Battery Backup System!

[wakerider017]

I've ordered two of the new Tunze 6255's and two of the safety connectors that switch from regular power to a DC source. I believe each powerhead runs at 24V and uses 58W.

Couple of questions for you:

- How would I calculate how many amp hours I need in order to purchase a battery or batteries. (It will be a 12V system regardless of # of batts, will run in parallel if needed).

Is the correct way: 58 Watts / 12 Volts = 4.83 Amps (meaning each pump uses near 5 amps per hour?)

This seems high. Almost 10 amps an hour for 2 pumps? I think I'm doing something wrong. A 100 Amp hour battery would last less than half a day!?


- It is my understanding that at 12V the powerheads will run at half speed. Correct?

- Is there a certain float charger that is recommended?

 

[shaggss]

This thread may help you.

I just picked up my Tunze 6095 today and my LFS guy said to convert a Vortech BBU by just cutting the cable and connecting it to the Tunze. There is another thread here discussing 12 vs 24 volts.

HTHs?

 

[rvitko]

The wattage will also be nearly half at 12V so roughly 30W I would expect, it is actually a parabolic relationship taking increasingly more wattage at higher voltage so it is more likely closer to 25W. 30w/12V = 2.5 Amps for one hour of run time per pump. At 12V the flow will be roughly half as well. You will want a charger appropriate for your battery. In general I only recommend SLA batteries, this is the type that backs up and alarm, runs a childs power wheels toy or is inside a UPS system, they are sealed and don't vent gasses and are much safer for indoor use. Up to 36Ah should not be a problem to source at any battery store (batteries plus). Bigger are also available but may not be in stock, I think 72 is the biggest offered. I would consider 24hrs of backup a realistic limit, after 24hrs other units not running are going to be an issue (no heat for example) and so it makes little sense to try for longer. I would use the .5A trickle charger they offer at batteries plus for these batteries.

 

[aus996]

battery back up down under

battery back up down under

For those in Australia there is a cool DIY battery back project that i have had running for years without issue. I have since moved over to gel type batteries in the set up and modified a things but the switchable power supply is basically the same. not sure if i can post links to other threads here but happy to put it up if its allowed or PM interested people. :reading:

 

[aus996]

Hey SHAGGSS, just remembered I am still bewlo quota to PM people:deadhorse:

Gotta be almost there but flick me an email at serenity66@grapevine.com.au to remind me and I will flick through the link

 

[aus996]

mate just flicked through that website address to your email this morning let me know if it comes through okay

 

[Macca_75]

Hey Aus996 - which Aus Forum is it on and what's your username (so I can find it).

Alternaitlvey I am also Macca_75 on both TheReefuge and RTAW if you want to flcik me a PM over there.

Cheers

 

[sahicharles]

Hey Aus996, just sent you the email for the link too. Thanks.

 

[cherubfish pair]

They have some sealed 12V batteries at my hardware store that are the size of a pound cake. I think they are for riding lawnmowers but I'm not sure. I wonder if they would work.

 

[cherubfish pair]

rvitko,

Saying I found a suitable battery, what Tunze parts do I need to make a battery backup possible on a 6095 powerhead?

Also, would Ecotech's battery work for this?

 

[cherubfish pair]

rvitko,

Saying I found a suitable battery, what Tunze parts do I need to make a battery backup possible on a 6095 powerhead?

Also, would Ecotech's battery work for this?

Sorry, I mean a 6085.

 

[rvitko]

This would only work for the low voltage controllable pumps, the 6085 needs 115V with a correct 60Hz sine wave. The 6085 could be kept running with a computer UPS system, however, it would struggle to start should it stop due to the rough Hz frequency.

I suspect the battery you saw is the type for electric fences and would probably work, most lawmower batteries are similar to Motorcycle batteries and have liquid acid inside.

 

[shaggss]

Hi All

Just making sure I have this right before I cut anything! This is the lead from the Vortech Backup Battery to the Vortech controller:

Do I simply cut this and join it to the Tunze wires here:

The Vortech leads are both black but one has a white stripe on it. Does it matter which I connect it to?

Thanks to all in advance!

 

[rvitko]

The polarity will matter, I am not so sure this is a good idea, the Vortech battery back up should have the same basic circuit that is in the safety connector plus a charger and a battery, the safety connector is likely not needed. If the vortech power connection is not the same 2.5 by 5.5 mm as ours, I would look for an adapter rather than cutting the wires.

 

[shaggss]

Hi Roger

Sorry I was under the impression I had the ADDITIONAL POWER SUPPLY but it looks like I have the SAFETY CONNECTOR. Which one do I need to run the 6095 off a battery?

Thanks very much for all your help!

 

[rvitko]

The red and black wires and connector seem to be the ones to our 6105.500 safety connector, I am not sure what additional power supply you are referring to.

 

[shaggss]

The red and black wires and connector seem to be the ones to our 6105.500 safety connector, I am not sure what additional power supply you are referring to.

Hahaha, yes I told you I was easily confused! I miss read your web site, there are two photographs, I thought one was called ADDITIONAL POWER SUPPLY and the other SAFETY CONNECTOR. I now know they are the same! Sorry for the confusion :-(

So back to my original question, how do I connect the wires from the Tunze Safety Connector to the Vortech Battery?

Thanks again for being very patient with an idiot!

 

[rvitko]

You don't need the safety connector, you would just use the Vortech back up.

 

[sahicharles]

Hi Shaggss, I am facing the same problem, just wondering how you did your wiring or other solution.