Battery Backup

[B&CinB.C.]

Which one are you using? Any one with pass through charging will switch back automatically but not all models have this.

I'm waiting for an Ecoflow River 3 to arrive . Is this something I'll have to watch for ?

 

[VintageReefer]

I'm waiting for an Ecoflow River 3 to arrive . Is this something I'll have to watch for ?

River 3 is a newer released model that has pass through charging and ups functionality so this is not an issue

Will mention…river 3 is on sale for $210 and is only 286 wh and there are other brand new released models from other brands that are almost 4x the runtime for $315 (sale price plus promo code - model just came out this week)

Oupes Exodus 1200
992 wh
$700 will be future price but they are doing 50% off this month because it’s a brand new model they released, and if you are on their email list you get an extra 5% off with code exodus12

Bringing the price down to $315 for 992wh of runtime. And more outlets and ports. This model does also have pass through charging, app control and ups functionality

Link: https://a.co/d/6Xs4l3f

The river 3 plus with the upgrade battery is On sale for $618 and provides 858wh of capacity

Twice the price, less ports, still less capacity

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I'm waiting for an Ecoflow River 3 to arrive . Is this something I'll have to watch for ?

I use it, works fine. No issues.

 

[ajmckay]

No, I haven't done the math. End of the day, get the most capacity you have the budget and space for. If you're looking to add batteries to a ups, I would only use a high quality unit with active cooling(built in fans). Such as this unit, which I use. I found mine used for $100 with bad batteries. The smaller cheap ones will not last very long being ran hours on end like that. I only need mine to last until a hurricane passes then I get out the generator. So I run the entire tank and tv/ lights. If I reduced to just a return pump it would last days. But I don't need that, some may..

Thanks!

This is the one I have: https://tripplite.eaton.com/smartpr...ps-avr-tower-lcd-usb-10-outlets~SMART1500LCDT

Got it from a friend who was getting rid of some from his work. I'll need to figure out how to calculate run time for deep cycle 12v batteries. Because I get it get the biggest you can afford but I don't want to spend $200 on a battery and then it only runs the tank for an hour lol. I'm in Michigan so the intention for this is to run the tank for at least 1/2 a day of possible. That gives time for any storms to pass and if I'm out of town or at work gives me time to get home or call a friend to set up the generator.

 

[Reefering1]

Thanks!

This is the one I have: https://tripplite.eaton.com/smartpr...ps-avr-tower-lcd-usb-10-outlets~SMART1500LCDT

Got it from a friend who was getting rid of some from his work. I'll need to figure out how to calculate run time for deep cycle 12v batteries. Because I get it get the biggest you can afford but I don't want to spend $200 on a battery and then it only runs the tank for an hour lol. I'm in Michigan so the intention for this is to run the tank for at least 1/2 a day of possible. That gives time for any storms to pass and if I'm out of town or at work gives me time to get home or call a friend to set up the generator.

Well, not sure that one is actively cooled. Does it have a fan? And it's 24v so you would need (2) $200 batteries for the agm type. Regular sla batteries will work just as well(maybe not as long life) @ 1/2 the price. But if my system has 4 batteries, and runs my tank 18 hours(was still going but I got tierd hearing it beep)- with 2 batteries I would imagine you would get about 3-400w for 18hours.

 

[ajmckay]

Well, not sure that one is actively cooled. Does it have a fan? And it's 24v so you would need (2) $200 batteries for the agm type. Regular sla batteries will work just as well(maybe not as long life) @ 1/2 the price. But if my system has 4 batteries, and runs my tank 18 hours(was still going but I got tierd hearing it beep)- with 2 batteries I would imagine you would get about 3-400w for 18hours.

It does have a fan yes. And you're right... It has 2 internal batteries in series.

Really that would be ideal... 18 hours of emergency power at the ready is probably all I need to be 100% sure I can get the generator running.

 

[VintageReefer]

It does have a fan yes. And you're right... It has 2 internal batteries in series.

Really that would be ideal... 18 hours of emergency power at the ready is probably all I need to be 100% sure I can get the generator running.

What gear do you want to run for 18 hours ?

 

[IPT]

If using the $200 cyberpower 1500 and you have a 25w pump then the duration is
(108 x .85) / 25 = 3.6 hours.

If using the $210 ecoflow river 3 plus
(286 x .85) / 25 = 9.7 hours

You can pick what you need and can afford but there’s is no reason to pick the cyberpower over the ecoflow river 3 plus for only 10$ more

but...the Cyberpower is a UPS that will kick on (and off?) based on a power outage. How does one setup a portable power supply like the Ecoflow so it can be plugged in all the time, and turn on automatically if the power goes out? Some of these apparently don't turn back to AC power automatically if power is restored and if I am not there and that is overlooked that could be a concern.

