• Welcome back Guest!

    MARSH is a private reefing group. Comments and suggestions are encouraged, but please keep them positive and constructive. Negative threads, posts, or attacks will be removed from view and reviewed by the staff. Continually disruptive, argumentative, or flagrant rule breakers may be suspended or banned.

Discuss Were you prepared for the freeze? (1 Viewer)

Were you prepared for the freeze?

  • Yes I had no losses

    Votes: 16 51.6%
  • Sort of - I had a plan but this weather event overwhelmed me

    Votes: 12 38.7%
  • No I lost everything

    Votes: 3 9.7%

  • Total voters
    31
  • Poll closed .

Users who are viewing this thread

Tenny

Supporting Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Jul 18, 2018
Messages
755
Reaction score
588
Location
League City
Does the engine run less rpm? Less torq? Not understanding that one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Personally I don't know why. I have read they run hotter.

I just know all tri-fuel generators have different ratings for different gases. I reached out to Century Fuel Products (they make a lot of conversion kits) and they replied with:
Propane is a 2-5% reduction from gasoline rating.
Natural Gas is a 15-18% reduction from gasoline rating.
 

Tenny

Supporting Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Jul 18, 2018
Messages
755
Reaction score
588
Location
League City
Yes and No. I didn’t have the proper extension cords or adapters that I should have had. I didn’t have any space heaters.

One thing to keep in mind is that heaters burn a ridiculous amount of Watts especially when you need several to keep temps in the 70’s. That includes tank heaters and home heaters.

A generator was basically the only way through this one (if you didn’t have power) unless you had a good power Inverter (400 to 1000 watts for most tanks) and a few batteries. Changing out /Charging one battery on Truck/Car alternator while the other is providing power.

Solar panels are a good way to grab energy if the sun is somewhat out. That’s something to think about. This would be gold during Hurricane season.

Another thing to consider is using propane instead of gas to run a generator. I’m fixing to convert mine over to propane so I’ll have both Gas and Propane options if needed.. Gas is always hard to get during these events. Getting a lot of fuel early is key.

One other thing to consider is DC pumps, skimmers, etc. My return pump is 25w and my skimmer is only 11w. I can run those for a long time w/o my generator. Days!

In the summer we need to freeze RO water bottles to have ready if needed. I’m pretty sure a chiller will draw a ridiculous amount of energy. Not sure though because I’ve never owned one.
Even during this ice storm propane was sold out pretty much everywhere I went. Although it does allow you to have multiple options which is always better. It also doesn't gum up like gasoline does.

1/4hp chiller is about 300w based on what I searched before. So that's not horrible. In the event of a hurricane my plan is to run nothing but the controller, chiller, and return pump. So I'm guessing that'd be in the 400-500w range.
 

BigRick

OG Reefer
Supporting Member
Member Spotlight Contest Winner
Joined
Dec 22, 2009
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
1,440
Location
Cypress- Bridgeland
Does anybody remember how hot your house got during a summer power outage that last a few days?

I’m thinking it could get pretty darn hot, but I can’t remember just how hot it would get inside. Definitely upper 80’s probably.
My AC crapped out 2 years ago got up to 94 in the house.
 
Joined
Feb 4, 2014
Messages
10,899
Reaction score
2,066
Location
League City
Even during this ice storm propane was sold out pretty much everywhere I went. Although it does allow you to have multiple options which is always better. It also doesn't gum up like gasoline does.

1/4hp chiller is about 300w based on what I searched before. So that's not horrible. In the event of a hurricane my plan is to run nothing but the controller, chiller, and return pump. So I'm guessing that'd be in the 400-500w range.
The good thing about propane is that it can be stored a long time. Long as in 10 to 30 years or longer. No doubt it will not gum your carb like gas.

300W for a Chiller is a lot but not crazy bad. I figured they would be higher.
 

Tenny

Supporting Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Jul 18, 2018
Messages
755
Reaction score
588
Location
League City
Gezz, so we’ll be screwed. I’m not sure sure what would be worse...trying to bring down the temp of 95 degree water or bring up 50 degree water.

I think I’ll take the colder water because 95 degrees will probably instantly nuke Acros.
My A/C was really bad this last summer. Thankfully I have two A/C's and the upstairs just ran a lot harder. The tank is in a really tall ceiling room that's very open so the AC upstairs kept it cool enough. Along with a lot of late nights working on the A/C I scraped by. Although I do have the chiller so the tank will be fine but I won't be. Back when I lived in CA my tank had a chiller yet I had no A/C. :(

I got a new (slightly bigger) unit installed in January. The A/C guy said the old one's line was crushed during the install, so no wonder why it was doing horrible.
 

Tangs

Guest
Joined
Apr 27, 2008
Messages
2,009
Reaction score
425
Location
Sarnia, Ontario
There is at least one product available where you can heat/cool your house. plus power other stuff in an emergency situation using your vehicle. Is it any good I do not know???
 

steveb

Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Board Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Messages
11,953
Reaction score
2,856
Location
Spring
There is at least one product available where you can heat/cool your house. plus power other stuff in an emergency situation using your vehicle. Is it any good I do not know???
I wonder if that is the inverter some people were using off their autos.
 

Tangs

Guest
Joined
Apr 27, 2008
Messages
2,009
Reaction score
425
Location
Sarnia, Ontario
I have thought about that all along during your winter blast...just use the carrr. So last night I just typed it and found something
I do not need one. It is called....(I will look for the product name...I watched the 3 minute utube video last night)
 

foos

Supporting Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Apr 25, 2018
Messages
505
Reaction score
644
Location
Katy, TX
I looked at that car generator and it is basically an inverter pre-setup to connect to your car. Assuming they use a good quality inverter it should be a good option for someone that does not want to buy an inverter and make their own setup.

If you went this route, I would get the largest one you can afford and your car can handle. Just ask a mechanic how many watts you can draw off your alternator. If you have a tiny car with a tiny alternator that can't even run a 500W stereo without lights dimming, you are not going to run a 1000W+ inverter off it for a long time. It does look like when you go to buy one they warn you that some need a high output alternator to run at what is rated continuously.

If you are in an apartment and can't have a generator but can get an extension cord from your car to your unit, this looks like a good option.
 

Tangs

Guest
Joined
Apr 27, 2008
Messages
2,009
Reaction score
425
Location
Sarnia, Ontario
Yes and as you all know but maybe some people don't...do not idle your car in your garage. The exhaust has to go outside or bad things might happen.
 
Top