backup generator question

[jb300m01]

Hi all,
The power finally came back on after 24+ hours. I was able to keep the temp above 74F (in a 66F apartment) by wrapping the tank in towels & blankets and making sure the top was completely covered (my custom hood does not fit well, lol). I'm on my 6th set of "d" batteries for the air pump :14:

Anyway, I didn't get much sleep as I was up every 2 hours to check on the tank... then I left work 4 times to check on the tank. It would have been so much easier if I had a generator.

Can anyone provide a general wattage to look for? There are a bunch on craigslist but I have no idea what I'm looking for. I'd like to power a 100w heater, two HOB filters (i don't know the wattage, but I don't think it's more than the heater?) and maybe a small tv. I've done some research but I always like to hear peoples personal opinions/experiences. :cat:

[glarior]

I have had experience with big generators and welder/generator but no for smaller applications. What about those small personal battery generators in the automotive section of walmart? They seemed like they would work pretty well for the purpose.

Also, at the ranch in the middle of now where with no electricity. We would rig up a car battery in the cabin to power the TV and DVD player during the night time. Once the battery died we would charge it with the truck.

My 1cent :ssmile:

[Poofaye C.]

Ohh man you're spot on, those generators are great! Sorry, don't know the wattage either. For what you're looking for, you don't need but one of the smaller ones. Last years hurricane I used a small one to keep the fridge, one large fan and my 28gal going. It was great!!! I'll get more info and pm you.

[korith]

May want to find out from your apt manager if the generators are even allowed. Assuming you are gonna put it on your balcony or somewhere else outdoors. Oh and buy a chain/lock for the generator, there were a ton of stories of people stealing them during the power outages.

There were some pretty good threads about generators over on monsterfishkeepers forum a few months ago when that storm hit the northeast. Some pretty good advice. If i can find the thread will post a link to it.

[Kyle]

Hey I work for sears, now I dont sell any of the small generators but I know thre are some small honda ones you could use. I might also suggest looking into a battery backup one Like This ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) now I know some of the reviews on the site arnt great but Ive never had a customer return one and complain in the 3 years Ive worked there. I forget what it says on the box but it will last quite awhile. Plus it will do so much more, jumpstart your car, charge your phone, inflate your tires lol. Anyways if its just running a heater and air pump it should last quite awile and no generator noises :ssmile:

[PostalPenguin]

You could get a UPS. Something like this:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

But only put 1 HOB and the heater on the circuit. No lights or anything not essential. Even better would be a heater set to a lower temperature, but still comfortable for the fish. This way when the power goes out, the main heater set to the ideal temp will be unpowered but the lower temperature backup, which is on the UPS, will only come on when the temps start to get critical.

However, it wont last as long as a generator. Once that heater kicks on it will rapidly drain the battery. The one I quoted above is rated for 900W so a 100W heater will drain the battery quickly.

[jb300m01]

Well, the power just went out in half of my apartment again. I just called the power company and they said 5 am for it to be turned on again. It's the same underground cable that gave us the problems on Friday. Right now most of my apartment has power, except for the kitchen (good thing we didn't restock the refrigerator yet) and of course the outlet for the tank :help:

I have the filters & heater running off of a different outlet and I already covered the top with a blanket. I also have a 5 gallon bucket filled with hot water and wrapped in a towel to keep hot and some pots filled with hot water and placed in the oven to also keep hot.

I don't know if they will have to shut the power off completely again (no one from the power company is here yet to ask :hmm3grin2orange:) At least I'm prepared this time.

[PostalPenguin]

I would like to see how they wired your apartment that only half of it goes off at a time. That must mean that your apartment is hooked into two different sections of the grid and has two different power meters. Wierd.

[tybizzel]

In a two phase system each side of your power box is actualy hooked up to a differant wire in the ground. Here in Canada some provinces there not allowed to turn your power off in the winter but they can add a little breaker between the meter and the box it hooks up to, that will only put you on 1 phase but bridges it to both sides of your box. This thing also only alows 15amp. Just so you can heat and cook. barley thou. I havent had one put on mine thou. I just wanna be an electrician.

[terrapin24h]

get at least a 1000w genny(don't think they come smaller). The hondas are very quiet but very $$$ I have a 5500w briggs and it works good, but is loud and big

--chris

[Wild Turkey]

I can give you a general idea, in that the heater is pulling the most wattage by far. Filters use considerably less but pull it constantly, so its relative. The heater is generally to most electricity intense item.