EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40 Release Information

[EcoTech Marine]

The controller and battery backup are two different products.

controller- will wirelessly control up to 10 pumps using wave control algorithms. In development now, release within a year.

battery backup- will automatically backup up to two VorTech's for 18-36 hours (depending on whether you're running one or two). The battery backup should be out during June.

We're almost there.

-Tim

 

[mwood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7295455#post7295455 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
The controller and battery backup are two different products.

controller- will wirelessly control up to 10 pumps using wave control algorithms. In development now, release within a year.

battery backup- will automatically backup up to two VorTech's for 18-36 hours (depending on whether you're running one or two). The battery backup should be out during June.

We're almost there.

-Tim

Will the battery backup and the wavetimer be compatible? Any issues with running both on the same two pumps?

 

[EcoTech Marine]

They will be completely compatible. However, standard wavemakers are not compatible with the battery backup. The battery backup will power the pump anytime the wavetimer tries to shut it down.

-Tim

 

[MadTownMax]

So, if you want to save yourself a few hundred dollars (and can live without having your pumps controlled by a wireless controller; the rest of my tank is wired anyway ) you can plug the pump into a standard wavemaker, and then into a standard UPS system.

Do you guys have any market analysis for this stuff? I still want a version 1/3 of the size for the other 90% of the people who won't spend $700+ for a controlled circulation system

 

[jdsabin1]

I am SO confused. If I use a RedSea Wavemaker, have two Vortech pumps plugged into this Red Sea Wavemaker, have the Vortech battery devices, and the power goes out, will the battery devices still power the two vortech pumps or am I out of luck because the vortechs are plugged into the Red Sea Wavemaker?

Sorry for not getting it yet but I do need to understand this.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

jdsabin1-

If you are using the battery backup AND a wave maker (such as the RedSea), the pump will take power from the battery everytime the wavemaker shuts it off, thus the pump will never turn off. If the power goes out, it WILL work on battery backup mode regardless of whether its hooked up to a wavemaker or not.

-Tim

 

[mattseattle]

don't know how you derived power source out of controller in my message.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7295212#post7295212 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MadTownMax
*jeapordy theme*

If it was a wireless back-up power source, I really gotta see this

 

[Philwd]

So what you are saying is it makes no sense to run the pumps on a wavemaker if you have the battery hookups until the time in the future when your controller comes out.

 

[Mike.B]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7296744#post7296744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Philwd
So what you are saying is it makes no sense to run the pumps on a wavemaker if you have the battery hookups until the time in the future when your controller comes out.

exactly

 

[mwood]

Why can't the wavetimer and the pump be run off a battery backup?

 

[jnarowe]

What he said!

It could either be configured with the wavemaker or aquarium controller on the UPS as well as the pumps right? So your controller gets UPS power and the Vortechs get UPS power. I don't see any reason why that couldn't be done since all you are adding is a UPS between your input power and the equipment. I do see that the Vortech controller would through-put the Vortech UPS power so that works seamlessly in the event of a power outage but I can't imagine that a work-around can be made until such time as the Vortech system is completed.

Can that be further explained so I understand why it won't work? Based on what Tim writes, it is possible that the Vortechs will be on all the time in the event of a power failure but that wouldn't be too bad since perhaps other pumps like returns will not be working and the tank will need maximum flow under power outage circumstances, right?

BTW, can I get some damn PHs PLEASE!! For God's sake this is killing me.

 

[wbeavers]

Mwood the battery backup is designed to run directly to the driver. This way it is using the 12 volts DC power directly from the battery. You save by not having to pay for an inverter for changing the power. You put the power directley into the pump driver from the battery (12VDC); instead of from the battery to the inverter to the transformer to the pump driver (12VDC-110VAC-12VDC). They are using the KISS method. If you want the latter more inefficent method just get a UPS.

 

[ReefWaters]

Tim, can you give some more details on the wave making functionality of the controller? Maybe some examples of what you could do with 1, 2, 4, or more pumps.

I, like many others here, are in the process of trying to decide between buying your product and something like Tunze's. I will be buying one or the other but not both.

Thank you for your help and we know you are very busy trying to get all the components rolled out. Thank you again for any info you can provide.

 

[ReefWaters]

Also, how much is the bearing in the wet casing going to cost to replace? It says in your instructions on your website that the bearing will need replacing every few months to a year.

This doesnt sound like a difficult job but how much are we looking at in maintenance cost every year?

 

[EcoTech Marine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7299523#post7299523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWaters
Tim, can you give some more details on the wave making functionality of the controller? Maybe some examples of what you could do with 1, 2, 4, or more pumps.

I, like many others here, are in the process of trying to decide between buying your product and something like Tunze's. I will be buying one or the other but not both.

Thank you for your help and we know you are very busy trying to get all the components rolled out. Thank you again for any info you can provide.

The controller will be digital, and that's all that we can really say at this stage. Because of the fact that it is digital you will have more or less infinite controllability between up to 10 pumps.

The wet bearing will be very economical to replace. Our statement in the instruction manual was an estimate based on the data we had at the time. Now that more time has passed, the data is demonstrating that bearing replacement might be something that we will never have to do (we're looking at 5-10 years here).

-Tim

 

[phishlet]

Can the Vortech pumps be used on an Aquarium Systems Natural Wave maker?

 

[RichK]

If a normal powerhead can work with the wavemaker, the Vortech can. Like I have said before, I have been running 2 Vortechs on an OLD OLD OLD wavemaker and they perform flawlessly.

 

[phishlet]

Cool. Thanks. How many Vortech pumps for a 5 ft. long tank?

 

[RichK]

I have the 2 in my 6' long 125. I have them alternating on/off every 6 minutes and they are both on 100% power. Tons of flow.

 

[diverdan814]

When I get two, I am going to run them at lowest setting on a 32 gallon M-tank. On timers.