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In a previous post, we discussed and implemented a UPS for our Dialysis Cycler. The UPS spec’d will run the Cycler for half an hour max. In this blog, we will spec and design a system that will run a Fresenius Cycler for its entire 10-11 hour normal runtime unattended. That is, it will support an entire dialysis regimen if the power is out.

First of all to our specs:

  1. It has to carry our load of 480 watts minimum
  2. It has to be as quiet as possible, down in the 56-58 db range
  3. It has to run on both propane and gas. Propane since its storage is effortless; gas because it is readily available. It would be nice if it switched seamlessly between the two fuel sources.
  4. It has to be a remote start setup so we can set the generator up and start it from inside the house/area where the Cycler is for convenience. Remote start implies it is a battery-start generator.
  5. It has to be reasonably priced and a known name brand with good reviews.

A generator that meets or exceeds all of the above requirements is the WEN DF452iX Super Quiet 4500-Watt Remote Electric Start Dual Fuel RV-Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Fuel Shut-Off and CO Watchdog available on Amazon for $788.35. I don’t mean to imply that this generator is the only or best one for this application; only that it meets or exceeds what I have spec’d.

Wen is a well-known name, the generator has a 4.9/5.0 rating from 20 reviewers and appears to be a solid contender for our application. It is dual fuel with automatic switching so you could run it for eight or more hours on gas and then have it automatically switch over to a 20 or 40-pound propane tank to finish up your dialysis run. In my case, I would run it entirely on propane because there are no storage or gumming problems with it compared to gasoline. Amazon sells a dual-tank bridal for about $50 that connects two tanks to a single 3/8″ propane fitting for the generator.

In my next blog, I’ll put together a complete system using the UPS, an automatic bus transfer switch, and this generator to spec a complete backup system for your Fresenius Liberty Cycler.