Using Boiler during power outage

jp_2

you need to find out the load in watts on the system.

a 200watt inverter and a 115amp hour marine battery might work for several days, but you have to know the load. this is just an example....

devon

Can we find a way to use boiler during power outage?

Living in Buffalo, NY where many of my neighbors have been without power for several days, brought up a good question... Since we have steam boilers that don't use much power (I think it only uses electric power as part of the "make heat" signal)... Is there a way to "force" the boiler to make heat during a power outage?? Would we need some sort of battery hooked to the controls or something like that? If so, any advice on how to do this? I think that would be a good thing to know...

Tundra

Yes, it is possible. You can set up a battery system and an inverter or you might set up a gererator. These systems can vary greatly in cost and complexity. I have seen homes where the generator automatically starts when the power goes out and provides power to the entire home, much as it does at your local hospital. The guy is a Dr. which probably explains where he got the idea and why he could afford it. If you asked this question then you need to find a professional to do the work for you. You are looking for a qualified electrician.

Mark Hunt

Devon


Not to insult but, PLEASE do not put a generator in your basement or garage.

I get slammed with Google hits on CO poisoning every time there is a major power outage somewhere.

The only "easy" way to do what you want is with a generator supplying 120 volts to the transformer on your boiler. The transformer will supply power to the burner circuit. Again, a generator in the wrong place can kill everyone in the house EVEN if you have CO alarms.

I wish there was an easy out to this, but there is not.

I'm about 4 hours east of you, near Saratoga. I hope you folks get your power back on sooner rather than later.

Mark H



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Constantin

Here's what I would consider doing:

First of all, determine just how much power the boiler actually needs to run. It may be very little.

If allowed by code, I would ask an electrician to wire the power supply for the boiler to end in a plug near the electrical panel. It is important that any emergency disconnects still work (i.e. they must be in series and "downstream" from this plug).

Then wire a dedicated receptacle for the boiler that either the boiler or the UPS can plug into. That way, the UPS can handle all outages, yet allow you to remove the UPS whenever you need to service it w/o affecting the steam boiler much.

Next, either use a clamp on meter or a $30 "Kill-a-Watt" meter to see how many watts your boiler draws over 24hrs.

Then I'd consult a site like APC to get a start on which UPS looks like a good match... but I would also give them a call, since in your application the UPS may actually consume more power than the boiler!

Mark Hunt

One other thing to consider


Victims

Read before you leap.

Mark H

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Mark Hunt

And here are the first results of the power outage in Buffalo


Generator

275,000 people without power as of this am.

Now it's 274,998.

Mark H

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bob_50

How about

a gas valve with a manual operator? Used to see them all the time.

devon

No, not about to put a generator in the basement

Thanks folks. No, I am not about to put a generator in the the basement. I know better. I know people with generators, and that hasn't been a great solution -- they need to be there (in case there a problem) while simultaneously they need to leave the house twice a day to FIND gas to fill the generator. (You try to get gas when the power is out!)

That is why we started to think about a "simpler" solution, such as jp's marine battery or Constantin's UPS.

I will need to research more to find the load - it isn't on the boiler or installation instructions (Dunkirk PVSB with Continuous Pilot).

Brad White_9

This makes a case

for standing pilot power-pile/milivolt systems as many steam and gravity hot water systems once enjoyed... Energy-Schmenergy.... these would be welcome now in Buffalo.

But what Mark said about generators and CO... take it to heart. Absolutely.

Constantin

Please remember...

.... to ensure that whatever electrical safety devices you still have will still shut down the boiler when you flick them or they go off on their own.

If the load is low, a inverter solution may be the better one. You can right-size the inverter and then add batteries as needed to cover the load. Use a small trickle-charger like the "battery tender" to keep the batteries topped-up and happy. Unfortunately, an inverter setup may require manual changeover...

The UPS solution is more convenient and can have the added benefit of cleaning power, brownout protection, etc. But they are pricey and as capacity goes up I wonder to what extent the UPS will start to draw more power just running than the boiler itself.

Either way, I would terminate the heating system power supply with a standard wall plug to make the transition.

Neil_5

Clean Power

Most inverters are modify sine waves and can cause problems with your gas valve and controls and the pumps will run warmer.

Most system will need no more than 300 watt inverter for initial start up.

Spend the extra meoney and get a pure sinewave and with a few deep cycle batteries you can run your system for hours.

Neil