Partial winterization

[Kamper]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

For a single device or two (like a furnace) it would be easier to just use a mid-sized UPS. ...

A typical furnace circuit is 15 amps. At minimal out put my UPS is rated for two hours. My typical furnace cycle has been maybe 15 minutes per hour so using mine as an example (Assuming it's it can handle 15 amps, and the furnace draws at the minimal load level. I'm too lazy to go look right now), it will keep the heat on for 4 hours, theoretically. It was about the middle size of what is offered at Staples and I paid $2-300 for it, five years ago for my work-at-home office.

As it is, when my power cuts out, it says I have 20 minutes of power. This is adequate to fire up my generator and run a cord to my UPS which also functions nicely as a power distribution node.

IMO. The O/P can do much better with a few deep-cycle dry/gel cells and a transformer to prepare for any long term outage if all he wants is heat. Anything more serious and we'd be talking about a generator or solar cell set-up.