Power Outage options? - UPS?

[mark]

seeing some high wattage suggestions, be thinking for a power outage run the minimum to extend battery life.

my plan, not to worry about the lights, CL, skimmer, basement return pump etc. Just be throwing in the heater and power head I normally use for my water changes into the display for heat and aeration. Have run this off a cheap UPS and if looking to be a long time have a cheap little generator. Both are not true sinewave and no problems with the PH, plus if was long term, for the difference in price between a cheap UPS and true sine, go to Aquagiant and but a few more PHs.

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

I have the Noma 400 as well and that's great for power outage.

UPS are just cr@p as they run for no more than 15 or 20 minutes. They are not meant to keep the power going long term so they are worthless for our use. They are only meant to keep a computer running a very short while for very short power outage so that the provided software shut down the computer.

I would respectfully disagree with this statement. While it may be generally true of consumer grade UPSs, it is an over simplification of the higher end UPSs that are available.

The run time is a factor of load. If you put one pump on a Data Center UPS, it will run for weeks before draining the batteries.

I run my entire system (with the exception of the lights) on a PowerWare 1500VA UPS. If a power failure occurs, the controller shuts off everything except the sump return, powerheads, heater and skimmer.

I have tested this for 4 hours and still had roughly 50% charge.

One thing to watch for, and I think it was already mentioned, but make sure the UPS produces a true sine wave. I would guess that pumps don't like square waves?

In the end, the UPS is such a simple solution. Although, perhaps not the cheapest.

[amoreira]

One can get a 1 - 3 kW generator from Costco for $300 to $500. One can't run it indoors though. It'll last as long as you have gasoline.

[mike31154]

I did ramble on somewhat in a couple of posts here, but bottom line is everyone needs to look at their own system and determine what can get their livestock through an extended power outage. Really depends on your particluar set up. Anything from a battery operated air pump to a 5KW generator and everything in between (batteries, inverters, UPSs, combinations thereof) can work. No one can predict when an outage will occur and how long it will last. You buys your gear and takes your chances. How valuable are your critters to you? While I personally don't have one yet, I still believe a generator is your best insurance and bang for your buck for any situation that may arise.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I have several battery packs from Canadian Tire that will keep powerheads running for about a day each.

I also have a portable gas generator for major emergencies, but haven't had to use it yet. I have a few jerry cans and at least a couple of them are full of gas at any one time. I use the gas in my CRV and get new gas every month or two, so I don't have old gas sitting around.