Backup Generator for Incubators

[dacalio]

I had a power outage for a couple of hours today. I only have a couple of eggs in the incubator so it wasn't a huge issue. My question to some of you larger breeders is do you guys have backup generators for your incubators and/or caging? It seems a power outage during the winter could spell catastrophy for all the snakes. Also, as sensitive as eggs are, especially during the first month, a huge drop in temperature could really be a disastor.

If you guys do have a backup generator does it automatically turn on or do you have to manually crank it up? I'm probably being a little paranoid but my family and I are not always available to take care of such emergencies. I know the herpstats have an awesome e-mail notification system built in, which I think is priceless.

One last question. How much of an impact would two hours of 83-85ish F temps have on two week old eggs?

[Wh00h0069]

I had a power outage for a couple of hours today. I only have a couple of eggs in the incubator so it wasn't a huge issue. My question to some of you larger breeders is do you guys have backup generators for your incubators and/or caging? It seems a power outage during the winter could spell catastrophy for all the snakes. Also, as sensitive as eggs are, especially during the first month, a huge drop in temperature could really be a disastor.

If you guys do have a backup generator does it automatically turn on or do you have to manually crank it up? I'm probably being a little paranoid but my family and I are not always available to take care of such emergencies. I know the herpstats have an awesome e-mail notification system built in, which I think is priceless.

One last question. How much of an impact would two hours of 83-85ish F temps have on two week old eggs?

I do not have a backup generator, and had a 3 hour power outage with the eggs about 2-3 weeks in. The temp dropped around 7 degrees in the incubator with in this time. Some of the babies in one of the clutches came out with deformities. All of the other clutches hatched out just fine.

I am planning on getting some sort of back up. I was thinking a UPS, but am not sure which one to get.

Good luck with your clutch.

[JoshJP7]

I cant answer your egg question as I havent gotten the opportunity to breed yet but I do have my racks and soon to be incubator hooked up to a back up battery made for giant business computer servers. Everything runs through the battery and when power is cut it automatically starts delivering power. Mine beeps when it starts to run which lets me know that the power is out or one of my cords is unplugged. I havent had to use this for more than an hour or so but I was told it should be able to keep my racks/incubator powered up for a couple days b/c flexwatt doesnt take too much power to run. My backup is made by APC(American Power Conversion) in case you're interested.

[Wh00h0069]

I cant answer your egg question as I havent gotten the opportunity to breed yet but I do have my racks and soon to be incubator hooked up to a back up battery made for giant business computer servers. Everything runs through the battery and when power is cut it automatically starts delivering power. Mine beeps when it starts to run which lets me know that the power is out or one of my cords is unplugged. I havent had to use this for more than an hour or so but I was told it should be able to keep my racks/incubator powered up for a couple days b/c flexwatt doesnt take too much power to run. My backup is made by APC(American Power Conversion) in case you're interested.

Do you happen to know the model number?

[BT41042]

I cant answer your egg question as I havent gotten the opportunity to breed yet but I do have my racks and soon to be incubator hooked up to a back up battery made for giant business computer servers. Everything runs through the battery and when power is cut it automatically starts delivering power. Mine beeps when it starts to run which lets me know that the power is out or one of my cords is unplugged. I havent had to use this for more than an hour or so but I was told it should be able to keep my racks/incubator powered up for a couple days b/c flexwatt doesnt take too much power to run. My backup is made by APC(American Power Conversion) in case you're interested.

I'm interested...How much it cost ya? Any more info? I've put it off long enough - I need a back-up...

[dacalio]

Ok I'm looking at that site and all that stuff is kinda Greek to me. I guess I will do some research and try to figure something out. If anyone has any input on these battery backup systems please post here. I'm trying to figure out what size battery back up I would need to keep two freezer size incubators heated for say 5 hours or so (planning for the far off future).

[dacalio]

Good luck with your clutch.

Thanks, they are just some normals (I think). Regardless, I would hate if anything happened to them.

[jonf]

take a look as there are few threads about this in the caging section maybe? I don't know the first thing about electricity/wiring/etc......so someone please jump in and correct me if I'm wrong but an important thing to keep in mind is whether or not you have an on/off T-stat or a proportional T-stat. I had a Helix on my incubator and hooked it up to an APC ups battery backup (APC 550VA/330 watts). I went to test it, by unplugging the power cord to the UPS and the Helix threw some error codes so I quickly unplugged it and figured that a proportional T-stat was not going to work with this.

Took a look at some older threads and there is some information floating out there about the reasons why proportional T-stats do not work with battery backups or generators. Someone, somewhere may have one working but like I said, I'm not an electrician. Luckily I did have an extra Ranco T-stat which is an on-off type and this seems to work. I test it by unplugging the battery backup and the battery kicks in and the Ranco stays the same......no temp drops and no error codes. For how long?? I'm not sure but I don't think the amount of flexwatt I have in my incubator would suck up the power like a home computer would so I bet it would last awhile.

[blackcrystal22]

take a look as there are few threads about this in the caging section maybe? I don't know the first thing about electricity/wiring/etc......so someone please jump in and correct me if I'm wrong but an important thing to keep in mind is whether or not you have an on/off T-stat or a proportional T-stat. I had a Helix on my incubator and hooked it up to an APC ups battery backup (APC 550VA/330 watts). I went to test it, by unplugging the power cord to the UPS and the Helix threw some error codes so I quickly unplugged it and figured that a proportional T-stat was not going to work with this.

Took a look at some older threads and there is some information floating out there about the reasons why proportional T-stats do not work with battery backups or generators. Someone, somewhere may have one working but like I said, I'm not an electrician. Luckily I did have an extra Ranco T-stat which is an on-off type and this seems to work. I test it by unplugging the battery backup and the battery kicks in and the Ranco stays the same......no temp drops and no error codes. For how long?? I'm not sure but I don't think the amount of flexwatt I have in my incubator would suck up the power like a home computer would so I bet it would last awhile.

Aye.
I made one not that long ago.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=70716