What's your backup power plan?

[chunchma]

Can any one recommend a good generator or other type of device.

Thanks!

[MC Lighting]

For generators if you want QUIET then the only one to choose is the Honda EU series very fuel efficent, very quiet, and very expensive... I hear the Yamaha version is not a bad second choice though... I fyou do not care about keeping the nieghbors up and awake the Generac brand from Home depot is ok they are reliable just very noisy and fuel thirsty. For inverters I like the Xantrex brands I have 3 Statpower and they have never given me a bit of trouble, my 4k inverter is a Trace. depends on your budget and how efficent you are looking for that will determine what you get.

[tmz]

If you run an inverter directly off your car or truck be sure the fuse for your power circut is adequate to power the converter. I learned this the hard way at the worst possible time when I was reunning a 400w converter off what turned out to be a 20amp fused circut. As it turned out ,after replacing the fuse I was only able to run the air pumps.

[maxxII]

Originally posted by MC Lighting
For generators if you want QUIET then the only one to choose is the Honda EU series very fuel efficent, very quiet, and very expensive... I hear the Yamaha version is not a bad second choice though... I fyou do not care about keeping the nieghbors up and awake the Generac brand from Home depot is ok they are reliable just very noisy and fuel thirsty. For inverters I like the Xantrex brands I have 3 Statpower and they have never given me a bit of trouble, my 4k inverter is a Trace. depends on your budget and how efficent you are looking for that will determine what you get.

The only problem w/ the Honda's/Yamaha's (very similar decibel ratings, just over a normal conversation), is that you end paying just about a dollar (USD) per watt of generated electricity...IE a 5Kw Honda generator, will cost you almost $5k USD. My Troy Built 8.5 Kw generator only cost $1200. Yes, its noisier, but during an extended power outtage, no-one is going to give you trouble about the noise. And from experiance, the police are not going to come after you for noise violations. During those kind of situations, we have waaayy too much other stuff to worry about, and we will tell anyone who calls and complains that this is an emergency situation, and we're not forcing someone to shut down their generator for noise complaints.

There are safety issues to keep in mind when dealing with generators.
Exhaust is hot, and like any other combustion engine, releases Carbon Monoxide. So fire and axphyxiation are real hazards. And remember, they generate electricity, so electrical shock is a hazard as well.
You also need to test run the generator at least once per year, and change the oil regularly.

People die every year from being careless around generators...they can be a life saver, but you need to be careful around them.

If money were no object, I'd have a Generac whole house unit, (natural gas powered) with a transfer switch, and automated monthly test program cycle. Those will run about 5K for the generator, (depending on the wattage produced), and about 1.5k for the hook up of gas lines and electrical. Its not much more expensive (comparitively) than the Honda portable units...except you dont need to be there to switch it on.

Nick

[MC Lighting]

I agree to a point about cost but when you live in a apartment complex with 400+ units in a quiet area to begin with even during a long outage your not going to be running something that is loud as a lawnmower and not get sugar in the gas tank... The Hondas can be had on e-bay for very reasoable prices I found a 2k eu series new on e-bay for $800 which is very reasonable for a quiet, compact and fuel efficient unit...

[Archmagev]

I like the small server room UPS units (3000-5000). One good unit will run everything on my 60gal for hours (minus the lights)...plus I get them for FREE, so can't beat the price

[kwaters]

To this date, I have been pretty lucky here in the Northwest. I have had one major power outage that lasted about five hours in the last 4 years. There have been a few draws, but nothing else.

I do have a generator on hand. A big gas powered puppy that would surely do the trick if in a pinch.

Of course, who knows if I could afford the gas!

[Teeka]

Originally posted by maxxII
If money were no object, I'd have a Generac whole house unit, (natural gas powered) with a transfer switch, and automated monthly test program cycle. Those will run about 5K for the generator, (depending on the wattage produced), and about 1.5k for the hook up of gas lines and electrical. Its not much more expensive (comparitively) than the Honda portable units...except you dont need to be there to switch it on.

Nick

This is what I plan on doing in a couple of years. But right now I have a plain generator. I have been without electric for 2 weeks a couple years ago. With living in hurricane alley a generator is a must have.

[ThomasinKind]

I'm in the process of designing my next setup. I found these two articles and think they may be of use to anyone looking through this thread.

Safeguarding Your System from Meltdown: Part I

Safeguarding Your System from Meltdown: Part II