back-up power?

danster25325 · 02/10/2008, 10:02 PM

Is there anyone here that uses a deep cycle battery as a back-up power source?

If so, how do you install it?
Do you use a trickle charger?
Do you use a power inverter?
Do you keep your essential equipment (ex: pumps) plugged into it all the time so that it will keep them running in the event of a power failure?
Is that kind of set up even possible?

I was thinking of this type of set-up as an alternative to a portable gas generator or a UPS.

Thank you in advance!

Danny

danster25325 · 02/11/2008, 10:49 AM

bump

snulma1 · 02/11/2008, 11:23 AM

I know I run my display pumps off of a UPS. But on my previous tank I had a deep cycle battery hooked to an inverter for emergency's. But i manually hooked it up. I didn't like the feeling of having a car battery sitting in my house.

Roy G. Biv · 02/11/2008, 11:29 AM

I like that idea of a deep cycle battery and an inverter. I happen to have a new one in the garage that I am never going to use for anything.
I suppose this would do to keep it charged.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...attery+charger

IslandCrow · 02/11/2008, 12:56 PM

I'll be tagging along since I have one, but didn't get a chance to actually use it before I deployed. I got one of the Triplite power inverters, and that's where the deep cycle will be hooked up to. I went with Triplite mainly because it seems to be a pretty popular choice among other reefers. In other words, I know there are quite a few people around here who use them for backup systems, so hopefully they'll pipe in.

danster25325 · 02/11/2008, 01:08 PM

I thought about getting a battery like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=37ZAS44F4CI3P

An inverter like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=37ZAS44F4CI3P

And a trickle charger like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=37ZAS44F4CI3P

Don't know how long a 40amp hour battery will run, but I figure it should run longer than any gas portable generator will. Let me know what you guys think, and if there is a way to set it up and get this to switch over automatically.

danster25325 · 02/11/2008, 01:21 PM

[Don't know how long a 40amp hour battery will run, but I figure it should run longer than any gas portable generator will. Let me know what you guys think, and if there is a way to set it up and get this to switch over automatically.]

Sorry if that didn't make sense. I meant that I would be running a 90w pump, 2-35w compacts, and 40w misc. Total=200 watts on the back-up battery for emergencies.
The battery would run longer vs. one tank full of a portable gas generator? I don't really know for sure, but seem like less of a hassle when you factor in getting and storing gas and the noise factor. Just my 2cents.

danster25325 · 02/11/2008, 07:27 PM

anyone else?

02/10/2008, 10:02 PM	#1
danster25325 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Fernando, CA Posts: 37	back-up power? Is there anyone here that uses a deep cycle battery as a back-up power source? If so, how do you install it? Do you use a trickle charger? Do you use a power inverter? Do you keep your essential equipment (ex: pumps) plugged into it all the time so that it will keep them running in the event of a power failure? Is that kind of set up even possible? I was thinking of this type of set-up as an alternative to a portable gas generator or a UPS. Thank you in advance! Danny __________________ please don't die fishees! Current Tank Info: 50g pentagon/AquaC EV-120/15k 175wMH/3-10K 35wPC/1-actinic 35wPC/3"DSB/75lbs LR/Mag 18 return/1/8hp CSL chiller/Aquacontroller II/10g refugium

02/11/2008, 10:49 AM	#2
danster25325 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Fernando, CA Posts: 37	bump __________________ please don't die fishees! Current Tank Info: 50g pentagon/AquaC EV-120/15k 175wMH/3-10K 35wPC/1-actinic 35wPC/3"DSB/75lbs LR/Mag 18 return/1/8hp CSL chiller/Aquacontroller II/10g refugium

02/11/2008, 12:56 PM	#5
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I'll be tagging along since I have one, but didn't get a chance to actually use it before I deployed. I got one of the Triplite power inverters, and that's where the deep cycle will be hooked up to. I went with Triplite mainly because it seems to be a pretty popular choice among other reefers. In other words, I know there are quite a few people around here who use them for backup systems, so hopefully they'll pipe in. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/11/2008, 01:08 PM	#6
danster25325 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Fernando, CA Posts: 37	I thought about getting a battery like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=37ZAS44F4CI3P An inverter like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=37ZAS44F4CI3P And a trickle charger like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=37ZAS44F4CI3P Don't know how long a 40amp hour battery will run, but I figure it should run longer than any gas portable generator will. Let me know what you guys think, and if there is a way to set it up and get this to switch over automatically. __________________ please don't die fishees! Current Tank Info: 50g pentagon/AquaC EV-120/15k 175wMH/3-10K 35wPC/1-actinic 35wPC/3"DSB/75lbs LR/Mag 18 return/1/8hp CSL chiller/Aquacontroller II/10g refugium

02/11/2008, 01:21 PM	#7
danster25325 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Fernando, CA Posts: 37	[Don't know how long a 40amp hour battery will run, but I figure it should run longer than any gas portable generator will. Let me know what you guys think, and if there is a way to set it up and get this to switch over automatically.] Sorry if that didn't make sense. I meant that I would be running a 90w pump, 2-35w compacts, and 40w misc. Total=200 watts on the back-up battery for emergencies. The battery would run longer vs. one tank full of a portable gas generator? I don't really know for sure, but seem like less of a hassle when you factor in getting and storing gas and the noise factor. Just my 2cents. __________________ please don't die fishees! Current Tank Info: 50g pentagon/AquaC EV-120/15k 175wMH/3-10K 35wPC/1-actinic 35wPC/3"DSB/75lbs LR/Mag 18 return/1/8hp CSL chiller/Aquacontroller II/10g refugium

02/11/2008, 11:23 AM	#3
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	I know I run my display pumps off of a UPS. But on my previous tank I had a deep cycle battery hooked to an inverter for emergency's. But i manually hooked it up. I didn't like the feeling of having a car battery sitting in my house.

02/11/2008, 11:29 AM	#4
Roy G. Biv Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,646	I like that idea of a deep cycle battery and an inverter. I happen to have a new one in the garage that I am never going to use for anything. I suppose this would do to keep it charged. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...attery+charger

02/11/2008, 07:27 PM	#8
danster25325 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Fernando, CA Posts: 37	anyone else? __________________ please don't die fishees! Current Tank Info: 50g pentagon/AquaC EV-120/15k 175wMH/3-10K 35wPC/1-actinic 35wPC/3"DSB/75lbs LR/Mag 18 return/1/8hp CSL chiller/Aquacontroller II/10g refugium