Advice needed on UPS/battery backup options

[phyber]

Here in my area of Virginia, summer time means wild storms, and while the power here in the rural areas generally stays on...when power is lost, it's LOST. At least for 2 hours, as we have to call in to the power company to report an outage, then their guys have to drive out to find/repair the issue.

With that being said, I am obviously not wanting my tank to get caught in a outage and perish...I know there are gas generator options, but in the event that a storm rolls in while at work or out of town, I'd like immediate automated operation.

I run a FOWLR tank, and would plan to use my MarineLand VisiTherm 100w heater, and an Aqueon circulation pump rated ~5w to keep some sort of current flowing.

Can anyone offer any advice on which product to look into? I know that APC is the favored company in this department, but I'm just curious as to what others are running.

 

[snorvich]

I did the generator thing which is automatic. For UPS or battery backup I would just have circulation maintained for oxygenation but nothing else as it would drain you battery back up far too quickly.

 

[gmpolan]

Pending if you run any of the vortech series, you could always run the back up battery. Its def saved me in a few occasions....

 

[mleinart]

I tried using my APC battery backup (1500VA) to keep some pumps circulating in my 125g throughout the day when I had my fuse box upgraded a year ago and was very discouraged. I found that just running two medium sized power heads for circulation drained the entire battery in under a half hour. No sump return, no lights. For comparison's sake this backup unit can run my file server (10 7200 rpm harddrives, 550 watt power supply) plus my router and cable modem for about 45 minutes.

I think the problem is that the APC backups are designed to be used with load from computers which have switching power supplies. Motors are a different kind of load they dont seem to handle well.

I wonder if there are other battery backup devices more well suited. Perhaps a backup power unit intended for a basement sump?

 

[MHG]

I tried using my APC battery backup (1500VA) to keep some pumps circulating in my 125g throughout the day when I had my fuse box upgraded a year ago and was very discouraged. I found that just running two medium sized power heads for circulation drained the entire battery in under a half hour. No sump return, no lights. For comparison's sake this backup unit can run my file server (10 7200 rpm harddrives, 550 watt power supply) plus my router and cable modem for about 45 minutes.

I think the problem is that the APC backups are designed to be used with load from computers which have switching power supplies. Motors are a different kind of load they dont seem to handle well.

I wonder if there are other battery backup devices more well suited. Perhaps a backup power unit intended for a basement sump?

Was that a used APC 1500? Your should get about 2 - 3 hours if you were pulling all 550 watts... I have a 700 watt PC and I get that much time out of much smaller UPS's...

 

[ksed]

If your are going to use a UPS you must use one that has true sine wave.
Certain APC models have them not all. Give APC a call and they will tell you all about the reason for this application.

 

[MHG]

If it costs less than $300, it probably does not...