Power Failure Ideas

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14114250#post14114250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rbd0331
I've tried those. They don't last more than a couple hours. One of my friends works on backup power supply systems for major computer centers and setup the system I use.
It consists of a deep cycle 12v car battery, an inverter, and battery charger that is designed to continuously run with a load. So it charges the battery and runs the load at same time. I run my main pump and heater from the inverter.

I've had it run my system for at least 48 hours when the power was out. I hope to get whole house backup generator some day. But this does the trick for now.

I posted the details in our club forum a couple months ago. Let me know if you want more info.

]
Yeah I believe the unit I posted operates in a similar manner. Runs with a load on it, then once the power kicks it switches over to the battery. Then once the power comes back on it switches off the battery and begins charging the battery back up.

I would definitely be interested in the info. I'm sure there are much cheaper ways to do it since this is an all-in-one unit.

Although there seemed to be trouble when people were piecing it together if I remember correctly. Most of the parts are readily available for a decent price, however... I think there was a switch that was necessary to fabricate that a lot of people had trouble making. I'll try and dig up the thread.

 

[Tswifty]

Here is one of the DIY threads, but not the original one I was talking about.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1512752

Looks like a guy in the PMAS club may have built one... I think I'm going to try and get a hold of him, and see what he says.

 

[moparcolt]

I have an Idea for you to think about, deep cell battery,inverter, and a solar battery charger. all the Amish use them for their battreries. I have a bunch that were designed just to keep a battery topped off but if you used a few of them they might be able to keep the battery charged while your power was out. I don't know much about solar charging systems, but I bet someone on RC does!
The ones I have come with new VW bug convertables when you buy them, the dealer keeps them instead of giving them with the cars because they are not covered under the warranty so they just shelf them and pitch them eventually. I have like 10-11 of them.

 

[rbd0331]

Sorry, I had only posted summary of my setup previously. I must have Pm'd the details to a couple guys.

Anyway, my setup is pretty simple. There's no transfer switch needed. When power is on, the inverter is powered by charger (battery is also being charged). When power is off, the inverter is automatically powered by battery. See setup diagram.

Here's some pics of my setup. Equipment consists of:
12v Deep Cycle Battery Cost=?? (Got mine from friend free)
Samlex SEC-1215A Battery Charger Cost=$150
Vector Maxx SST 1200w/2500w peak Inverter VEC053 Cost=$140

 

[boozerell]

I like that plan, of having it charging and ready to go if power goes out. Our family goes camping, but my spouse needs a C-pap machine at night. What we do is use a battery and inverter and it powers this machine all night. If needed this is what I was planning on doing, but now will look into this.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[BrunstuckyJoe]

Do you keep this setup in the garage all the time?

 

[rbd0331]

It's not in the garage. It's in the basement by my tank. I built a stand with upper and lower shelves, and keep it on the lower shelf. I am careful to keep it far enough away from any water. In my case, there is nothing containing water on the top shelf and the closest water is about 5 ft away. I use a small ext cord with power strip so I can plug in my main pump and heater.

I also have a couple of normal computer UPS's. I bought those from my buddy too. Those are the expensive true sinewave 2500va ones.....and they only ran my system couple hours before I got new setup. But I do still use one of those for my Wireless GA, Wireless Router, and Cable Modem. That's just so my ACIII will be able to get out a message to me that power is down.

When my buddy suggested the setup, I was concerned about having battery inside the house. I was worried about gasses that might be given off by charging. But then he pointed out my basement sump pump sitting about 20 ft from us at the time (for the house not my tank) had a battery backup pump...and we're all still alive. Plus large computer rooms have hundreds of these batteries in a small room. Granted that type of room is extremely well ventilated. But he said that there is no need to worry. Well, he's the expert.....so I guess I'll believe him.

Hope this helps.
-Rich

 

[Tswifty]

Thanks for posting the pictures... that's pretty much the system I am considering setting up.

Have you ever tested the system to see how long it can run for once power is cut?

 

[rbd0331]

I never really tested it's full potential. I know it ran a Poseidon PS4 (1225 gph) and 2 Aquaclear 50 powerheads for 48 hrs when we had that major power outage couple years ago. The inverter automatically shuts down for under-voltage at 10v. And the battery hadn't hit that point yet.
Honestly haven't even really thought of testing to see how long until it quits. I was just mainly looking for something that was good for more than a couple hrs in case I was at work when power went out. Last year I got one of those small gas portable generators that is more than capable of running my whole tank setup. I figure I'd just fire up the generator when needed.

 

[Big E]

Just get a portable generator & be done with it............you'll never regret it. Make sure you have a few extra gas cans in stock.............the gas stations may be out of power too.

For those saying you only need something for a few hours, your'e wrong. No one loses livestock when the power goes out short term. Crashes happen due to the unexpected outages that last days to a week. Don't fool yourself & make that mistake.

Although seldom used, generators are more important than some of the un-needed luxury equipment that people buy for hundreds of dollars.

 

[rbd0331]

I agree with your comment about a generator.....it is one of the those luxury items that are great to have. But that assumes that someone is home to fire it up when power goes out. Unless you happen to have a sweet whole house automatic generator. I hope to get one some day, but they are real expensive.

When I said "a couple hours" I wasn't talking about just 2 or 3. With my work schedule I am often gone for 12 hours. My job unfortunately also requires some out of town travel as well. Will 2,3,or 4 hours without circulation kill everything in the tank? Probably not. But 12+ hours is a different story. I know a few people who have lost fish/corals in that amount of time. IMO the small cost of my backup equipment is well worth the peace of mind....especially if I'm out of town and get a msg from ACIII saying power is down.:eek1: