What does everyone do for a backup power supply to run wood stove/insert blower fans or other essential components during a power outage? I have a 15kw generator, but that is overkill when I just need my insert fan running.
Stove back up power supply
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I wouldn't worry about it personally most give off enough heat to keep things from freezing and keep a couple rooms nice and warm without the blower. If you need to have it you can always use a car battery or 2 and an inverter but you would need to keep them pluged into battery tenders
Needing electric for the insert was one of the reasons I switched to free standing. Even with the surround removed it wouldn't heat much more than the stove room. With a free standing,
I can heat the house and cook the food that is being kept cold in the fridge by the generator.
I can heat the house and cook the food that is being kept cold in the fridge by the generator.
Mellery
Member
propane for the heater - furnace - thing. which we actually just filled yesterday to 80% at $2.25/gal
generator for about half the house (incl kitchen and stove room among others). ran out all the gas yesterday; will refill probly November
also with a hearth warmer we can cook on the large top surface (and actually rather enjoy it)
but we don't use the blower. not necessary after we modified (opened) the walls and layout around the stove
generator for about half the house (incl kitchen and stove room among others). ran out all the gas yesterday; will refill probly November
also with a hearth warmer we can cook on the large top surface (and actually rather enjoy it)
but we don't use the blower. not necessary after we modified (opened) the walls and layout around the stove
We only run the generator for refrigeration and some lights, etc. when it is on. The stove can do the job without a blower running. If you have an insert it can be more challenging, especially if the insert is flush.
My insert is flush. I have looked at those 900w harbor freight generators for running the blower, but wasn't sure if there were better options than a generator. Figured I could run the insert plus a couple lights with the little generator and not use my big one, which consumes about a gallon an hour on gas.
If you only need it for short periods, the best bet is a UPS - Uninterruptable Power Supply. You can buy them from any computer store for $50 to $200 or more, depending upon how long you want to run the fan. It's already got the inverter built in and you can calculate the run time from the amp draw on the motor label. Once you are into a long power outage, you'll need your big unit on anyway.
I bought a Honda 2Kw and love it. Much pricier than anything you'll find at Harbor Freight. I've gone through a few cheapies and they are just plain unreliable when you need them most, which is when you really need them. I even bought a Hyundai, a Honda knock-off and sold it.
I bought a Honda 2Kw and love it. Much pricier than anything you'll find at Harbor Freight. I've gone through a few cheapies and they are just plain unreliable when you need them most, which is when you really need them. I even bought a Hyundai, a Honda knock-off and sold it.
The question is how long is the average outage and how long is the worst case scenario? If it's just a few hours and very infrequent then the harbor freight cheapy is probably sufficient. If they are long and frequent and you also want to keep refrigeration then investing in a better unit may be worth while. We have a 2400w Yamaha inverter generator that has been converted to also run on propane. Gasoline can go stale and make for hard starts. Propane doesn't go stale and we have a large backup tank for the kitchen cooktop that could be also used in an emergency.
I still need to convert my EU2000i's to run on propane as well. In a pinch premium with fuel stabilizer seems to last a good while. You just need to remember to cycle it out every 6 months or so into something else.
I've seen a $500-$600 Inverter generator at Costco the last couple years. I think HF now has a model as well for $499. Inverter models are far easier on electronics.
http://www.harborfreight.com/engine...c-portable-inverter-generator-61169-html.html
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http://www.harborfreight.com/engine...c-portable-inverter-generator-61169-html.html
I connected my Great-room Valcourt FP10 fireplace blower to the same line that powers my pellet stove in the downstairs family room. During power outages I run my Honda EU 2000i generator that is connected to a transfer switch that keeps the pellet stove / fireplace blower, refrigerator and several outlets powered.
I only put premium gas in my Honda EU 2000i. I start it and let it run for a few hours every month to make sure it's in top shape. Regular gas works fine until you get really damp weather and that's also the time we're likely to have power outages, so premium is worth the $.
If you rely on power from a generator, go with Honda. The cheapies will always let you down - had that happen too many times.
If you rely on power from a generator, go with Honda. The cheapies will always let you down - had that happen too many times.
(2) 3250/2500 watt and one 5250 watt gas generators with 280 amp hour and 500 amp hour battery banks with 1,000 watt inverters attached. Five 1250 VA UPSs and three automatic battery emergency lights. Outside of that I don't give it much thought.
ETA: Forgot about the two 900 watt HF two stroke generators.
ETA: Forgot about the two 900 watt HF two stroke generators.
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teutonicking
Feeling the Heat
Yamaha makes a great 1600/2000 watt generator that is super quiet and only uses a gallon of gas about every 10 hours. Its fairly pricey, though at about $900-950. Other good things about it are that its very light (48 pounds) and if you invest in two of them they can be run together to produce a total of 3200/4000 watts, and combined with a transfer switch can run many of the important devices in your home, including refrigerators, a sump pump, lights, and TV (but not some of the large items like clothes dryer, garbage disposal or central air). Plenty of power to get a family through a blackout for a few days, though. As stated elsewhere, they can also be converted to run on natural gas or propane (as well as gasoline).
This is getting into a oft repeated DIY thread mode. Maybe check out the generator threads there?
Silenced38
Feeling the Heat
Ive looked at this
Devil Watt™ Wood Stove Thermoelectric Generators
To charge a battery. But dont know anyone that has one.
Devil Watt™ Wood Stove Thermoelectric Generators
To charge a battery. But dont know anyone that has one.
Great idea, but it needs water running to create electricity. If you have a well, that could be a problem!
Silenced38
Feeling the Heat
I thought these used an internal fan for the themp difference. I may have referenced the wrong one.
This is the one that has fans for cooling.
Devil Watt DW-SM-45W Wood Burning Stove
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