I'm considering building a battery backup system. One part I will need is a DC-to-AC inverter. I've read that some pumps may not operate properly using the modified sine (a.k.a square) wave inverters. My pump is a Sequence 4300. The problem is the true sine wave inverters are much more expensive. Can anyone shed some more light on this subject?
Sine Wave vs Modified Sine (Square) Inverters
- Thread starter Palancar
- Start date
ErikS
New member
Yeah, you get what you pay for. They may operate on a modified wave but they won't live long (generally).
You're going to run the sequence off a backup? w/o a generator? Good luck - it will take a massive battery bank to run it for more than a short period of time. Maybe run a couple of powerheads instead? All you need it some water movement & heat if the power is off for a long time.
To the difference. A modified wave is basically a re-creation of an actual sine wave (like your AC power). It's not exact & pump motors don't react well to this re-created wave form. True sine wave inverters produce an actual AC sine wave = doesn't hurt equipment (actually can help because they tend to produce a very clean current).
A couple of months ago I bought what I presume (No Scope) is a Square wave invertor 400W Ran 2 MP1200 and 300W heater off my car in a bucket no bother at all.
But was short term
It only cost Ã"šÃ‚£16 you work it out, The way u lot pay for things over there I reckon you can find one for $16.
Great for a Backup.
But was short term
It only cost Ã"šÃ‚£16 you work it out, The way u lot pay for things over there I reckon you can find one for $16.
Great for a Backup.
aaronpentz
New member
How much money are you willing to spend.
This is about 250.00 it includes the charger and a remote display.
Depending on what you wanted to run in your tank it would also run your fridge and or your heater in the winter.
Deep cycle batteries are kinda expensive but wil work out better than car batteries
This is about 250.00 it includes the charger and a remote display.
Depending on what you wanted to run in your tank it would also run your fridge and or your heater in the winter.
Deep cycle batteries are kinda expensive but wil work out better than car batteries
aaronpentz
New member
Sorry forgot to attach the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/2200-Watt-Power...itemZ5859885255QQcategoryZ85805QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/2200-Watt-Power...itemZ5859885255QQcategoryZ85805QQcmdZViewItem
The idea is for this to kick in automatically when I'm not home. If I was home of course I would just use the generator. I was planning on a bank of 4 deep cell marine batteries which I already own. I would think they could run the pump for a little while until I can get home and switch over to the generator. I know there's a formula somewhere for figuring it out.
aaronpentz
New member
If you plan to go with a Computer based battery backup, check that the input voltage to the inverter is 12 v. On the bigger more expensive UPS are wired with 24v to 48v battery packs. You also have to make sure that the charger on the UPS can handle the charge rate of the 4 deep cycles that you have.
aaronpentz
New member
One good thing about a UPS is that most have the ability to connect to a computer and then you could set up an email notification as to when it switched to battery so you knew when to go home.
fppf
New member
A mod sine will drive just a heater with no problem.
The issue is with driving inductive loads, like pumps and ballasts. The inductive loads make kickback into the inverter everytime it switch's. So it not only does not drive the pump to well it is also not too good for the inverter.
The issue is with driving inductive loads, like pumps and ballasts. The inductive loads make kickback into the inverter everytime it switch's. So it not only does not drive the pump to well it is also not too good for the inverter.
ejmeier
Active member
I used a computer backup (square wave I believe), and it wrecked my return pump (OR3700) and later a Maxi-Jet or two until I finally figured out what was causing it. (Pump was physically okay on the outside, but impeller would no longer spin.) It would suck to ruin such an expensive pump.
escape2theocean
New member
So does this mean its bad to use a computer UPS for all pumps? What about just using it for a surge protector w/o the backup?
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
I am not sure I understand your question...
It is very bad to use an square wave or modified sine wave device on a motor, pump, or ballast. It will ruin the pump, motor, or ballast and more than likely the UPS. The results can cause a fire very easily.
Most conusmer grade computer UPS systems are modifies sine wave or square waves. They also use BUCK/BOOST technology to provide constant voltage, this is VERY BAD for pumps, motors, and ballasts.
None of the mentioned aquarium devices need surge protection of the type that a UPS would offer.
Bean
It is very bad to use an square wave or modified sine wave device on a motor, pump, or ballast. It will ruin the pump, motor, or ballast and more than likely the UPS. The results can cause a fire very easily.
Most conusmer grade computer UPS systems are modifies sine wave or square waves. They also use BUCK/BOOST technology to provide constant voltage, this is VERY BAD for pumps, motors, and ballasts.
None of the mentioned aquarium devices need surge protection of the type that a UPS would offer.
Bean
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
UPS or Inverter?
Not many companies make true sine wave units. Liebert (Emerson power) are BY FAR the best units made. THE GX2 series are awesome. Tripp-Lite makes some fiar units also. The APC smart UPS are close to true sine wave (I think) but nowhere near the quality of a Liebert unit, they are cheaper though.
Bean
Not many companies make true sine wave units. Liebert (Emerson power) are BY FAR the best units made. THE GX2 series are awesome. Tripp-Lite makes some fiar units also. The APC smart UPS are close to true sine wave (I think) but nowhere near the quality of a Liebert unit, they are cheaper though.
Bean
Similar threads
