parrotchute
DUSTOFF MEDEVAC
I'm getting a generator, but I have no idea what kind of specs I should be looking for? Any suggestions?
generator
- Thread starter parrotchute
- Start date
dcantucson
Reef pro
No but.... Get a good one. :lol:
KidJ57
Struggling Reef Addict
You mean like a whole house generator or like a little battery back up for your fish tank?
winyfrog
Yep!
Figure out what you want to run off of it (how many watts) You should take into account your fridge etc. If your buying one you might as well get one that will keep some other important things running.
parrotchute
DUSTOFF MEDEVAC
just the tank, I'd rather not run much else off of it to make the juice last as long as possible.
KidJ57
Struggling Reef Addict
What equipment do you need to back up...what sizes?
winyfrog
Yep!
Just a thought if the power is out for a period of time. You might want to have a cold beer LOL
My generator runs my pumps, heaters/chiller and my fridge (all you need is circulation and temp control) I can't remember what mine is I will look tonight.
My generator runs my pumps, heaters/chiller and my fridge (all you need is circulation and temp control) I can't remember what mine is I will look tonight.
parrotchute
DUSTOFF MEDEVAC
well, really, I'd want 2-3 powerheads going and the heater/controller for my 75 gallon, but I want to be able to run it with my upgrade 150, too, so I'm not sure how many watts that'd be. It'd be a sump pump, controller, heaters powerful enough for the 150, and 2 powerheads....
Yeah Winy, that sounds good, thanks!
Yeah Winy, that sounds good, thanks!
daugherty
part time reefer
i would get one that is at least 4000watts but that is just me
parrotchute
DUSTOFF MEDEVAC
4000 watts?? That seems like a lot....
bjohanson1234
.........
Generators - Outdoors - Special Values at The Home Depot
True you could get a 1100 watt generator but for 40 bucks more, get one that will power more than your tank. And keep the beeg cold:mrgreen: When we move to a new home, I wouldnt mind looking into a whole house generator that runs on natural gas. But that wouldnt be for a while.
True you could get a 1100 watt generator but for 40 bucks more, get one that will power more than your tank. And keep the beeg cold:mrgreen: When we move to a new home, I wouldnt mind looking into a whole house generator that runs on natural gas. But that wouldnt be for a while.
Hornet
Reefing newb
I would go for one that's at least 4k watts like daugherty suggest. Gotta figure if your electric is out you make want to keep the food in your fridge and freezer cold.
I've got a whole house gas generator on my wish list for next year. Hopefully I can save up enough money get one.
bjohanson1234
.........
Definantly put in an auto switch over too. That way you dont have to be home to turn it on.
parrotchute
DUSTOFF MEDEVAC
yes, def want an auto switch, But i've never had the power be out for more than 4-6 hours (and that's a very rare event), so I'm not worried about the fridge...
parrotchute
DUSTOFF MEDEVAC
if a generator has less load will it use less gas? Or is the gas consumption the same regardless?
bjohanson1234
.........
The more load the more gas it needs. I noticed that the gens I linked to had run times on half load as a stat. Also, I have used gens on jobsites and you can hear them rev up when there is a large load on them. As for the auto switching, I dont think these ones that I posted can do that. They are more of a portable gen.
parrotchute
DUSTOFF MEDEVAC
sweet, thanks for the info BJ - my parents own a true value, so they're able to get me one at cost, which is nice.
bjohanson1234
.........
Nice go all out then:mrgreen:
scu95821
Reefing newb
check out generator.com they have everything. If your not in California there are all kinds of good deals. We have retarded smog laws that make everything cost more here. I found a decent one at OSH for $150 that would run your tank.
Depending on how long you need power a battery back up for a computer would work. same price range and it will only last 10-30 mins but most power outages dont last that long and it doubles as a power strip and surge protector.
Honda and Yamaha make good small ones but they cost $$$$$
Depending on how long you need power a battery back up for a computer would work. same price range and it will only last 10-30 mins but most power outages dont last that long and it doubles as a power strip and surge protector.
Honda and Yamaha make good small ones but they cost $$$$$
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parrotchute
DUSTOFF MEDEVAC
I use a battry back up to keep my powerheads going, but they won't stand a chance against a resistive load like a heater.
I ended up going with a 4000W portable generator. I wanted one that's static, but wiring it to switch over, etc, looked like it was going to cost several thousand. Maybe in the next house!
I ended up going with a 4000W portable generator. I wanted one that's static, but wiring it to switch over, etc, looked like it was going to cost several thousand. Maybe in the next house!
