I bit the bullet and bought a 1500w generator (a honda clone that was on sale at Aldi for $200) and an oversized heater/ac unit that was on sale on newegg.com. Just by keeping the temps stable in the room over the winter (even if the power doesn't go out), they'll pay for themselves in one season for me.
Power Outage Ideas...
My power has went out twice already in the last 2 months. It was freezing outside this last time, but luckily it was only for a few hours at once. I've only been in the hobby for 3 seasons thus far, and after this last outage it has finally dawned on me that if I don't have heat in my frog room over a matter of 12 hours so I could realistically lose most of or all of my entire collection over night. That's a modest $2000 in frogs just in that one room.
I've been looking online to buy a generator. I had no idea they were hundreds to thousands of dollars! The best deal I found on a smaller sized one was $140 shipped from Amazon.com.
It can power 1200 watts. Not too bad, but I've read that the smaller two-stroke ones are extremely noisy.
After I buy the generator I would of course need some kind of space heater to plug into it. The problem is that most electric space heaters are 1500 watts alone! That is of course more than the generator can power...
I happened to find a quartz heater that uses 400 - 800 watts on amazon for $30.
These two items together are $170. My other problem is that with the heater plugged in the generator will only be powering one of the rooms in the entire house. I could always buy a larger generator, but that would mean another hundred dollars or so...
I started looking for other options. I wanted to find a battery powered space heater, but I didn't know if they make them.
What I have found is a propane heater, which would work, but one must also buy a couple other accessories for it to make it work properly which costs about $190.
I also stumbled upon this guys invention called a Kandle Heeter.
KanHeetMain
Essentially it uses 1 candle power to heat this steel inner core which then transfers that heat to the terracotta pots which give off their own warmth as long as its on (or something like that). Anyways, I talked to the inventor of it on the phone and he said I'd need about three or four of them to "keep the chill out" of my 10 X 8 frog room. He never quite said that it would "heat my room to 70 -75 degrees", but he said that it would push the cold air out of it basically. Its very interesting, but I'm speculative.
So...
I am wondering what you all do for power outages. Any helpful hints?
Is the generator the way to go? Propane heaters? Candle power? Ha.
Any other cool technological gadgets out there that I don't know about?
Thanks!
I've been looking online to buy a generator. I had no idea they were hundreds to thousands of dollars! The best deal I found on a smaller sized one was $140 shipped from Amazon.com.
After I buy the generator I would of course need some kind of space heater to plug into it. The problem is that most electric space heaters are 1500 watts alone! That is of course more than the generator can power...
I happened to find a quartz heater that uses 400 - 800 watts on amazon for $30.
I started looking for other options. I wanted to find a battery powered space heater, but I didn't know if they make them.
What I have found is a propane heater, which would work, but one must also buy a couple other accessories for it to make it work properly which costs about $190.
KanHeetMain
Essentially it uses 1 candle power to heat this steel inner core which then transfers that heat to the terracotta pots which give off their own warmth as long as its on (or something like that). Anyways, I talked to the inventor of it on the phone and he said I'd need about three or four of them to "keep the chill out" of my 10 X 8 frog room. He never quite said that it would "heat my room to 70 -75 degrees", but he said that it would push the cold air out of it basically. Its very interesting, but I'm speculative.
So...
I am wondering what you all do for power outages. Any helpful hints?
Is the generator the way to go? Propane heaters? Candle power? Ha.
Any other cool technological gadgets out there that I don't know about?
Thanks!
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
ive had mixed results with quartz heaters. i like the hydronic heater designs but i spent $160 on a farenheat hydronic heater and it leaked, which coupled with the shoddy central heat in my house caused the death of every animal within 18 inches of the floor.
i dont think a 2 stroke is going to be a good choice. they are noisy and generally require fuel oil mixtures. spend the money to get an OHV 4 stroke generator. (honda engines or clones are great ) also remember that the ratings you see are generally for peak power while the normal operating power output is considerably less.
james
i dont think a 2 stroke is going to be a good choice. they are noisy and generally require fuel oil mixtures. spend the money to get an OHV 4 stroke generator. (honda engines or clones are great ) also remember that the ratings you see are generally for peak power while the normal operating power output is considerably less.
james
Thanks for the input guys. I'll have to do some more shopping around and post what I end up going with.
Generator and portable heat and or air yes. What do some of you have as back up in case it happens and no one is home?
with a little know how its possible to rig an electric start generator to come on when the power fails. either way i'd suggest an inline thermostat. i bought mine for $35. its a LUX. works GREAT!
automatic backup generators are very expensive and so out of the price range of many
james
automatic backup generators are very expensive and so out of the price range of many
james
I could run my whole greenhouse on a 2000W inverter and four golf cart batteries for the better part of a week... Look into battery backup.
Now, the main heat source was not electricity. It was propane (or later, wood pellets). But that amount of electricity was sufficient to run the furnace and fans, and the venting. If you have natural gas or some dino-based fuel furnace, you might be able to run it for a long time on batteries.
