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[trz]

How do.you handle a power outage if you don't have a generator?

[slimjim]

If you want heat with an outdoor boiler then buy the generator.

[PitMan]

Thats not rly answering the question.. Im sure most ppl dont have a generator and Im sure some have experienced a power outage.

[slimjim]

  I wasn't being smart, simply stating that without power the circulators that are required to get the hot water to the house will not work and the blower, solenoid and aqua-stats also need power to control the fire. A very small 1000 watt generator will run your entire heating system.

[trz]

Haha, I well aware that you need power. What I was wondering was whether there were any thing specificallyi should do in the event of a power outage if you don't have a generator.

[slimjim]

Be aware of possible overheat and steam depleting the water level in the boiler, if you have a pressurized unit be sure the relief valves work.

[TM88]

Trz we lost power last year for 2 days and had to resort back to the fireplace insert in the house for heat for that time. What I did was when my stove was getting ready to boil over due to the circular pump to the house not running I ran a extension cord to my pump and plugged it into a 12 volt 120 converter off my truck to circulate my water until it cooled it off and my coals burned out low enough to not have to worry about it anymore. Also I had just loaded it before we lost power and dug most of the wood out that I could.

TM

[ITO]

 Not sure what boiler you have but my conventional will go into smolder mode with no fan, the embers will stay lit for a few days if using good wood, one thing you dont want to do is open the door and let the fire roar without any pumps, the embers will keep the water hot enough so you shouldn't have to worry about freezing but that is something to watch for if it's subzero, windy and lengthy.

[Roger2561]

Would a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) have enough "juice" to run the circs, solenoids, etc...?  I have a generator but for those who can't afford one, perhaps a UPS may fill the void?  Just a thought.  Roger

[MattyNH]

Well back in the ice storm of '08 I had no power for 32 hrs..Had a live fire in the OWB…No generator either.. Basically what I did is stuffed insulation around pipes and on the pump..Didn't want nothing to freeze..

[lindnova]

I would just light the stove in the basement.  I would run the generator enough to circulate and avoid frozen lines if it was for days.  Mine would just sit there and smolder even if a full load; not too worried about overheating.

[slimjim]

Lindova, read Roxann's recent posts

[netwerx-r-us]

Here's what I did in a pinch , not saying its the right way but it worked, I gambled when i did it , knowing I could ruin a 100 dollar alternator or loose about 25,000 in inventory , that was the choice at the time , kinda a no brainer, but all went well and no damage to vehicles months later
 http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=4319.msg33658#msg33658

Mark

[trz]

Thanks all. I guess if I ever loose power I'll just keep an I on it and let it smolder!  Mine doesn't typically burn hard without the fan on so I think it. Would just smolder for a long time.

[juddspaintballs]

Seriously, just buy a generator.  They're cheap, very useful, and you'll be able to run your system without any worry or modifications.  Even if you never plan on back feeding your house with it, you can at least run your fridge, a few lights, and other vitally important items in the house anytime you lose power (and your boiler).  You can also haul it out into the middle of a field and have power out there for whatever reason you might need it.  Heck, use it to power something 220v in the garage if you don't have 220v out in the garage already.  As a homeowner, it's almost stupid not to own at least some type of power generating device for when the power goes down.

If all you want to run is a small load like your boiler and circulators, then this cheap generator will work just fine.  There's a coupon on the main page of the site for $99 for this one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/900-peak800-running-watts-2-hp-63cc-gas-generator-60338.html

Otherwise, search craigslist and you can find generators 6000 watts and down reasonably priced (new) at around $100 per 1000 watts.