MP40 Bat back up failed,very sad...

[neelix]

Let me start off by saying I was one of the first to purchase the original model. And my unit had all the initial problems, bad wet side bad controller. The service was great as it should be but it was still a pain shipping the items back and waiting for replacements.

Now once again after much anticipation and hope I pre-ordered the new WWD controller from AS. I waited 3 weeks prior to returning my old driver because of past experience with there new releases and the distinct possibility there might be problems. Tested all functions and everything appeared normal.

Fast forward to 2 am this morning, it felt cool in the house so I figured better check the tank. Well the battery back up did not work, the green indicator on the controller was flashing but the pump was not running. I immediately started agitating and draining water dumping it back in trying everything I could to save my little friends. I can't express the pain I felt and how helpless I felt, at first my larger fish perished gasping for air followed by the majority of the smaller fish. Somehow the Clowns survived and one neon goby as the power was restored.

After the power came back on I tested the battery back-up and it worked fine, I don't understand what went wrong I am extremely distraught at the moment.

Please advise.:mad2:

 

[prugs]

I just bought my unit with a battery backup.
What mode were you running on the controller prior to the power outage?

 

[neelix]

I was running Green Constant, I always put it in this mode at night set at the slowest speed. Since there is no night mode on the MP40.

 

[Beenalongtime79]

Did you ever figure this one out... this is a pretty concerning problem for potential buyers!

 

[bureau13]

How did you test it? This may sound like a stupid comment, but make sure you unplug BOTH the pump driver and the battery backup recharger when you test it. If you did both of those things, then it makes no sense at all that it didn't work in an actual power outtage.

jds

 

[King-Kong]

I have a fear similiar to this; sometimes when my pumps arent 100%, I will come back to them the next mornig, and they have stopped over night.

I reset them and theyre fine.. wont lock up for any short term forseable future.... but what happens if i leave for a trip, power goes out, and while running at 50% one of these pumps seize?

I almost wish the pumps would be more aggressive in resetting themselves and trying again.. at least if the BB is on.. almost a "look, I know we're not happy right now, but we have to try all we can to keep running until the power comes back on".

 

[neelix]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11282362#post11282362 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rufio173
Did you ever figure this one out... this is a pretty concerning problem for potential buyers!

No clue, they want me to return the pump and battery, there theory is the battery is putting out less than 10V. So the battery could be gone? Well I ran it for 9 hours on back up, stopped and restarted several times and no problem. All I keep thinking is code problems but shouldn't jump to conclusions before they can check it out.

This reminded me that I haven't heard back from them since I emailed them last.

 

[IceCap Service]

Check your g-mail records. Sorry for the delay I missed your response after Tim responded to you last message.

 

[neelix]

Just checking in you should have the pump and bat back up. Let me know if you find anything wrong.

 

[IceCap Service]

I have not completed everything but I did fine one thing that got my attention. On the wet side, one of the veins on the nozzle was broken and slightly pushed in. It is possible it made contact with the prop and was the cause of it seizing up. If after the failure, you did anything at all with the wet side during inspection it could have fallen back in place thus the reason everything started working well. I had the pump up and running Friday to run over the weekend and will see how it goes Monday. Of course I replaced the nozzle with a new one. Again, it could have been a problem but unable to determine it for 100% certainty. The battery is charging and will be put to the test Monday.