I'm super pleased with my Battery Minder. The batteries in the Pisten Bully
were pretty much flat when I tried to start it back in December. I hauled them
home and gave each 24 hours on the Minder in maintenance (desulfate?) mode and
24 hours on the dumb charger at 6 amps. I don't remember what size they are but
they're big, like you'd have in a diesel Mercedes.
Back in the machine they worked perfectly, especially the night we had a
plugged fuel screen and had to crank on it a lot to reprime the system.
At the end of the season I'll put them on the Minder for a week each. I did
that with the ASV before the season started. Shoulda done the Bully too but
nobody asked.
-Curt
On Sunday, February 14, 2021, 6:11:54 PM EST, Scott Ritchey via Mercedes
<mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote:
Power was out here from about 0700 to noon, probably caused by an ice storm.
I was unaware of that until I got to my kitchen and heard the generator
running. That (15KW Generac) LP-fired standby generator was nice to have then
but there are costs.
I think the equipment was about $3500 (in 2005) but the install was part of a
bigger project so I don't have a number for that. LP is pretty clean but I
still do an annual oil and filter change. The start battery has died several
times without much warning and battery acid damaged allowed the case to rust.
I'm using a Battery Minder now, maybe that will help.
At very light load the output frequency is just over 63 Hz which causes many
UPS systems to revert to battery power (beep-beep-beep) and deplete the
battery; APC Smart UPS are more tolerant.
I have an underground 500 gal LP tank (which only holds 400 gal) that should be
good for a couple of days. An above-ground thank would be cheaper and would
let ne switch LP suppliers; but SWMBO said no to above-ground.
Overall, I have no complaints but frankly, the few recent power outages didn't
justify the expense. However, long power outages were very common previously
and SWMBO would not be able to manage a manual system (I traveled for work in
those days).
For short outages, an 8-10 KW (electric start) gasoline generator should do the
job much cheaper. The plug-in output cord can be wired to a power panel with a
mechanical interlock fairly inexpensively (if code allows). The main drawback
of this setup, IMO, is storing gasoline and keeping it fresh.
-----Original Message-----
From: Mercedes On Behalf Of Dan Penoff via Mercedes
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2021 4:27 PM
To: Okie Benz <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Cc: Dan Penoff <d...@penoff.com>
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Blizzard
It does make life far easier and less likely to be interrupted. Big up front
cost, though, if you do it right.
-D
> On Feb 14, 2021, at 4:24 PM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes
> <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote:
>
> Being that we are total electric here, I should get a backup generator one of
> these day.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Feb 14, 2021, at 3:15 PM, Dan Penoff via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> That reminds me, it’s about time to check the propane tank for my
>> annual fill for the standby generator…
>>
>> -D shoveling sun and a little bit of rain today in the near 80s
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Feb 14, 2021, at 4:12 PM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes
>>> <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Blizzard is proceeding, temp is 7 outside with wind chill is -10,
>>> snow blowing outside. Heat pump pretty much runs non stop. Over the last 30
>>> minutes the power has been going out off and on. No good. I may end up
>>> having to haul in some firewood and firing up the fireplace/insert. It
>>> would Most definitely cut down on the heat pump useable but by the time you
>>> pay for firewood I don’t think it would be any cheaper. I keep firewood
>>> around for use in the case of emergency.
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> _______________________________________
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>>
>>
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>
>
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