UPS and return pump

chema · Jun 16, 2021

I'm planning to install a 1200 W UPS (2 x 12 V 9 Ah batteries) to feed the return pump and may be the Profilux controller of my reef tank. The return pump is a Royal Exclusiv RD3 60 W model. Any experience on how much time such a UPS might feed the return pump working at 50-100% power.

Thank you

laverda · Jun 16, 2021

I don't know the specific answer. I do know that motors and some electronics can be fussy and require full sine wave out put from the UPS to run properly. Most UPS less than 1500 do not produce full sign wave output.

chema · Jun 17, 2021

laverda said:
I don't know the specific answer. I do know that motors and some electronics can be fussy and require full sine wave out put from the UPS to run properly. Most UPS less than 1500 do not produce full sign wave output.

I agree with you in the problem related to the sine wave. That may be solved by using a battery backup of the right voltage, instead of a UPS. The problem is that the RD3 can not be connected to a battery, only to its own controller. Or at least I do not know how to do it.

srobertb · Jun 22, 2021

I use a COR pump and have my Apex entirely on a sine wave UPS. It works just fine. Granted it runs about 3x a year for an hour max.

I can run everything but heater, lights, and xf350’s for 1.5 hours.

cristiano frade · Jun 22, 2021

If your pump is DC (I believe it is) you dont need a full sine wave, and here how to calculate how many hours it will last:
1 - your batteries have total energy of 2 x 12v x 9AH = 216 VAh.
2 - your pumps consumes 60w (V x A)
3 - considering your UPS has 80% efficiency (typical), you will have 216 x 0,8 / 60 = 2,88 hours. This is considering that you will run your pump at maximum power.

Only AC pumps require full sine wave fyi.

chema · Jun 23, 2021

cristiano frade said:
If your pump is DC (I believe it is) you dont need a full sine wave, and here how to calculate how many hours it will last:
1 - your batteries have total energy of 2 x 12v x 9AH = 216 VAh.
2 - your pumps consumes 60w (V x A)
3 - considering your UPS has 80% efficiency (typical), you will have 216 x 0,8 / 60 = 2,88 hours. This is considering that you will run your pump at maximum power.

Only AC pumps require full sine wave fyi.

Thanks for the calculations. However, the RD3 is an AC adjustable pump, so a full sine wave UPS is required.