Radio Desk Emergency Power

[TailGator911]

I know it's probably been discussed in here before, but I would like to see what folks here are using for emergency power backup when the lights go out. I got curious after posting in another thread about my own (two Tripp Lite 1500s and a Honda EUC3000 generator). I am in the midst of planning a solar system and would love to hear about your solar ventures, use of wheelchair gel-pak batteries, automotive batteries, deep cycle marine batteries, etc. Let's hear your ideas!

 

[DanRollman]

I use a Kohler 20RESA 20kw back-up generator with natural gas service, ATS and 6 automatic load shed modules. Power to my office with the radios is never shed, of course.

 

[nubs]

I use a 22kw Generac back-up generator on natural gas as well ups's on all equipment and l also have Leviton 51120-1 whole house surge protector I'm around Niagara Falls Canada

 

[rk911]

we put in a Kohler Whole-House backup genny with automatic transfer switch about 10-yrs ago. muy bueno!

 

[a417]

. Power to my office with the radios is never shed, of course.

Of course, mhmm, of course... Funny way to spell 'mission control'

 

[N7OLQ]

I use a Samlex SEC-1223BBM power supply that float charges 100Ah batteries with automatic switchover. That goes to two Powerpole distribution boxes that power my whole shack.

 

[prcguy]

One of my radio areas has 420AH of golf cart batteries charged with 400W of solar panels. They live enclosed under a workbench with ventilation to the outside and a bed of baking soda under them. I used to have 720AH of 2V calcium lead cells in there but had a little accident when one burst and leaked acid. The concrete nearby still has burn marks.



A friend of mine went a bit further on his remote HF rig with sixteen 90AH batteries or 1,440AH total charged by solar panels at an unmanned site. Those are really nice safe sealed batteries that recirculate gasses internally and cost around $250 each. His is a 24V system and the radio runs off a huge 24 to 12V inverter.

 

[737mech]

I built this for short term power loss and camping for a few days. My Cool Battery Go Box Take a look at last post for the solar addition.

 

[majoco]

If all my radios go quiet and the house goes dark, I go down the local pub. They have great dinners and satellite TV and a big generator out the back and the kitchen runs on natural gas. I can sleep in the dark, I've done it for years.....

 

[mmckenna]

If all my radios go quiet and the house goes dark, I go down the local pub. They have great dinners and satellite TV and a big generator out the back and the kitchen runs on natural gas. I can sleep in the dark, I've done it for years.....

Best answer yet.

Some of you other guys need to get out of the house more.

 

[W0JOG]

From a ham of 69 years and SWLing before that; mostly here is over-kill and most brag of natural gas backup. What ya gonna do when the natural gas doesn't work for various reasons beyond your reach?

My backup was a Coleman cooler under the desk with a deep cycle battery in it and a good 120 volt charger plus 180 watts of solar panels keeping battery topped and desulfated via a good charge controller. Never failed me in that time and many weather or power system related outages. You guys are so much into overkill! Spend more time on the air.

 

[N4DES]

I found this lil gem at a hamfest to keep my radios up... works as advertised. DC Gate 40 + | Paradan Radio

As to a full house solution, I have a back-up generator with a plug in solution that funs everything but the HVAC.

 

[W0JOG]

I found this lil gem at a hamfest to keep my radios up... works as advertised. DC Gate 40 + | Paradan Radio

Nice!

 

[bobmich52]

From a ham of 69 years and SWLing before that; mostly here is over-kill and most brag of natural gas backup. What ya gonna do when the natural gas doesn't work for various reasons beyond your reach?

My backup was a Coleman cooler under the desk with a deep cycle battery in it and a good 120 volt charger plus 180 watts of solar panels keeping battery topped and desulfated via a good charge controller. Never failed me in that time and many weather or power system related outages. You guys are so much into overkill! Spend more time on the air.

I have a 13k Briggs & stratton generator with a 100 gallon propane tank to fully power my house, not a problem to call for more as needed

It ran for 3 days straight last august during a storm & used just under a gallon a hour & that's with the AC running 24/7 & using my washer, dryer Stove, Frig, well & Grinder pump as needed, Pretty thrifty or What??

