Looking for UPS for my lights

Dave-T · Apr 21, 2025

I have some ReefBreeders light bars over my tank that lose their programming schedule if they lose power. Although I have a whole house generator, there is a brief blip of power loss whenever we lose power, and that's enough to cause the lights to lose their programming. So I plug them into a UPS. Yesterday, the lights stopped working and it turned out it was because the UPS battery had gone bad and that caused it to stop providing power. Even though my house had power the whole time.

So I'm looking for a UPS that "fails on". I'd like it to beep if it detects that the battery needs to be replaced, but I want it to continue to provide power as long as it is getting power from the wall. Apparently, most UPSs won't do what I want. Can anyone recommend a UPS for my application?

minus9 · Apr 21, 2025

Eco Flow River

Dave-T · Apr 21, 2025

minus9 said:
Eco Flow River

Thanks! I'll try it. I think it's overkill for what I need - as I said, I have a generator. But it's only money.

Dragen Fiend · Apr 21, 2025

minus9 said:
Eco Flow River

Yup. eco river 3 is under $160 right now. Built in UPS. Works great on my systems.

oreo54 · Apr 21, 2025

Dave-T said:
Thanks! I'll try it. I think it's overkill for what I need - as I said, I have a generator. But it's only money.

There's a river 2 refurb at wal mart for $129. Actually cheaper at eco flow by a few bucks
(the refurb) but ? as to shipping costs.

Robot or human?

No idea of how it would work for you.
BTW there is a "flash sale" starting on the 22nd I believe at eco flow

minus9 · Apr 21, 2025

Yeah, the refurb on eBay (and other sellers) are usually cheaper and come with a full factory warranty.

idal305 · Apr 21, 2025

Got my ecoflow river on eBay as a certified refurb. Great price

hsp · Apr 21, 2025

I have on UPS (https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/ups/ups/77641-smc1500ic)

ReefRun 5500= 40W
ReefATO+= 15W
Heater:
- Inkbird WiFi Temperature Controller 306A 2400W (Heating Only) Aquarium Dual Relays Dual Waterproof Probes Thermometer
  - https://www.amazon.com.au/Temperature-Controller-Waterpoof-Thermometer-MarineSaltwater/dp/B07WTBPH2Z
- Heater 1: Schego 546 Titanium Heater 200 W
  - https://www.amazon.com.au/Schego-546-Titanium-Heater-200/dp/B00GMQBG1S
- Heater 2: 300W Marine Aquarium Heater Rod Fish Tank Submersible LED Screen
  - https://www.amazon.com.au/Marine-Aquarium-Heater-Submersible-Screen/dp/B0BVQBR7RP

On Grid

ReefLED: 90W+90W= 180W
DC Skimmer= 20W
ReefWave 25: 25W+25W= 50W
ReefMat= 20W

Hope this helps.

Dburr1014 · Apr 22, 2025

Dave-T said:
I have some ReefBreeders light bars over my tank that lose their programming schedule if they lose power. Although I have a whole house generator, there is a brief blip of power loss whenever we lose power, and that's enough to cause the lights to lose their programming. So I plug them into a UPS. Yesterday, the lights stopped working and it turned out it was because the UPS battery had gone bad and that caused it to stop providing power. Even though my house had power the whole time.

So I'm looking for a UPS that "fails on". I'd like it to beep if it detects that the battery needs to be replaced, but I want it to continue to provide power as long as it is getting power from the wall. Apparently, most UPSs won't do what I want. Can anyone recommend a UPS for my application?

They are not suppose to lose the memory. It's flashed into the chip. Even if they are off for a long time the memory should still remain.

Which model do you have?
How are you programming it?
Do you "save" the program?

EDIT:
Re-read your post, I'm not sure on the light "bars" I don't have those. Sorry.

Dave-T · Apr 22, 2025

Dburr1014 said:
They are not suppose to lose the memory. It's flashed into the chip. Even if they are off for a long time the memory should still remain.

Which model do you have?
How are you programming it?
Do you "save" the program?

EDIT:
Re-read your post, I'm not sure on the light "bars" I don't have those. Sorry.

They are working as designed. I actually talked to the owner of Reefbreeders about it, at a show. There is no flash memory or battery backup. There should be though! They never should have been designed this way. It's crazy that if you have a brief power cut you have to reprogram the schedule. I think the newer models have solved this issue.