Battery Backup Requirements for Apex

[kurt_n]

Be careful with a portable GFCI. I have one that I'm going to be replacing with an actual outlet. The problem is that they trip when you have a power outage and don't reset...

Not all portable GFCIs do this. Ones that are OSHA-compliant for industrial jobsites are *required* to not automatically reset if power is removed... such as a power outage. They make you manually reset them. It's a safety feature.

However, not all portable GFCIs are OSHA-compliant. Most manufacturers make two "flavors" - ones that need reset after an outage, and ones that don't need reset. Read the fine print on the package and you'll probably see what kind you're looking at.

All of my portable GFCIs in the house (and I have a few!) automatically reset (non-OSHA compliant type) and I've purchased them at the various big box hardware stores. Just be aware of the two types and you should be OK.

 

[aquamanic]

All of my portable GFCIs in the house (and I have a few!) automatically reset (non-OSHA compliant type)

Are you saying that your portable GFCI's all trip if the power fails but then they reset? Or do they just not trip when power fails?

 

[kurt_n]

When the power returns, they are on and working. As far as I can tell, they don't trip when the power goes out. But then... the power is out, so I have no way to test! :lmao:

 

[ska d]

Think about it. Unless one of those EB8's is on a separate source of power, both EB8's will be dead. No power to the controller, no ability to send an email. So yes, you would need some source of power while utility power is out. You could use a tiny UPS and the 12v converter. Remember to include your modem and router as well - need all the parts to be working, not just the controller. And if you have cable internet, it may be out as well if the utility outage is widespread. In that case, you're toast. Doesn't matter if the Apex, your modem and router are all working. No internet service.

very good point. i have internet service through the phone company. its suppose to be fiber optic so dont know if that would be affected. but as weve seen, we are at the mercy of whatever crisis is happening.
so this is where i get confused. if i only have 1 eb8 and that is plugged into a ups. then how does the apex register a power failure. heres what i have to work with
apex
1 eb8
1 750va ups with 2 back up outlets and 2 surge (i could have got 3 back up outlets but funds were tight)
i also finally got a i/o breakout box, so not sure if that could be used somehow to wire up some kind of relay circuit.
so im thinking for now the my best bet is to run the 12v and my router(no modem) to the ups for email alert. i can always plug in a couple of ph manually to keep some flow.
but what would happen if i just plugged the 1 eb8 into the ups? would all programs just keep running as usual?

 

[aquamanic]

The answer is, it wouldn't.

Since you have a UPS, the simple thing to do is get yourself a 12v adapter. Plug that into the UPS and enable supplemental power on the controller.

then you can test for a loss of power on the EB8. The controller will still be running off the UPS/12v adapter. Then go a little further and get your router and modem all running off battery as well and you can have the Apex send you and email and you'd be able to connect remotely.

 

[kurt_n]

I *think* I originally had my setup like this, so I think it works... but correct me if I'm wrong Alan!

With one EB8, plug that into the UPS. Then take the 12V supplemental power adapter for the Apex and plug that into the wall - or anything not supplied by a UPS. Enable power monitoring and then test the Apex base unit (not the EB8) for a power outage with "If Power Apex Off... " statement and send an email when it sees no power. When a power outage occurs, the 12V power supply will lose power, but your Apex (and EB8) will still be powered from the UPS. You'll get an email for the power outage, assuming bridges/routers/modems all have power.

THEN, you can add statements to the outlets you want to turn off during a power outage (If Power Apex Off...) in order to conserve the battery life. So turn off heater, big pumps, pretty much everything but a couple powerheads to give you some surface ripple.

Like I said, I think this is the way I had mine setup before I got an additional EB. The "If Power Apex..." command is testing for power at the 12V plug, not necessarily whether or not the base unit is powered on or not. Now with another EB, my power outage routine is different.

 

[aquamanic]

Yes, that will work also. You can test for power either at the EB8 or at the controller if you have the 12v.

The only problem per se with putting the EB8 on a UPS is the load it will draw. Naturally, you can shut down outlets which is the smart thing to do in order to conserve battery. However for a second or two until the controller shuts down outlets, they will draw full power from the UPS. This could be enough to trip a UPS's overload circuit breaker rendering you helpless! It just needs to be tested before you rely on it.

 

[kurt_n]

...The only problem per se with putting the EB8 on a UPS is the load it will draw. Naturally, you can shut down outlets which is the smart thing to do in order to conserve battery. However for a second or two until the controller shuts down outlets, they will draw full power from the UPS. ...

Also, things might not want to turn off correctly under the potentially dirty power coming off a UPS. That was my situation - my compact fluorescent ballasts wouldn't turn off properly.

 

[ska d]

awesome tips guys. ill be sure to test.