Power outage - OH NO!!

acer · Dec 9, 2016

Well- isn't that what most of use do??

I looked into getting a whole house Generac or other whole house automatic generators, but by the time they are installed you talking upwards of 10K. Ouch!! However, I don't want to be caught with my pants down and loose $1000 in livestock either. Not to mention the heartbreak. So, I have used a mobile generator ( hand pull start) and run an extension cord from my garage ( where the generator is) to the tank. This works fine - but you have to be home to start the generator, run the extension cord, find and mount a heater, and an air pump , and a power head.

So, I have seen people with boat batteries , etc. However, I always wondered - is there some type of "switch" that you can have plugged into a live outlet that does not allow that power thru the switch - just monitors it and then it "senses" it if there is no electricity going to it , and if so , then it starts using power from a battery backup. I am NOT talking about a UPS - because those outlets are always on and use the battery when the power goes out. I mean - I want the outlets to be OFF when power is on and then to turn ON using a battery backup when the power fails. I/you would then have a power head that uses a venturi for air bubbles and heater already mounted in the back of the display tank ready to go - so if the power fails - the "switcher" sends power to them automatically and your tank gets air/heat and some water movement = enough so the livestock do not suffer immediately anyhow.

Has anybody done this? I assume so . If so, how? successfully? please link prior threads/discussions/etc.

Comments/thoughts?

bobssecrtsn · Dec 9, 2016

What your talking about is a inverter charger, They can get pricey, Boats do use them as well as RV. When it sense's no 120V it kicks on the inverter mode and uses the battery 12V to convert it to 120V. Especially when the heater kicks on it drains the battery pretty fast so you will need to have a big battery bank. Hope this helps.

bobssecrtsn · Dec 9, 2016

how it works is. inverter/charger has 1 charging output, 1 - 120V input, 1 - 120V output. the normally operation goes like, If there is power, This unit will charge the battery bank, while still using 120V to operate your tank, once it sense they;re isnt any 120V it will kick the inverter side on and use the battery and convert it to 120V.

Scooby · Dec 9, 2016

I think what he is looking for is a low voltage power transfer switch. In my opinion you should return that hand pull generator and get a key generator with a starter then you can have it turn on (wired) automatically. Other than that your stuck with a UPS or like bobssecrtsn an inverter.

mcarroll · Dec 10, 2016

Tunze pumps use their fused "Safety Connector" to do that....hooks their DC pumps to an alternate DC source and it'll auto-switch from AC to keep things running. (It works on the DC-power side of the regular AC/DC connection.)

Maybe you can use that, or at least pattern after it?

acer · Dec 10, 2016

cool- great info guys . Thanks. I will look into those options. The Tunze equipment looks promising - unless you have to have it on all the time. I only want the auto setup to work for a few hours- until I can get the Generator running and wired. In my area ( north suburb of Pittsburgh ,PA ) we seem to have a lot of power interruptions- most lasting only a few hours.

Checked out the Tunze= same at UPS - always on and then if regular power goes out- then it will switch to a different power source. I don't want the little pump or 50 watt heater always on- only on if the power goes out. So this wont work for me.

Scooby · Dec 10, 2016

Another option you can use is deep cycle batteries. I own 15 deep cycle batteries which where tied into a big 5000W pure sine inverter. It last me for almost 2 weeks of energy.

acer · Dec 25, 2016

yes- have begun to look into that- also talked to some people that use higher end UPS units - for my 250 watt Reeflo pump it should be able to run 8 hours - plus "clean" the power all the time ( my voltages are all over the place) , and I could hook up a few of those deep cycle batteries to make it work longer. The Higher /industrial type of UPS is about $800- $1000. I guess APS was bought by Schnieder - so that is the company that makes them currently.

Kungpaoshizi · Dec 25, 2016

http://a.co/2idvRGl
and these
http://a.co/7ia6Poi

Best investment I've ever made for my tank.

acer · Mar 11, 2017

Wow - its been a while since I looked at this thread and still have not set up a power back up. But had a power outage for a few hours a day or two ago. So , ya, need to get this in place. Kungpa - I looked into the Aims power inverter/charger units like you linked and they are terribly rated and reviewed. How long have to had it ? many reviewers say the company has "no or poor support" and the inverter fails to charge batteries after a year or so. I am currently looking into Tripps inverters/chargers and I did get a few whole house generator bids = $10K = to expensive.