So what`s your backup plan?

I have two battery backups and a 6000 watt generator, plus enough gas to run it for two weeks. My fish and corals will be living a lot more comfortably than I will be when the powers out!.

 

Haha, I know the feeling... Except I just flip a switch on my main breaker to switch to my secondary breaker. The generator plugs into a 220volt plug in, that's in my garage, and it powers that whole breaker, which in turn powers my tank, refrigerator, a branch circuit for lights, and my microwave, oh and tv. So I'm good just like my fish lol.
The 220plug in and conduit and the second breaker box and installation was like 750$ to put in. Pricey but I will be the only one living comfortable in an outage that's for sure, so well worth the investment

 

14000 watt generator. I live outside of Toledo and we had that big windstorm last July and were without power for 6 days. I bought it right away and didnt lose anything.

 

yea that sucked !! i live in belle plaine and we were 5 days . The gen got a good work out those days /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

I have an APC UPS on my return pump and one heater. I should get quite a few hours out of my UPS on just those two units. We also have a 4,000 watt power inverter if we are desperate.

 

what is a UPS besides a big brown truck

 

Universal power supply.mainly sold to prevent sudden power offs in computers during power outages. Gives you time to save and shutdown properly

 

how long they last, cost, and any links on them?

 

There are many sizes, many brands. The time they give you depends on what you have running from them. Efficient equipment will obviously make it last longer then power hogs.
google ups battery backups

 

LMAO

 

How much did that set you back? Sounds excessive to me. I'm assuming you have it hooked into your breaker panel then, kind of like mine? A plug 220v that is that powers your breaker panel? That's the only way I can see at bad boy making sense lol

 

We have a generator and a secondary power panel. It runs the main floor furnace, refrig and freezer, microwave and a few lights. When we did the 180 construction, we changed the plugs and had them hooked up to the secondary panel also. Worse case scenario - I can figure out how to hook something up to the PTO on the tractor! We know we can get it up on the front porch since that's how we got the tank in!!

 

+1  Secondary power panel is the only way to go!

 

If I am in town when the power goes down, I am covered by common sense and the generator.

However, I'm most worried about **** hitting the fan when I am skiing somewhere. Especially if I was in South America or Europe and couldn't get home in 24 hours. Last winter I came up with an emergency plan.

1. I labeled EVERYTHING.
2. I made a system flow chart and laminated it and have it prominently displayed. Also a system binder with emergency shut down procedures.
3. I installed the Apex controller
4. I bought a UPS backup for the apex to send the SOS email when the power does go out.
5. Spare return pump with exact fittings so a switch out can happen with no tools.
6. Internet camera on the DT and Sump so I can watch my helper monkey (friend) shut everything down correctly.
7. Generator in garage.
8. Mandatory meeting of friends to go through shut down procedures. (beer was provided!)

 

need any more friends? /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/wink.gif

 

lol

 

Generator also..... poor hubby wires into the panel as I'm giving directions as what need powered first.....He's after the TV and fridge/freezers and I'm all about the tanks.. well...he is too.....gotta give him credit there!! 

 

lol

 

I would like more information on this.  Like, LOTS more.  LOL!
If I am home and the power goes out I can just hook up the generator, but as a midwife I can unexpectedly be away from home for a couple days at a time and cannot go home to hook up in the event of an outage.

 

I decided to poke around online to see what I could find regarding a DIY for an uninterrupted power supply for those of us without generators or to take care of business until the generator can be activated.
I found these three that seem pretty good, from simple to downright complex, and thought I would share them for others who might be interested in trying a DIY.
http://atj.net.au/marineaquaria/backup_power.htmlhttp://theaquariumwiki.com/DIY_Emergency_Power_Backuphttp://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...-step.html