Power Outages

[PDXErik]

I'm looking at buying a gas generator for those times in the winter that we will lose power.

Does anyone have any experience or opinions (good and bad) about a generator that will run me ~$700?

Home depot and Lowes have quite a few. I need about 1800 watts, but the jump to 5000 doesn't seem to be that expensive.

TIA

[Desert]

I'm looking at buying a gas generator for those times in the winter that we will lose power.

Does anyone have any experience or opinions (good and bad) about a generator that will run me ~$700?

Home depot and Lowes have quite a few. I need about 1800 watts, but the jump to 5000 doesn't seem to be that expensive.

TIA

The main issues are getting it started, keeping it serviced and avoiding stale gasoline.

I would go for the 5000 watt model. Use a gasoline stabilizer, get a spray can of starting fluid to keep on hand, and keep the generator out of the weather while not in use. Keeping the machine at room temps if possible helps with starting in cold weather. Also start it once a month and run it for 15 minutes.

Lastly, have all your standby extension cording planned out and ready ahead of time, and test it to make sure the generator puts out stable enough current to runs sensitive electronics like Helix controllers.

[PDXErik]

I found this Generator, Kohler Gas-LPG-NG (http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/486246732.html)

It runs on propane, no less, and we are chock full of that, easy to get and stores.

The contingency plan is cardboard boxes and a trip into the office where we have gas heat and UPS' (UPSs? UPSes?)

I have no sensitive equipment on these guys, we have a small UPS we can put inbetween the TV and the generator (I've already looked at the complications of that setup, btw, generators and UPSs don't always get along), but heat for the snakes and fish are the big concern.

Thanks for the reply, the extension cord problem didn't occur to me until just now.

[mykee]

You will have a problem with the proportional thermostats like the Helix. The sine wave that your Helix needs to run on is a pure sine wave generator. You'll need a simple on/off thermostat for that.
Unless you plan on power outages lasting for a day or so at a time, backup isn't really a problem, unless your house is as drafty as a barn.

[PDXErik]

Well, my setup is far more primative than yours, Mykee. I have a stable environment built upon "central air" based around a 600w space heater. It works, I have to humidify all the time, but it keeps it sound.

My thermometer/hygrometers are all battery based.

My hobby will probably never be as wide spread as yours. I'm just looking for ease of use, cost effectiveness, duration of fuel, dependability, that kind of thing. Mine is still a hobby (for now).

[Boots Hawks]

I guess I have to get with the times. I have about 40 of those chemical heating pads and some Coleman equipment to heat the room I have them in. If the power went out it would be warm the snakes first,,,of course if nothing else worked I would sneak them into a hospital bed where I work.

Boots

[PDXErik]

You will have a problem with the proportional thermostats like the Helix. The sine wave that your Helix needs to run on is a pure sine wave generator. You'll need a simple on/off thermostat for that.
Unless you plan on power outages lasting for a day or so at a time, backup isn't really a problem, unless your house is as drafty as a barn.

Yeah, last winter we had a three day outage. It's not uncommon, even in the city, to be down for a day in the winter. I kept my fish alive with 2 litre bottles filled with hot water as heaters. That job sucked.

[PDXErik]

Just to prove how irresponsible I am, I bought a 5500w generator, it'll run for 10 hours on it's 5 gallon tank.

I was going to make a "tripping around" joke, but I can't work it in here.