Power Back-up?
- Thread starter REDDAWG43
- Start date
chrisaggie
Premium Member
generator and battery powered air pumps
jeffbrig
Premium Member
My Tunze pumps are connected to a UPS to provide water movement in a short outage. Next, I have a 7kw generator in the garage for longer outages. If either of those runs out, I have 3 battery powered air pumps that I can use. I'm an engineer - I like redundancy...
With this system, I made it 6 days after Wilma without power, and had zero losses. With the UPSs, I was able to turn off the generator for hours at a time and save gas (very important when you can't buy gas). I typically stockpile 45 gallons or so during hurricane season, then it goes in the cars.
Which reminds me - for anyone that wants/needs a UPS, I was in CompUSA the other day by sawgrass, and they're have an 1100VA model from APC on sale for $99. I have several of these around the house (computers, tanks, even my entertainment center) and they work great. I don't believe they produce a "true" sine wave, but the output is much cleaner than some of the cheaper offerings.
With this system, I made it 6 days after Wilma without power, and had zero losses. With the UPSs, I was able to turn off the generator for hours at a time and save gas (very important when you can't buy gas). I typically stockpile 45 gallons or so during hurricane season, then it goes in the cars.
Which reminds me - for anyone that wants/needs a UPS, I was in CompUSA the other day by sawgrass, and they're have an 1100VA model from APC on sale for $99. I have several of these around the house (computers, tanks, even my entertainment center) and they work great. I don't believe they produce a "true" sine wave, but the output is much cleaner than some of the cheaper offerings.
CoralFiend
New member
Curious to see if anyone out there is using one of these? If so, what do you think about it?
http://www.jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/HARDWARE_/Battery_Backup_System/battery_backup_system.html
http://www.jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/HARDWARE_/Battery_Backup_System/battery_backup_system.html
CoralFiend
New member
You're right, it isn't cheap, but neither are the things we are trying to keep alive. I lost a pretty nice 75 because of the effects of Hurricane Rita last year, so I have been looking for viable options to run bare bones life support, in the event I am away from home for a couple of days.
This system is very simliar to a DIY project (by Playfair) here on RC. The parts alone for his system were around $200 - plus there is a tricky part or two in putting it together. This is an option for those of us that are DIY challenged, for not too much more money.
What lead me to this option is the fact that one of our local reefers saved his 180 during the storm with a deep cycle marine battery and a 12 volt air pump. This system allows you to keep a fully charged deep cycle marine battery(s) at the ready, in the event main power is lost. If you use additional batteries, you can get more run time from your air / water pump. A regular generator does you absolutely no good if you are not home to put fuel in it and start it up - every few hours.
Actually, this battery backup unit, plus a regulator generator is what I am planning for my 140, when I get it up and running. If I am home, I can recharge the batteries with the generator for use at night or while I have to be away from the house for a while during a prolonged power outage. That will save some wear and tear on the generator and fuel.
The most common thing I want to safeguard against is being away for the weekend and have a breaker trip while I am gone. I want something that will automatically kick in and give the system a chance for survival until I return. Short of the big power on demand whole house systems, this is the best thing I have found so far. I was hoping to find someone else that had used one.
Last edited:
CoralFiend
New member
Yea, that would be awesome to have. In my case, I live about 1000 feet from a power substation. I have lived here for 20 years and my main power has only gone out for very short periods of time maybe a half dozen times. About 10 years ago we had a major ice storm (well, by Louisiana standards anyway) and power was lost in most of the city. Not me. Never even browned out. But, I have had breakers trip while I wasn't home. That is my main concern.
For the storm, it was out for two weeks, but we lost almost the entire power grid (and may I say thank you to those THOUSANDS of electrical workers that came here from all parts of the country to rebuild it! It is almost inconceivable how that was accomplished so quickly).
Anyway, for me, laying out 5-10 grand for that kind of system is just not a viable option. I was thinking more in terms of "hundreds of dollars" not "thousands."
Something more in line with the salary of a "multi-thousand-aire".
For the storm, it was out for two weeks, but we lost almost the entire power grid (and may I say thank you to those THOUSANDS of electrical workers that came here from all parts of the country to rebuild it! It is almost inconceivable how that was accomplished so quickly).
Anyway, for me, laying out 5-10 grand for that kind of system is just not a viable option. I was thinking more in terms of "hundreds of dollars" not "thousands."
Something more in line with the salary of a "multi-thousand-aire". 
newreefbishop
Premium Member
I have been thinking about that...I have a 7kw generator but what happens if power trips while im at work.....IM SCREWED.....So day after thanksgiving I will be picking up a the biggest UPS, I can find that will fit near tank ....I chose that day because of the sales.....
D Ro Supafly
New member
This is my backup power supply:
His name is Mongo and he's a 1975 CJ-5 with a 304 and a custom electrical system I finished earlier this summer, including two deep cycle batteries and a high amp alternator... along with a 3,000 watt power inverter and an exhaust system that makes parents curse me while they change soiled diapers.
