Power outages....

[BackPackHunter]

Questions for the people with large tanks
What do you do in power outages?
I was thinking of installing a auto back up gen, but it will run me a little over 6k
It would be nice to have, but a little more then I want to spend
I was thinking of some kind of auto battery back up for a min amount of gear to keep things alive, but have no idea how to make it auto,
Anyone have any links
In the last week my power went out 3 times....

[mark]

easy enough to put some critical pieces (circulation/heat) on a store bought UPS

[BackPackHunter]

^^^

What's a UPS?

[Marcel Legros]

^^^

What's a UPS?

UPS - "Uninterruptable Power Supply"

Retail units are typically designed to run a desktop computer for 10-15 minutes but not much more. You can get a commercial unit that will give you 500-1000W of backup for 30 minutes at 120V. There are larger units that are designed for longer durations and more capacity but the prices are similar to gas generators. I used to sell these for a living...

If you are getting frequent but short duration outages, a UPS is a lifesaver. There is no loss of power to your equipment and unlike a genset, you don't have to do anything - it transfers the power automatically if you buy the right equipment. For longer power outages (more than 15-30 minutes) I'd highly recommend a gas powered portable generator.

[BackPackHunter]

The portable gas gen isn't a option....
I work away from home a lot, and I need to have everything in this tank auto.
The most ill be able to get my wife to do is feed... I'm home enough to be able to clean n do water changes....etc
I'm still in the planning stages, but my system will be probably close to 800-1000 gallons, plus a 90g QT tank with 45-50 gallon sump, and to 25g transfer tanks. I will have a 30g ATO tank, 200g RODI tank, 200g pre mix salt water tank
With 30g hopper for mixing the salt in....

I'm still not sure about the size of the DT and sump yet ...
I only want to give up a small part of my living room

Should I just bit the bullet and dish out the cash for the hole house auto gas gen?

[Marcel Legros]

Should I just bit the bullet and dish out the cash for the hole house auto gas gen?

Yes, for a full-auto option, this is the least expensive way to go. Not cheap but it the least expensive way to accomplish what you want.

[mark]

Large system, quite the commitment for not being home much. If going that big another 6k probably not a bad investment, plus can keep the fridge and furnace going.

Wondering about the Generac (http://www.homedepot.ca/product/corepower-7kw-automatic-home-standby-generator/924414)systems myself and believe can get natural gas versions.

[mseepman]

I put in a whole home natural gas system. Works like a charm and wasn't very expensive. Wouldn't go without it after investing in this tank.

[Dearth]

In the interm I would go to staples, future shop, best buy or crappy tire, costco and buy the biggest UPS available or a couple and at least you would have some piece of mind. You can get UPS 's that hold up to 4 hrs of charge the more you plug in though the faster that the charge will be eaten up on a power outage.

[BackPackHunter]

[QUOTE=mark;888691]Large system, quite the commitment for not being home much. If going that big another 6k probably not a bad investment, plus can keep the fridge and furnace going.

Wondering about the Generac (http://www.homedepot.ca/product/corepower-7kw-automatic-home-standby-generator/924414)systems myself and believe can get natural gas versions.[/]

That system does run on natural gas or propane

I looked into the Generac system and call around and got lots of info on it
One guy I talked to told me to buy the one at Costco (HoneyWell) said it's made at the same place, same unit, and he can't match the price,
Told me to buy that, and he'll hook it up...
It will be the cheapest way....
Here's a link
http://m.costco.ca/Honeywell®-17kW-Automatic-Standby-Generator.product.100090623.html

This will do the hole house and the fish room

I got about 6-7 yrs reefing and about 15 yrs with tanks in general
I'm going to have cams set up to watch from my phone or computer when I'm away too. So I could maybe guide or talk my wife threw what needs to be done
I've just had about a 7 yr brake, so I'm not in a crazy rush...

[BackPackHunter]

I put in a whole home natural gas system. Works like a charm and wasn't very expensive. Wouldn't go without it after investing in this tank.

I don't see my tank as a investment , but more like a never ending money pit

[mseepman]

I can tell you that the Honeywell at Costco is a good deal...but maybe overkill. 17kw is freaking huge!! I bought my 8kw at KMS tools for quite a bit less and it runs my tank and tank room, 2 refrigerators, 1 freezer, a socket in every room and my furnace. It was too small for my AC also but I still feel ok with that. Here is the link: http://www.kmstools.com/generac-guardian-series-8kw-standby-generator-66457
Hope that helps.


[QUOTE=mark;888691]Large system, quite the commitment for not being home much. If going that big another 6k probably not a bad investment, plus can keep the fridge and furnace going.

Wondering about the Generac (http://www.homedepot.ca/product/corepower-7kw-automatic-home-standby-generator/924414)systems myself and believe can get natural gas versions.[/]

That system does run on natural gas or propane

I looked into the Generac system and call around and got lots of info on it
One guy I talked to told me to buy the one at Costco (HoneyWell) said it's made at the same place, same unit, and he can't match the price,
Told me to buy that, and he'll hook it up...
It will be the cheapest way....
Here's a link
http://m.costco.ca/Honeywell®-17kW-Automatic-Standby-Generator.product.100090623.html

This will do the hole house and the fish room

I got about 6-7 yrs reefing and about 15 yrs with tanks in general
I'm going to have cams set up to watch from my phone or computer when I'm away too. So I could maybe guide or talk my wife threw what needs to be done
I've just had about a 7 yr brake, so I'm not in a crazy rush...

[mark]

If I was to do, see no reason for whole house either. Easy enough to split off "essential" circuits to standby system, leaving the rest of the houses load on utility.

[BackPackHunter]

^^^^^
That looks like a good option
I don't need my hole house to have power,
But a few things would be nice
Does it look like the pic? And did it come with the panel ?

[carnut]

we just put in a manual transfer switch that powers most of the house. With generator around 2500.

Will be nice to have heat and water!!!!!

[BackPackHunter]

I had my wife call and ask what was up with 3 power outages in one week
And they told her we are on a major hub, n if someone hits a power pole or any problem we will likely be with out power for a short time....
After the frost comes out of the ground, I'll be laying landscaping brick and changing the grade, and adding weeping tile, because it's holding water when it's was warming up... And going to put the one from KSM tools in by my A/C

So guess that's going to prolong the build and after that I'll be putting in the HRV....


Thanks for the help everyone

[mseepman]

I was really impressed...the one I got from KMS included everything I needed except for the 26r battery, including a full auto transfer switch.