Power loss=Lost fish

[BeanAnimal]

I have a 3000 watt ups... it will run a long time,

Just to be clear here, and so folks don't walk away with the wrong idea...

As noted above, the output capacity of the UPS does not equate to its runtime. The output rating indicates the maximum load that the UPS output circuit can handle without going into failure or safety shutdown.

The runtime is determined by the size of the batteries and the current draw of the load. In theory, a 7Ah battery on a 3kVA UPS will provide the same runtime as a 7Ah battery on a .2kVA UPS. In fact, the smaller UPS will likely have a slightly longer runtime dues to a more efficient power management profile for that same 2.kVA load.

In other words, if you have a 3kVA UPS and you are only loading it to 300VA, then you are not running the UPS in the optimum load configuration and will have a shorter runtime at that load level than the same load on a SMALLER UPS with the same size battery.

I have a $100,000 UPS at work designed to run my phone switch for 24 hours... $1000 gets you a generator st HD and will run it as long as you have gas...

Not to call you out.. but you need to drop a zero off of that unless we are talking about a "phone switch" in the sense of a CELL site and its amplifiers and backhaul equipment and a 1000% overhead runtime

I could sell you several new 100kVA ups systems with an entire room full of battery cabinets and enough runtime to keep a data center alive for a week for $100,000

 

[Agu]

and will run it as long as you have gas...

That's an issue you have to consider. When hurricane Charlie hit SW Florida power was out to the gas stations too. The few with generators to run their gas pumps had hours long lines. I was 40 miles from the hit and only had to wait a half hour to get gas. That's assuming they still had gas when it was my turn.........

 

[BeanAnimal]

A few thoughts on that note and disaster preparedness:

Most gas containers have a breather that allows moisture and oxygen to move in and out of the container. Condensation inside the container can cause the gasoline to go bad and the oxygen breaks down the gasoline. Gasoline left in equipment will cause a varnish layer to form inside of carburetors and valves. All of these things makes engines hard to start or impossible to start.

That said, fueling a generator and then getting it to start in an emergency is also not easy, nor is draining it and storing it. I prefer to keep mine fueled.

Adding fuel stabilizer to gasoline stored in containers and equipment is a must if it going to be stored for more than a few weeks. It is my understanding that most of the action of the stabilizer product is to form a thin layer at the fuel surface that helps to prevent oxidization. Sta-bil is the most common product, but some folks use others such a sea foam. I use sta-bil and have never tried the others.

I keep a supply of gasoline on hand and try to keep it rotated out by using it for the lawn mower, chainsaw, etc. I also keep several cans of starting fluid and dry-gas product on hand. Never use the dry-gas product in the equipment. If condensation has caused your fuel to get watered down, drain the tank and use the product in your gas container. I also keep a small hand siphon, pump and tubing on hand to transfer fuel from containers to equipment or cars and visa-versa.

If you have the room, it is a good idea to keep a supply of empty fuel storage containers on hand. If your area is under a severe storm warning, it never hurts to get the containers (and all of your cars) filled in advance of the possible disaster. If the event passes without need, then use the fuel in your automobile and store the containers for the next drill.

Run your generator at least once a month for 10-15 minutes. Run it under load if you can.

A few other notes:
Diesel generator cost more, but the fuel (if stored properly) is much more stable.

Most home standby gensets can be run from propane or natural gas (while some are tri-fuel also). It is rare that a power outage due to a storm will affect your natural gas supply. The fact that these standby gensets exercise themselves, come on on their own and run on a supply that is rarely interrupted makes them very attractive when all things are considered.

Agu is one of the lucky folks who found fuel... imagine all of the folks with gensets who sat in the dark because they had no fuel

 

[MHG]

Just to be clear here, and so folks don't walk away with the wrong idea...

As noted above, the output capacity of the UPS does not equate to its runtime. The output rating indicates the maximum load that the UPS output circuit can handle without going into failure or safety shutdown.

The runtime is determined by the size of the batteries and the current draw of the load. In theory, a 7Ah battery on a 3kVA UPS will provide the same runtime as a 7Ah battery on a .2kVA UPS. In fact, the smaller UPS will likely have a slightly longer runtime dues to a more efficient power management profile for that same 2.kVA load.

In other words, if you have a 3kVA UPS and you are only loading it to 300VA, then you are not running the UPS in the optimum load configuration and will have a shorter runtime at that load level than the same load on a SMALLER UPS with the same size battery.



