This can save your tank!

[ralph atl]

anyone that has kept a tank more than a year or 2 realizes a couple of things real quick. Good things happen slow, bad things happen quick. WIth as much time and effort, and $$$ that we out in our tanks, I am surprised at the amount of reefers not prepared for those power outages that can crash your tank, in short order. I have always had a APC true-sine wave battery backup for my power heads, and an inexpensive generator back up that will keep my pumps, heater, refrigerator, tv, and a light or 2 going.

check this deal out:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Plumbing-and-Pumps-Battery-Back-Up/c14_124/p811/Power-head-Battery-Back-Up-1200-(8-hour)/product_info.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Plumbing-and-Pumps-Battery-Back-Up/c14_124/p811/Power-head-Battery-Back-Up-1200-(8-hour)/product_info.html</a>

Ralph

 

[swfk44]

i have a 12 volt marine bilge pump 750 gph, better then nuttin i spose.

 

[elfloyd]

PowerBuy opportunity?

 

[weaglereefer]

K3 only ran 4 hours? I just run an extension cord outside to my 800watt inverter in my truck and idle my truck.

 

[swfk44]

when i sell this house my next will have an automatic self start generator, they run about $4000 and up depending on how much you want to run.

 

[swfk44]

oh and run on natural gas, so no gasoline to fool with

 

[wbrown]

I have my whole house setup on a 25kW auto start genset with auto transfer switch.
It will run everything, including the neighbors..

 

[jt955]

wbrown;381268 wrote: I have my whole house setup on a 25kW auto start genset with auto transfer switch.
It will run everything, including the neighbors..

allright i'll be right over with the extension cord.lol

 

[ralph atl]

This buys 4 to 8 hours of time, especially if you are not home. or...in the middle of the night. most power outages last less than 2-4 hours. That's why I have a generator, too for the big power outages.

a $4,000.00 dollar self starting whole house generator is obviously better, but I'll bet, most people on here don't have one of those or even inverters or generators. This post was for them.

 

[miami dolfan]

I have a small one hooked up to my pump just in case.

 

[delloman]

ya i think i am going VorTech as they have battery backups i live in an apertemt so generator is not realy an option with the VorTech battery you get 8 hours i think i also plan to get some battery powered air pumps for my fuge

 

[wbrown]

a moderately cheap route to go, a 400W or larger inverter, a deep cycle battery, and a 12v 'float' charger (wall wart type).
The inverter if chosen properly should put out enough wattage at 120v to power a Mag 9.5 for about 14 hours. Look for inverters that have higher efficiency and the battery will seem to last longer. (less loss through the inverter.)
An inverter/ charger is the base of a solar or wind system anyway, so if you've thought you might want to explore that route, look for the better inverter/charger combo now. Many R/V stores carry a <u>converter</u>/charger that will charge the battery when line power is present. An <u>inverter</u>/ charger will charge when line voltage is present and also convert the 12VDC from the battery into usable 120V AC power for your equipment.
Guesstimate pricing;
Battery $50 and up
Inverter $75-$125 (1000W)
Charger (wall wart) $20 (automotive style 10 A charger $40ish.
Inverter/ Charger 2000W $800+ and you still need batteries.

links:
http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/inverter-charger.html">http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/inverter-charger.html</a>
[IMG]http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/product-series.cfm?txtSeriesID=322&EID=14601">http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/product-series.cfm?txtSeriesID=322&EID=14601</a>

of interest (at bottom of page 2 is a guide describing load vs time on what type of battery.
[IMG]http://www.campingworld.com/includes/productSpecs/26433_data%20information.pdf">http://www.campingworld.com/includes/productSpecs/26433_data%20information.pdf</a>
3000W inverter; [IMG]http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/xantrex-xpower-3000-plus-inverter/26433">http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/xantrex-xpower-3000-plus-inverter/26433</a>

You can DIY with research, and either go with a solar charger to keep the batteries charged, a separate charger and inverter, or the most expensive, least maintenance intensive inverter/ charger.
I have a couple 400W inverters in cars for running laptops and printers away from home, a 3000W inverter/charger in my R/V that can run the entire thing for as long as the batteries last, and a backup inverter for the house for tanks/fridge whatever if the need arises.
While my genset is great, it's one thirsty beast. I have 500G of diesel underground just to feed it, and when that runs out it gets dark. I can get a week to 10 days, and have had it run out during one ice storm.