Also, in my case I just want flow - so my MP40 and MP10 - using the plug for their battery backup. It would be nice if I could wire it directly to a DC output on whatever backup I use. Using the 12V input I believe would force the pump to run at lower power rates, and also avoid power loss (waste) of going from AC to DC (at least that's how I understand it).

One guy recommended this one (below) which is small and cheep, directly ran into the Vortech (with an adapter), is a UPS, and it ran his MP40 for like 30 hours. I'm not gonna power the system as a whole, but just enough to keep flow going. My tank is at my office, so safety is a concern (since I am obviously not there after hours) and in all likelihood I'd just need a few hours since I am by a hospital and they are usually pretty quick about getting power restored.

Small cheap unit - TalentCell Mini UPS Uninterrupted Power Supply 27000mAh 97.2Wh Lithium ion Backup Battery Pack with DC 12V/9V and USB-A/USB-C 18W

 

[VintageReefer]

but...the Cyberpower is a UPS that will kick on (and off?) based on a power outage. How does one setup a portable power supply like the Ecoflow so it can be plugged in all the time, and turn on automatically if the power goes out? Some of these apparently don't turn back to AC power automatically if power is restored and if I am not there and that is overlooked that could be a concern.

You buy a unit with this feature built in. Not all act as a ups but the ecoflow and the models I have recomended and suggested will provide ups functionality and:
Run off ac power 24/7
Switch to battery when power goes out
When power is restored, they revert to ac power AND begin recharging the battery

You just plug the station into the wall, turn on the ac inverter, and plug your fear into the onboard ac outlet

Also, in my case I just want flow - so my MP40 and MP10 - using the plug for their battery backup. It would be nice if I could wire it directly to a DC output on whatever backup I use. Using the 12V input I believe would force the pump to run at lower power rates, and also avoid power loss (waste) of going from AC to DC (at least that's how I understand it).

Yes you can do this and avoid the onboard inverter. It would be more efficient. You can compensate for lower flow at 12v simply by turning the mp10/40 up to a higher level than you would typically run at 24v

One guy recommended this one (below) which is small and cheep, directly ran into the Vortech (with an adapter), is a UPS, and it ran his MP40 for like 30 hours. I'm not gonna power the system as a whole, but just enough to keep flow going. My tank is at my office, so safety is a concern (since I am obviously not there after hours) and in all likelihood I'd just need a few hours since I am by a hospital and they are usually pretty quick about getting power restored.

Small cheap unit - TalentCell Mini UPS Uninterrupted Power Supply 27000mAh 97.2Wh Lithium ion Backup Battery Pack with DC 12V/9V and USB-A/USB-C 18W

if using the inverter the only way they would get 30 hours on that box is if the MP was pulling approx 3 watts

Using dc to dc direct will add approx 20% runtime. I would guess if using dc direct he was pulling 5-10 watts max.

Probably a single pump, running at half voltage/power, on the lowest speed setting

 

[IPT]

You buy a unit with this feature built in. Not all act as a ups but the ecoflow and the models I have recomended and suggested will provide ups functionality and:
Run off ac power 24/7
Switch to battery when power goes out
When power is restored, they revert to ac power AND begin recharging the battery

I thought I read the ecoflow had to be turned back to AC manually after triggering to battery, but I'll have to double check. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

Yes, it was 50% which I guess the Vortechs do automatically if they lose AC and go to DC.

Here is the video about what he used and did.

 

[VintageReefer]

I thought I read the ecoflow had to be turned back to AC manually after triggering to battery, but I'll have to double check. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

Yes, it was 50% which I guess the Vortechs do automatically if they lose AC and go to DC.

Here is the video about what he used and did.

Well, yea it’s better than the ecotech battery lol. Definitly would recommend it over that thing

Small load like a single dc powerhead It will be fine also

If you want to run a return pump then for a little more you can get significant improvement

 

[IPT]

This one is probably overkill:

EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station River 3 Plus with EB300 Extra Battery, Expand Capacity from 286Wh to 572Wh, Up to 1200W AC Outlets, <10 MS UPS, <30 dB Quiet, River 3 Max LiFePO4 Battery​

I can get the River 3 for about $300 but with a current discount I can get the extra battery for like $100 more. Seems to have the UPS and the safer LiFePo4 battery... I might jump on this. I could probably run am MP40 on regular mode for 10+ hours since it is on ReefCrest and probably about 70% max power, plus the MP10 off 12V at 50% too.

Decisions decisions....Is more always better :). I guess compared to the $200 I was going to spend on a regualr computer UPS even just the River 3 without the extra battery at around $300 will do the same with more W/hrs.