Not to call you out.. but you need to drop a zero off of that unless we are talking about a "phone switch" in the sense of a CELL site and its amplifiers and backhaul equipment and a 1000% overhead runtime

I could sell you several new 100kVA ups systems with an entire room full of battery cabinets and enough runtime to keep a data center alive for a week for $100,000

Well you can trust it is one hell of a phone switch. The BTU output of all those powerdge servers can heat my home... When I was building cell sites I never had one this big...I Once had a mitsubishi with 70 700 amp/hour batteries.... no one said eaton and liebert were cheap either...I agree it not about watt rating but rather the watt/hour or amp/hour rating and the generator is the way to go. Just pointing out the cost benefit to having a generator...

 

[BeanAnimal]

.I Once had a mitsubishi with 70 700 amp/hour batteries....

A local data center (that shall remain nameless) has hundreds of deep cycle wet cells powering several 100kVA monsters. They have a guy that does pretty much nothing but battery maintenance.

no one said eaton and liebert were cheap either

Or better put, I am not sure there is anything more expensive

Just pointing out the cost benefit to having a generator...

certainly! If I had a full standby genset, I would ditch the pile of GXT2 battery packs and one of the GXT2 UPS boxes and run everything from a single 1kVA GXT2. Sadly I am not only a Liebert channel partner, but I am also an authorized Generac dealer, and have never taken the time to install one at my home. FWIW, I can buy the smaller generac units from HD for the same price I can buy them wholesale. Go figure!

 

[ackee]

I have a Yamaha EF 2000 iS. I've used it once during the year I've had it, when a major winter storm knocked out the power for about 12 hours. It is light (44lbs) and can run all my heaters, pumps and miscellaneous essential equipment along with a couple of house lamps.

That one time saved me incalculable grief. My gas heat was not affected, and I can easily live without tvs, computers, etc. The fish and a small reptile collection have absolute priority.

The Yahama is a superb unit, extremely well made, and rated a bit higher that the equivalent Honda because it's quieter and has a gas gauge. Gas stabilizer is a must, along with a monthly test run and a carefully planned procedure. It cost nearly $1000 but has already paid for itself and provides peace of mind. Of course, I need to be home to use it, but this is usually no problem except when I'm travelling.

 

[MHG]

imagine that.... a job where you walk around in a rubber apron , gloves and a face shield...

I have 55 gxt2's all with bad batteries..

I'll stop hijacking this thread and get back to the generators.... I don't have one but want one....simply said..

 

[snorvich]

They are indeed nice. Aquarium, pond, refrigerators, water (well), computer, all keep running. But they do need to exercise (automagically) once a week, and need an oil change about once per year.

 

[atreis]

I use a smallish true sine wave UPS for the return pump only - it'll keep it going for about 2 hours. I also have the battery backup unit for my Vortechs. That will keep them going for nearly a day.

For even longer outages, or if I'm home and inclined to start it, I have a portable 2000W Inverter Generator, outside receptacle to plug it into, and a transfer switch with several circuits on it that I can turn on/off manually. The aquarium circuit is one of those, of course.

 

[cougaran]

I have natural gas and a whole house (standby) generator idea sounds very interesting...and a little expensive. What I do like is that I don't have to be around for it to operate, so my fish would be safe. I work in public safety in a different community from where I live so when there's an emergency like this one--I cant go home. I also wouldn't have to worry about the whole "gas" problem of it being too old or not enough stored. The other side of the coin is the regular gas powered ones are cheaper in comparison. Definately some pros and cons to weigh here..
On a side note I bought a fresh pack of batteries that are good until 2017 for the battery powered airpumps, so they should be good for a long time and hopefully I wont need them..

 

[geaux xman]

i've thought about it more, i really only need something capable of powering 1 koralia evolution1400 for my 180g FOWLR. the evo1400 is rated at only 6watts. and if i have a fish in QT, then another 6watts.

if not, spend 20 bucks on a battery air pump.

as tempting as the portable honda/yamahas are, for the price of it, i can buy a couple of very nice angels.

 

[jansonnick]

UPS's are designed to be able to allow the user time to properly shut down a computer following a power outage, not run them while the power is out for an extended period of time. That said, they typically can only run a small pump for an hour or so before the battery is drained.

Dollar for dollar, a generator is a much cheaper solution, for the same $125 (cost of a good UPS), you can get a small generator that will run your tank indefinitely and have a little power left over to run the TV to shut up the kids.

