Emergency Generator

Hi:

In my depths of paranoia and thinking about summer storms I've been looking at my tanks and thinking about what a power outage would do and cost me.

When I got to over $2 grand if the system crashed I went OH Sh*t and started thinking about getting a generator.

Does anyone have one? Any recommendations? Meynards has a 3,000 watt unit on sale right now for $250. In an emergency I don't need lights and really don't need to run the closed loop in the 90 fowler. All I really need to run is the 1.5 hp main pump for the 2 tanks in system and I'd like to run the Iwaki md70rlt on the skimmer for airation. Do you think 3,000 watts is sufficient. I wat thinking I might even be able to run the fridge off of it.

Opinions?

Thanks,

Bruce

 

I think you should have no problems with a 3000 watt unit, Check the wattage on your pumps and heaters and add them together, also check the amperage draw on everything and make sure the generator is able to handle it.

 

I think it is a good idea.
There are tons of uses for them.
I personally just got a few ups's to run my filteration and water movement.
Tested them out and got about 1 hr of run time. Costs about $100.
Then again you get the same as I do.
Small surges and mostly the power going out in storms but usualy not more than a few seconds. However we have been having those cases where a few towns end up with no power for a full day.
Maybe get a few mall UPS's and keep the generator in the garage out of the way so you can grab it in the extreme situations.

 

I have a little 1000w one. It is a lifesaver when the power goes out.

 

How long will it work before it goes down? Think ahead... those days without power and such. Are you protected against back-siphon? ;D

 

Well mine uses about 1/2 gal of gas and runs for 8 hours. i refill it when it dies. In my opinion there are no cons to a generator.

 

Fletch: The big question is how many amps the generator puts out? I couldn't find it on the box. My guess for the 2 pumps is in the 9-14 amp range tops. If necessary I don't need to run the skimmer and can save a few amps, but like the air it injects.

JTreef: I'm really not too worried about under an hour. My big 1.5 hp pump will burn through a cheap UPS in nothing flat.

Rickzter: No problems with a back-siphon. Everything is set up just like I'm doing a water change.

Bruce: I think you hit it on the head. I think it's cheap insurance. It would be neat to find one that somehow automatically starts in case of an outage, but that sounds like big bucks.

 

Try researching it on the web, Or Look up the manufacturer and email or call them to find out the max amp draw you can have on it. John

 

From my expirence most generators even small ones will be enough for most tank hardware...except if u have like 10 1000w mh lol...

 

OK, I picked up the unit. It's 3,000 watts with a 3,500 watts surge capacity. It looks like it will put out 25 amps. It is supposed to run for 10 hours on a tank of gas at 1/2 load. It's on sale for $260. I checked around at Home Depot and Harbor Freight and everything comparable was much more.

Now I need to make sure my wife knows how to use it if I'm out of town...
She is already giving me attitude. :