power outage

[StirCrazy]

If you would spend 200 on a single fish why not spend 4 or 500 on a generator that will last. I am saving up for a generator, but not primarly for the fish tank, it will be for my RV and then a power black out device also. the problem with 200 buck generators is you get what you payfor.. they are cheaply made and generaly when they break you throw them away. another problem with the ultra cheepies is that if there not used frequently the carb gaskets dry out or gum up.. then when you do need it guess what. Idealy one should get a honda/yammaha/kippor, not only are they 4 stroke and quiet but they are built to be serviced and repaired.

If you have a cheep one only keep a little fuel in it and run it up for about 15 min once a week, make sure you have to add new fuel at least once a month to keep fresh stuff in the carb. (this goes for the good ones also.)

Steve

[Puff]

i ordered that princessauto generator. i figure for 130$ it can at least keep my single nano tank going in an emergency.

[PoonTang]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

If you would spend 200 on a single fish why not spend 4 or 500 on a generator that will last. I am saving up for a generator, but not primarly for the fish tank, it will be for my RV and then a power black out device also. the problem with 200 buck generators is you get what you payfor.. they are cheaply made and generaly when they break you throw them away. another problem with the ultra cheepies is that if there not used frequently the carb gaskets dry out or gum up.. then when you do need it guess what. Idealy one should get a honda/yammaha/kippor, not only are they 4 stroke and quiet but they are built to be serviced and repaired.

If you have a cheep one only keep a little fuel in it and run it up for about 15 min once a week, make sure you have to add new fuel at least once a month to keep fresh stuff in the carb. (this goes for the good ones also.)

Steve

Thats exactly what i did as my main use for the generator was to run my RV. I was merely stating in my origional post that there are some very inexpensive generators out there for people dont wish to risk a power outage.

[mastergunsg]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

If you have a cheep one only keep a little fuel in it and run it up for about 15 min once a week, make sure you have to add new fuel at least once a month to keep fresh stuff in the carb. (this goes for the good ones also.)

Steve

Thats a good idea.
I would also put a fuel stabilizer in the tank as well, this helps to keep old fuel from gumming up the carbs

[spreerider]

a square wave should run a single phase ac motor, they will run rougher than normal as its not a smooth wave but the square wave should make the motor turn, it might just be a little loud,

[fishytime]

Heard that some generators can actually harm some of the aquarium equipment. Something about not providing the proper type of current. Dont know the exact details though, maybe someone else here can provide some better info on this.

[Oscar]

I tested my old 300W battery back up, it would not power my pump. So I will see if I can find one of those battery backups at Canadian Tire. Any Suggestions or advice?

[Johnny Reefer]

Any research I did suggested that a square wave UPS won't work for aquarium equipment. Even an approximation to a sine wave UPS is iffy. I found a true sine wave UPS, but they were $650 each. I wanted something that would kick in while not home, but figured I should have at least something, so I went to C-Tire to get one of those Eliminator back-ups. While there, I happened upon this...

...the beauty of which is that it's automatic. This one will power a MaxiJet 1200 for 13 hours. There are bigger ones available. Up to 1500W, I think.

HTH,

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

...the beauty of which is that it's automatic. This one will power a MaxiJet 1200 for 13 hours. There are bigger ones available. Up to 1500W, I think.

HTH,

That looks like what I need. Thanks

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

...the beauty of which is that it's automatic. This one will power a MaxiJet 1200 for 13 hours. There are bigger ones available. Up to 1500W, I think.

HTH,

I picked up this unit on Friday at the local Canadian Tire. It was fully charged out of the box (I think someone had previously purchased it). On Saturday it ran my pump for 6 hours before signalling it was low on juice.

I then recharged it Saturday evening. The power went out as scheduled on Sunday morning and the battery pack kicked in to fire up the pump immediately. After 3 hours the readout was showing the battery to still be holding 70% of its charge. The power came on after 3 1/2 hours and the battery started its recharge program.

So I did not get a full test of it's potential. I will try that next weekend and see how long it takes to drain the battery.