Vortech DIY Battery Backup

[bugs713]

For those that asked about this~
I have five VorTech MP series pumps that run on my three SW tanks.
I wanted to utilize the 12v battery backup capabilities of these pumps, but did not want to spend $165 x 3 for their way over priced battery backups.

I read of others using this Belkin backup for these pumps and tried it out and it works great! In my testing, I got 11+ hours of battery backup to power one MP40WES at 50% power for a cost of $24!! I now have 3 of these installed with another 2 on the way from ebay.

In the event of a power failure, these will automatically kick on and provide my Vortech's with 12 volts of power and run them at 50% for 11 hours!

Parts
[FONT=&quot]*Belkin battery backup Model #BU3DC001-12v - $15 to $30 @ eBay
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*Fused VorTech Battery Backup Cable Item #10427 - $1.50 @ EcoTech

I cut this cable on the fused side so I could utilize the inline fuse; you only need one of the plugs and could make two cables, but I wanted to utilize the inline fuse AND they are only $1.50 each. I then cut the plug off the Belkin plug, spliced the Vortech cable/plug to the Belkin cable, soldered the wires together, used heat shrink for protection - Done!

This is an inexpensive and simple DIY battery backup for Vortech pumps and takes about 10 minutes to cut and splice the wires together.

I didn't follow the markings on a wires to tell me which is + or - voltage, rather I used my multimeter to tell me which is which. If you happen to splice the wires wrong, as I did the first time, it will not work.

 

[azjohnny]

Nice Tip, I may just blow the dust off of my Helping Hands and make a few. I would periodically test them to make sure they still work, its Murphys Law that when the power goes out the back up will be dead

 

[Kalakuhan]

Does anyone know how many hours a vortech batt backup will run an mp40?
The spec sheet says up to 36 hours.
Just wondering if vbb have bigger batts than your DIY.

 

[bugs713]

I would periodically test them to make sure they still work, its Murphys Law that when the power goes out the back up will be dead

These units will alert you with beeps and flashing LED if the battery goes bad. Plus, they run a self test automatically every 21 days; you can run this test manually also. For the cost of a Vortech BB, it should email you AND make you coffee...

 

[rtartag]

This is awesome. I was looking into the vortech batter back up until I saw this. Will defiantly give it a try

 

[bugs713]

Does anyone know how many hours a vortech batt backup will run an mp40?
The spec sheet says up to 36 hours.
Just wondering if vbb have bigger batts than your DIY.

Yes, I believe the VBB is rated at 18Ah and the Belkin is 7.2Ah
But again, for the cost, you could run two or more of these in parallel for hours of backup.

 

[azjohnny]

Yes, I believe the VBB is rated at 18Ah and the Belkin is 7.2Ah
But again, for the cost, you could run two or more of these in parallel for hours of backup.

I was thinking the same thing to increase the run time, I have heard some people who had the Vortech model that when the power went out the BBU was dead.....Nice!...:uhoh3:

 

[Kalakuhan]

Yes, I believe the VBB is rated at 18Ah and the Belkin is 7.2Ah
But again, for the cost, you could run two or more of these in parallel for hours of backup.

Thanks, that's what i figured but knowing the actual rating is even better. :beer:

 

[dotcommer]

when you get your other Belkins in. You should make a video and post it here and on youtube for everyone in the community.

Great DIY project. Thanks for posting.

 

[bugs713]

^^Thank you and Your welcome!
I will do a YouTube video this week when the other Belkin's arrive and as time permits.

It really is a great little and simple mod and saves the user $130+ over a VBB AND does much more than a VBB!

 

[bambam918]

Thanks bugs! I will add this to the fish list! The wife will just have to understand lol

 

[jmadison]

Yes, I believe the VBB is rated at 18Ah and the Belkin is 7.2Ah
But again, for the cost, you could run two or more of these in parallel for hours of backup.

I understand what this means, but if you could cover how you do this in your highly anticipated video it'd be greatly appreciated by myself! Awesome DIY project:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[bugs713]

I understand what this means, but if you could cover how you do this in your highly anticipated video it'd be greatly appreciated by myself! Awesome DIY project:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Will do.

Received the other 2 Belkins today along with the extension plugs from Ecotech, will start on a DIY video this week.

 

[artkwan]

Will do.

Received the other 2 Belkins today along with the extension plugs from Ecotech, will start on a DIY video this week.

That is truly awesome! Good luck, and now following this thread!

 

[bugs713]

I have also found an adapter cable on Ebay for under $5 shipped. That means no splicing, just plug and play!
I will post the info tomorrow.

 

[Weyrman]

Pretty sweet bugs!

I imagine when the battery goes bad you could replace it with a longer life battery. Perhaps a full size deep cycle marine battery. One might power all of your Vortechs for years if properly maintained.

Looking forward to the DIY video.

 

[xfactor1315]

Following, which adapter did you buy? So glad I found this thread!

 

[bugs713]

This is the eBay link where I ordered the adapter and it is plug and play, no splicing needed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370777307082...84.m1439.l2649
You will see a drop down menu where you will need to select:
Male Plug OD:3.5mm ID:1.35mm

Delivered cost was under $8 with rather fast shipping. With this adapter, you will have a good 10' of hookup wire, making it easy to place this out of sight.

I am still going to make a series adapter that will allow two Belkins to power one Vortech for double the back up hours. I will do a picture step by step or video of this when I do.
I had a short 10 minute power outage a few days ago and they all came on and powered my five Vortech's at 50%. When the back up goes on battery power, they beep, so it was rather noisy haha You can silence the beep BTW.

I'm also going to experiment with using one of these to power the head units of my Reef Keepers using the SW5 module; this will power the head unit and other modules during a black out. It of course will not power the PC4 power strips.
Stay tuned!

 

[xfactor1315]

Thanks! I built myself one and it works perfectly. I like how the battery will alarm with a power outage. Great job.

 

[insomniac2k2]

I believe that this one would work too: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-5mm-2-1mm...=Laptop_Adapters_Chargers&hash=item3cc20f9a0b

If you do a search for 5.5mm/2.1mm Female plug to 3.5mm/1.35 male power cable, you will get quite a few cheap options. Correct me if im wrong on this one. I'd hate to steer people into the wrong direction.