POWER OUTAGE NOTICE - Need to prepare for my tanks' inhabitants' safety

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Rogue951

I wonder if Costco does anything about it though. They track because I return stuff without receipt sometimes. And yes its because it's actually broken.

I can tell you that retailers are pretty good at distinguishing between legitimate and bogus returns. But they have to be very careful not to p off good customers and lose business.

[zhasan]

Hi All,

Thank you all for all your responses. I've decided to rent a generator from Home Depot for the day... it'll run me about 40 bucks plus gas for a small one. Certainly can't afford to buy one and keep and I'm not one to buy use and return.

I was hoping to find a cheaper backup solution (battery backup/UPS) to buy and keep for future usage but I'll think about that later.

Anyway, got another notice today saying that the power outage has been moved to December 4th now.

What I'm wondering about is how much gas will I need to have to have the generator working the entire day. I won't be home all day and I'm counting on my brother (who conveniently lives next door) to refill the gas and keep the generator going. I have a 10 litre gas can that I can fill up but am wondering if it'll last the day.

Anyone used a generator all day long before?

[mike31154]

Fuel consumption depends on a number of variables, the size of the generator & the load you put on it. You can usually get some idea of average consumption for a particular unit, but we have no idea what you are renting? Best to talk to the folks you're renting from to get that info. An average vehicle uses in the order of 10 litres/100 kms highway driving. That takes about an hour, but is a fairly large engine moving a bit of weight. Your 10 litre can might last a day, but probably a good idea to go to Can Tire & pick up a 25 litre.

On another tangent, but with some relevance, seeing as BC Hydro are cranking up the electricity rates in the coming years to the tune of 25% or so, I'm thinking the payback time for installing solar panels on your home will get to the point where it's worthwhile to invest the capital. Once you have that set up with enough batteries & inverters, you'll have a relatively clean alternative to use as a back up when the power corporation fails you or shuts you down for maintenance.

[Palmer]

If anyone is interested in buying a generator I picked this one up at home depot for $399.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/PowerStro...3500/203183987

I bought it primarily to work on my cabin it provides 3500W. It's the first geenrator I have owned but it works slick and I would run it 8-10 hours at a time several days in a row without issue. Once I am finished with it at the cabin i will be bringing it back to the house for potential extended power failures.

[mseepman]

I used to sell Whole-home Generators when I was with an Electrical firm...the cost was huge (especially for the transfer switch). Now the market has really dropped the pricing. I bought my 8kw Generac for dirt cheap from KMS tools...it's natural gas and it powers my entire tank setup (fish room and tank) plus fridges, freezers, furnace, lights, fireplace starter, bathrooms and ceiling fans. Gotta service it once per year, but the kit costs $16 from Home Depot and a little elbow grease.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by mseepman

I used to sell Whole-home Generators when I was with an Electrical firm...the cost was huge (especially for the transfer switch). Now the market has really dropped the pricing. I bought my 8kw Generac for dirt cheap from KMS tools...it's natural gas and it powers my entire tank setup (fish room and tank) plus fridges, freezers, furnace, lights, fireplace starter, bathrooms and ceiling fans. Gotta service it once per year, but the kit costs $16 from Home Depot and a little elbow grease.

I love that idea. Can it go on my mobile?

[zhasan]

Hi All,

So I called home depot the other day to make a reservation and the gentleman there told me that the generator they have will end up frying most of my equipment as it fluctuates a lot and causes surges in current. He suggested I rent an inverter generator that provides constant level of power and will be better for use with component electrical equipment.

I'm wondering if any of have had some experience in running a normal (standard) generator to power up your tank or other electrical equipment other than saws and misc tools.

He also mentioned that the inverter generators are was the production companies use for their lights and camera and stuff and thats what I'd need to use on my tank equipment.

Anyone know where I can rent one of those from?