Here comes huricane sandy!
time to tune up our battery backup systems for possible power outages, if it gets too windy. That last left turn tuesday would bring it right up the Delaware bay and to our front door!
BU-WAH HA-HA!!
Could be major Power Outages!
Depends…
Not diggen a storm this big but the generator is waiting, just need to get some more gas.I’m with Bill. Generator test is scheduled for tonight. Now if I only had an automatic switch-over system ::drool::
I am suppose to be leaving for Fla on Sunday morning, might not happen. I will be setting up my generator just in case.
Hmmmm, I bet the power outlet in my Dodge Journey would power return and circulation pumps… Maybe I DO have a backup plan! Maybe some of you guys have a 120v outlet in your car too?
Well this will be interesting.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26295161/ns/weather/t/storm-tracker/#.UIqO7W8R58E
Just a few miles from my house :BB) slap-stick
Yea this looks like a good one. One of my clients was just in works for peco. They are already calling in extra help from out of state. Generator test was done last night auto transfer worked without a hitch. Come on 7 pm head for MD to batten down the hatches there.
HMMMM
Auto transfer switch would be nice
Just remember all you guys with gasoline generators add a little sta-bil to the tank. The new fuel with ethenol really creates alot of problems with small less frequently used engines. We see lots of problems with our collector car people.
Do I need a full blown generator to keep my tank running? How long could I run my tank with just the powerheads going?
Also, those battery operated air pumps, how long do they last and where should I put them?
Hey Mike, would appreciate if you could give some info about the auto transfer switch, like did you have it installed by a qualified electrician and how much, in general, would it cost to have installed.
Thanks
John Houndsbayman
I’ve run tanks with no losses just by keeping only powerheads running for days…
if i were to use an air pump/ stone i would put the airstone in a scrap piece of pvc pipe… kinda give the action of an old-school undergravel filter to get more water movement instead of just air bubbles :TWOCENTS
I picked up the last Champion 3000/3500 at Lowes in Newark yesterday. While I was walking in I saw someone walking out with one and I figured I was SOL! Filled up the generator and 2, 5 Gallon tanks with gas and that extended life pink stuff. I’m ready!
Glad I got a 8000watt generator. I will be relaxing watching movies with the power center backing me up in case the electric spikes. I tested it when I got a power outage the other month and it worked great just need to pick up some more gas for it.
Thats a good idea for the battery operated air stone. make an air lift “TEE” tube and stone down the bottom of it makes a slow power head and aerator.
Whole house switches cost a couple hundred dollars and shouldbe done by an electrician. they are a permanant connection at the main breaker, i believe. so when power goes off the main line breaker has to be opened before closing the transfer switch breaker to the generator. that way you wont back feed the grid, or get both feeds at once when the outside power comes back on with the generator running.
My plan is i have a large Marine deep cycle battery and a 750 watt continuous inverter. just connect the inverter to the battery, and plug a power strip into the inverter and i can run a pump, heater, and a couple lights on my systems. when the battery runs down and the inverter cuts out, i can recharge the battery from the truck with jumper cables and repeat. Low cost, low tech no problem. Heaters might be needed as its going to be colder those nights.
[quote=“Pat B, post:3, topic:5919”]
I’m with Bill. Generator test is scheduled for tonight. Now if I only had an automatic switch-over system ::drool::[/quote]
If you are crafty, you could take apart the battery back up I posted about in the Frankenstorm thread, the b11 model gets plugged in to keep it off, once the power goes out it automaticly comes on. If you wire into a relay I bet it would be a 20 dollar switch over.
Still getting ready for the possible poser outage. stuff for the home, i turned the fridge freezer setting to max cold. all the meat in there will get down to like zero- 5 degrees and be a great cooling sink. and i packed everything and made room for tuperware full of water in the freezer to make more blocks of super cold ice too. last time my power was out, this kept everything frozen for 5 days. just open the freezer once a day to take out food to barbeque.
oh, speaking of grill, i need to get a propane refill too. I got extra batteries for my LED flashlight collection, so i have plenty for me and to lend to neighbors if we go in the dark a few days. Home depot was out of C and D cells. wallmart had a few left. going fast. but most of my LED s run on AA oe AAA and last a long time.
Great info on the gasoline STABILE Mike. the new 10% ethanol gas likes to absorb a lot of water. makes for hard starts. Its going to be cold at nights the next week, so im glad i will have some heater power at night for the tanks with the battery/inverter set. should the power go out.
With the current track of the storm, if it comes in on a left turn throught NJ, that might be a good thing. lots of trees in NJ to act as a speed bump for the wind. slow it down and perhaps we will have less power outages. the current forecast track shows it going right over Dover. but it could slide north. that would make the wind coming from the East and then the Northeast, and then the NW as the eye moves inland. Thats good. more speed bumps to slow it down.
Perhaps we should turn our heaters up to warm the tanks to 82. so if anyone has no back up power, that will grant you a night to cool down waiting for the power to come back on. worth a shot.