Backup Power Supply

Ken
My Harman has the combustion blower running all the time. If I loose power for more than 15 minutes, the fire will go out. This is my main reason for having a backup power supply.

Highlander wrote:Ken
My Harman has the combustion blower running all the time. If I loose power for more than 15 minutes, the fire will go out. This is my main reason for having a backup power supply.

Highlander,
Why do you have your combustion blower running all the time? Mine goes on and off with the maintenance cycle.
Kirk

Kirk, I run the combustion blower continuously for more complete burning of the coal. I did this also with the Magnum stove I had. A lot of people here run the blower continuously.

Keystoker now adds a small blower to their KA6 boiler to help with outfires during the warmer weather. They also claim it improves coal usage. I burn year round and would probably have an outfire problem in the warm weather if I didn't run the blower all the time.

Bill

I'll have to try that. How much coal do you burn? How much area are you heating?

What do you guys think of this inverter? Thanks.
http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-CPI2550-Out ... B000930F0S

Kirk
I'm heating roughly 2000 ft + hot water and in 30 deg weather I would estimate 50 to 60# per day. During the summer months it was down to 12# per day for hot water. I run 150 to 160 boiler water temps which is controlled by outside air temperature. I use a PLC control system instead of the standard Harman timer.

SPC
I looked at the inverter, that is a very big unit, 2500VA with a 5000VA surge capacity. Your Liesure line shouldn't use anywhere near that much power unless your going to buy one of those auto igniters when they become available. The Tripp LIte APS, and the surefire stove sentry are true UPS's that switch back to utility power when it returns. They provide a means of automatically switching over to batteries only when necessesary, and will charge the battery back up when power returns.

Like the Oklahoma folks, we had an ice storm here 10 years ago and were without electricity for 12 days. So I'm in the camp that says, get a small propane or natural gas generator. My priority would be to size it small and simple to keep the cost down -- enough to run the water pump, the refrigerator, and the coal stoker if that's how you heat. In my case my coal stove takes no electricity, so I'd size it for water, refrigerator, and oil furnace (in case I'm not here to run the coal -- I don't have one of those rare wives that are willing). We cook with gas, so that's not an issue. Candles and oil lamps for light.

Sure, a whole-house generator would be great, but it's a lot of money to invest unless you expect to need it often. And you need to maintain it and TEST IT regularly or it won't be there when you need it. Size it small so you will suffer a LITTLE bit and not lose empathy with your neighbors.

Here's a good source for generators of all sizes and fuels. http://www.centralmainediesel.com/
I've not done any business with them but when I was looking for a whole house generator their prices were low compared to many others. The 2007 Yamaha LP/Natural Gas Generator looks ideal for many on this forum. Fuel it from a 100 lb propane tank and you would have quite a few days of backup for your stoker.

Highlander wrote:I have to agree with Ginski and Kirk on this one, Harman's recomendation is a unit from a company called Surefire, they make a unit called the stove sentry which provides an automatic switchover from utility to battery power and back again just as any office type UPS would do.
I use a unit from Tripp Lite, an older model called the APS512. I have it attached to a size 29 deep cycle marine battery. It is rated for 500VA continuous and 1000VA surge so it has no problem running my system. I have measured my running current and calculated an 8 to 12 hour run time on battery power.

The Stove Sentry made by Surefire has a website; http://www.stovesentry.com. Usually these are sold be most pellet stove dealers. They are priced quite high, but they give peace of mind; because of the automatic switchover. You can extend the run time, by merely adding more batteries. If the power is off for a longer time, you could run a pair of wires from your vehicle to recharge the storage battery or batteries.
I wonder what the newer version of the Tripp Lite APS512 is? Does it trickle charge (maintain) the battery or batteries and have automatic switchover?

The Tripp Lite APS's are still available. The smallest one is the APS750, its in the $300 price range. Here is a link: http://www.tripplite.com/products/produ ... uctID=2938

Take a look on ebay at APC 1400 SmartUPS. 1400VA, auto switch over, power conditioning all the time, add more batteries by just wiring in another pigtail. You can buy these for $50-$90 used. New batteries can be had for $60. Great unit that is just an older model that people sell cheap.