Inverter Generator vs regular

[ChrisfromBrick]

So I have a chinese made 3500 watt regular generator that is brand new. It was bought to power basic home things AND my tank. Then, I realized that what I needed was a safer, more stable power from the likes of an inverter generator.

Honda has a nice nifty little one that puts out about 2200 watts. Brand new, I can get one for $800. It even has bluetooth and will power down to only use the needed wattage that my tank is putting out. Plus, it is much quieter.

Would any of you spend the 800 for an inverter generator to solely power your tank? I live in NJ and we get some crazy storms here (Hurricane Sandy). Mind you, I dont have a big tank. It is 65 gallons. Would you just use the big genny and save the money for something else or is it a much better idea to get an inverter one?

I am also not wealthy. I am a middle class person that can afford having a nice tank with nice gadgets on it, but am I overthinking this?

 

[threebuoys]

If your intention is to only use the generator in emergencies, I would use the generator you already have and use the $800 for something else for your tank.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

How long do you want to be able to run without the mains? A simple battery backup for a wave maker to keep running may be better since it can take over even when you're not around. The main issue is keeping the tank oxygenated.

Something like this:
https://www.coralvue.com/icecap-battery-backup-v3-0-for-aquarium-pumps

 

[Formulator]

Since you already have a generator, you could just get a battery backup and if you have an extended outage you can use your existing generator to recharge. About half the price of another generator.

Something like this I found on amazon would do the trick…

 

[Formulator]

How long do you want to be able to run without the mains? A simple battery backup for a wave maker to keep running may be better since it can take over even when you're not around. The main issue is keeping the tank oxygenated.

Something like this:
https://www.coralvue.com/icecap-battery-backup-v3-0-for-aquarium-pumps

I like the way you think

But I like the more generic battery backups rather than aquarium specific models that only do a single pump. You are just paying a ridiculous mark-up for a hobby-specific model that has far less power than something half the price that will power anything you plug into it.

 

[Vinaka_vakalevu]

@VintageReefer can shed some solid insight

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Since you already have a generator, you could just get a battery backup and if you have an extended outage you can use your existing generator to recharge. About half the price of another generator.

Something like this I found on amazon would do the trick…

This is actually a great idea. I can also know that it will power up immediately when power goes out. Awesome thanks

 

[GlassMunky]

So I have a chinese made 3500 watt regular generator that is brand new. It was bought to power basic home things AND my tank. Then, I realized that what I needed was a safer, more stable power from the likes of an inverter generator.

Honda has a nice nifty little one that puts out about 2200 watts. Brand new, I can get one for $800. It even has bluetooth and will power down to only use the needed wattage that my tank is putting out. Plus, it is much quieter.

Would any of you spend the 800 for an inverter generator to solely power your tank? I live in NJ and we get some crazy storms here (Hurricane Sandy). Mind you, I dont have a big tank. It is 65 gallons. Would you just use the big genny and save the money for something else or is it a much better idea to get an inverter one?

I am also not wealthy. I am a middle class person that can afford having a nice tank with nice gadgets on it, but am I overthinking this?

Which model is that that will throttle down to the used amount?

I have a 2200 inverter I got for my house/tank and it was around 800

It’s saved my tank a few times now.
Wouldn’t have a tank without one

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Which model is that that will throttle down to the used amount?

I have a 2200 inverter I got for my house/tank and it was around 800

It’s saved my tank a few times now.
Wouldn’t have a tank without one

Thats the exact one I am looking at

 

[GlassMunky]

Thats the exact one I am looking at

i don’t have a Honda, its just a 2200 watt generator I forget who its made by.

Looking at the Honda website the new EU2200i model does have Bluetooth but you can’t actually control the output of the motor, only monitor it. It says some models can be turned off and on remotely but none can throttle the generator down so it’s making less power as far as I know.


If you already have a generator probably save the money and get an accessory to help use it better like the others mentioned above.

 

[Jason_MrFrags]

Spend the $ on a couple of batteries and an automatic inverter/charger then you don't have to worry, will run your return pump for a while. Especially helpful if something happens when your are not home.
AIMS Power PICOGLF12W12V120AL Green 1250W Power Inverter Charger with Transfer Switch

I had a honda inverter gen and it would only run the tanks.
Sold it, bought a firman 7500 that I can basically run the whole house on even air. The inverter just gives me time before I need to pull gen out an plug in.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thats the exact one I am looking at

Have you looked at a stand alone inverter to add to the existing genny?