Just trying to help that is all. I mean choices are there if you want you can get solar panels this days )))))) Generator is good idea but Any way you look at it comes out $$$$$

 

[cougaran]

Solar panels in the north east are probably as helpful as they are in Oregon. The solar panels are very expensive and the amount of time required for your investment to pay off isnt worth the expense. If I lived in areas whit lots of sun, then that would be a good choice for everyday power needs.. Besides, how tornado resistant can they be, especially mounted on the roof.....

 

[david pinder]

Have had experience in this area as I lost no fish or corals with a 7 day hurricane outage. Then I had a generator now I have a whole house generac. You dont need that for your current setup. I had a marine battery with an inverter that I ran airaetors on my 2700 gal for 12 hrs a day when not running the generator. Should your battery run down after a day or two switch out with your car battery. use a powerful enough aireator to create some circulation and you will be fine.

 

[geaux xman]

i havent done it, but i think i will just bite the bullet and buy a vortech battery backup for $160. a DIY with a deep cycle battery will run $100+. i just need it as a contingency plan for when i'm not at home and the electricity is out. there are times when i'm not at home for 12+hrs and i'm dealing with a heavily stocked tank. i have a 4700w generator that can be used too.

 

[dunning3075]

most power outages redult in death from now water movement. I am buying the ecotech mp 40s with batery backup for my new build it will keep water moving for over 36 hours

 

[cougaran]

Have had experience in this area as I lost no fish or corals with a 7 day hurricane outage. Then I had a generator now I have a whole house generac. You dont need that for your current setup. I had a marine battery with an inverter that I ran airaetors on my 2700 gal for 12 hrs a day when not running the generator. Should your battery run down after a day or two switch out with your car battery. use a powerful enough aireator to create some circulation and you will be fine.

Funnily enough I have an invertor that I kind of forgot about and appreciate this idea....I own a boat as well, but havent bought a marine battery in quite some time or ran the boat either..lol...As a backup to the battery powered airpumps isnt a bad idea either, but it would be much easier once I get boat setup again. The car battery is a possiblity but I kinda dont want to mess with that..


Just read the Ecotech Marine Vortech Battery Backup on website but it says its discontinued.....

edit-- ok found it but a major distributor had said discontinued...

 

[ChrisKirkland]

I have a 3000 watt ups... it will run a long time, but for the same price you can get a generator. However at 13 hours, you will need a UPS anyway. What if you lost power on your way to work... 8-10 hours later you get home and find out... Gonna take an hour to get your generatour outget gas and get it started because you dont exersise it every week.


You need both...

FYI, most commercial UPS's are true sine wave because they have power conditioners. But all are $500 and up (way up).


I have a $100,000 UPS at work designed to run my phone switch for 24 hours... $1000 gets you a generator st HD and will run it as long as you have gas...

I work for a company which will remain nameless that has 5 USP battery back ups (Liebert with two Data Centers. It just costed us over 7K to replace the batteries in just ONE UPS (48 batteries in a LiebertNX 30kVA) no including labor. These UPS's are only used long enough to get the genset's online (about 10-15 mins of life) to support the many servers we have. UPS's are not a long term solution, they should always be accompanied by a generator. Just a thought.

 

[MHG]

I work for a company which will remain nameless that has 5 USP battery back ups (Liebert with two Data Centers. It just costed us over 7K to replace the batteries in just ONE UPS (48 batteries in a LiebertNX 30kVA) no including labor. These UPS's are only used long enough to get the genset's online (about 10-15 mins of life) to support the many servers we have. UPS's are not a long term solution, they should always be accompanied by a generator. Just a thought.

True, but when your building will not let you install a generator or when a get set is not possible (for warious reasons), you do what you must...

 

[nuclearheli]

:thumbsup: for the generator. The investment in my aquarium is far too high to play chicken with the weather and the electric company. I also have a 1300w APC battery backup for my LED light bridge (DIY) and it also runs the Apex and Vortech's. The power drain on this unit is not significant. I have it running the LED light bridge because I want conditioned power to it and some minimal lighting between the time of a power failure and generator start.

My 20kW Generac whole house generator is equipped with a Nexus smart switch. Keeps the fish, wife and kids all happy. Even runs the pool and AC unit. Yes it was an investment but well worth the money considering what you can loose. Besides check your local market, it actually increased the value of my home.