External Power Source! Need One Quick. Power Outages.

[CrabbyCancerian]

Hey,
I have found myself in a bit of a pickle. I live in an area where the snow is very heavy. We often have power outages and they often last for days. It also gets very cold where I live.

I have been meaning to buy some type of external power source...Maybe something that is chargeable or powered with batteries. When the power goes out I need a way to heat my crab’s tank...a source to plug the heat lamp into. I was under the impression that a product like this exists. If so, what is it called, and where can I order one?

I would like to find one on Amazon preferably so that it arrives fast. Unbeknownst to me, we are having a big snow storm Wednesday! I am absolutely freaking out!!!

Keep in mind money is also an issue. I do not have a ton of money to spend on this at the moment. I just need something very basic that will get the job done. I mean...I am on a *really* tight budget.

Ps. Worst comes to worst, I can drop my crab off to the pet shop for pet sitting prior to the storm (they should have generators) OR very worst case scenario...I can move the tank into the car and just keep the car running with the heat on until the power comes back on. But IDEALLY, I would like to be prepared and purchase some type of external power source.

Any suggestions?

[Motörcrab]

I was looking into this a year or two ago. At first I thought about a battery back up like for computers. After doing some research one would cost around $150 or more and would only power a heater for about 30 minutes. The cost to me isn't worth the investment.

We purchased a power inverter for our car last year. That allows us to use our UTH and thermostat in the car. It's great while the car is running but could kill your battery. I wouldn't trust it with an extension cord either.

The only feasible option I found in researching is to purchase a gas powered generator. Unfortunately they start at around $400 at Harbor Freight. The positive with that is depending on the generator size you could power your UTH, lights and possibly a single appliance like a fridge or microwave during the outage.

For one of my crabitats I have precut pieces of insulation to go around each side and the top. That should help hold in heat for several hours at least.

As a dire emergency I have a bunch of hand warmers (sporting goods/outdoors area in stores) on stand by that I can place on containers I can put the crabs in if need be.

If it gets too cold on the surface I would think that a crab would bury to try and stay warm. The substrate should take longer to cool than the air.

[CrabbyCancerian]

All good suggestions. Thank you

My family live across from me and they have a generator. No one used to ever hook it up, but last year they were better about having someone actually come over and help us turn it on!

I think they will use the generator this year, and I can always bring the crab over there to stay for a while until the power comes back on.

My ex says he’s coming to visit tomorrow (we are friends and he visits from time to time). I asked him, “Should I give away my crab and give her to a home where they have their own generator? “ And he said no. He said he will make sure my crab is okay. My guess is that means he is going to hook up our generator for us!!

Only problem is people tend to procrastinate doing that. ...Might take him a little bit before he gets around to it, in which case I will leave the crab in the car with the heat on until the generator is up and running.

When I move into my own place one day, and have a more substantial income, I am going to buy my own generator ASAP and I will have a person who can power it for me on speed dial!