Now, the main heat source was not electricity. It was propane (or later, wood pellets). But that amount of electricity was sufficient to run the furnace and fans, and the venting. If you have natural gas or some dino-based fuel furnace, you might be able to run it for a long time on batteries.
I would get as big a generator as I could afford. At least 2,000 - 3,000 watts.
Just think when you lose power, You might want to also plug in a small TV or Radio, charge your cell or laptop, Plug in the terrarium lights to produce heat also.
Plus dont forget some chains and locks.
Snow blowers and Generators are always a high thief item in Winter.
Steve
Just think when you lose power, You might want to also plug in a small TV or Radio, charge your cell or laptop, Plug in the terrarium lights to produce heat also.
Plus dont forget some chains and locks.
Snow blowers and Generators are always a high thief item in Winter.
Steve
I wish I could've seen these ideas yesterday. For some reason I haven't been able to get on DB for the last coupe of days. In the meantime I've found a product that seems to fit my needs, for now.
I found a small coleman propane heater for $57 on Amazon.
Amazon.com: Coleman BlackCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater: Sports & Outdoors
It got 4.5 stars on the reviews
-Powerful 3,000-BTU heating unit
-Runs up to 7 hours on one 16.4-oz. propane cylinder
-PerfecTemp Catalytic technology for safe, efficient flameless heat -- at the ame, in the tent, in the garage or around the home.
Its suppose to be safe to heat a small room just as long as there is a slight draft to allow for fresh oxygen flow.
For the price it sure beats another method, so I'm hoping it works out as planned.
I found a small coleman propane heater for $57 on Amazon.
Amazon.com: Coleman BlackCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater: Sports & Outdoors
It got 4.5 stars on the reviews
-Powerful 3,000-BTU heating unit
-Runs up to 7 hours on one 16.4-oz. propane cylinder
-PerfecTemp Catalytic technology for safe, efficient flameless heat -- at the ame, in the tent, in the garage or around the home.
Its suppose to be safe to heat a small room just as long as there is a slight draft to allow for fresh oxygen flow.
For the price it sure beats another method, so I'm hoping it works out as planned.
The frog room is small (maybe 10 x 8) and holds heat well so from what I read it seems that this could keep the room at 65-75 or so if it were to fall below 65. I live in Seattle so the weather doesn't get too far below freezing or down into the teens more than a couple weeks a year, and I've never had my power stay out for more than 12 hours so we'll see if this trusted Coleman product can do the job temporarily. 
do not risk your animals to a propane heater. the combustion of propane converts it to Co2. 5000 ppm is enough to prove fatal. allowing for airflow to the room will lower temps and require the unit to use more propane to heat and in turn create more Co2.
this is a very dangerous idea for your frogs and yourself.
james
this is a very dangerous idea for your frogs and yourself.
james
this is NOT an area to make decisions based on affordability. small heaters (space heaters) are responsible for hundreds of deaths and thousands of hospitalizations each year in the US alone. assuming that a heater is safe because its currently on the market or manufactured by a well known brand is not enough. dont gamble with your frogs your home or your life.I found a small coleman propane heater for $57 on Amazon.
james
James, thank you for your words of warning. I completely understand what your saying about the real risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. That's what I was most concerned about when looking over reviews. The reviews all say the heater was used in tents, garages, indoors, and even in cars? A couple people tested it with carbon monoxide sensors and it didn't trigger an alarm. Do I know these people, no. Could they be making it all up? Yes. Can I even trust a carbon monoxide sensor? I sure hope so.
Coleman makes this heater for indoor use. The manual states that it just needs 6 square inches of fresh air flow. And your right, just because its on the market doesn't mean its safe, but that also doesn't mean that its not safe... I don't mean to play devils advocate because I know this heater could certainly injure someone or start a fire from coming into contact with a flammable material, but don't they all? The thought of dropping hundreds of dollars on a generator and heating units that would essentially do the same thing just seems like overkill to me.
I know your just looking out for my best interest, and I like the information I'm getting, that's why I started the thread. I've already ordered it and will test it out. If it doesn't cut it I'll return it. If I do, and you also don't recommend other space heaters then what options am I left with?
I like the idea for an inline thermostat, but isn't that electric?
And when all the animals 18 inches off of the ground died was that from them simply getting too cold?
Coleman makes this heater for indoor use. The manual states that it just needs 6 square inches of fresh air flow. And your right, just because its on the market doesn't mean its safe, but that also doesn't mean that its not safe... I don't mean to play devils advocate because I know this heater could certainly injure someone or start a fire from coming into contact with a flammable material, but don't they all? The thought of dropping hundreds of dollars on a generator and heating units that would essentially do the same thing just seems like overkill to me.
I know your just looking out for my best interest, and I like the information I'm getting, that's why I started the thread. I've already ordered it and will test it out. If it doesn't cut it I'll return it. If I do, and you also don't recommend other space heaters then what options am I left with?
I like the idea for an inline thermostat, but isn't that electric?
