avoids damage, especially w/ generator during power outage: Line Conditioner

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

My generator (--> HERE<--) has saved me more than once, the last time during Hurricane Irene. We were out of power for 4 days. What I noticed was that my filters had hiccups occasionally, probably either when the sump pumps that our neighbors had hooked up to the generator kicked in, or when our fridge ended a cooling cycle. Power spikes were generated that were not manageable by my UPS w/surge protectors (--> HERE<--). Sure enough, reading up on it, a power line conditioner is not a bad idea when using a generator.

After some research, I got a Tripp Lite line conditioner, which covers my large tank nicely day-to-day, and it will allow me to hook up other tanks when I run extension cords thru the house. Here it is:

Tripp Lite in the center, between my UPS units


View under the tank ...


HarleyK

 

[Pharaoh]

I needs some details. Can you lay out the design?

 

[arodini]

I looked it up right after I got my gen, but didn't think it was worth the expense for me...but thanks for sharing though.

 

[arodini]

This conditioner is definitely needed if you planned to run electronic devices that are very voltage sensitive and expensive using power from a generator. Although most gens nowadays have voltage regulator but their makers can't guarantee clean power all the time so they'd still recommend a line conditioner to be on the safe side. The hiccups mentioned by the OP are really just surges from a higher power drawing demand, which is normal IMHO.

I would be more concerned about the controller board on my furnace than my aquarium filters, but again my filters are not as expensive as the OP's 2060's

Question for the OP, do you put this conditioner to use just for your filters only the way it's setup in your pics? How about your TV and computers, etc.?

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I needs some details. Can you lay out the design?

I decided to go with the LC1200 (i.e. 1200 Watts), no secret, runs $96.94 on Amazon. I have it set up so that it's in use 24/7. Once I have a power outage and hook up my generator, all I have to do is unplug the Tripp Lite from the wall outlet and plug it into the extension cord from my generator. It's basically a fancy multiplug which corrects voltage spikes and dips far beyond a run-off-the mill surge protector. Those didn't do the trick.

There are four outlets on its back. Two are occupied with my UPSs, each of which powers one Eheim 2262 and controls one battery-backup airpump. When the power goes out, each UPS runs its filter for an hour. When UPS battery is dead, the battery powered airpumps kick in automatically. They run for over a day.

The other two outlets in the Tripp Lite are used for lights, heaters, surface skimmer etc. Just because I can. IMO lights & heaters are not overly sensitive to power fluctuations.

The hiccups mentioned by the OP are really just surges from a higher power drawing demand, which is normal IMHO.

Yup, that's what I said.

I would be more concerned about the controller board on my furnace than my aquarium filters, but again my filters are not as expensive as the OP's 2060's

2262
But seriously, I am not concerned about my filters per se (simply exchange a burnt-out 1262 pump with a new one), but the consequences of filter failure. I'd hate to be all set up for a power outage and then fry my pump and have my fish die. It's really not about the filters, it's about the fish. It's about identifying the weakest point in my system and eliminating it.

BTW: I don't run my furnace with my generator. I don't have a plug-in panel. For this once-a-year occurrence of power outage, I simply run extension cords and use space heaters if need be.

Question for the OP, do you put this conditioner to use just for your filters only the way it's setup in your pics? How about your TV and computers, etc.?

I just run my tank (filters, lights, heaters) thru the Tripp Lite 24/7. If need be, I will run an extension cord from the Tripp Lite to my other tanks - 1200 Watts is plenty to share. I am really not concerned about my TV.

HarleyK

 

[arodini]

Just curious, do you know about the 2262's operating voltage range to determine their sensitivity level? Do they use electronic board/chips?

 

[HarleyK]

Beats me.

All I know is that a regular surge protector did not prevent the hiccups...