This is what I'm thinking for a long term backup solution. i.e. after a hurricane. A couple of deep cycle marine batteries with an inverter. Trickle charged by normal AC power from the outlets. The batteries would power a HOT protien skimmer and maybe a Seio pump. Then when the batteries die I'd have a solar panel or two that I could put up on the roof after the storm passes to charge the batteries. It always seems like after a hurricane blows through you have at least a few days of clear skies. I'm also wondering about exercise bikes. You know the ones that have generators in them to run their displays. I wonder how much they put out and if it could be used to charge the deep cycle batteries (Get fit while keeping your corals alive)? They use the motor-generators out of treadmills for wind powered generators. And I could always charge them with the alternator on my car.
yes, using a power inverted hooked to your car is a good way to charge.
if it you can get clear sunny skies a solar panel would work, if used with the sun..
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I'm also wondering about exercise bikes. You know the ones that have generators in them to run their displays. I wonder how much they put out and if it could be used to charge the deep cycle batteries (Get fit while keeping your corals alive)?
Hi Rob
Just want to say that I've enjoyed your podcast and find them informative and entertaining. Now i've just listened to your podcast on Power Outage Prep and you mentioned using deep cycle batteries or even your car battery hooked up to an inverter. I just found this site that explains how to build your own generator using a lawnmower engine, a car alterator, deepcycle battery/s, and an inverter. It sure beats wasting the gas in your car to keep the battery charged.
For those who would like to go to the site it's http://theepicenter.com/tow02077.html
Thx and keep up the podcasts...Steve
walrus, not just from the "big orange" but Costco.
they are sure coming down in price, even for big ones..
less than what most of us pay for lighting..
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I was just reading about folks in Seattle who have been without power for several days and it made me think that this is a good topic to revisit at this time of the year.
I too am starting to worry about this happening. My wife said she is not buying a generator for my fish tank. I tried to explain the generator cost would be much cheaper than replacing 2 reef tanks.
Its not just the cost in the tanks. Think about all the other stuff that would cost a lot to replace if you didn't have power for several days. How much money would it cost to replace everyhthing in your refrigerator? What about the cost to clean up and repair from frozen pipes?
For a few hundred bucks you can avoid all these potential losses... and still watch tv while neighbors get jealous.
I think that generators are pretty cheap insurance. Be sure you know what you are doing if you are hooking them up to your home's electrical system. If you are unsure it is better to spend the money for an electrician to make a connection. This is not a problem if you are just going to connect things to the generator by drop cords.
How much money would it cost to replace everyhthing in your refrigerator?
Haha it honestly wouldn't cost that much. There is very little inside my refrigerator. We just keep it around so we have some where to put the kids homework.
We lost about $2500 of food in our freezer during the power outage from Hurricane Fran in '96. We didn't have a generator and once the hurricane hit us, 100 miles inland, there wasn't one to be found within 200 miles.
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