And when all the animals 18 inches off of the ground died was that from them simply getting too cold?
propane produces carbon dioxide (Co2) so a carbon monoxide detector would be useless. Co2 is a colorless, odorless and tasteless (at low concentration) gas which is heavier than air, meaning that animals lower to the floor will be at greater risk.James, thank you for your words of warning. I completely understand what your saying about the real risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. That's what I was most concerned about when looking over reviews. The reviews all say the heater was used in tents, garages, indoors, and even in cars? A couple people tested it with carbon monoxide sensors and it didn't trigger an alarm. Do I know these people, no. Could they be making it all up? Yes. Can I even trust a carbon monoxide sensor? I sure hope so.
Coleman makes this heater for indoor use. The manual states that it just needs 6 square inches of fresh air flow. And your right, just because its on the market doesn't mean its safe, but that also doesn't mean that its not safe... I don't mean to play devils advocate because I know this heater could certainly injure someone or start a fire from coming into contact with a flammable material, but don't they all? The thought of dropping hundreds of dollars on a generator and heating units that would essentially do the same thing just seems like overkill to me.
I know your just looking out for my best interest, and I like the information I'm getting, that's why I started the thread. I've already ordered it and will test it out. If it doesn't cut it I'll return it. If I do, and you also don't recommend other space heaters then what options am I left with?
I like the idea for an inline thermostat, but isn't that electric?
And when all the animals 18 inches off of the ground died was that from them simply getting too cold?
its your call but i wouldnt personally trust a propane heater indoors. as real world proof, i used to work for a flooring removal company which billed far more jobs than our competitor because we used an electric flooring removal machine (it cost a ton more) whereas he used a propane machine (which according to the manufacturer was completely safe for indoor use) however customers he serviced had to, on a number of occasions evacuate a building because of nausea and headaches, which are symptoms of exposure to high levels of Co2. your talking about an animal that weighs a half a gram. im no scientist but i imagine that sensitivity would be greater in the frogs than humans.
i have no idea how many frogs you have but loosing even a small number of them to something as simple as not putting the $ into the proper backup heating or cooling unit could cost a TON more than the initial investment in a system that you know will be safe.
james
i lost the animals within 18" of the floor because the central heat failed and when my backup unit was supposed to come on (like it had in the past) it didnt (the unit had a malfunction) therefore the cold air in the room (which settled on the floor) killed those animals.
Tolerance to the cold is both species and acclimation dependent (the rate at which the temperature changes), but I have had both tinctorius and auratus survive temperatures in the low 40s with no issues.The frog room is small (maybe 10 x 8) and holds heat well so from what I read it seems that this could keep the room at 65-75 or so if it were to fall below 65. I live in Seattle so the weather doesn't get too far below freezing or down into the teens more than a couple weeks a year, and I've never had my power stay out for more than 12 hours so we'll see if this trusted Coleman product can do the job temporarily.
If you search the frognet archives, some people have thier auratus survive temperatures in the 50 for significant periods of time.
Ed
im curious, does anyone here run on natural gas furnaces? it may be a west thing, but if the power is out usually the gas is still flowing. i also will be using a Honeywell HZ-519 for a secondary heat source thats digitally controlled so that the house doesnt have to be the same temp as the frog rooms.
Last month my power was out for 6 days. The temperature was about 45 degrees in the room where I keep my frogs. I considered buying a propane heater but refrained when I thought of the possibility of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide issues. I also considered a generator, but again couldn't find one because our whole city was pretty much out of power. So I went with a basic method of buying 10 hour body warmers. I would tape them to the sides of the tanks during the nights and days and i covered the tanks with blankets from time to time to try and keep in some of the heat, and luckily it worked out for me. It's not an ideal situation, but in a pinch, it did the trick.
We once had no power for Three Days - it's was horrible...
Also I like these type of indoor heaters, A little safe than many other types.
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EW7707CM-Oil-filled-ComforTemp-Technology/dp/B000TGDGLU/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1322087663&sr=8-8
Steve
Also I like these type of indoor heaters, A little safe than many other types.
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EW7707CM-Oil-filled-ComforTemp-Technology/dp/B000TGDGLU/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1322087663&sr=8-8
Steve
Most Gas furnaces still rely on a electric powered fan to operate a central forced air heating system. And many modern thermostats are power operated and digital (though some do have batteries mostly that's so they don't loose the time and programs.)im curious, does anyone here run on natural gas furnaces? it may be a west thing, but if the power is out usually the gas is still flowing. i also will be using a Honeywell HZ-519 for a secondary heat source thats digitally controlled so that the house doesnt have to be the same temp as the frog rooms.
Oil filled radiators are definitely some of the safest space heaters on the market. And while less important to PDF peeps on this forum with full to mostly closed terrariums, for most of friends in the crested gecko community i recommend this because with out an exposed heating element, it doesnt bake off the humidity in the air as bad as other heaters.We once had no power for Three Days - it's was horrible...
Also I like these type of indoor heaters, A little safe than many other types.
Amazon.com: DeLonghi EW7707CM Oil-filled Radiator with ComforTemp Technology: Home & Garden
Steve
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
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