One thing I do wonder about is how much draw it takes to recharge? If this happens to recharge and it draws a lot at the same time I have the tank on full power it could exceed my load rating and pop a fuse. I wonder if the unit alone draws the same as the unit with the extra battery does? Probably, and it would jut take longer. I wonder if you could choose a slower recharge option to keep loads down (edit: according to the Ecoflow website you can choose recharging rates). Once the power is back a rapid recharge would not be required...

 

[VintageReefer]

This one is probably overkil:

EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station River 3 Plus with EB300 Extra Battery, Expand Capacity from 286Wh to 572Wh, Up to 1200W AC Outlets, <10 MS UPS, <30 dB Quiet, River 3 Max LiFePO4 Battery​

I can get the River 3 for about $300 but with a current discount I can get the extra battery for like $100 more. Seems to have the UPS and safer LiFePo4 battery... I might jump on this. I could probably run am MP40 on regular mode for 10+ hours since it is on ReefCrest and probably about 70% max power, plus the MP10 off 12V at 50% too.

Decisions decisions....Is more always better :). I guess compared to the $200 I was going to spend ona regualr computer UPS even just the River 3 without the extra battery at around $300 will do the same with more W/hrs.

If your going to spend 300$ or 400$…

River 3 is $269 for 256 wh

Oupes exodus 600 - $199 for 512wh
Oupes exodus 1200 - $389 for 992wh
Both have full automatic ups functionality

 

[VintageReefer]

I run a similar rating backup on my reef, 600wh. I can run my return pump over 48 hours

 

[VintageReefer]

These are some of the newest stations to come to market and were directly designed to compete with and outperform ecoflow for better pricing

 

[IPT]

These are some of the newest stations to come to market and were directly designed to compete with and outperform ecoflow for better pricing

I'll check them out. Problem is I live in Alaska. So, those prices are rarely accurate (because everything is marked up for shipping costs) and often companies will not even ship stuff up at all, period. I'll check it out.

Kills me to even be thinking about spending $300-400 on this because we rarely have lenghty power outtages (at least not in the main city where the tank is)...but I guess it's an insurance policy really.

 

[carri10]

Hi all.
Also thinking about getting a back up in place.
I live in France, so must have an EU compatible unit.
My first question is this:
-I have a remote sump, powered by an external AC return pump that draws 1.2A, so 260W. The display tank has DC powered 2 x tunze 3+ and 2 x 350 gyres. These run at about 60% on average, so that give me 2x30 + 2x30W for a total of 120W.

Which of these two do I need to keep going at an absolute minimum? Will the tank be okay for 24 hours with just the wave makers in the DT? If i need to keep the AC return pump going as well, that changes the game considerably.

What do you guys do?

 

[VintageReefer]

Hi all.
Also thinking about getting a back up in place.
I live in France, so must have an EU compatible unit.
My first question is this:
-I have a remote sump, powered by an external AC return pump that draws 1.2A, so 260W. The display tank has DC powered 2 x tunze 3+ and 2 x 350 gyres. These run at about 60% on average, so that give me 2x30 + 2x30W for a total of 120W.

Which of these two do I need to keep going at an absolute minimum? Will the tank be okay for 24 hours with just the wave makers in the DT? If i need to keep the AC return pump going as well, that changes the game considerably.

What do you guys do?

The advantage of the sump is you get the added water volume from the sump if something went wrong. More volume = more dilution. But that pump is a power hog. Can you get a dc version?

How many hours are you looking to run, ideally, in an outage ?

The strongest station that I own would run the 260w pump for 6.5 hours

The same station would last 14.5-15 hours with the 120w load

 

[carri10]

Hi.
Sump is 200litres, DT is 1000L.
DT has plenty of rock and sand, so ammonia wouldn’t be a problem. It also has a decent amount of surface aeration from the wave makers so O2 shouldn’t be a problem.
The sump has the skimmer, the filter roller, a cryptic refugium, and all my dosing.

Would only need to run for 24 hours, which means a 3kWh capacity, right?

What features do I need? I’m just looking for the basics for something that automatically turns on and off if the power goes, but I don’t have much expertise and so might be missing things.

 

[Clownfishy]

Having been through two 24 hours outages and recently a 12 hour outage, I will now only ever buy Tunze pumps as they allow the customer to choose what 12v battery they want to buy. Using their Tunze safety connectors, I link two Tunze 6040's power heads and a Tunze 9004 DC skimmer to a 100ah lithium battery. My aquarium now does not miss a beat as these kick in immediately in the event of a failure. The battery is more than enough to last the 24 hours. Now, I am just looking at the Eco flow to plug a heater into as that is the last thing I need