Backup power - Idea, thoughts, solutions?
- Thread starter IPWitan
- Start date
As has been suggested already, you need to know the starting wattage of the appliances you want to run and sum them to get a properly sized generator. You also want an inverter generator, which produces clean power that will not destroy sensitive electronics.
I bought the Honda EU2000i four years ago. It's a great machine and very quiet. I've never lost power for even a minute, so it's never been used for emergencies. But I do have a barn that isn't wired for electricity yet, so I've been using it to power LED lights totaling 40 watts of consumption. When I start a 6 horsepower shop vac, the lights temporarily shut off and the breaker nearly trips as the vac uses a ton of start-up wattage. So this gives you an idea of how little you can do with a smaller generator. It's great to run your tank, but won't do much else.
I bought the Honda EU2000i four years ago. It's a great machine and very quiet. I've never lost power for even a minute, so it's never been used for emergencies. But I do have a barn that isn't wired for electricity yet, so I've been using it to power LED lights totaling 40 watts of consumption. When I start a 6 horsepower shop vac, the lights temporarily shut off and the breaker nearly trips as the vac uses a ton of start-up wattage. So this gives you an idea of how little you can do with a smaller generator. It's great to run your tank, but won't do much else.
Vortex(175) and Icecap (130) offer battery solutions. But if I already have battery packs, how do I connect a battery pack via usb to a pump? The reefbreeder pictures shows such a device. https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/rpm/
This seems to be the device. Will this work? https://www.amazon.com/12V-Voltage-...ocphy=9001923&hvtargid=pla-570831063538&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ailpage_o09_s00?tag=just02b0-20&ie=UTF8&psc=1
One even could go between 9v and 12v. So for under 10 bucks I could get an adaptor to run 1 pump for a long time. I read somewhere that suggested a 20,000 mAh pack will run a pump for 24hrs. Since I have numerous packs, this could definitely work for overnight outages.
I UPS will work too. They exist for less than $100. Is it better to convert to DC or keep it at AC? So if I buy a UPS, should I plug the pump into the USB via a DC converter or into the AC plugs?
Home generator would be good too. My house seems to be on the same line as the fire department so power goes up quickly. I haven't had power go out but a couple times in 5 years, and none were longer than 24 hours.
This seems to be the device. Will this work? https://www.amazon.com/12V-Voltage-...ocphy=9001923&hvtargid=pla-570831063538&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ailpage_o09_s00?tag=just02b0-20&ie=UTF8&psc=1
One even could go between 9v and 12v. So for under 10 bucks I could get an adaptor to run 1 pump for a long time. I read somewhere that suggested a 20,000 mAh pack will run a pump for 24hrs. Since I have numerous packs, this could definitely work for overnight outages.
I UPS will work too. They exist for less than $100. Is it better to convert to DC or keep it at AC? So if I buy a UPS, should I plug the pump into the USB via a DC converter or into the AC plugs?
Home generator would be good too. My house seems to be on the same line as the fire department so power goes up quickly. I haven't had power go out but a couple times in 5 years, and none were longer than 24 hours.
I don't have a pump that has a battery backup system. I ain't so fancy! Where are the electro wizards with the right connector???
Maybe I will ask Bulk Reef Supply to investigate. Those guys love a challenge. It wouldn't be the first time that I suggested a product which appeared on their website a few months later...
PS - everyone so far has been extremely informative.
Maybe I will ask Bulk Reef Supply to investigate. Those guys love a challenge. It wouldn't be the first time that I suggested a product which appeared on their website a few months later...
PS - everyone so far has been extremely informative.
Cpage101
Current BRS Vice President
how’s the tank doing? I still have the frogspawn I got from you years ago [emoji16]
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dz6t
Acro Garden, BRS Sponsor
You need a cable that can convert 5v phone battery output to 24v.
