Backup Generator

[Elira_6301]

We are having a Thunderstorm this evening and it got me thinking about all the tanks I have running.

I have 1 x 30g, 2 x 60g, 1 x 75g, and 1 x 90g.

What kind of generator would need to back all these tanks up?

Sorry confused if it goes in my room or if its power for the entire house. How does this work?

 

[UncommonSense]

We are having a Thunderstorm this evening and it got me thinking about all the tanks I have running.

I have 1 x 30g, 2 x 60g, 1 x 75g, and 1 x 90g.

What kind of generator would need to back all these tanks up?

Sorry confused if it goes in my room or if its power for the entire house. How does this work?

A portable generator:
— manual start via pull or electric.
— you typically run extension cords from it.
— gas, diesel and propane options.
— definitely the budget option.
— won’t typically run a whole house.

A whole home stationary generator:
— much more expensive than portable.
— can typically autonomously start, and stop supplying power to the Whole home.
— can run for extreme durations with only routine maintenance.
— natural gas and propane flex fuel options.

 

[Elira_6301]

A portable generator:
— manual start via pull or electric.
— you typically run extension cords from it.
— gas, diesel and propane options.
— definitely the budget option.
— won’t typically run a whole house.

A whole home stationary generator:
— much more expensive than portable.
— can typically autonomously start, and stop supplying power to the Whole home.
— can run for extreme durations with only routine maintenance.
— natural gas and propane flex fuel options.

That helps a lot. Super grateful!!

 

[UncommonSense]

That helps a lot. Super grateful!!

Of course! I’m no specialist on the topic, but I’m also far from unfamiliar!

I’m currently using a Champion 6,300w (running), electric start, gas/propane flex fuel, portable generator as my property backup for three tanks, an aquaponic system, two deep freezers, and two fridges…

Note: I only run this generator on propane, and it has never had gasoline in it since new… modern gas seems to just “rot” if left sitting, clogging up small engine carburetor jets!

I’m heavily considering upgrading to a 7-15kW Generac stationary whole home generator. Natural gas/propane flex fuel powered. (in case an earthquake also takes out my natural gas supply line)

 

[Elira_6301]

Of course! I’m no specialist on the topic, but I’m also far from unfamiliar!

I’m currently using a Champion 6,300w (running), electric start, gas/propane flex fuel, portable generator as my property backup for three tanks, an aquaponic system, two deep freezers, and two fridges…

Note: I only run this generator on propane, and it has never had gasoline in it since new… modern gas seems to just “rot” if left sitting, clogging up small engine carburetor jets!

I’m heavily considering upgrading to a 7-15kW Generac stationary whole home generator. Natural gas/propane flex fuel powered. (in case an earthquake also takes out my natural gas supply line)

I would go with whole house except plan to build soon. I guess Ill need a portable generator for now and a crap ton of extension cords for this mess.

Going to have some look at generators now. I couldn't fathom losing all these tanks.

 

[UncommonSense]

I would go with whole house except plan to build soon. I guess Ill need a portable generator for now and a crap ton of extension cords for this mess.

Going to have some look at generators now. I couldn't fathom losing all these tanks.

I recommend going for electric start and propane capable if you can stretch for it! — portable generators retain decent value on the used market, or it could be good to have around for remote projects!

Consider accounting for the eventual whole home generator’s placement, and concrete pad, if there isn’t one there already in your plans!

 

[Elira_6301]

I recommend going for electric start and propane capable if you can stretch for it! — portable generators retain decent value on the used market, or it could be good to have around for remote projects!

Consider accounting for the eventual whole home generator’s placement, and concrete pad, if there isn’t one there already in your plans!

Oh there will definitely be an entire home generator. These little tanks will no longer be in the picture at that point.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

You must be from a state that doesn't have inclement weather

I'm in Oklahoma and a "thunderstorm" is normal evening for us

 

[Elira_6301]

You must be from a state that doesn't have inclement weather

I'm in Oklahoma and a "thunderstorm" is normal evening for us

Norman is my home of record actually. Now I live in Texas. Ive been in plenty of basements growing up.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Ultimately you want to figure out the amp draw from all tanks combined to ensure you generator can sustain each tank.

So you take the watts divided by voltage. So for example 600w heater on a 120v circuit would consume 5 amps this is important when dedicating each circuit for an outlet on your generator along with properly sizing your generator (at least for fish tanks)

Norman is my home of record actually. Now I live in Texas. Ive been in plenty of basements growing up.

Well you should know that a thunderstorm isn't going to harm your tanks Texas only worry are ice storms which a few years ago we saw how they can handle the power grid

 

[Hunna’s Stunnas]

I got this one over the winter since we were actually getting ice and snow when we usually don’t (GA). I didn’t end up needing it for that, but I did have to run it this past Wednesday for a few hours. We had a bad storm that took power out from 1:45am until 5:45am, it was expected to be 8:30am when it came back.

I only had one extension cord, so I spent every 30 minutes rotating between my 40b and 4.8g Deskmate in the living room, and the 15g cube in my bedroom. It was pretty obnoxious and I’ll definitely be getting another extension cord so I don’t have to do that again. But it was extremely useful having the generator and not stressing about whether or not will I lose something from it.

