Battery backup? What is the best way to do it ? (1 Viewer)

[markus]

I am looking for battery backup when the power goes out (short term). I guess I could get a UPS. Has anyone had good luck with one? Getting ready to get a generator for Hurricane season.

Just want to be prepared.
Mark

 

[Brad]

I don't recall for sure but I remember reading that most UPSs don't have enough reserve power to last very long, maybe only a few hours for a pump or two.

During Ike I used an inverter run off my car battery (and a long extension cord) for 4 days. It ran two pumps and a house fan. I ran it for an hour or so and then had to turn on my car for a while to recharge my battery. I probably ran it 6-8 hours / day off and on until I got a generator.

The best way is to get a generator and run your whole tank. Most advise not to turn on the lights very much b/c it just heats up the water when the A/C is not working to help cool it off any. Most important is to keep the circulation going. I opened my hood to let natural room light come in without using the lights.

 

[crvz]

This is what carried my tank along for 2 days during ike (before power was restored, and yes, I know I was lucky). I have two of these in the tank at all times, and they come on when power cuts off.

http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

This would be plenty for a number of days as long as temperature is not a concern... but if temp starts climbing you're going to have to use a generator. Way too much energy is needed to remove heat from the tank.

 

[AquaNerd]

i highly recommend getting a small generator for your tank if nothing else. when ike hit, i had a tiny little generator that i ran only my return pump on. i didn't have any fish loss or anything like that. worked like a champ.

 

[flexrac]

for everyday use, i suggest a upc, i am going to get one just for when the power goes out during heavy winds and rain. and for hurricane season, i am getting one of these:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200373135_200373135
this will run the tv, and tank, prob more.
but two will be better.
future plans for a standby generator. not sure how we feel about it yet, might buy a bigger house.

 

[txfatcat]

unless you spend some big money on a huge UPS then dont waste your money. i guess I shopuld first ask what sizew tank and equipmet are you running. That will make a huge difference.


I have a very large ups on a nano, it may last an hour. I have not had any luck with ups's on my 265 system. I have a 6500 generator for that. The generator was less than the 2-4k for a system to run the big tank.


Best thing to do is make a list of the equip. and the wattage of each. From there you will be able to know what ups will or wont work. You can then decide if a generator is a better alternative for the money.

I just had this discussion today with my friend whos an electrician.

When and if choosing a generator. Look at what it will use in fuel whether propane, or gasohal at max load. Mine went thru 10g a day running a bunch of tanks and lights and two friges. yes 90g is what we used and it was a pain to get gas...sometimes six hours at a time.

just fyi some of the electric companies here in houston are offering $2500 towards a whole house generator. This doesnt go far as most good ones can be around 5k not including setting up the disconnect. On my next house there will be a 25kw generator for the whole house running on NG.


Here is a link with some helful info.

http://www.cumminsonan.com/residential/select/

Just food for thought , there are alot out there and you get what you pay for at some point. The Onan 30kw are 13k. My el cheapo gereator ran $650

 

[slyfox]

chris, which companies are offering the 2.5k?

 

[txfatcat]

I am not sure . Just heard from my customer yesterday. Not sure if reliant energy or who. sorry but it may take soem research on your part

 

[Guest]

UPS sucks.

Make your own for about the same price but stronger, last longer and your wifey might like it too.

 

[bag151]

I suggest a battery backup tied into a tunze or vortech for short term safety and then a generator for long term. The Battery backup will save your tank if the breaker trips while you are not home and the generator will keep you running during a hurricane. As a plus the battery will work while you wait for the power to come back up during a short power outage so you don't have to break out the generator.

On generator usage, unregulated power can ruin pumps and equipment so be careful on your generator selection. If you are going to run electronics you need a generator that will produce clean power through an inverter. A simple hicup in the motor's rpm will do no damage to power tools which most generators or designed for, but will fry your TV in a heartbeat.

I run a Honda, it's energy efficient and has plenty of power to run my 400g tank, a TV,and my refrigerator. It is also convenient to take camping. It is perfectly clean power as well so I don't risk frying my electronics. Expensive investment but worth not frying my electronics.
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/...tion=P2GG&modelname=EU2000i&modelid=EU2000IAN

 

[Metzzen]

Deep cycle marine battery+Solar panel+power inverter FTW

Althought my tank died during ike due to a UPS failing (DONT USE THEM) I have perfected a way to keep my tank alive this hurricane season. Got a folding solar panel from northern tools for arond $100. Then used a deep cycle marine battery, hooked a 125W inverter to battery (smallest size inverter needed is best=waste less juice), use solar panel to keep battery charged and voila indefinite power.....Unless the sun goes away 8O 8O which unless this is the matrix....should happen anything soon...or transformers for that matter

When i say smallest iunverter possible, get one rated with enough wattage for approx 30-40% more than you need. IE say your return pump is ~30 watts, you could get by with a small 75W inverter IF only running the pump. I dont like the ones smaller than 100 watts tho because they all seem to plug in the cig lighter instead of good wiring

 

[GotFrogs]

The good thing about Ike was that the temperatures were in the 80 after the storm. If you had success with only using battery powered air pumps, don't expect to have the same luck next time around. If we lost power last week with 100 degree temperature the survival rate would have been MUCH lower.

 

[crvz]

The good thing about Ike was that the temperatures were in the 80 after the storm. If you had success with only using battery powered air pumps, don't expect to have the same luck next time around. If we lost power last week with 100 degree temperature the survival rate would have been MUCH lower.

Mine would have been the same, because I would have brought everything over to your house.