Electrical backup power inverter? and thermostat for Christmas.

I was getting ready to ask Santa Clause for a new ball python for Christmas, but I decided differently. Many of you regular members may remember the story I posted of how I lost electrical power in a cold windstorm and had to keep my pythons in my bed all night to keep them from getting hypothermia! Lost power for 14 hours during a high-wind freeze!
Well, I almost forgot about that problem, but then today I came home and for the first time the thermostat malfunctioned! It has never done this before, but the heat tape was cold, and the thermostat digital thermometer was reading 26 Celsius! (it is usually around 33 Celsius at the probe). I unplugged it and plugged it back in, and it started heating the tape again, so that was good. I have no idea what caused the thermostat to stop seeing power to the heat tape, but obviously I have to upgrade. Also, this made me think of the power outage and that it might happen again this winter.

So instead of buying a new snake for Christmas, I am going to do the responsible thing and buy emergency heating technology to protect the snakes I already have. A new Herpstat and a power inverters backup battery. I already have a Herpstat idea, but I was wondering what I should get as a power backup, that I can plug my heat tape thermostat and space heater into during a power outage.

I am considering either a deep-cycle battery power inverter, or a gas powered generator. I have zero experience with either, and would like some input from people in the know.

Sorry to burst your bubble but any battery backup (I assume you mean that instead of a power inverter which converts DC to AC power) is going to be drained in no time unless you invest some money into a larger very expensive system with maybe lithium batteries. The reason I say this is once you lose power in the winter, the house will cool off and the associated heating elements will have to work hard to compensate for that heat loss.

Your best bet is to get a decent generator for your home, get an electrician to wire it for you and have a plan to test it on a regular basis.

I have a Honda EU1000i that we use when we leave the RV at home and go tent camping. It's great for charging our electronic devices. We've also used it during two major hurricanes where we lost power for over a week on both occasions. It's an inverter generator so it's safe for your electronics. It's super quiet and the fuel efficiency is fantastic. If you need more power and don't mind the extra 15 pounds, I would recommend the EU2000i for a few more dollars.

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators

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Originally Posted by SDA

Sorry to burst your bubble but any battery backup (I assume you mean that instead of a power inverter which converts DC to AC power) is going to be drained in no time unless you invest some money into a larger very expensive system with maybe lithium batteries. The reason I say this is once you lose power in the winter, the house will cool off and the associated heating elements will have to work hard to compensate for that heat loss.

Your best bet is to get a decent generator for your home, get an electrician to wire it for you and have a plan to test it on a regular basis.

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Yeah, the more I research, the more a generator seems to be the best option. I am not going to buy a large one for the entire home, (I rent and don't have the money to invest anyway) just a portable unit for the snakes only.

Just remember it MUST be ran outside unless designed to be vented out. You cannot run it in the garage as it can build up harmful exhaust gases quickly and overtake the home.

I guess technically you can run an extension cord on a patio and snake it in the rental unit if you can seal off a window or sliding glass door.

Yeah, snaking a cord through the window was my plan.

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Originally Posted by larryd23

I have a Honda EU1000i that we use when we leave the RV at home and go tent camping. It's great for charging our electronic devices. We've also used it during two major hurricanes where we lost power for over a week on both occasions. It's an inverter generator so it's safe for your electronics. It's super quiet and the fuel efficiency is fantastic. If you need more power and don't mind the extra 15 pounds, I would recommend the EU2000i for a few more dollars.

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators

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Thanks, great ideas. The price tag is a bit upsetting though! 😱

edit: or this one? https://www.amazon.com/WEN-56180-Sta.../dp/B00T7VT450

I bet something along the lines of this one would work since it is only for the snakes
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MHSSF2

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Originally Posted by SDA

edit: or this one? https://www.amazon.com/WEN-56180-Sta.../dp/B00T7VT450

I bet something along the lines of this one would work since it is only for the snakes
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MHSSF2

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I need at LEAST 1600 watts, 13 amps to support the snake room/rack. So these models won't quite do it, though I like your research! Thanks again, Misses SDA!

I just ordered a new Herpstat from Spyder Robotics! :taz::snake::snake::snake::snake: Now I need to magically conjure up some money for a generator.:please:

I have a small generac portable generator just for this use. I think it ran me about $400 but well worth it. I used it last year when we lost power. It ran all my snake equipment perfectly. I agree that a generator is the way to go. In a perfect world - I would love to have the generac whole house system that goes on automatically in the event of power loss but those can run upwards of $15,000 - yikes!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

I need at LEAST 1600 watts, 13 amps to support the snake room/rack. So these models won't quite do it, though I like your research! Thanks again, Misses SDA!

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I take you you mean you need that for a radiant heater you use to heat the room? Does it have an option to kick down to say 900 watts or half power mode? For example I have an oil filled heater that has a switch to cut it to half power.

That would allow you to run on a low power mode an still keep heat going. This is for emergency after all and so all you need is enough to keep them alive and well, not warm and toasty.


This one has a 1800 watt start up and 1500 watt run rating which if you have a low power setting on the radiant heater would more than cover startup draw. If you don't have a radiant heater than OMG you use a lot of power :P

https://www.amazon.com/WEN-56180-Sta.../dp/B00T7VT450

I’m in the planning stages of starting a breeding business, and I will eventually have 3-4 racks, and a lot of work invested in my animals, so if I’m going to invest in a generator, I want to make sure it does the job long term. Also would be nice to run some lights, freezer and some home space heating.