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Heat During Power Outages?

B

BlooHiss

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Hey everyone! :) I've recently started keeping ball pythons and have gathered a pretty good collection. I have had various herps throughout the years and have been lucky enough to have hearty species that can survive lower temps for short amount of times. The worst outage I had was during a snow storm; we were out of power for almost four days. I just had my ancient 17 year old leo at the time and she did just fine.

I have kept fish and know that lights flickering off/on can mess up the motors in the filters. How do power outages affect your thermostats and other herp-related plug in electrics? Do they need to be reset at all to make sure the temps are correct? This worries me in case I am snowed in at work and can't get home when power goes out.

I was debating keeping a large stack of shipping heat packs on hand to use in case another emergency like that hit where I am snowed in, unable to leave, and have to survive without power for long amounts of time. Would they get too hot? Not hot enough? What is a good way to keep my snakes warm without cooking anyone? What do you guys do to keep them warm in an emergency?

Thanks for any input you can give!
 
I have a generator. Living here in New England can be crazy. Lost power for 4 days with this last snow storm.
 
Most thermostats will retain the settings when power goes off and then back off. Some may not and you would have to research by brand.

I use battery back-ups on my incubators and a generator for everything else. Battery back-ups will kick on the second power goes out.
 
Also, heat packs are great to keep in stock. During a natural disaster that requires relocation they will come in handy during the move. I also use them when I am meeting someone for a pick up. Sometimes I can drive far and some have not shown in the past so I was glad I brought one.
 
Awesome tips, thank you! I am looking into generators to get an idea of price and quality but until I drop the money on one I think battery backup would be prudent.

What brand/size heat pack? I've heard horror stories of animals getting burned with some brands but I think those were specifically hand/glove warmer varieties.
What brand/size battery backup unit?

Can I find these online? Thanks for your help!
 
Uniheat (40hr) are the ones I like and I have used those in a pinch during a power outtage before a long time ago to keep snakes warm. (I've also used 2 litter bottles filled with cold water wrapped in a towel during power outtages to cool reptles when I lived in vegas).

I get my heatpacks from Superior - http://superiorshippingsupplies.com/heat-packs
 
I think my battery back up is an APC 450? You would have to research what would be best for your application but I think bigger is better.
 
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