 

[Elira_6301]

Ultimately you want to figure out the amp draw from all tanks combined to ensure you generator can sustain each tank.

So you take the watts divided by voltage. So for example 600w heater on a 120v circuit would consume 5 amps this is important when dedicating each circuit for an outlet on your generator along with properly sizing your generator (at least for fish tanks)



Well you should know that a thunderstorm isn't going to harm your tanks Texas only worry are ice storms which a few years ago we saw how they can handle the power grid

When I start thinking about all this money, I can't help but have anxious thoughts. Its scurry!

 

[Jimmy Smits IV]

I have a portable champion 7500 watt generator, which I manually hook up to a receptacle on the outside of the house that feeds directly into the breaker panel. Theres an interlock kit installed on the panel that makes it safe to do this. Then I turn on whatever breakers I want to feed. Most of my house is able to be run with the exception of A/C, Electric Stove, and toaster oven.

I would not want to have to run cords to each fish tank, that sounds like a mess and difficult to manage.

 

[Elira_6301]

I got this one over the winter since we were actually getting ice and snow when we usually don’t (GA). I didn’t end up needing it for that, but I did have to run it this past Wednesday for a few hours. We had a bad storm that took power out from 1:45am until 5:45am, it was expected to be 8:30am when it came back.

I only had one extension cord, so I spent every 30 minutes rotating between my 40b and 4.8g Deskmate in the living room, and the 15g cube in my bedroom. It was pretty obnoxious and I’ll definitely be getting another extension cord so I don’t have to do that again. But it was extremely useful having the generator and not stressing about whether or not will I lose something from it.

Id lose my mind changing every 30 mins. Thats dedication right there. I looked at it and its out of stock. :(

 

[Hunna’s Stunnas]

Id lose my mind changing every 30 mins. Thats dedication right there. I looked at it and its out of stock. :(

It was only for a few hours, I kept myself busy. But I definitely won’t be doing it again lol.

I also noticed it was out of stock. But that power output was able to easily run what I needed it to. And it used much less gas during that time than I expected it to.

 

[Elira_6301]

It was only for a few hours, I kept myself busy. But I definitely won’t be doing it again lol.

I also noticed it was out of stock. But that power output was able to easily run what I needed it to. And it used much less gas during that time than I expected it to.

Thank you for your feedback.

 

[mh0ward]

I've got a 1KWh EcoFlow Delta 2 running my 21 gal lagoon. Most of the outages we have are usually only a couple hours at most, but we've had a couple that were more like 5-6 hrs recently with all the severe weather. Even then, I had enough battery to keep it running for 2-3 times longer. I have a 4500W gas generator in case we get longer outages, but the EcoFlow is still nice to have since it will automatically switch over to battery if, say, the power went out after going to bed or if I were away from the house for a while.

 

[UncommonSense]

Ultimately you want to figure out the amp draw from all tanks combined to ensure you generator can sustain each tank.

So you take the watts divided by voltage. So for example 600w heater on a 120v circuit would consume 5 amps this is important when dedicating each circuit for an outlet on your generator along with properly sizing your generator (at least for fish tanks)

This is excellent info! I was hoping to type it all out but cooking dinner has me pretty distracted! — thanks for getting it on paper!

It should also be noted that a qualified electrician should be consulted regarding whole home generator sizing, placement, and installation (particularly for the Automatic Transfer Switch)!

 

[BeanAnimal]

Lets' back up a step.

What is your budget?

Whole house: Called a "standby generator"
I would not purchase anything under 18kW or 22kW even if you need less. You may need more, but that depends on your home AND what you want to power.

There are three ways for whole house.

1 - smaller than needed, a panel for the generator feeds the important loads in the home. During an outage, these are the only things run by the generator.

2 - similar to above, but you can hook up more than the generator is capable of running. A preconfigured bit of logic "sheds" (turns off) some loads when other loads demand power. This is called load shedding. Example, hour AC calling for cooling, may shut down the breaker running the home theater. Or the electric water heater may override and shut down the AC. You choose what gets priority.

3 - whole house transfer. Just what it says, everything in hour home is run from the generator .

I am not a fan of generac. There are better, kohler is one of them. Air cooled is cheaper and goes up to maybe 30kW.... Water cooled are more expensive, but better generators. They are expensive, but even quieter.

That brings is to portable.
This is a broad discussion -- but I will cut to the chase. If you can afford Honda -- then buy a Honda. They are the gold standard on portables. Quiet, efficient and reliable. The pull start models are easy to start and the larger models have electric start. If your budget allows, I wouldn't bother looking at ANYTHING else.

Also -- if you don't need to run huge single loads (water heater, electric furnace, AC, etc.) then buy 2 or 3 smaller or mid size units. That way you don't have a single point of failure. Two EU2200i are quite and will power several tanks, refrigerators and lights, etc.

Add up the watts of everything you think you may want to run... add about 30% to it to be safe and size from there.

 

[KQuillan]

@VintageReefer