Generators - The one important piece we always miss

[James Jordan]

I use a Predator from Harbor Freight. I have it fed directly into my panel using a 30 amp inlet plug. Coupled with a lock out switch and about 30 minutes of work running my kids around the house I now have a "whole house" plan without a whole house generator. Cost was about $600 and it works great.

 

[ruth howard]

My first reef tank purchase was a generac portable generator. I live in the midwest and remember the terrible ice storm we had a few years ago. I was without power for a week. I installed a plug on the outside of my house and a transfer switch by my panel in the basement. I wouldn't trust sensitive electronics with it, but I would run my old refrigerator and aquarium pumps with it. I don't think I will run my kessil ap 700, however. You have to be careful with portable generators, because they put out "dirty" electricity. They will work in a pinch.

 

[sbash]

Good tip! Thanks for that!

I would like to go that route myself. I currently have an 8000 watt gasoline generator. It paid for itself the first time I had to use it. In canada, no flow, no heat, I probably would have started to lose livestock (i.e. corals) after a full day without power...

 

[Nomadic1]

Not an economical choice by any means, but, after a hurricane killed my tank due to extended power outage 12 years ago, I bought a Generac standby, natural gas generator, with automatic transfer switch. Financed it for 3 years from Home Depot. It's saved my tank many a time since then. It was the best $7K I ever spent, and, considering that the inhabitants in my two tanks (that have been with me for over a decade now) are probably 3 times that cost to replace in today's ridiculous gouged out prices, it was money well spent.

 

[Rick.45cal]

I've got a Honda inverter generator. Clean power is important if you are running sensitive electronics off of it. I don't want to cook my APEX. I also keep on hand a significant supply of gasoline for it. They aren't cheap, but it starts up right away with the push of a button, it's quiet, efficient, and it will power everything I need for an extended outage. (A week or more if neccisary). Hurricanes in Florida are no joke!

 

[Abhishek]

I use a Predator from Harbor Freight. I have it fed directly into my panel using a 30 amp inlet plug. Coupled with a lock out switch and about 30 minutes of work running my kids around the house I now have a "whole house" plan without a whole house generator. Cost was about $600 and it works great.

How about the quality of power put out by the predator ? Is it good enough to run Apex and leds ?

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

How about the quality of power put out by the predator ? Is it good enough to run Apex and leds ?

Regards,
Abhishek

The power quality is most likely not going to be adequate. Standalone UPS systems are designed to condition the power for computers and other sensitive equipment. I'd bet you could use a UPS to condition the power produced by a generator.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

You could also try a power conditioner which would probably be the best solution:
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-L...0000514G8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

[MaiReef]

You could also try a power conditioner which would probably be the best solution:
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-L...0000514G8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I also think that would solve the issue.

 

[Abhishek]

You could also try a power conditioner which would probably be the best solution:
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-L...0000514G8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

This is amazing !!! So I can hook my Reef Angel controller to the power conditioner and connect the conditioner to the generator . If this provides ample protection , I might be able to power controllers through generators too ..

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[Bdog4u2]

Can't live without it. I have back up batteries for the short term, 2 generators, several large power converters (2000 watts) in my work truck. long term outages I'll waste my freezer to keep my tank going after many years with most of my fish I'd probably be crushed to lose some of them. in this hobby we will spend $1000 for the newest coral but gamble with its security.

 

[AlexG]

I got a 7500 Watt propane generator for my tank/house. I am still building my system but I decided to purchase the generator early so it was not overlooked before the tank was started. I went with propane because there is less maintenance on the generator and there is no worry about the fuel going bad if the generator is not used frequently.

 

[Abhishek]

I got a 7500 Watt propane generator for my tank/house. I am still building my system but I decided to purchase the generator early so it was not overlooked before the tank was started. I went with propane because there is less maintenance on the generator and there is no worry about the fuel going bad if the generator is not used frequently.

This is Avery important point that you have brought up.I live in an area where there's hardly any power outages yet in a year .May be for once for a few hours .
In that case ,which type of generator is suggested as I would run it probably only once or twice a year for a day or so ?

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[James Jordan]

You could also try a power conditioner which would probably be the best solution:
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-L...0000514G8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

For a few more bucks you can buy a Tripp Lite 1500 that has AVR, line conditioning, and serves as a battery backup.

 

[James Jordan]

If your power only goes out once a year for a few hours and you aren't in a hurricane, tornado, or freezing prone area I would suggest you skip the generator, buy a monster battery backup, and be thankful.

 

[AlexG]

This is Avery important point that you have brought up.I live in an area where there's hardly any power outages yet in a year .May be for once for a few hours .
In that case ,which type of generator is suggested as I would run it probably only once or twice a year for a day or so ?

Regards,
Abhishek

I to have infrequent power outages but due to the size of the system I am building the generator becomes a minor expense. There are tri-fuel generators available for the most flexibility but I decided on propane because its portable and inexpensive. I was considering natural gas but I did not want the expense of having a new gas line installed that would be rarely used. I have 2 propane tanks already one for the grill and one for a fire pit. I will get a couple of extra tanks to have on hand and it should allow me to have at least 2 days worth of fuel. If there is a widespread power outage the gas stations might not be able to pump fuel and propane might be easier to find. The fact that gasoline goes bad and can gum up the internal workings of the engine is also an issue. Remember the generator is an emergency tool and reliability can be increased if there is no fuel maintenance.

If you want another option I would suggest having a few battery operated air pumps on hand as they are inexpensive and anyone can put them in place in the event that you are not home when the power outage strikes. The battery operated air pumps can give you some extra time to get a generator up and running.

Regarding full system battery backups they are an option but from my experience in wireless telecommunications facilities the batteries are considered a second line and last resort power source. Power outages are unpredictable and once those batteries fully discharge there is no way to recharge them until power is restored through the utility company or via generator. The other issue with batteries is that they do require some maintenance to be considered a reliable backup source that can be trusted.

I think the best option (Dream Option) would be to have a multi engine generator system and a full battery backup system along with an automatic transfer switch but that level of power backup might cost as much as the tank if not more. This is the backup setup that is used in the wireless telecommunications industry when power failure is not acceptable.

 

[revhtree]

I added a poll!

 

[Abhishek]

Awesome @revhtree .. Thanks for adding the poll.
I knew the thread was missing something until you pointed it out :D

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[Brew12]

Awesome @revhtree .. Thanks for adding the poll.
I knew the thread was missing something until you pointed it out :D

Regards,
Abhishek

Just want to comment quickly about power quality. There are 2 main things to look for. First is a THD (total harmonic distortion) of under 5%. The second is that you want a generator with AVR (auto voltage regulation). AVR is not applicable for inverter generators.
Something like this is very nice for the price and has AVR.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Generac-GP-3-300-Running-Watt-Portable-Generator-with-Engine/50013592

 

[TonapahNorth]

Good tip! Thanks for that!

anytime