DIY battery back up?

[myjohnson]

I have a APC UPS 300 watt on all my tanks with just the air pump plugged in. During Ike I lasted 20 hours and probably more but I got my power back. I recentally upgraded to the APC 1500 watt UPS on my 125. 0 Fish lost during and after Ike.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3669+8120&pcatid=8120

This air pump can go 20 hours with out power and is cheap. But I'm looking for more flow.

Additionally, I hate having air pumps on my tank with the passion.

[ddaquaria]

I'll keep researching this ... Ecotech Vortech

[RainMan]

I have a APC UPS 300 watt on all my tanks with just the air pump plugged in. During Ike I lasted 20 hours and probably more but I got my power back. I recentally upgraded to the APC 1500 watt UPS on my 125. 0 Fish lost during and after Ike.

[myjohnson]

man, that's all bs what you just posted Qouc.

I can't understand any of it.

Guess I got to wait until I'm not drunk to figure this out.

[eklikewhoa]

Here's another link... or might be the beginning of the other one.

[eklikewhoa]

The relay that I had planned on using would have allowed normal operation during power on done by somewhat of a double dual throw relay... which would not only allow switching during power outages but also know when power is supplied through the outlet.

Here is a good link that I found that has not only diagrams, descriptions but also links to items needed to make a full blown self switching battery backup.

ReefCentral DIY battery back up.


Or yall broke a$$es could just fork over a few hundred and get an Ecotech Vortech which has it all built in.

I had to be the guinea pig and pay out the yang but the battery backup portion of the Vortech is a simple lead-free sealed battery so there are no electronics or anything other then a nice metal casing surrounding a battery.... so get the vortech and then wire up your choice of battery.
The Vortech alone is low consumption which can run on the tiny, overpriced battery for up to 30hrs at half speed(boocoo gph) so imagine putting a beast sized Optima deep cycle on it!

[myjohnson]

Little update:

Finally had the time to start working on this project again.

About to ordered the deep cycle battery. Found one that import car racers use. The battery is 1/3 the size of a car battery and it a lot lighter.

Was looking for the "12V, DPDT (Double Pole, Double Throw) relay," and found one at RS. Didn't buy it cause Ek said there is another way.

When I talked to EK he said there was a way to keep the powerhead going at all times, during both power out and when normal power is provided.

Under the current diagram and instructions meusereef pointed out that "Now the only downside to this setup is the fact that the "emergency" pump will not operate so long as your home's power is ON. To have a pump that operates on both wall power and battery power is much more complicated."

Can anyone come up with a way where the powerhead will run during normal power and keep the powerhead running after the power outage as well?

[MeuserReef]

The 110/220 that you feed into your house can back feed up the power system and energize the power lines which is not only dangerous for the power crews it is illegal.

Agreed, an ATS is the only correct way to do this that will keep you within code, however as long as your main breaker is OFF, there is no risk of back-feeding the power system.


RMD55 is exactly right about keeping the battery in a vented location while charging. Hydrogen accumulation can be sort of a problem if a flame or spark is introduced. I work at a facility that uses Material Handling Equipment that requires charging LARGE lead acid batteries and we actually have a hydrogen level sensor in the room that the batteries are charged in that will sound an alarm if the level gets within a dangerous level. There is also a large vent fan that pushes air outside.

[RMD55]

If the battery is not a sealed lead acid battery it needs to be somewhere that is ventilated. Not in the living part of your house a regular "car" or marine battery releases hydrogen when charging. Also check yor inverter most of them will shut down when the battery voltage drops to 10 volts. I am getting the pieces for a backup my self. During Ike last year my computer backup with 2 - 7.5 amp-hour bateries ran a 3 watt air pump for 12 hours before quitting. If you a going to hookup a generator to your house power you need a proper transfer switch. The 110/220 that you feed into your house can back feed up the power system and energize the power lines which is not only dangerous for the power crews it is illegal.

[myjohnson]

yeah I know

[phan222001]

my johnson watch that tunze moddedd some times when i plug mine in it will turn backwards

[myjohnson]

O i c now. thanks.

[MeuserReef]

A Tunze 6025 is an AC pump, which will require the inverter/ATS as posted above. You would need to get one of the DC models (6055, 6101, 6105, and a few others) in order to operate them directly from a DC battery (without the inverter/ATS). Basically any of the "controllable" Tunzes should be DC.

[J-WS6]

Good info. We need to make this thread a sticky.

[myjohnson]

thanks for all the help man.

How would I do one for a tunze?

I have the tunze 6025 modded.