No power notification

ellisz · 12/27/2009, 11:18 AM

Hi all,

I recently went out of the country and I set up cameras on the tank and sump room that I could monitor from my phone. I had a gfci trip while I was gone so my camera was working but the lights I had on for the camera to use went out. This kept me from seeing some things. I knew something was not right but my tank sitter could not see any issues. My display tank lights/pumps stayed on so the display looked fine. Unfortunately, the auto off was on the gfci and I almost burned up my pump, heaters, etc.

I was wondering if there was something that you can plug in that will blink or flash if power is lost? Any type of visual/audio notification would work. I have audio alarms that detect water on the floor but I guess I need an alarm for the low sump level as well. I have thought about using the RKL to shut the main pump down if water gets too low in the sump but I would have to be here to recognize it.

I did fine some plug ins that will light up and sound an alarm when power is lost on the outlet but I would have to distinguish it from the normal light. hmm, might have to try them out.

I have to make the trip again in a few months so I would like to be sure I know if anything is wrong.

Any ideas?

I plan to have a better equipped individual to watch the system as the one I used this time never noticed that 15 gal of water was missing from the sump

Macimage · 12/27/2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellisz

I plan to have a better equipped individual to watch the system as the one I used this time never noticed that 15 gal of water was missing from the sump

I can't help you with the rest of your question, however, I can help with the sump level part of it.

I put a piece of masking tape on my sump and in a black magic marker I wrote "Sump Fill Level" with an arrow and a line at the bottom of the masking tape.

My tank sitter can tell with one glance if the sump is too low, even by 1/8".

BigMike75 · 12/28/2009, 01:34 AM

Correct me if I am wrong but he uses a stock tank for a sump. I know that you can plug float switches into the RKL but I don't know if they can be set on a alarm. I would say go the the Digital Aquatics website and post it in there CS forum. They answer pretty quick, I had a few question about the RKL.

rickh · 12/28/2009, 10:31 AM

Try this.
I took a $10 rechargeable flashlight, the kind that you keep plugged into the wall outlet and the light comes on when the power is off. I replaced the bulb with a buzzer from Radio Shack. Works great. R

squirrel · 12/28/2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macimage

I can't help you with the rest of your question, however, I can help with the sump level part of it.

I put a piece of masking tape on my sump and in a black magic marker I wrote "Sump Fill Level" with an arrow and a line at the bottom of the masking tape.

My tank sitter can tell with one glance if the sump is too low, even by 1/8".

you have a trained sitter! Some of us don't have that luxury...

cdness · 12/28/2009, 12:08 PM

Set up an AC3 with float switches to alarm based on sump fill level. Also a relay with a small backup battery can make a simple circuit to flash a light when power is out. You may be able to get the AC3 to send you an email when the power goes out. This is assuming you have the backup bttery attached to the AC3 and the networking components on a backup battery at your house..

12/27/2009, 11:18 AM	#1
ellisz Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 568	No power notification Hi all, I recently went out of the country and I set up cameras on the tank and sump room that I could monitor from my phone. I had a gfci trip while I was gone so my camera was working but the lights I had on for the camera to use went out. This kept me from seeing some things. I knew something was not right but my tank sitter could not see any issues. My display tank lights/pumps stayed on so the display looked fine. Unfortunately, the auto off was on the gfci and I almost burned up my pump, heaters, etc. I was wondering if there was something that you can plug in that will blink or flash if power is lost? Any type of visual/audio notification would work. I have audio alarms that detect water on the floor but I guess I need an alarm for the low sump level as well. I have thought about using the RKL to shut the main pump down if water gets too low in the sump but I would have to be here to recognize it. I did fine some plug ins that will light up and sound an alarm when power is lost on the outlet but I would have to distinguish it from the normal light. hmm, might have to try them out. I have to make the trip again in a few months so I would like to be sure I know if anything is wrong. Any ideas? I plan to have a better equipped individual to watch the system as the one I used this time never noticed that 15 gal of water was missing from the sump __________________ If you are in S. Indiana or Louisville Check out LMAS.org Current Tank Info: 180 Reef, 100 Frag Last edited by ellisz; 12/27/2009 at 11:32 AM. Reason: more info

12/28/2009, 01:34 AM	#3
BigMike75 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mount Washington, KY Posts: 360	Correct me if I am wrong but he uses a stock tank for a sump. I know that you can plug float switches into the RKL but I don't know if they can be set on a alarm. I would say go the the Digital Aquatics website and post it in there CS forum. They answer pretty quick, I had a few question about the RKL.

12/28/2009, 10:31 AM	#4
rickh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lost_in_Michigan Posts: 1,306	Try this. I took a $10 rechargeable flashlight, the kind that you keep plugged into the wall outlet and the light comes on when the power is off. I replaced the bulb with a buzzer from Radio Shack. Works great. R

12/28/2009, 12:08 PM	#6
cdness Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 870	Set up an AC3 with float switches to alarm based on sump fill level. Also a relay with a small backup battery can make a simple circuit to flash a light when power is out. You may be able to get the AC3 to send you an email when the power goes out. This is assuming you have the backup bttery attached to the AC3 and the networking components on a backup battery at your house..