Generating for success

[Zoanuts]

Who has generators?
Just a great question as the weather is changing daily. Cold weather is coming.

[DonW]

I do have a 6500 with a manual transfer switch wired in. I also have 12v back-up return pump that switches on when the power goes out. This keep water flowing until I can get home and get the generator running.

Don

[Zoanuts]

That is good to hear. We also have a 12v back up but we have to run out to the storage shed and get the generator. My controller gives me a call if I am away and I run back to the house if the power is to go out

[Samper]

My dad has a gas powered generator that he will use on the system I left at his house if he needs to. My tank here has turkey basters and my arm with a spatula. Also a wood fireplace to heat water and coolers to go get ice in. I'd be floating bags and sitting close by either way. I know it's not the best method but at this point those would be my options if it came down to it. I'd like to get some sort of battery backup because it is a good idea but I haven't done much research. The only thing I've heard is that it needs to be a true sine wave to properly run mag pumps but the theory behind this is an unknown to me. I don't know the good brands or models. Anyone care to go in depth on this topic?

[Zoanuts]

We use a Honda EG2500. We are able to run a few more items than the tank with this. I can bring up everything we need to survive during an outage other than hot water.

[charlie]

I have a Coleman 6250, that will power all the important stuff, and a TV, and a laptop or 2. By important stuff, that is the retruns and a heater for the reef tanks. I can power most of what is good on all my freshwater tanks also.

[dougc]

Our laboratory and the surrounding neighborhood in Chicago was without power from Thursday night until 3 pm today. Gives me the shivers.

[Reefland]

Who here hates irony? As I was reading this thread our power flickered due to a storm. I had to wait for the PC to reboot before I could reply.

[Zoanuts]

Scott,

IT's a Sign from above saying "Get a generator" before it really costs you. LOL

[Cas]

I closed on the purchase of a new house in Arlington Heights, IL (Northwest suburb of Chicago) on August 23rd, got to the house at 3:00 p.m. power went out at 4:15 p.m. and did not come on until 8:15 a.m. on August 26th. Had to move in and unpack with no power. Luckly I do not have a tank set up right now, so no loses, but there are a number of people in the Chicago area that had problems with their tanks.

I was able to convince my wife we needed a generator for the house, until I told her it was for my future tank and not the TV.