Vortech battery backup alternate

[gregzz4]

For those of you interested in making your own Vortech battery backup system...

I checked the local costs of a Battery Tender Junior - yipes, $50. Even online it'll still cost close to this with freight.
So I went to Canadian Tire. They had this charger on sale today for $19.99 http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/Batteries/BatteryChargers/PRD~0111506P/MotoMaster+Eliminator+Intelligent+Battery+Charger% 2C+2A.jsp?locale=enhttp://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/Batteries/BatteryChargers/PRD~0111506P/MotoMaster+Eliminator+Intelligent+Battery+Charger% 2C+2A.jsp?locale=en

And for a rechargeable battery, I went Battery World and picked up a 12v 18Ah sealed lead acid battery, much like this one http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/products/mk-sealed-lead-acid-mobility-battery-12v-18ah , for $60.00

I grabbed a pair of EcoTech fused backup connectors from J&L.

I bought a pair of female connectors from RP Electronics in Vancouver.
http://www.rpelectronics.com/310-971-22a-6ft-1-3mm-inline-jack-wire-leads-6ft-22awg.html

I should be able to run both props @ 50% for 36 hours off this one battery.

[gregzz4]

If you can't get your hands on the factory cables for the battery ports on the pumps, you can use these 1.3mm x 3.5mm male connectors (https://www.rpelectronics.com/31-101-2-1-3-x-3-5mm-inline-plug-pkg-2.html) and a 2A fuse (per pump)

[Kafudafish]

If anyone in Edmonton needs a battery. I have 8Ah 12v rechargeable batteries

[byee]

Gregzz4,

Nice.

Please post photos of your DIY battery backup for your Vortechs.

Thanks!

[gregzz4]

This is all I have for now and you can't really see much :wink:

http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx136/Gregzz4/75%20Gallon%20Build/DSC00928.jpg

[byee]

When there is a power outage the backup battery kicks in automatically?

Runtime is 36 hours at 50% with an 18Ah battery.

What was the approximate cost of the DIY battery build?

Thanks!

[gregzz4]

I'm not convinced about the 36 hour runtime - just what I got off the web.
We had an overnight outage and if I recall correctly, 12 hours brought the battery down by 50%. But that was with 2 MP10s running.

Costs are in the first post but are over 3 years old now.

I'm happy with the trickle charger. After 3 years I hooked the battery up to my car battery charger and it was @ 100% nearly instantly, so the little charger is doing it's job.

[gregzz4]

My little Canuck Tire trickle charger is still going strong, and my original battery purchased back in Dec 2011 is also still good.
Some time back in 2016 I purchased a second battery to double my run time.
This also allows me to overlap the original battery as it ages.
I connected both batteries' positive and negative posts together with 10ga wire, and connected the charger's positive to 1 battery, with the charger's negative connected to the other battery. This ensures both batteries receive a ballanced charge.
I also connected my MP10s to 1 battery's positive and the other battery's negative. This way the pumps draw from both batteries equally.

My run time for 2 pumps should be 72 hours @ 50%, but even if I only get 1 day it's enough.

I think, now that the original battery is 7 years old, I'll replace it soon.