Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 1 2
Results 26 to 41 of 41

Thread: Power Outage Prep - Podcast Episode 47

  1. #26
    Expert Reefer Jimm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    349
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    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.
    Last edited by Jimm; 05-01-2006 at 03:32 PM.

  2. #27
    Site Owner Rob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    9,845
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
    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..
    Show people you appreciate there advice, click the icon under there name and give them Reputation points



  3. #28
    Grand Master Reefer Reefbaby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Göteborg, Sweden
    Posts
    2,092
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    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)?
    now we're talking!! :-)
    Christi

  4. #29
    Our Brotha Down Unda
    V's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Terra Australis
    Posts
    6,773
    Blog Entries
    15
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 29 Times in 28 Posts
    if you guys get alot of wind from your storms, why dont u consider wind generators instead!
    the worst it get the more power you produce yes!




    Vquilibrium Productions

  5. #30
    Curious Reefer keswickian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    keswick
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    DIY Generator

    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

  6. #31
    Grand Master Reefer Reefbaby's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Göteborg, Sweden
    Posts
    2,092
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Welcome keswickian (Steve) to TR! What's our is yours!

    Thanks for sharing the info on DIY generator! Feel free to set up your own thread in the member's tanks forum...
    Christi

  7. #32
    Grand Master Reefer fat walrus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    held captive on a BORG cube
    Posts
    2,803
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    does anyone realise how cheap a generator from big orange is?

  8. #33
    Our Brotha Down Unda
    V's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Terra Australis
    Posts
    6,773
    Blog Entries
    15
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 29 Times in 28 Posts
    its as cheap as a bottle of vitamin C



    Vquilibrium Productions

  9. #34
    Site Owner Rob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    9,845
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
    awesome link.. thanks..

    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..
    Show people you appreciate there advice, click the icon under there name and give them Reputation points



  10. #35
    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    14,980
    Blog Entries
    4
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked 179 Times in 166 Posts
    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.
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





    Carmie's 54 Corner Tank
    Carmie's Cube


    Show people you value their advice! Click the STAR icon at the bottom of the post to add to their reputation.

  11. #36
    Expert Reefer PSH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Waterloo, IN
    Posts
    465
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    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.

  12. #37
    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    632
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    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.

  13. #38
    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    14,980
    Blog Entries
    4
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked 179 Times in 166 Posts
    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.
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





    Carmie's 54 Corner Tank
    Carmie's Cube


    Show people you value their advice! Click the STAR icon at the bottom of the post to add to their reputation.

  14. #39
    Expert Reefer PSH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Waterloo, IN
    Posts
    465
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by poppin_fresh View Post
    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.

  15. #40
    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    14,980
    Blog Entries
    4
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked 179 Times in 166 Posts
    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.
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





    Carmie's 54 Corner Tank
    Carmie's Cube


    Show people you value their advice! Click the STAR icon at the bottom of the post to add to their reputation.

  16. #41
    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    14,980
    Blog Entries
    4
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked 179 Times in 166 Posts
    I thought I would link this thread here as well. http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/di...tml#post122655
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





    Carmie's 54 Corner Tank
    Carmie's Cube


    Show people you value their advice! Click the STAR icon at the bottom of the post to add to their reputation.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 1 2

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Plumbing Video - Podcast Episode 52
    By Rob in forum Podcast Episodes
    Replies: 39
    Last Post: 11-30-2009, 07:10 PM
  2. DIY Kalk Doser - Video Podcast Episode 44
    By Rob in forum Podcast Episodes
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: 12-15-2007, 09:50 PM
  3. Power outage followup
    By hockeypuck in forum Podcast Follow-ups
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 06-28-2006, 09:23 PM
  4. Safeguarding your System - Podcast Episode 53
    By Rob in forum Podcast Episodes
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-25-2006, 07:29 PM
  5. Aeolid Nudibranchs - Podcast Episode 48
    By Rob in forum Podcast Episodes
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 05-10-2006, 08:43 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •