power outage question...

[REDDAWG43]

In a pinch, you could fashion some PVC airlifts and move a ton of water easily, and the battery would last days with such a small load placed on it. [/B]

Any one have a pic of one of these airlifts? Or know of a thread on how to build one?

 

[s a v v o]

In my earlier post, I copied the wrong address for Powerware (it's in Danish).

This is the English-language version:

http://www.powerware.com/UPS/3105_UPS.asp

This unit retails at about $100, and has a very small battery. I'm told that you can remove the inbuilt battery and extend the cables to whatever size battery you choose. I'm also told that the best buy is a deep cycle battery, which is a bit costly; but it will work on any 12 v battery. If the battery has a high Ah (amps per hour) rating (e.g. 80 Ah), with a small load (say, 20-50 watts), you will get many hours of service from it.

All of this is hearsay; I can't vouch for it myself, as I've yet to build and test the unit. It would be best to consult an electrician about this (and, in any case, the work should be done by a qualified person).

Les

 

[REDDAWG43]

What would be the strongest water moving powerheads with the least amount of power usage?

I have little electronics knowledge, and would be really interested in seeing, or learning about what other people have set-up for thier tanks in the 65g or higher gallon range in case of a power outage. Both short term (few hours) and long term (few days)

I am talking about people whom CAN NOT use generators. Yes they are great but not everyone can use them. I have one and had to give it to my parents as I can not use it here where I live now.

I am looking to spend up $400 - $500 on a power back up system.

 

[LarryV]

One of the main problems is going to be temperature controll. If it is in the 90s when we lose power pumps will help but some type of cooling device such as a small room air conditioner or chiller will also have to be run off the generator. We got lucky in the last hurricane because it was cool right after the storm.
Larryv

 

[Bernie21]

Mel if your going to spend $400-$500, I know its still some money, but they sale the quiet honda generators that would power the entire tank, fridge light, tv (essentials) for $300-400 more. Your complex would never know of it. I was going to buy one of those but where we ended up getting our house has no rules of gen so I'll get one of the loud ones instead.

 

[REDDAWG43]

Yeah but those generators need to be at a distance from the complex or home were ever it is being used.
The chance of carbon monoxide poisoning is great with these generators. Thats my big issue..... so I need to get some sort of deep cycle battery back-up to power enough powerheads for a 90g tank long enough to atleast last 3 days.

For short term I think I will go with a few (like 4) of those air pumps that turn on when the a/c power goes out.

 

[szhttm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12512051#post12512051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by REDDAWG43
What would be the strongest water moving powerheads with the least amount of power usage?

From what I have seen, the new Tunze NanoStream pumps seems to be very powerful but use very little in electricity (watts). The 6025 unit pushes 660 gph using only 6 watts. The 6045 unit pushes 1,189 gph and only uses 7 watts. The 6055 can push up to 1,453 gph using up to 18 watts.

The EcoTech Marine VorTech powerheads are also quite interesting in that you can purchase and incorporate a battery backup unit from the factory that is specifically designed for the unit. You would not have to add your own battery backup unit until its own battery runs out. The battery backup kicks in automatically as soon as the regular street power is shut down for any reason. From what they say, you can run one of their powerheads for 30 hours; or, you can run two of their powerheads for 15 hours. You can also bridge together multiple battery backup units for a longer run time, or to run more powerheads. The battery backup module is about $165 each.

Another option would be the MaxiJet powerheads with the modifications added to increase the water flow. The MaxiJet 400 normally pushes 106 gph using 5 watts. The 600 model normally pushes 160 gph using 7.5 watts, the 900 normally pushes 230 gph using 8.5 watts, and the 1200 normally model pushes 295 gph using 20 watts. As an example, adding the Algea Free Sure Flow modification to these powerheads, increases the flow on the 400 model to 1,300 gph, the 600 to 1,400 gph, the 900 to 1,600 gph, and the 1200 model to between 1,600 to 2,100 gph depending on the propeller unit installed. The increase in gph is what the manufacturer claims. I am not able to prove if you get that amount of additional flow or not.

For the use of backup puroses only and to help extend a battery backup, I would recommend the 6022 or the 6045 Tunze NanoSteam pumps, or the modified 600 or 900 MaxiJet powerheads.

Good Luck And Have Fun!!!;
:thumbsup:

 

[szhttm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12508823#post12508823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by szhttm
Go to the internet and search on "Xpower 1500".

In an earlier reponse that I provided earlier, I stated the Xpower 1500.

I found what the manufacturer claims these units can run:
http://www.cetsolar.com/PDF/1500specs.pdf

Once at the link above, look for "How Long Will it Provide Power?".

Good Luck And Have Fun!!!;
:thumbsup:

 

[REDDAWG43]

Xpower 1500 is way too much money...
for the power it supplies...