I can't comment on the generator issue since our generator for the snake building powers the whole building, but I bet if you contact Spyder robotics they could help.
What I mean by backup is, Herpstat plugged into Hydrofarm, then Hydrofarm plugged into the wall. Both probes go together into the incubator. So for example, if you were incubating at 88F you might set the Herpstat at 88 and the Hydrofarm at 90. If the Herpstat failed, the Hydrofarm would stop a spike.
Isn't that kind of massive overkill considering the HerpStat's safety feature of failing in the off position? Even if the HerpStat were to fail the Hydrofarm would do no good because the circuit is broken further up the line.