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You are right! All of my pumps are 24v. But such a cable exists. So how do I know whether it would work AND how do I calculate how long it would last, say using a 25,000 mAh power pack.
https://www.amazon.com/DZYDZR-3pcs-...o+24+volt&qid=1565833877&s=industrial&sr=1-10
https://www.amazon.com/DZYDZR-3pcs-...o+24+volt&qid=1565833877&s=industrial&sr=1-10
dz6t
Acro Garden, BRS Sponsor
This one may work.
578Wh Polaroid PS600 Portable Power Supply Everywhere, Mobile AC / DC Outlet, Light & Easy Generator Lithium Ion Battery Energy Storage System Station, Backup / Emergency, Rechargeable (Home / Solar) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0757ZRPFF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IynvDbASA75JV
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578Wh Polaroid PS600 Portable Power Supply Everywhere, Mobile AC / DC Outlet, Light & Easy Generator Lithium Ion Battery Energy Storage System Station, Backup / Emergency, Rechargeable (Home / Solar) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0757ZRPFF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IynvDbASA75JV
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Thanks Dong. Those types of units were my original idea. A officemate was looking at something like that for camping. But a $300 price tag is heavy. I have read up on others in the $250 to $350 price point. It is portable and easy to use. I am leaning towards a UPC which I can use with my PC or a Portable Power Station which I can use when car travelling and camping.
Absent someone coming up with an idea to use with cell phone power banks, I think I have exhausted this topic. Thanks again every for options.
Absent someone coming up with an idea to use with cell phone power banks, I think I have exhausted this topic. Thanks again every for options.
dz6t
Acro Garden, BRS Sponsor
UPC are designed differently as they are intended to provide high load for a short period of time to allow the computers be powerred down safely. UPC actually may have less power than a power station and more expansive per watt hour.
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cstacks
Non-member
These are all great ideas.
What I have for my 30 gal biocube and 5 gal nano is I have a battery power strip on each one that only runs the return pumps. This way if I'm on vacation at least there is flow that should last more than a day I hope. I also have a car AC power converter so my plan for 2-3 day outage winter storm is in any outage basically turn my car into a generator with a long extension cord, in several hour segments and just pay for the cost of gas. All in all I think the battery power surges were $50 each refurbished on ebay. The power converter I think was around the same price too I believe up to 750 watts. I saw a few youtube videos of toyota camry mods to really raise the power output to I think 1-2kw by using a different type of alternator or something looked pretty cool.
My plan isn't to have any lights for the power outage because of the power draw and don't want to risk them on unclean power. It's different for me though because where I live the power should be restored fairly quickly but thought I'd share my setup see what others think.
What I have for my 30 gal biocube and 5 gal nano is I have a battery power strip on each one that only runs the return pumps. This way if I'm on vacation at least there is flow that should last more than a day I hope. I also have a car AC power converter so my plan for 2-3 day outage winter storm is in any outage basically turn my car into a generator with a long extension cord, in several hour segments and just pay for the cost of gas. All in all I think the battery power surges were $50 each refurbished on ebay. The power converter I think was around the same price too I believe up to 750 watts. I saw a few youtube videos of toyota camry mods to really raise the power output to I think 1-2kw by using a different type of alternator or something looked pretty cool.
My plan isn't to have any lights for the power outage because of the power draw and don't want to risk them on unclean power. It's different for me though because where I live the power should be restored fairly quickly but thought I'd share my setup see what others think.
The last time we had major outage was that ice storm. I no this dont wait till that happens again. I was charging triple for generators and ppl were paying. Thats lasted into the fourth day until every generator down to florida was sold out. Wish we had one a year like that!!!!
Since 2010 I have used normal/standard house generators and non of my reef tank electronics was affected. Where I live, starting the fall, we have power outages. Wooden area, too many trees. Standard is 8- 24 hours without electricity. But ot can be up to 3 days. I power all in the house with exemption of the electric/sun-panel water heater. The well pump does work too. And for those that know my tanks I use a lot of electricity.
Never any issue with any electronic.
I would love a generac because of the auto start, but we do not have town gas.
Cheers
Never any issue with any electronic.
I would love a generac because of the auto start, but we do not have town gas.
Cheers
