Backup Power

You can try 2 of these, you can hook them up in series.

Search ebay for: APC SMART-UPS 1500 USB BATTERY BACK-UP SUA1500 Tested - No Batteries - S&D

You can purchase new batteries from a local shop.
 
I need something beefy, not a UPS - that's more for electronics. I need something that will power the return and heaters.
 
Get a generator, for your backup needs. Don't try to DIY a UPS, they are NOT safe, except for low current draw, short time period. (in minutes)

Don't be wiring up UPS systems in series. To gain run time, batteries are wired in parallel behind a single inverter. A general comment that does not apply to you, as I give you credit for understanding that you need something better than a UPS. However, as I said, hobby implementations of these devices are not safe, and you will need good fire insurance. In the end, the genset will be less money. If you need auto start, get a standby generator.
 
With inverter ans two batteries you have 3 additional pieces of equipment that might fail, battery must be charged, and you are limited in time by the capacity of battery. If blackout are longer that you expected, you will run out of power. With generator- just add more gas. Had last winter blackout for 48 hours and with same combination ( inverter + 2 batteries ) of equipment was able to make it ( had one spare battery on hold). Two days ago had another 12 hours blackout, but this time used generator -much better and worry free. Except of neighbor complained about noise but i fixed it with worm coffee :sleep:Noise- only one downside of generator.As for price - two good quality deep cycle batteries and inverter will cost you same as one relatively quite and reliable generator.
 
Use an inverter connected to your car.
Use the search mode as there has been a lot of discussion lately.
Good luck
 
Noisy, fumes, vs unsafe. An NG genset is quiet and fume free, Propane quiet and fume free. (sorta) As far as noise goes, you should hear the neighbors when my diesel standby fire up. It is nothing but jealousy.
 
If you shop a little you can get twice the battery for less then that. I got about 4 times the battery power for $200. I have a APC SMART-UPS 1500 BR1500 USB with additional battery pack and it has run my 3000 gallon per hour 140 watt return pump for a few hours on my 240 gallon tank. The larger UPSs have different output more suitable for motors. If I remember it is because they have a true sine wave AC output not a square wave output like smaller ones have. If you use it to power one Tunze power head pointed to the surface it would run for days. You could also get multiple additional battery packs and change them if need, as they have quick disconnects. My batteries lasted about 8 years and kept my tank running on several occasions. I think they were well worth it. I also have a generator for longer outages, but it is not permanently wired and not automatic starting. My modem and router are on a separate smaller UPS. All 4 pieces add up to well less then half the price of that generator. Of course they will not run your refrigerator.

For my smaller tank I have a small motorcycle battery on one of my Tunze 6055 pump using their switch designed for the purpose and it will run for a few hours.
 
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It depends on the inverter. True sine wave inverters are very costly, and True sine wave UPS systems are rather costly as well. Some will say sine wave, but that is relatively meaningless as even a modified sine wave is a sine wave. AC motors are not designed to run well on any other than a pure sine wave. It is not good for them, even short term. Some AC motors will not run at all on a modified sine wave.

UPS systems are intended for short term usage measured in minutes, till either a standby generator kicks in or equipment can safely be shut down. Anything beyond that you should be using a genset.
 
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True, but does the electrical panel need to be upgraded before installing that generator? I don't hidden costs pushing this too far.
 
We have couple of these at work and I was surprised it was able to run a desktop computer (data logging only to be fair) over almost 8 hr period. I'm no expert but I think they will work for smaller tanks, bigger tanks it's definitely cheaper in the long run I think to use a generator.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._t=101&pf_rd_p=2047347002&pf_rd_i=10483525011

Obviously one big disadvantage to these backup battery is they won't last for days if you a have a long outage or need the heater/chiller to be on for a long time. I'm thinking of getting a generator because I'm in MI and it can get pretty cold, so the heater might be needed for longer times if we have a long outage and there is no house heat.
 
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Raul-7 said:
True, but does the electrical panel need to be upgraded before installing that generator? I don't hidden costs pushing this too far.
Click to expand...

Not really no. The transfer switch goes between the main service disconnect and circuit breakers. I don't think it could be considered a hidden cost, but the TS should be installed by an electrician.

In cases where the generator is smaller, and not necessarily large enough to run the whole house, it is common to install a sub-panel to run essential things, and wire the transfer switch to the sub-panel.
 
If you get a NG genset that can power the entire home and have a good electrical setup now it will be easy for an electrician to install a transfer switch.

Installing a completely new box isn't hard it just takes time. So if you aren't an electrician it can get expensive.
 
This starts a whole chain of events that's expensive to consider.

While you may have a built-in generator, keep in mind that it is still an engine. What will it run on? Natural gas? Ok - this will still require regular maintenance. You will need to run it monthly and periodically change the oil in it. Not a problem, but something to keep in mind. And like most things like this if you don't keep up with it fixing it is $$$.

If you are handy not a big deal, but something to consider.

The installation really does need to be done by a professional, but I've known folks that have done it. it's easier if you have complete circuits that you can power with the xfer box - it's something where you just need to honestly take stock on what's important. You may find the limited number of circuits don't apply. If they aren't enough then you'd need an upgrade from there....more $$.

Honestly for just "OMG" power - a $600 genny from Home Depot is the best bet. It will not power your electrical hot water heater, but will be good for a few lights and most of the important stuff for you tank for a few hours most likely.

Bang for the $$ can't be beat if you don't expect really long outages and are OK to deal with running extension cords throughout the house.

The Honda and Yamaha inverter generators are extremely quiet compared to the usual generator. However, they are indeed expensive and don't offer quite the watts bigger units do (generally).

A Honda 2000i can be running at your feet and you'd almost never know it by the noise. Fire up a typical 5,000 watt generator and you'd be hard pressed to hear anything else.

I live out in the country and considered a built-in generator. Personally I just can't get past the small incremental utility with such a large $$ outlay with a portable generator and a smaller house unit.

The unit you found is 6,000 watts. Portable genny's are easily in that range. Do the math on what you need to run - do the math on the wattage of a coffee pot and a few lights. Now it's rather small, isn't it? You aren't running your electric water heaters, your A/C, and not very many electric heaters with that unit.

Now if you just really need a generator that can be started because you won't be around to handle that for you family - that's worth the $$ to me. But that isn't my situation.

Also if you just need a whole-house input my local electrical company has units that allow you to pig-tail a portable generator to your house service - which has the same effect as energizing the whole house (but you have to manage your electrical load manually).

You still have to manually manage your load anyway unless you upgrade to the units that have the shedding capability to turn off unneeded circuits - and now you are getting into yet more $$$$....
 
I went thru this a couple years ago, and even started a thread on this subject:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2283415

In the end, I decided to bite the bullet and get a stand by that runs the entire house, including the AC.

The issue I had with the portables was, what if you're not home? I don't have anyone near by that could stop at the house, and hook up the generator for me. Also running extension cords, and installing a specific panel for it. Portables also require maintenance, although a bit less. I do an oil & filter change on my generator every 6 months. It's not bad at all.

In the end cost in a huge factor in the decision. Everyone's situation is a bit different. I currently lose power 2-4x a year, although it's usually restored within a 8 hours.
 
tkeracer619 said:
If you get a NG genset that can power the entire home and have a good electrical setup now it will be easy for an electrician to install a transfer switch.

Installing a completely new box isn't hard it just takes time. So if you aren't an electrician it can get expensive.
Click to expand...



Very true. The only "shock" for me was the electrical install cost of the generator. It did take a couple days to install as well. I ran my own gas line to the unit.
 
We lose power often because we live in the county. I do have a generator to use when I'm home. The problem is when I'm not home.

To solve my power outage issue, I purchased the Tunze 1073.050 pump which can run on battery (or other power source) when the power goes out. I bought two 12v deep cycle marine batteries so it can run on 24v power. I also added a 24v battery tender to keep the batteries charged. I can get about 2.5 days of run time with this set up. My longest power outage has been 2 days three winters ago.

When the power goes out (and it has), my main pump keeps flowing and when the power comes back on I don't have to worry about my skimmer overflowing and putting all that junk back into my tank. Plus I get the oxygen exchange, filtration, and piece of mind when I'm not home.
 
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