Backup for power failure
 

http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt

Backup for power failure
 

"KurtG" wrote in message ...
http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

That is quite true - the amount of biological load in a tank with live rock
is really substantial as demand for oxygen... That is why the agitation
of the water is really important to provide good gases exchange...

I am not sure if such air pump suffce - I have my tank protected by
a set of marine deep cycle type of lead acid battery, DC-AC
converter and a 3-way relay with a 120AC relay coil. All is hooked up
this way that relay coil is my AC detector: when the coil is engaged than
the relay is passing through AC wall electricity, normal mode. When there
is a power outage the relay coil disengages and closes contacts turning
the inverter (DC-AC converter) on and connects load circuit from
wall to the output from inverter. That is why I needed 3PDT relay type.

The inverter runs only limited number of the most imporant devices
including skimmer and circulation pump for acurate gases exchange.

Skimmer is running on MaxiJet 1200 (20W) and the circulation pump in
the sump is the QuietOne 3000 (40W) so my backup electricity source is
loaded with only about 60W and can deliver this much for a very long time.

Do not back up heater or lights - tank can survive no lights and temp
drop quite easily but water movement and gases exchange is critical.

Backup for power failure
 

"KurtG" wrote in message
...

http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages (which
we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt




If you happen to be home when the power goes out, there is a simple and
inexpensive fix. You can get an ac inverter that changes 12DC to 110AC. Some
of the home improvement stores like Lowe's or Home Depot carry a 300 watt
inverter for $30 or $40. You simply plug it into the cigarette lighter in
your car and run an extension cord to your tank. Then you can run alot of
your normal accessories just by plugging them into the extension cord. No
need to buy special pumps or heaters

Backup for power failure
 

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/eme...t/ht_aqups.htm
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr...kup_power.html


"KurtG" wrote in message
...

http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages (which
we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt

Backup for power failure
 

KurtG wrote:


http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt


Best way to go, if you can afford it, IMO:

http://tinyurl.com/2y54nd

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...0%284%29UXBP24

Gives ya about 4 1/2 days for a couple powerheads plus an decent air
pump. better yet, just keep your skimmer running.

Backup for power failure
 

As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......

Inverters etc are all well anf fine, but what happens if yu need the
vehicle. Why burn gas to fuel a 4, 6 or 8 cyclinder engine when fuel
may be hard to find depending on reason for power outage. Same thing
for UPS.....most wil power typical systems for a hour or two, provkded
no lights or heater is used.....but then they too run out of
power......Thats the big thing with any battery powered
device........Big Lots had 1500 or 2000 watt gas powered gen sets for
under $175 last year................which is more than sufficient for
any setup and that would also run lights and heater if need be. May
even run a small hot plate or coffee maker to make life a bit more
bearable or even a TV set......Harbor Freight has 2500 watt gas
powered gen sets for about $250. Most of these small gen sets run
approx 12-14 hours n a a mere couple of gal of fuel. I have a small
2500 watt Honda that runs 13 hours at 75% load.......and its only got
a 2 gal tank......Also have a LP / and gasoline fueled gen set thsat
is capable of powering the entire house just like if we were still on
utility power. IMHO if a person lives in a hurricane prone area or a
zone that is inundated with storms be it snow/ice or rains that cause
any kind of power outage, a gen set is the only real way to go. Our
whole house gen set starts automatically after a predetermined time
when power is out, and after power comes back on, the unit disconnects
from the house wire, runs and goes through a cool down period and
then shuts off, ready for the next power outage. Its fueled from a 500
gal propane tank I also use for my back yard foundry furnace, as wel
as fueling our gas grill. Push come to shove the flip of a lever will
allow it to fun on regular gasoline. During huricane Ivan it ran 3
weeks before we had power restored, and its on line quite a few times
though out any year......since we had it installed, which was about 4
months before Hurricane Ivan blew into town. The majority of folks
never worry about power until they are without then they all go to
town to try and buy that last gen set.......Gens sets are just to
handy to do without considering how little they cost and what they can
provide in return.


On Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:00:21 -0500, that *other* annoying little troll
wrote:

KurtG wrote:


http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt


Best way to go, if you can afford it, IMO:

http://tinyurl.com/2y54nd

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...0%284%29UXBP24

Gives ya about 4 1/2 days for a couple powerheads plus an decent air
pump. better yet, just keep your skimmer running.



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Backup for power failure
 

"Tristan" wrote in message ...
Inverters etc are all well anf fine, but what happens if yu need the
vehicle. Why burn gas to fuel a 4, 6 or 8 cyclinder engine when fuel
may be hard to find depending on reason for power outage.

I suggested using an extra battery just for that purpose.
And it can be purchased everywere cheap together with simple charger.

