I only had an outdoor pond, and it did O.K. without power. Now that I have my salt tanks no way will I go that long without power. I have more invested in fish than I will ever admit. A backup device is worth the investment.
mr . salty
Active Member
BARON, a 5000watt gas powered generator should run right around $500.I wouldn't reccomend buying anything less....Sure a 3000 watt is a couple hundred less,but you wont be able to keep the frige cold AND the house warm,AND light the house at night AND watch TV all at the same time..Plus keep the whole tank up and running...
marc42fe
Member
Just to give you the math a 5000 watt generator will suport about 45 amps @ 120vac the one receptical you probably have all your tank equiptment plugged into will only take 20 amps before you "pop" the breaker. I think a 3000 would be more than enough and a lot lighter and smaller and less fuel and Quieter and I'd even be willing to bet you could run your whole house on it as long as you were mindful of what was on and off.
lnarobbins
Member
I've had no trouble w/mine I had to run it 4 days straight with the outside temp at 20 to 35 degrees
3000 watts is reletivly cheap and works for what I need it for
3000 watts is reletivly cheap and works for what I need it for
The model that I linked above is very quiet, it also costs a bit more than $500...don't I wish! Stacy, if you wouldn't mind doing some research on the model, then I would appreciate it.
I would like to have my fridge, tank pumps, computer and it would be nice to have my central ac on too, but that is probably hoping for too much. I'd be satisfied with being able to turn one of my window units [small ac's]. We are low light users, so I don't expect much power drainage from turning on lights, but the TV and the Playstation2 will probably be running
I would like to have my fridge, tank pumps, computer and it would be nice to have my central ac on too, but that is probably hoping for too much. I'd be satisfied with being able to turn one of my window units [small ac's]. We are low light users, so I don't expect much power drainage from turning on lights, but the TV and the Playstation2 will probably be running