Well today was quite the day

[DinoMagnet]

Well today was an eventful day. Power went out at 4am pacific. It was scheduled to come back at 1pm, then it got pushed to 6pm. I had to scramble to find some backup battery packs to run one pump n heater at least. No luck! Finally a neighbor had a jumper box that has outlets 12v, usb, etc but it couldn’t support my heater! So now I’m at the 8hr mark of no heater water movement n so forth. At this point I’m losing my mind. Ended up seeing Lowe’s had generators in stock and $1000 later my fish are getting their environment back. Now just waiting for our power to be restored. What do you guys have handy in the event of a power outage? Is there more options than just a big generator?

 

[CanuckReefer]

Well today was an eventful day. Power went out at 4am pacific. It was scheduled to come back at 1pm, then it got pushed to 6pm. I had to scramble to find some backup battery packs to run one pump n heater at least. No luck! Finally a neighbor had a jumper box that has outlets 12v, usb, etc but it couldn’t support my heater! So now I’m at the 8hr mark of no heater water movement n so forth. At this point I’m losing my mind. Ended up seeing Lowe’s had generators in stock and $1000 later my fish are getting their environment back. Now just waiting for our power to be restored. What do you guys have handy in the event of a power outage? Is there more options than just a big generator?

There are, but you are into battery banks/ inverters etc to make it work....I have my sump pump set up on a battery back up with an inverter for example. This can be costly for a quality installation.
Is your new genset a 120/240 volt unit? Say around 30 amps? At the g note pricepoint I imagine it is....If so you can have a pony panel installed off your main panel, with inlet move your critical circuits into it and power this off your new gen when needed. This is what I have currently. A manual transfer switch (need to obviously be home to do this), and bingo.
Now that you have spent the coin on the gen , you may as well complete the job for a smooth transition without running cords etc all over the place. Probably cost you another grand to have things done as listed.
Another option if your generator is compatible is having a 30 amp 120/240v connection right off your meter. All your home circuits are then covered, and you would just need to watch your loading in terms of no stove, dryer use etc...cost is slightly more for that imo than the pony panel.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have generator.

 

[Vette67]

I also have a 30 amp 120/240 generator. I still go the extension cord route. Haven’t installed a transfer switch yet.

 

[Screwgunner]

I have a 240 volt outlet in my garage if the power goes out I turn off the main bracker start my generator and plug it in to the outlet in the garage just can not run anything big in the house

 

[Mikedawg]

yep, portable inverter generator

 

[DinoMagnet]

Thank you all. And @CanuckReefer that’s really interesting I will be contacting
Some electricians, as I will fry myself

 

[jeffrey750750]

We've had to use our generator 3 times in a year and a half. The last time was 2 1/2 days. Well worth it

 

[Mical]

I got tired of jumping through hoops, extension cords, "MacGuyver stunts" etc... bought this back in July and never looked back. Try fussing with cables, gas in sub zero weather and 2 ft of snow. Nah.. not anymore

 

[DinoMagnet]

Annnnnd our power is out once again work crew won’t be here until 5-6 hours. (Sorry neighbors for my generators ruckus)