Battery Backup UPS Uninterupted Power Source

pitmindi · 01/11/2020, 08:17 PM

Hello. I hope some of you informed people can help me. I want to buy an automatic battery backup UPS for my reef tank so if I lose electricity it can power a small pump and the heater. I live in the northeast and this week my electricity went out for 4 hours. It was 35 outside and my furnace does not operate when the electricity goes out so by the time the electricity returned my tank temp had dropped from 78 to 74 and my house temp dropped from 70 to 66. Since 35 is not nearly as cold as it can get in the winter, I need a backup that would run my heater as long as possible. My tank is about 100 gallons. My heater is 500 watt and it goes on intermittently to keep a steady temp. I don't want to spend more than $500 and would prefer $300. Any suggestions?? What do other northerners use to protect their reef tank? Other than crossing your fingers that it will never happen.......

Also what does VA mean as in 1000VA / 600W? I know W is watt. What does "PFC power supplies" mean? What should I look for ??? Thanks in advance for your help.

dadnjesse · 01/11/2020, 08:20 PM

I just bought this one for when I go on vacation, the thing I liked about it is you can add battery packs to it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Vinny Kreyling · 01/12/2020, 08:54 AM

While not really answering your question BRS did a video on battery back ups.
Give it a watch it will help you out.

clevername · 01/12/2020, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

While not really answering your question BRS did a video on battery back ups.
Give it a watch it will help you out.

100% this.

Also after realizing a straight connection from a DC battery (like the over priced vortech) lasts CRAZY longer... i youtubed how to build a battery backup twice the size for about 65% off.

i have two PC battery backups hooked up which lasts 2 hours for a powerhead. A 40$ battery from amazon lasts about 2 days.

JWClark · 01/13/2020, 11:51 AM

W= watt, V= voltage, A= amps.

All related by the equation W=VA. So if you can't find the wattage on something but have the amps, just multiply by 120 to get watts (assuming it is not a 240 v item). If you need amps just divide the watts by 120 (same assumption).

In this situation VA is an estimation of the maximum amps that could be pulled (1000 VA=8.3 amps for a 120V device) W is the peak wattage that can be produced (600W). Since it is rated for 600W you are really limited to just 5 amps on a 120V device/outlet (600/120=5).

The reason they are different is because no energy transfer is 100%. Power is lost through resistance, DC to AC conversions and such so sticking to the max watts is what you need to focus on.

That said, for DC pumps there really is no need for a UPC. Only thing I use the UPC for is to keep my Apex online when the power goes out. Have an old Neptune WAV kit plugged into it but no WAV pumps in my system anymore. This keeps power to the control unit even though the EB8s lose all power, avoiding any IP address change issues upon reboot.

MarAquatic · 01/13/2020, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadnjesse

I just bought this one for when I go on vacation, the thing I liked about it is you can add battery packs to it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Damm that's pricey

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

MarAquatic · 01/13/2020, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clevername2000

100% this.

Also after realizing a straight connection from a DC battery (like the over priced vortech) lasts CRAZY longer... i youtubed how to build a battery backup twice the size for about 65% off.

i have two PC battery backups hooked up which lasts 2 hours for a powerhead. A 40$ battery from amazon lasts about 2 days.

Do you have the link to videos you watched

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Vinny Kreyling · 01/13/2020, 12:12 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mEZ4V47HnM

Vinny Kreyling · 01/13/2020, 12:22 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtiA...BWaZlq&index=6

Vinny Kreyling · 01/13/2020, 12:22 PM

Could not edit the 1st post.
But both are informative.

alton · 01/13/2020, 12:56 PM

To power your 500 watt heater you will need a 42 amp battery for one hour of use. Since it is a heating load you really need to multiply x 25% which takes you to 52 amps per hour. So invest in a 12 volt 800 amp deep cycle battery and tie into a 1500 kva ups and you are good.

mcgyvr · 01/13/2020, 02:21 PM

Get a generator/ATS if you want to keep things like heaters going and want to do so for more than a few hours..

A UPS is really not intended for "long" term backup (long being more than a few hours)..
Even the extended range UPS units are for like 7 hours or so max..
They allow graceful shutdown and surge/brownout protection,etc... Not keep stuff running for days..

