Battery backup

[mlew]

I've been considering adding the echo tech battery backup for an MP40 on the new tank build. Now I'm sitting here with no power and an extension cord running from my biocube out to my truck. [emoji19]

So that's definitely a yes on the new build. Any options out there to power a heater?

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[RobZilla04]

The majority of the battery backups won't run one piece of reefing equipment for days on end. There is probably one out there but the cost and size would be ridiculous. A generator would be better suited for keeping tanks warm and flowing.

 

[mlew]

I hear you. Not looking to run anything for a few days. More like a few hours.

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[mcgyvr]

I wouldn't worry about a heater for only a few hours..
Yes.. the tank will cool down but shouldn't be much to really worry about..

But yes a generator (even a small on) is a good idea for anyone with a tank/power outages.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Heaters pull too much wattage - they will drain a battery very quickly. In my experience, a temp drop even into the upper 60s temporarily will not cause deaths.


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[ozzysince87]

I was thinking of a back up solar panel. Haven't done alot of research as to how big, how many, ect... Guess id figure what equip i wanted to run in emergency to find out what type of system i needed per electricity draw. It would be pretty bad *** to be able to have like 4 outlets as solar just incase. I ran into a power outtage last winter and found myself pulling water out and just dumping it back it to keep circulation. Def have to figure something out before this build is complete. No sense in having thousands of dollars invested and not having a good backup plan. Ill be following along to see more ideas.

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[ericarenee]

generator.... Is Really the best option.. But if you want to use batteries.. Get a trickle charger a good DC Inverter and a Couple of Marine deep cycle batteries. Keep them on the charger in garage or someplace out of living space

 

[tkeracer619]

Love my ecotech backup! It's a good way to go to keep flow moving so you have time to hookup a generator.

 

[Retzius]

I am also following this thread because I have had several outages in my area and now have a 200 gallon. I thought about the ecotech battery backup but maybe I should invest in a Honda generator.

 

[RobZilla04]

I am also following this thread because I have had several outages in my area and now have a 200 gallon. I thought about the ecotech battery backup but maybe I should invest in a Honda generator.

Outages of only a few hours up to around 24 you could get by with a small battery backup. When you get to 48 hours and beyond, a small generator is the best bet. Just be sure to periodically run the generator (2-4 times a year at a min).

Last Oct when Hurricane Matthew came up the east coast of FL I lost power for almost 48 hours. When I stepped outside I could hear plenty of folks running generators to keep appliances (mainly refrigerators) going. I now have a small generator.

 

[air2mag]

A generator is nice, but unless you have it configured to automatically kick in during an outage it won't do you any good. I have a generator, but I also have battery back-up for short term use.

 

[TXRobertP]

I have been thinking about an APC Back-ups because of the brown-outs and small power outages we have around here. It also has surge protection built in. They have many different size models which will run longer and would be a lot cleaner than just running a battery or two with an inverter.

I already have a small 2800 watt Yamaha inverter generator....Hurricane Ike taught me that a cheap generator will kill your appliances. I am not spending all that money on an Apex and plugging it into a $250 generator. You can get good deals on used generators if you stick with name brands like Honda or Yamaha.

 

[mlew]

After way too much reading about commercial battery backups, diy battery backups (and a short time reading about house fires) generators, auto start home generators, I've come to a sort of conclusion.

I'll be going with the vortech backup and mp40 for short, unattended outages and a small 2000 watt inverter generator for longer outages (found one with clean power and under $500). That really seems the most bang for your buck to power one pump and a heater. Although, the auto start whole house generators run off my natural gas line would be the ultimate solution.

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[paal]

Is it possible to program the MPx0 so that when the battery is supplying the pump, the RPM setting is automatically reduced? (I'd rather have the battery last 2x hours on half flow than x hours on normal flow)

 

[fraggin corals]

You can through Eco Smart Live. You can set at what power level you want to pump to run when on battery. Not sure if can be done on the controller though.

 

[scar79]

You can through Eco Smart Live. You can set at what power level you want to pump to run when on battery. Not sure if can be done on the controller though.

IIRC, you can do it with an Apex with some crafty programming involving using a separate Neptune power supply to "sense" the power outage and switch the MP-X0's profile to one that draws less power.