Generator = peace of mind

jrpark22000

jrpark22000

Premium member
The first power outage in a couple years is over, about 6-7 hours in length. Thank goodness for battery powered power heads and a generator. My reef is as happy now that commercial AC is back as it was before it went out.

I know there are many reefers out there without one or both. It's only a matter of time. It may not happen often but think about the panic when it does happen. :deadhorse:

Good night all.
 
Yeah I had mine go out for 13 hours several months back. Thankfully my tank was big enough (holds temp longer, more oxygen) and it wasn't fully stocked at the time and everything was fine. I have since bought a generator (propane) for the peace of mind. Small insurance price for all the livestock now. Glad everything made it through fine for you.
 
+1 on Generator = peace of mind. I have one and thankfully I have not had to use it. Its there just in case
 
jrpark22000 said:
The first power outage in a couple years is over, about 6-7 hours in length. Thank goodness for battery powered power heads and a generator. My reef is as happy now that commercial AC is back as it was before it went out.

I know there are many reefers out there without one or both. It's only a matter of time. It may not happen often but think about the panic when it does happen. :deadhorse:

Good night all.
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Where did you pick up your battered powered PHs?
 
I completely agree. I also bought a generator from harbor freight and have a battery backup on one of my vortechs, just in case im not around to hook my generator up.
 
I opted for the generator as it was a similar price as the battery backup for the Vortech. A generator is must for the things that count. Plus they can keep the power going for the fridge and keep the adult beverages cold. What else matters?
 
Every homeowner that has a natural gas line, which is basically everyone in this area, should look into natural gas generators. My father installed one on the house he built for himself several years ago. Basically, when the power goes out, the generator "senses" the power loss and automatically turns on the gas feed. It's hooked into your main circuit breaker and powers your house. Not only is it great during a storm, so that your sump pumps (the one that keep your house from flooding) continue to run, but you can also keep you fridge running, as well as your reef! They're also very quiet unlike regular gas powered generators. It's an expensive but nice thing to have especially considering how much we value our reefs.
 
I saw a cheap portable gas one at Aldi for $150. I was tempted to get it just for my tanks but they had sold out when I decided to go back and get one. I have read that the smaller ones can surge and damage more sensitive electronics (i.e. TVs, computers) so I would be hesitant to put a reef controller on it.
 
skunkmere said:
how much does a setup like that run? Pretty awesome.
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trackfast said:
Are you thinking about the whole house one? $3500+ We're till thinking about one.
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Yup, they can range anywhere from $3500 to slightly over $9000. The prices vary according to the quality and the amount of power they can generate. The last time I was talking about them with my father he said that for $5000 you can get a really nice and powerful one.
 
Well about 30 minutes after my first post, the power went out again. Was out in total just under 24 hours. Everyone in the reef was unaware of the outage except when I had to refill the generator.

DB9181 said:
Where did you pick up your battered powered PHs?
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I use belkin uverse battery backups from ebay. They power my vortechs, apex, ac3, router and switch. A single one powered the uverse router for almost 8 hours. Each battery will power a mp40 for over 4 hours.

ddiomede said:
Every homeowner that has a natural gas line, which is basically everyone in this area, should look into natural gas generators.
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Working on mine. My service panel was replaced, added a generator interlock and a manual transfer box was put in the garage. NG line is done as well. Just waiting to get the alternator to mount to the motor and it'll be done for about $2.5K. I only got it this cheap as I did alot of leg work and building my own generator. I'm not a fan of auto transfer switches, I'll stick with battery backup until I can get home and hook up the genset.
 
The list of stuff required to have NG generator installed

NG generator
contractor to install NG line, and possibly upsize your home NG service line
contractor to connect generator to existing service panel, possible upsize panel
install generator interlock(used to isolate from Commercial AC) or Auto transfer switch
permits and inspection of contractors work
 
jrpark22000 said:
The list of stuff required to have NG generator installed

NG generator
contractor to install NG line, and possibly upsize your home NG service line
contractor to connect generator to existing service panel, possible upsize panel
install generator interlock(used to isolate from Commercial AC) or Auto transfer switch
permits and inspection of contractors work
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Most likely won't have to upsize your gas service, just the meter. I don't know what the cost is for that, but i have been changing a ton for people getting generators. I work for Nicor, but don't ask if i can get you a meter... I could potentially run the fuel lines from the meter to the generator though.
 
capysolo said:
Most likely won't have to upsize your gas service, just the meter. I don't know what the cost is for that, but i have been changing a ton for people getting generators. I work for Nicor, but don't ask if i can get you a meter... I could potentially run the fuel lines from the meter to the generator though.
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Same with service panel, if you have a newer home with a 200 amp service. I wanted to include both possibilities as there are some who will and it is an expensive suprise.

All of the install options will vary depending on the size of the generator you want(5kw-15kw.) The bigger the motor the more NG and the more wattage it can provide.
 
one of those "10 year storms" last night in my area (Lake county), nearly 5 inches of rain, it was really coming down after 3am last night, luckily no power loss, but I have a basement with two sumps (both have battery backups), I also have my tank on an older UPS (this one has got a car battery sized battery) and I have the vortech battery back up. I've definitely contemplated the standby generator, it's also a good added value to the home for resale.
 
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