Power cut imminent!

Saintnovakai · Nov 14, 2019

Hello team. I have an issue. All my powerheads etc are Jebao. No ecotech so the battery backup thing isnt happening. I was wondering if I got a cheap UPS and a very cheap low powered wavemaker that I'd leave in the tank just for surface agitation work better than buying a Coral box battery backup for the Jebao or one of the IceCap battery backups.

We've been having more and more frequent power cuts for 6hrs and I was, like this close to buying a UPS but then heard of the Sine wave Issue as well as the DC-AC-DC conversion that would drain more power if I used my Jebao. Any ideas?

Saltyreef · Nov 14, 2019

You'll have to see which is rated for your needs and buy the backup that suits your needs.
I have one 1500watt battery backup for each ecotech PH. But it only runs for 4-5 hours. A lot of money for not so much backup!

malacoda · Nov 14, 2019

If the Jebaos are 12v you can hook them up to either a car battery, or a deep cycle battery, using an inverter or trickle charger. Depending on size/number of pumps, it could last up to 30 hours or more.

The threat of a hurricane prompted a discussion about home battery backups on my local club's forum. It might contain some useful info for you:

Question about Power Outage Safety for Tanks

So I'm trying to invest more money upfront in my equipment to support long term healthy livestock. To that end, planning what to do in a power outage is always a concern. TBH, I don't think I've lost power for more than 4-6 hours before at my place, but of course, there's always the possibility f...

wamas.org

Saintnovakai · Nov 15, 2019

Thanks a lot. Issue is, the Jebao isn't like the ecotechs that have an additional port for a backup. Everything has to go through the adapter.

huckjai · Nov 15, 2019

An Icecap back up battery should work for it. I have one connected to my Maxspect Gyre.

Matt Carden · Nov 15, 2019

I was thinking about using one of these to power all of my DC converted equipment:
Padarsey DC 24V 15A 360W Power Supply Universal Regulated Switching Transformer Adapter Driver 110V/220V AC Input for LED Strip CCTV Radio Computer Project
Then tie in a battery backup to the individual equipment necessary during outage. Not sure how to have the battery automatically kick in. Maybe just get a UPS and tie it in after the above adapter.

Saintnovakai · Nov 19, 2019

huckjai said:
An Icecap back up battery should work for it. I have one connected to my Maxspect Gyre.

How long does it last though?

AZMSGT · Nov 19, 2019

Icecap battery back ups are currently no in production and none to be had anyplace. How about an air pump With air stone on a battery back up?
There are battery operated air pumps but the batteries don’t last long. If you’re home during the outages it’s an option.

Saltyreef · Nov 19, 2019

Ill have to find the link to the thread but this i researched to be the best option with the most run hours for an ecotech pump.

New&no clue · Nov 19, 2019

BRS just did a video about this

Reefer1978 · Nov 19, 2019

Buy a little generator, they are quiet, and you can run a lot more than just powerheads...

Saltyreef · Nov 19, 2019

I have a portable generator for longer outages but it requires someone to be home to hook it up to run unless you hooked up an ATS with a more expensive, non pull cord gen. The 12v battery backups can last for nearly a week in some cases for flow.

Reefer1978 · Nov 19, 2019

Good quality DC pumps can all run off of regular battery backups. I used both APC and CyberPower. Especially look for black Friday sales, I picked up two cyberpower 1500va units for less then $200 shipped 7 years ago.

AC pumps (think Danner MagDrive) need a more expensive sin wave APC if I remember this correctly, making it not worth it in the long run in my opinion.

huckjai · Nov 19, 2019

Saintnovakai said:
How long does it last though?

Icecap Battery Backup
Features

Ideal Back Up for most 12volt pumps
Power Up to 2 Pumps
On average 35hr run time*
Connect 2 Battery Backups together and power one pump for double the backup time
Ideal Back Up for most 12-24volt pumps
Includes 3 sizes of adapter fittings

*On average 50w at 30% power single pump/single powercell.

stanleo · Nov 19, 2019

When I had my first reef tank a few years ago I lost power for three days. After a few hours I went to LFS and bought 2 battery powered air pumps and set the hoses in a filter bag filled with filter floss from the canister filters and carbon and put one on each side of the tank. I hooked the heater and a powerhead up to a converter that ran off my car battery. It worked and nothing died, thankfully. I didn't worry about the light.

Now I have battery backups on one power head, the heater and the return pump. But they will only run a for a few hours but I figure that's enough time to do something more drastic, like buy a generator.

Saltyreef · Nov 19, 2019

Reefer1978 said:
Good quality DC pumps can all run off of regular battery backups. I used both APC and CyberPower. Especially look for black Friday sales, I picked up two cyberpower 1500va units for less then $200 shipped 7 years ago.

AC pumps (think Danner MagDrive) need a more expensive sin wave APC if I remember this correctly, making it not worth it in the long run in my opinion.

The issue with the normal APC units as outlined in BRS's video states its the fault of the massive inverter that needs to be powered up in our units. They measured the 1500va units die the fastest with a small load from just one ecotech power head @ 4 to 5hrs.
Ill be reconfiguring my units to run something else like the lighting if i still have room after hooking up two deep cycle batteries.
Theyll outlast a cheap ecotech battery backup as well. The battery cells they use in those things are comical.