Quote Originally Posted by Adam Chandler View Post
Something to keep in mind is if your thermostats are proportional that may not work with a generator.

I've contacted Helix before and asked them to elaborate on the issue:

"Hello, yes you will not be happy using any signal conditioner, UPS, even some older or sloppy power generators, ahead of digital equipment that electronically controls output power. The Sign-wave that these products produce is "square-ish" and not acceptable for use with triac driven devices. ( Including Helix DBS-1000 and any truely Proportional thermostat.) .This Square sign-wave tends to turn on the power at a low level when the system wants the power OFF.
On/Off thermostats ( at least most of them) should not have this
problem.

If your looking for back up incase of power outage...

You can set up a Ranco (On/Off) thermostat, 1-2 degrees lower
setpoint,and separate small fan and heat element.
Basically the Ranco is never putting out any heat , unless the
temperature drops to the lower (secondary system) set point. This saves the relay
inside and makes the Ranco system last a 1000 x's longer

It could also speed "temperature" recovery after opening the incubator,
and closing it.

Thanks for thinking Helix,
Jeff Washburn
Helix Controls, Inc."
They do make digital equipment friendly back-up generators now adays. They have a pure sine wave output. We have 3 of them where I work to keep our servers working if the power goes out.