Michael Hoaster · 01/13/2020, 07:33 PM

Sort of on topic: Get a bait bubbler. These take common batteries and run for hours. Find them at bait/fishing stores.

Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 09:24 AM

We often had a lot of power outages where I lived last so a generator was needed if the power went off... Thankfully for just a tank you don't need one that is all that big.

01/11/2020, 08:17 PM	#1
pitmindi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 262	Battery Backup UPS Uninterupted Power Source Hello. I hope some of you informed people can help me. I want to buy an automatic battery backup UPS for my reef tank so if I lose electricity it can power a small pump and the heater. I live in the northeast and this week my electricity went out for 4 hours. It was 35 outside and my furnace does not operate when the electricity goes out so by the time the electricity returned my tank temp had dropped from 78 to 74 and my house temp dropped from 70 to 66. Since 35 is not nearly as cold as it can get in the winter, I need a backup that would run my heater as long as possible. My tank is about 100 gallons. My heater is 500 watt and it goes on intermittently to keep a steady temp. I don't want to spend more than $500 and would prefer $300. Any suggestions?? What do other northerners use to protect their reef tank? Other than crossing your fingers that it will never happen....... Also what does VA mean as in 1000VA / 600W? I know W is watt. What does "PFC power supplies" mean? What should I look for ??? Thanks in advance for your help.

01/12/2020, 08:54 AM	#3
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	While not really answering your question BRS did a video on battery back ups. Give it a watch it will help you out. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

01/13/2020, 11:51 AM	#5
JWClark Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: MD Posts: 576	W= watt, V= voltage, A= amps. All related by the equation W=VA. So if you can't find the wattage on something but have the amps, just multiply by 120 to get watts (assuming it is not a 240 v item). If you need amps just divide the watts by 120 (same assumption). In this situation VA is an estimation of the maximum amps that could be pulled (1000 VA=8.3 amps for a 120V device) W is the peak wattage that can be produced (600W). Since it is rated for 600W you are really limited to just 5 amps on a 120V device/outlet (600/120=5). The reason they are different is because no energy transfer is 100%. Power is lost through resistance, DC to AC conversions and such so sticking to the max watts is what you need to focus on. That said, for DC pumps there really is no need for a UPC. Only thing I use the UPC for is to keep my Apex online when the power goes out. Have an old Neptune WAV kit plugged into it but no WAV pumps in my system anymore. This keeps power to the control unit even though the EB8s lose all power, avoiding any IP address change issues upon reboot. __________________ Back after a 13yr hiatus--much to my wife's dismay. Though she sure loves looking at the tank and feeding the fish! Current Tank Info: Reefer 450 seed tank for the retirement 315gal Reef Savvy build.

01/13/2020, 12:12 PM	#8
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mEZ4V47HnM __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

01/13/2020, 12:22 PM	#9
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtiA...BWaZlq&index=6 __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

01/11/2020, 08:20 PM	#2
dadnjesse Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raymond NH Posts: 210	I just bought this one for when I go on vacation, the thing I liked about it is you can add battery packs to it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

01/13/2020, 12:56 PM	#11
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	To power your 500 watt heater you will need a 42 amp battery for one hour of use. Since it is a heating load you really need to multiply x 25% which takes you to 52 amps per hour. So invest in a 12 volt 800 amp deep cycle battery and tie into a 1500 kva ups and you are good.

01/13/2020, 02:21 PM	#12
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Get a generator/ATS if you want to keep things like heaters going and want to do so for more than a few hours.. A UPS is really not intended for "long" term backup (long being more than a few hours).. Even the extended range UPS units are for like 7 hours or so max.. They allow graceful shutdown and surge/brownout protection,etc... Not keep stuff running for days.. __________________ Who me?

01/13/2020, 07:33 PM	#13
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Sort of on topic: Get a bait bubbler. These take common batteries and run for hours. Find them at bait/fishing stores. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

01/14/2020, 09:24 AM	#14
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	We often had a lot of power outages where I lived last so a generator was needed if the power went off... Thankfully for just a tank you don't need one that is all that big.