His name is Mongo and he's a 1975 CJ-5 with a 304 and a custom electrical system I finished earlier this summer, including two deep cycle batteries and a high amp alternator... along with a 3,000 watt power inverter and an exhaust system that makes parents curse me while they change soiled diapers.
I am one of the people that has to stick to the "non-generator" options. I live in a condo that sneers at ownership of a loud smelly generator running outside everyone's open windows. So, I have to stick to different means. Can't wait to have a house so I can have that generator though!
I currently have a battery backup that doesn't run a powerhead for long (will be in the market for a new one), 2nd level is a spare car battery we have (used to be for the trolling motor for the canoe we sold) with a power inverter, then, last, but not least (they kept my tank alive for 5 days after Wilma), a couple of D-cell powered "bait bubblers." I found the best deal on the latter (bubblers) at K-mart and Target...Walmart probably has them too. They were less than $10 there as opposed to the $15 pet shop variety. I even found one that was water resistant with a rubber seal and rubber covered switch.
I figure I can run the bubblers and maybe a power head with these options. Having the lights out for 5 days also got rid of my last Cyano attack, so it wasn't all bad to be without lights. The corals came back fine after the power came back on.
I currently have a battery backup that doesn't run a powerhead for long (will be in the market for a new one), 2nd level is a spare car battery we have (used to be for the trolling motor for the canoe we sold) with a power inverter, then, last, but not least (they kept my tank alive for 5 days after Wilma), a couple of D-cell powered "bait bubblers." I found the best deal on the latter (bubblers) at K-mart and Target...Walmart probably has them too. They were less than $10 there as opposed to the $15 pet shop variety. I even found one that was water resistant with a rubber seal and rubber covered switch.
I figure I can run the bubblers and maybe a power head with these options. Having the lights out for 5 days also got rid of my last Cyano attack, so it wasn't all bad to be without lights. The corals came back fine after the power came back on.
Re: Power Back-up?
It seems that very few of us are using battery back up for emergency power, based on the lack of responses.
I read an article (can't find it) where someone bought a Tripp Lite system similar to the one pointed out by CoralFiend hooked up to some deep cycling marine batteries. Ran two water pumps for 24 hours +.
I want to hook up two pumps (redundancy) with venturis for water flow and air input in case of a power outage.
I am currently only using battery powered air pumps for emergency power. But, after last years Rita, I want to provide a solution that will work while I am gone or for 24 hours minimum.
My friend installed a natural gas powered unit on their property because of its remote location and I have to say, I am jealous. It was $7K but powers their whole house.
Stocking large quantities of gasoline is hazardous and not something I would consider outside my vehicle.
It seems that very few of us are using battery back up for emergency power, based on the lack of responses.
I read an article (can't find it) where someone bought a Tripp Lite system similar to the one pointed out by CoralFiend hooked up to some deep cycling marine batteries. Ran two water pumps for 24 hours +.
I want to hook up two pumps (redundancy) with venturis for water flow and air input in case of a power outage.
I am currently only using battery powered air pumps for emergency power. But, after last years Rita, I want to provide a solution that will work while I am gone or for 24 hours minimum.
My friend installed a natural gas powered unit on their property because of its remote location and I have to say, I am jealous. It was $7K but powers their whole house.
Stocking large quantities of gasoline is hazardous and not something I would consider outside my vehicle.
CoralFiend
New member
Re: Re: Power Back-up?
Re: Re: Power Back-up?
My plan is the same as yours, except I will probably only go with one pump with an air line - or just and air pump and air stone. I do know of one tank that was saved by this method (air pump only) during Rita. It ran for more than one day. I will have to find out what pump they used (it was on a 180). For redundancy, I will probably use a couple of those bait bubblers with that will switch on when the power goes out. Those of you with nanos out there, this is a real good way to buy you some time, if the power goes out while you are not home. A very cheap investment for about $12. I am not sure how long the 2 D batteries will run, but if it runs for at least 8 hours, it will go a long way to saving your tank until you can get home to change the batteries.
Re: Re: Power Back-up?
My plan is the same as yours, except I will probably only go with one pump with an air line - or just and air pump and air stone. I do know of one tank that was saved by this method (air pump only) during Rita. It ran for more than one day. I will have to find out what pump they used (it was on a 180). For redundancy, I will probably use a couple of those bait bubblers with that will switch on when the power goes out. Those of you with nanos out there, this is a real good way to buy you some time, if the power goes out while you are not home. A very cheap investment for about $12. I am not sure how long the 2 D batteries will run, but if it runs for at least 8 hours, it will go a long way to saving your tank until you can get home to change the batteries.
Abengochea
New member
Im in the middle of planning my setup for power outages. So far I think im going to go with a 12v bilge pump (I think it runs at 1.8 amps) that I found at wallyworld. Hook it up to 2 6v deep cycle batteries rated at 235 AH and call it a day. I figure that should last me about 5 days on a single charge
