Bad Weather coming in!

[lazylivin]

Looks like we have potential for some heavy winds tonight and tomorrow. Now is a good  time to run through your power outage emergency plan. Start and run your generators for a bit, check battery back up health, identify mission critical equipment etc...
If you have an apex may want to unplug it and bypass during severe storms. It is super sensitive to power fluctuations. Lost one in storm and another when connected to a generator.

[Gary]

Brian,
Thanks! Good heads up!

Shutting down the Apex is a serious problem! I just got mine back from Neptune last week. Outlet 2 triac failed in the on state. I have always had it on a surge suppressor, but not on a battery back up. Maybe should put it on the UPS to condition the power. That is a big concern and a huge disappointment, if it is that sensitive to transit voltage spikes.  We know you are a really luck guy so I'm leery.

Thanks!
Gary

[lazylivin]

haha I have had some good luck but not so much with power spikes. When bad storm comes through I keep return pump connected and unplug everything else if I am home.

[Gary]

I like your plan!
Thanks,
Gary

[Coral Club]

Anyone run a whole house generator?

[Coral Club]

Brian,What do you have set up for power outages?

[Gary]

I do, but I manually switch.

[Steve]

I have a generator but it is just a small one. Big enough to keep tank and a few other things running. Learned the hard way in 2008.

[Wall_Tank]

I have 2 marine batteries,  will get me through 24-36 hours.   Been debating a whole house, but we rarely have power outages to justify.

[lazylivin]

Generator here as well. It isn't a whole house auto connect system. I manually connect a couple extension cords from the back patio where the generator is to the basement. Usually after 30 minutes of no power I start it up and connect it.

[recklessop]

BMaybe should put it on the UPS to condition the power.

If you want truely conditioned power make sure you get a double conversion UPS... not a line interactive. Liebert and APC make some nice ones, but they usually run a decent amount since they are pretty complex compared to what they sell at most big box stores.

The advantage is that a double conversion UPS converts all line power to DC and then another inverter converts DC power back into AC ... this makes the it a pure sine wave and always 120volts 60hz.

[joelbegt]

The store lost power for about 5hr that night as I slept.  Lucky everything was good when I drove by that morning.

[lazylivin]

If you want truely conditioned power make sure you get a double conversion UPS... not a line interactive. Liebert and APC make some nice ones, but they usually run a decent amount since they are pretty complex compared to what they sell at most big box stores.

The advantage is that a double conversion UPS converts all line power to DC and then another inverter converts DC power back into AC ... this makes the it a pure sine wave and always 120volts 60hz.

That sounds like a good solution. Any idea of the % lost as it goes to DC and back to AC?

The store lost power for about 5hr that night as I slept.  Lucky everything was good when I drove by that morning.

 

[Kenn]

If you want truely conditioned power make sure you get a double conversion UPS... not a line interactive. Liebert and APC make some nice ones, but they usually run a decent amount since they are pretty complex compared to what they sell at most big box stores.

The advantage is that a double conversion UPS converts all line power to DC and then another inverter converts DC power back into AC ... this makes the it a pure sine wave and always 120volts 60hz.

I installed 2 for my father-in-law at DP&L..

Fantastic option but pricey