Power Outage options? - UPS?

Raf · #1 11-23-2010, 10:39 PM

So what do you guys do in case of lengthy power outages on your reef tanks?

I know the obvious answer is a generator BUT what if the tank is in a high rise? Does anyone run a UPS that can actually keep some circulation pumps(TUNZE/Koralia) and a heater working on and off for a few hours or more?

What other options are there?

thank you

Raf · #2 11-23-2010, 11:24 PM

what about this product used with a 12V deep cycle battery?

http://www.theresourcestore.ca/prodd...?prod=806-1020

Wayne · #3 11-23-2010, 11:32 PM

The age old, take some water out raise it a foot in the air and pour back into tank to aerate the water. Blankets to try and keep warm, and if it lasts more than a few hours better do a water change when power comes back on.

freddy · #4 11-24-2010, 12:06 AM

I use a battery backup from canadian tire,power went out for 5.5 hrs last winter,ran 500 aquaclear,skimmer,one powerhead and heater.It is the noma 400.

mike31154 · #5 11-24-2010, 01:24 AM

Not a bad idea since it has the automatic transfer switch to kick in the backup even if you're not around. The only thing with that inverter is that it produces a modified sine wave which generally is not good for any type of AC motor. A pure sine wave inverter is going to substantially increase the price of this thing, which is already well over $400.

Alternatives other than the generator, which you already know about, is a VorTech with battery backup. This will set you back over $500 if you buy the EcoTech battery backup for the pump, but it wouldn't be too difficult to rig a deep cycle battery up to any VorTech pump. All you need is some wire and a small connector to plug into the 12 volt receptacle on the VorTech driver. The driver automatically switches to the 12 volt supply once the 24 volt supply is lost.

I think Tunze now also has a battery backup for some of their pumps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raf

what about this product used with a 12V deep cycle battery?

http://www.theresourcestore.ca/prodd...?prod=806-1020

Lampshade · #6 11-24-2010, 04:24 AM

I was looking at this awhile ago. There's lots of online mods to computer ups's. The big thing to watch for is that most computer ups's are made to provide power for only a few min to shut down. So they do not offer any cooling for the inverter or transformer. There story's of house fires from the transformers melting through the case. I've read that you should only run them at 25% loading if you are going to run continuous. It's doable, look at gel battery's since they are safer indoors, just pricey.

I'm sure lots of the prince Rupert area reefers have some decent idea's after the past few months. Some multi day outages there...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rewo...sive-Capacity/

daniella3d · #7 11-24-2010, 04:50 AM

I have the Noma 400 as well and that's great for power outage.

UPS are just cr@p as they run for no more than 15 or 20 minutes. They are not meant to keep the power going long term so they are worthless for our use. They are only meant to keep a computer running a very short while for very short power outage so that the provided software shut down the computer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddy

I use a battery backup from canadian tire,power went out for 5.5 hrs last winter,ran 500 aquaclear,skimmer,one powerhead and heater.It is the noma 400.

piusma · #8 11-24-2010, 09:18 AM

I use a tripp-lite inverter, one that is similar to this

Tripp-lite inverter

It's an inverter and at the same time a charger for a car battery. I hook up a deep cycle battery to it and run 2 Tunze DC powerheads to it. It also powers my Aqua controller and my router/cable box. It'll run for about 4 hours. I choose to use this inverter because I could switch out the battery if it stops working and it out perform a regular UPC when it comes to efficiency. However the inverter + battery did cost a little over $450 but it is very reliable.

Steven

Myka · #9 11-24-2010, 01:37 PM

Is this what you mean Mike? Is it big enough? 1000W Pure Sine Inverter $300

Personally, I just have a couple battery operated air pumps. I would be hooped for a long outage. I would like to look at options too, thanks for bringing this up Raf. I have the option for a generator, so I think that is the best route if the option exists.

I imagine this Noma 1800W Backup Power $500 would work for quite some time...?

JMes · #10 11-24-2010, 02:06 PM

It seems it's going to be a very cold long winter. Already -25 this morning

. I'm having this bad feeling i'm going to be facing more power outage then usual. I was thinking about getting the Duracell Powerpack 600. Anyone else try this?
http://www.duracellpower.com/backup-...rpack-600.aspx
or the Duracell Powersource 1800?
http://www.duracellpower.com/backup-...urce-1800.aspx