I spend about $300 yr to maintain it/Top it off the gas ounce a year before winter

Its not overkill @ all

Its a long term investment in my house & when I sell it, It will add value to it

In closing

I laughed when i read the post about going to a bar with a generator, It brought back memories

I used to have a small 6500 portable generator to run the bare basics when power went out

I would go to that bar to get some hot food, cold adult beverages & listen to the locals talk about which gas stations were open Etc

PRICELESS

 

[WB9YBM]

I know it's probably been discussed in here before, but I would like to see what folks here are using for emergency power backup when the lights go out. I got curious after posting in another thread about my own (two Tripp Lite 1500s and a Honda EUC3000 generator). I am in the midst of planning a solar system and would love to hear about your solar ventures, use of wheelchair gel-pak batteries, automotive batteries, deep cycle marine batteries, etc. Let's hear your ideas!

Of all the battery types you mentioned, the deep cycle batteries sound like the best idea. As for the solar panel idea, you might like to check out the amount of sunlight typical to your area--maybe NOAA has these statistics???--if you have frequent overcast skies, the solar panels aren't going to be operating at peak efficiency (plus they're on the expensive side-especially the high quality ones).

Lots of good ideas on this thread--it might also be a question of how much money you want to spend. (Cheapskate idea: buy the wife an excercise bike and without her noticing put a generator on it)

 

[iMONITOR]

One of my radio areas has 420AH of golf cart batteries charged with 400W of solar panels. They live enclosed under a workbench with ventilation to the outside and a bed of baking soda under them. I used to have 720AH of 2V calcium lead cells in there but had a little accident when one burst and leaked acid. The concrete nearby still has burn marks.

View attachment 100402

That seems kind of messy especially if the did leak acid. Have you considered putting them in acid proof plastic tubs?

 

[prcguy]

The battery that burst was a 175lb 2 volt wet cell. Its kind of hard to move around or put inside something. They are not supposed to leak but I neglected them and paid the price. I did however put them on wooden risers and fiber glassed the area in like a shallow tub, then spread about 30lbs of acid absorbing baking soda under the six wet cells.

That seems kind of messy especially if the did leak acid. Have you considered putting them in acid proof plastic tubs?

 

[DanRollman]

Best answer yet.

Some of you other guys need to get out of the house more.

Our regular watering holes lack the redundancy majoco describes of his. But when the power goes out, my house *becomes* the neighborhood pub. Like my pistol, my backup generator is as much to take good care of family and friends I care about as myself. Both are a worthwhile investment for that. Bonus that the generator keeps the radios running too.

 

[NuthinFancy]

I have a generator for power outages, its a small one but its good for keeping the gas hot air furnace going as well as the fridge and some lights. I also have a couple of car batteries or my portable handhelds I can use for my scanners. its a good little Sportsman Generator model Gen4000,4000 surge watts/3500 running watts. It wont power the whole house but does power some of the essential lights and appliances.

 

[iMONITOR]

I have a generator for power outages, its a small one but its good for keeping the gas hot air furnace going as well as the fridge and some lights. I also have a couple of car batteries or my portable handhelds I can use for my scanners. its a good little Sportsman Generator model Gen4000,4000 surge watts/3500 running watts. It wont power the whole house but does power some of the essential lights and appliances.

That's usually all most people need. I originally had a 5000 Watt generator. A few years after I let a friend talk me into buying a 10,000 Watt generator. It was more than I needed but did provide enough power for more convenience and luxury, but not really necessary. It was so damn noisy, drank gas like you wouldn't believe and very heavy (200 lbs) and difficult to move around, impossible to get in and out of the SUV. I was able to return it to COSTCO for a no question asked full refund, so I did. I replaced it with an inexpensive 3250 WATT generator and I love it! Easy start, relatively quiet, good running time on a tank of gas and easy to move around! It still runs the things I "need". If I need to run more than it can handle it, I can manage the load using WiFi remote control power outlets to time share things like the sump pump, deep freezer, furnace, etc.