Priscacara Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Hi, over Summer we have had the power go out 6 times now in my area due to the hot weather and poor maintenace by the power companies so I'm thinking of getting a petrol generator as a backup for the tanks. I've never used one so have no idea on what size to get to do the job well. I dont have as much to lose as a lot do but I'd rather not have my fish suffering. I have a 200w and 150 watt heater, 2 built in filters (aquaone 65L and 215L tanks), lights wont be an issue as I'll just leave them off for the duration. The only other thing I would be running off it would be a couple of plug in lights so I could see . Bunnings has a Homelite model rated for 1100w for $330 and would be my first choice, the salesperson wasnt sure if it would be suitable as it cant be used for a kettle but I dont think tank heaters have the same power draw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Salita Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 If your power is going out due to hot weather, you certainly wont be needing your heaters. Unless the power is out for a very prolonged period even in winter, you could consider your heaters as your lights. Leave them off. Two small filters like you suggest would likely draw less than 100watts. Their rated wattage will be written on the powerhead itself somewhere. A small flouro worklight would also draw very little. My supercheap 240v fluoro worklight is rated at 15watts. A cheapy 1100w generator would be way more than enough. Depending on how much run time you are after, a computer backup power supply may suit your needs... basically they are a car battery with a small inverter integrated. Those generators are cheap, and do work ok. So compare prices, and make your choice. A generator is much more flexible as it will ultimately run as long as you have fuel, and may allow you to watch telly during the blackout. Another option is a simply battery powered air pump or two. Provided you dont feed your fish and the power is not out for days, they will keep them going fine IME. If they are hooked up to a cycled air powered filter, all the better. Two battery air pumps and filters would be well under $100. Check your budget, asses your needs, make a choice. But 1100w will be plenty. Kettles, hairdryers etc draw a great deal of power due to the way they generate heat. Most appliances dont draw power like this. Some that do are vacumn cleaners, large power tools, air conditioners, fan heaters, ovens, electric hotplates and so on. Most kettles draw between 2000 and 2400 watts! cheers, Jason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcichlid Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Hi. Power went out for me for 16 hours. Decided to get a generator as well. Bought a Firman 800w 2stroke from bunnings $150. Used it for my air pump (all my filters are air driven), 2 pedestal fans, fridge, 2 laptops, 2 phone chargers and plenty of watts left to be used. cheers eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Priscacara Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Tx very much for the info, saved me a fair bit or angst over what to get as well as cash when I would have got the wrong one! Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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