Trying to figure out how to protect my tank from power outages during the winter.
Goals:
What does it take to survive 24 hours, 48 hours, 3 days or longer in winter?
For 3 days or longer, I think one needs a gasoline generator. But for the other 2, can batteries work?
Spess:
Run minimum power heads to circulate tank, maybe two powerheads for about 20 watts (DC powerheads)
Run return pump = DC vortec (maybe 25 watts, not sure) (could probably just move heaters to display and cut out the sump)
Heaters = 250 watts for 75 gallon tank (maybe something smaller to survive) - I think the heater is the primary power hog)
Lights = can leave lights off for a couple days. If you remove 4 of 6 bulbs, that may get one by? Or LED on low
Big battery with power options, but not sure how to calculate how long it will last? How big a battery would one need to last 1 or 2 days?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NDLK4S...edc67ff6c6c38790b0a9659374a2a2&language=en_US
Cheap generators cost $200, so does it make sense to just get a generator instead?
Is there a cheap option that just uses battery packs and/or my ridgid batteries? Maybe only lasts the night.
If a simple marine battery works, how big and what parts do I need? Not sure about inverters and such. Do you use the dc function or just plug a power strip into it? Can I somehow use my Ridgid or Ryobi batteries? I do not understand electricity well...but can follow directions.
I tried Youtube, but I think this group is much smarter and more resourceful.
Goals:
What does it take to survive 24 hours, 48 hours, 3 days or longer in winter?
For 3 days or longer, I think one needs a gasoline generator. But for the other 2, can batteries work?
Spess:
Run minimum power heads to circulate tank, maybe two powerheads for about 20 watts (DC powerheads)
Run return pump = DC vortec (maybe 25 watts, not sure) (could probably just move heaters to display and cut out the sump)
Heaters = 250 watts for 75 gallon tank (maybe something smaller to survive) - I think the heater is the primary power hog)
Lights = can leave lights off for a couple days. If you remove 4 of 6 bulbs, that may get one by? Or LED on low
Big battery with power options, but not sure how to calculate how long it will last? How big a battery would one need to last 1 or 2 days?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NDLK4S...edc67ff6c6c38790b0a9659374a2a2&language=en_US
Cheap generators cost $200, so does it make sense to just get a generator instead?
Is there a cheap option that just uses battery packs and/or my ridgid batteries? Maybe only lasts the night.
If a simple marine battery works, how big and what parts do I need? Not sure about inverters and such. Do you use the dc function or just plug a power strip into it? Can I somehow use my Ridgid or Ryobi batteries? I do not understand electricity well...but can follow directions.
I tried Youtube, but I think this group is much smarter and more resourceful.