Battery Backup for Vectra

Averhoeven · Jul 2, 2019

I currently have a Vectra as a return pump and am trying to figure out battery backup. Part of me is thinking of just going the "easy" route and hooking it up to the Ecotech backup. However, I use the Apex feed modes to control the pump. Essentially, I hit feed mode and it turns the pump and skimmer off and then auto turns it back on after a while. If I hook the battery backup up, is it simply going to run the return pump at the lower "fallback" power setting of a power loss when the Vectra loses power because the Apex shut it off?

How would you guys go about doing this? I have an Ecolink because I greatly preferred programming the Vortechs and the Vectra via that than a WXM.

Chipp · Jul 2, 2019

Yes i ran into this issue, so i ended up getting an apc ups and have everything plugged into it. I uses my apex to sense a power outage and have it turn off non essential things to conserve the ups battery. I think i can still use the vortech battery plugged into the wall so when the ups battery drains the vortech battery would keep the pump going, but I haven’t looked into this yet.

Of course if vortech would let the apex control it like the mps and radions that would solve the feed mode problem with the battery.

Chipp · Jul 2, 2019

Whoops posted twice.

Averhoeven · Jul 2, 2019

Chipp said:
Yes i ran into this issue, so i ended up getting an apc ups and have everything plugged into it. I uses my apex to sense a power outage and have it turn off non essential things to conserve the ups battery. I think i can still use the vortech battery plugged into the wall so when the ups battery drains the vortech battery would keep the pump going, but I haven’t looked into this yet.

Of course if vortech would let the apex control it like the mps and radions that would solve the feed mode problem with the battery.

The UPS is only going to last a little while though won't it? That's the impression I get.

Chipp · Jul 2, 2019

Averhoeven said:
The UPS is only going to last a little while though won't it? That's the impression I get.

The one i got based on my aquarium’s power consumption should give me 2-2.5 hours. Past that i would be hooking up my generator. I also essentially turn everything off except the return, skimmer, and two mp40s. In addition the mo40s will go into 25% speed mode. According to my apex eb it is less than about 100-120 watts. Winter and the heater would shorten the battery considerably, but i have the generator.