Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Infrequently I spend money for my new system. The last was on a diesel generator as a backup for power outages, it is ATS capable however it produces far more power than I need.
I would probably run it once a week just to ensure it is still working etc but I am still left with the problem of keeping it loaded. I thought about putting a dummy load on it just to get the watts up but it seems like a real waste of energy.
So I will have excess power on outages and I can't at the moment work out how to effectively use the surplus.

I would appreciate suggestions.

big heater and barrmundi

or sell it and buy a small petrol genny

Keep your fridge(s) running as well so you have plenty of cold beer to enjoy while keeping an eye on your system during the power outage?

Matty I don't think Barra would be happy with a once a week heat and the chance of outages in winter. And I have had it with small petrol gensets.

Arbe

I can get 6 cartons in my beer fridge (well actually its a modified freezer) and unless I keep opening the door its not going to apply a load and anyway I could see some serious consequences of doing that.

Install some solar panels and a battery bank and plug the genset into the system.

Whenever the batteries get low (how low depends on the type of battery type) have the genset automatically turn on and run at about 80% (max efficiency) until the batteries are almost fully charged and then switch off.

I shall have to think about that one Stuart as it will be quite complex to install not to mention that genset will be probably be kicking on in the early hours of the morning.
Interesting suggestion though.

You could put a Floodlight in your bed room shining in your wifeys eyes so when the power goes out at night everyone gets woken up .

This is evil. Evil I say...

I have a 150w led floodlight which weighs about 8-10kgs, mounting it on the ceiling would take some fancy brackets and unfortunately I think it would cause eye damage at that distance.

Besides it pulls bugger all load so that's not going to help.

If more use required during outages how close are your neighbours, offer to run their fridge for them

Am on 5 acres cc so nowhere close.

Currently running it in so I had to stick a couple of electric heaters on it.

Sleepe, how big is the geny?

Supposedly 6kva so about 5000w continuous with a peak short term of 5500w. Not that I believe ratings on Chinese gensets (if the markings on the engine are anything to go by its a rebadged Hyundai).

Its also a bit quirky with the remote start as its turned itself on twice in the early hours of the morning, so after its had its first service that's going to be modified or changed.

I've seen biodiesel makers setup an electric water heater to burn off excess energy which can then be stored for later use

Nice restive load, pity I still don't distill 'water'.