Looks like a nice clean setup. Good luck, keep us posted

Thanks! Will do. Will probably be asking for plenty of advise in the coming weeks 😊

With the wind storm coming to Vancouver, it has me looking at battery backup for the Tank. What does everyone use for their power backup?

I have been looking at some of those APC battery backup units that are often used for computers and electronics. Vortech has one for their mp units but it's pretty darn expensive and only provides power to the mp.

Most APC / UPS back ups of that type will only run equipment for a few hours due to a low amp hour battery. The difference with the ecotech units etc is they are strictly a 12v DC draw from the battery, while your UPS is going DC > AC > DC (pump transformer > Pump, and there is an "overhead" for that process to take place.

If you want to emulate the ecotech example, it's extremely simple to DIY with a 12/24v deep cycle battery and a float charger. There are numerous examples on other forums, just google "diy ecotech battery backup". The only thing special about the Ecotech release is the mark up they're able to charge for a couple SLA batteries and a float charger.

Costco sells a Lithium Ion Goal Zero battery backup. I have one and have tested it it will run a 10 to 20 watt pump for over half a day.

The other great option is an inverter and an AGM Deep Cycle Marine Battery, or scooter battery. Scooter batteries are cheap and designed exactly for this kind of use.

Computer battery backups are only designed for short use.

I believe Ice Cap battery backups will only work on DC Pumps.

My husband used my tank as an excuse to buy this huge generator on sale last year at Home Depot. Dang was it ever loud when we fired it up! We got an PHEV car this spring and there is a built-in doodad for this very purpose. So we were able to sell the generator thank goodness

Awesome thank you so much! I appreciate the video you sent me as well. Will look into doing the DYI! Do people also run these for their heaters to maintain temp?

A PHEV might blow the bank for this tank build....but thanks for the suggestion :biggrin: :wink:

Thanks for all the suggestions. Certainly some things to look into keep me busy. Yeah I scraped the computer battery backup idea pretty quickly given what it's primary purpose was.