Help! New UPS -- how use best?

flowerreef · 12/12/2014, 08:17 PM

Hi all! I'm a big reader of the threads, but just recently joined. Happy to be here

I have a question regarding UPSs and power outages. Basically, I live in Venice, CA, and we've been getting crazy rainstorms. I'm scared of having outages so I finally invested in a UPS.

More specifically, I got an APC Back-UPS NS 600VA.

My tank is a JBJ 28 gallon. In addition to the built-in power heads (which are accelas and each run at 16 watts,) I'm running a Sicce Voyager nano powerhead in the tank.

I have two questions. In the event of a power outage:
1) Would it be sufficient to just run the Sicce? Or, should I run the built-in powerheads to make sure the water is sufficiently oxygenated? And,
2) If I WERE to run the two built-in powerheads (at 16watts each,) does anyone know how long the APC 600VA would last?

Any advice/feedback is much appreciated.

Thanks!

MisterP · 12/12/2014, 09:14 PM

The manufacturer will have a curve that shows you how much run time you get at X watts of power usage.

No general equation exists to say 600 VA rating with a 20 W load will run for X minutes.

If I were to guess though I'd say 600VA with a 16W load should get you 30-40 minutes max.

MisterP · 12/12/2014, 09:18 PM

Actually I could have looked it up before replying but really wasn't curious until after I posted.

It looks like you could actually get both 16W power heads for a total of 32W on that UPS for about 80 or so minutes under ideal conditions.

flowerreef · 12/20/2014, 11:51 AM

Thank you very much for the info! Much appreciated. I wish it were more than 80 minutes, but that'll do. Perhaps I'll run only one of them in the event of a power outage? Would get me more time…. Need to figure out if that's sufficient, obviously.

But I really appreciate your taking the time to reply and to research it!

12/12/2014, 08:17 PM	#1
flowerreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 13	Help! New UPS -- how use best? Hi all! I'm a big reader of the threads, but just recently joined. Happy to be here I have a question regarding UPSs and power outages. Basically, I live in Venice, CA, and we've been getting crazy rainstorms. I'm scared of having outages so I finally invested in a UPS. More specifically, I got an APC Back-UPS NS 600VA. My tank is a JBJ 28 gallon. In addition to the built-in power heads (which are accelas and each run at 16 watts,) I'm running a Sicce Voyager nano powerhead in the tank. I have two questions. In the event of a power outage: 1) Would it be sufficient to just run the Sicce? Or, should I run the built-in powerheads to make sure the water is sufficiently oxygenated? And, 2) If I WERE to run the two built-in powerheads (at 16watts each,) does anyone know how long the APC 600VA would last? Any advice/feedback is much appreciated. Thanks!

12/12/2014, 09:14 PM	#2
MisterP Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: TN Posts: 401	The manufacturer will have a curve that shows you how much run time you get at X watts of power usage. No general equation exists to say 600 VA rating with a 20 W load will run for X minutes. If I were to guess though I'd say 600VA with a 16W load should get you 30-40 minutes max.

12/12/2014, 09:18 PM	#3
MisterP Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: TN Posts: 401	Actually I could have looked it up before replying but really wasn't curious until after I posted. It looks like you could actually get both 16W power heads for a total of 32W on that UPS for about 80 or so minutes under ideal conditions.

12/20/2014, 11:51 AM	#4
flowerreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 13	Thank you very much for the info! Much appreciated. I wish it were more than 80 minutes, but that'll do. Perhaps I'll run only one of them in the event of a power outage? Would get me more time…. Need to figure out if that's sufficient, obviously. But I really appreciate your taking the time to reply and to research it!