 

[VintageReefer]

LiFePO4 portable power stations are great if you understand their limitations (you won’t be able to Power a heater) and spec them correctly.

You can get them with ups functionality with automatic cutover to battery in event of an outage, and when power is restored they switch back to AC power for your devices and automatically begin recharging.

I have several of these, my pico can run 60 hours without ac power, and my 75g display can have filtration, flow, and oxygenation for 30+ hours

These are ideal for situations where power outages are short and it’s not worth pulling out the generator, and also for situations where you aren’t home, or need time to get home and setup a generator.

With solar panels you can also recharge in the daytime

 

[VintageReefer]

The cellpowa1000 is 1075 watt hours with ups functionally (automatic cutover) for $400

My dc return pump uses 20w but I can dial back to 16w and still have adequate circulation

The runtime formula is
(Watt hours x .85) / watts used

(1075 x .85) / 16 = 57 hours of power for my return pump, allowing my tank to have circulation, filtration through my sump of live rock and sponge, and oxygen from the water going through the overflow and sump walls.

https://a.co/d/ifCcZs4

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

I like the way you think

But I like the more generic battery backups rather than aquarium specific models that only do a single pump. You are just paying a ridiculous mark-up for a hobby-specific model that has far less power than something half the price that will power anything you plug into it.

I absolutely agree. I hate how these manufacturers try to force you into their walled garden.

 

[VintageReefer]

Gas generators have their place too. My logic is most power outages are less than 24 hours and tanks can do fine without lights and heaters for a day, provided ambient in the house is around 70

If the power outage goes beyond 24 hours, I would then take out the gas generator and get all systems back running.

 

[VintageReefer]

I absolutely agree. I hate how these manufacturers try to force you into their walled garden.

The hobby specific models are overpriced and under powered, and a lot of times proprietary to their brand of components. None of them are using lithium batteries that I know of, and after 2-3 years, even if they are connected but never used, the battery lifespan is significantly diminished and needs to be replaced

 

[redfishbluefish]

Agree with those who say your current generator is just fine. My only suggestion is that the "new" carburetors have at least two jets that dirty up real fast, more so with ethanol gas. With you living in NJ, we only have ethanol containing gas. So my suggestion is to use a cleaner/ stabilizer in your gas. Sta-bil is the most popular, but I use Star Brite Star Tron. If you don't use it, you'll first notice the engine pulsing while it runs...which is a blocked ideal jet.

I have both a "regular" generator and an inverter.

The regular generator ran for over seven days when Sandy hit NJ...I'm on the coast. It easily ran my entire tank, home boiler, refrigerator, television and a couple lights. I know they talk about these generators having a dirty signal, but I never had an issue.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

i don’t have a Honda, its just a 2200 watt generator I forget who its made by.

Looking at the Honda website the new EU2200i model does have Bluetooth but you can’t actually control the output of the motor, only monitor it. It says some models can be turned off and on remotely but none can throttle the generator down so it’s making less power as far as I know.


If you already have a generator probably save the money and get an accessory to help use it better like the others mentioned above.

Thank you! Ahh yes ok. Maybe I read that wrong.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Agree with those who say your current generator is just fine. My only suggestion is that the "new" carburetors have at least two jets that dirty up real fast, more so with ethanol gas. With you living in NJ, we only have ethanol containing gas. So my suggestion is to use a cleaner/ stabilizer in your gas. Sta-bil is the most popular, but I use Star Brite Star Tron. If you don't use it, you'll first notice the engine pulsing while it runs...which is a blocked ideal jet.

I have both a "regular" generator and an inverter.

The regular generator ran for over seven days when Sandy hit NJ...I'm on the coast. It easily ran my entire tank, home boiler, refrigerator, television and a couple lights. I know they talk about these generators having a dirty signal, but I never had an issue.

Thank you so much! Thats helpful feedback. You aren't too far from me. Maybe we can trade/buy corals one day.

I go to Sayerville a decent amount for shows at starland ballroom.