Question about inverters and Batterries for a back up source

[metalslug]

Ok, with a 2400 or 3000 watt inverter, what type of sealed battery can I or should I use to run the power with it for a back up emergency system of power. Well, I found this site, and its very helpful. I would still like to hear aout memebers here using these types of power set ups, how long it lasted with what types of tank equipment. Thanks.

http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/inverter_faq.html

 

[tunerX]

What the heck are you gonna use 3000 watts for. Determine the amount of load you are going to carry first then size an inverter to match. Just going with an arbitrary number of 2400 or 3000 will cost a bunch of money for the inverter and you may never get the load.

With that said, follow these steps.

1) calculate load (pretty much all devices have a wattage and amperage rating. Convert to amps or watts to get everything to a similar metric.
2) from maximum load add 30 percent. This adds a decent amount of slop factor and shouldn't add too much cost.
3) determine if you want to run 12 volt or 24 volt battery banks.
4) determine how long you want to run your load+30 percent in minutes.
5) size your batteries and build a bank based on amp/hour calculations from you load and voltage.
6) Choose a float charger to keep the batteries at maximum charge. Never use a trickle charger because you will overcharge the lead acid batteries and will damage them.

 

[metalslug]

I actually found a motor trend 3000w inverter for real cheap, still new in box. I will try and decypher what you said, I am not real good at doing that type of math. This is what I have to run.....Power Consumption: 20 watts, 340GPH(canister filter), a whisper 20, and 60 HOB and a tetra HOB and a 300w heater.

 

[ewurm]

During our power outage here, I plugged a power inverter into my car and ran an extension cord into the house.

 

[tunerX]

I actually found a motor trend 3000w inverter for real cheap, still new in box. I will try and decypher what you said, I am not real good at doing that type of math. This is what I have to run.....Power Consumption: 20 watts, 340GPH(canister filter), a whisper 20, and 60 HOB and a tetra HOB and a 300w heater.

How long do you want to run these things. There should be a U/L tag or some other tag on each component that gives a watt rating and/or amp rating.

 

[kcress]

I can help you if you tell me how long you want to run the tank and the total wattage of your loads as tunerX has nicely laid out.