UPS battery backup question

[shiftline]

I'm debating just hooking up lather batteries to my ups to increase run time. I may also have to install additional fans for cooling to balance out the extra heat on then electronics

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by shiftline

I'm debating just hooking up lather batteries to my ups to increase run time. I may also have to install additional fans for cooling to balance out the extra heat on then electronics

Unless you have some knowledge of power supplies, charging systems & various battery types, you may get yourself in trouble trying to modify a UPS unit designed around a certain battery capacity by using a larger or different battery. Basic components of a UPS are power supply, charging circuit, battery, relay & inverter. These components will all be designed to operate safely as a unit & are approved as such. Messing with any one of those blocks opens you up to possible problems & invalidates the original design. The manufacturers don't build a lot of overhead with regard to safety buffers on these units. They need to make money, so they don't use components any larger or with more capacity than is necessary.

You may need to do more than simply add a cooling fan or two. If the wire size for charging the battery or in other parts of the circuit is insufficient for any increase in current flow, a fan isn't going to do much, sooner or later the circuit will cook or catch fire.

[shiftline]

Well my theory is the unit will charge a larger battery of the same chemistry fine.. But just take longer. I would want to add a cooling fan to blow across the transformer and another above the heat sinks.

It wouldn't hurt to change the 10awg batter wires to 8awg

I think the only real issue would be extended run time loads overheating or melting the circuitry. A small load and cooling fans would hopefully remedy this


I could wire the mp40s and the Jabeo return pump directly too the batteries so there would be a very small load to run through the ups it self

[BC564]

I have a 1500va UPS, online type, on my display tank to protect my LED lights and equipment from power surges but also for the annoying power outages that last a few minutes....tested lastnight and it ran 4 LED AI sols, return pump, skimmer pump, a Jebao WP40 and a gyre 150 for 25 minutes. When I leave for Mexico it will only be on there to back up power for the gyre. The other equipment will plug into the surge protection only side.

[Coasting]

I think this is the most complicated topic I started
Wish I spoke electrical.


Those battery packs from CrappyTire wont work it seems, something about the on/off switch and not charging properly when its left on with stuff plugged in or something, cant remember what my dad said.

Most of the UPS have a 3yr warranty. I don't think the price is horrible for something thatll last 3 years potentially.
I just don't want stuff to start dying while people are at work because the power decided to go out the moment everyone leaves the house. While my shifts can run in excess of 14 hours, they are usually back within 8.

[hillegom]

I think one of the best things you can do in the case of a power outage is to create water movement, which is what u wanted to do with that 5W pump.
You might want to think about running a battery powered air pump.
Mine is plugged into 120V, the wall outlet. When the power goes out, the air pump starts automatically. D batteries run it for at least 24 hrs.
The air line goes under a rock.
Under $15

[BC564]

Really a UPS is a pretty cheap piece of equipment to buy. The surge protection itself is worth a lot as you know we have a lot of money invested in our equipment. The only reason I bought a 1500VA UPS was to run my basement sump in the event of a power failure during a heavy rain so not to flood my house. It worked but now its winter and put it on my display tank for the same reasons we are discussing. Check on ebay for one. I got mine on there for $98 US. Even if you only want to run one powerhead for water movement, you can still surge protect other equipment.