Big Lots had 1500 or 2000 watt gas powered gen sets for
under $175 last year................which is more than sufficient for
any setup and that would also run lights and heater if need be.

Ok, but with this idea you have to deal with noise and exhaust fumes...
The option with battery charged from electricity is cleaner and quiet.

And - in most cases - the power outage is short, limited to couple of
hours, except some hurricane areas where it can last couple of days.

IMHO if a person lives in a hurricane prone area or a
zone that is inundated with storms be it snow/ice or rains that cause
any kind of power outage, a gen set is the only real way to go.

Agree... but for the rest of us, using it just as a precaution,
inverter run from a battery is just fine and very convenient.

Backup for power failure
 

Tristan wrote:
As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......

And what if you aren't home when the power goes out? That UPS to which the other
annoying little troll posted a link seems the best way to go to me.

George Patterson
No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.

Backup for power failure
 

Yes, UPS will do the job for a short period of time, until the
battery runs down., Then hopefully your home and can fire up a gen
set or the power is back on.



On Sun, 28 Jan 2007 23:50:37 GMT, George Patterson
wrote:

Tristan wrote:
As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......

And what if you aren't home when the power goes out? That UPS to which the other
annoying little troll posted a link seems the best way to go to me.

George Patterson
No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Backup for power failure
 

Tristan wrote:

As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......

Inverters etc are all well anf fine, but what happens if yu need the
vehicle. Why burn gas to fuel a 4, 6 or 8 cyclinder engine when fuel
may be hard to find depending on reason for power outage. Same thing
for UPS.....most wil power typical systems for a hour or two, provkded
no lights or heater is used.....but then they too run out of
power......Thats the big thing with any battery powered
device........
snip

True, but the UPS setup I recommended below will run a 50 watt load for
about 105 hours. Without the noise and exhuast a generator creates.
Problem is it's over 3 grand. For those of us that live in apartments,
generators are not an option.

On Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:00:21 -0500, that *other* annoying little troll
wrote:

KurtG wrote:


http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt


Best way to go, if you can afford it, IMO:

http://tinyurl.com/2y54nd

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...0%284%29UXBP24

Gives ya about 4 1/2 days for a couple powerheads plus an decent air
pump. better yet, just keep your skimmer running.



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Backup for power failure
 

George Patterson wrote:

Tristan wrote:

As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......


And what if you aren't home when the power goes out? That UPS to which
the other annoying little troll posted a link seems the best way to go
to me.

George Patterson
No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.


Yah, but it's EXPENSIVE.

Backup for power failure
 

Why can't a gen set be an option if you live in an apartment? Are
you allowed to have a LP gas grill? For a mere 125 bucks most if mnot
all th emajority of gas engines can be converted to run off LP gas, so
there is not any storage of any fuels other than the typical LP bottle
on the gas grill, and once the gas supply is disconnected its no
longer a possible fire potential due to fuel in a typical gas tank.
Aprtments in this region all have storage areas where folks keep odds
and ends......as such...I am sure for a lot less than 3 grand a means
to powering up and not suffering thrugh a lower outage is able to be
done quite easily. Those in storm / cane prone areas where power
outages do and wil occur just do not have an excuse to try and go
short term. Its gonna bite them bigger than life.

On Sun, 28 Jan 2007 19:38:13 -0500, that *other* annoying little troll
wrote:

Tristan wrote:

As cheap as yu can find a small gen set for nowadays IMHO that s the
best option if you have a place to store it when its not in use......

Inverters etc are all well anf fine, but what happens if yu need the
vehicle. Why burn gas to fuel a 4, 6 or 8 cyclinder engine when fuel
may be hard to find depending on reason for power outage. Same thing
for UPS.....most wil power typical systems for a hour or two, provkded
no lights or heater is used.....but then they too run out of
power......Thats the big thing with any battery powered
device........
snip

True, but the UPS setup I recommended below will run a 50 watt load for
about 105 hours. Without the noise and exhuast a generator creates.
Problem is it's over 3 grand. For those of us that live in apartments,
generators are not an option.

On Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:00:21 -0500, that *other* annoying little troll
wrote:

KurtG wrote:


http://www.aquariumguys.com/silentairpump.html

I've heard that these pumps are a good investment for power outages
(which we frequently have in my locale).

The book that I'm reading implies that with a tall tank (like mine) and
lots of live rock (like mine), that the fishes could suffocate fairly
quickly.

Any comments?

--Kurt


Best way to go, if you can afford it, IMO:

http://tinyurl.com/2y54nd

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...0%284%29UXBP24

Gives ya about 4 1/2 days for a couple powerheads plus an decent air
pump. better yet, just keep your skimmer running.



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Backup for power failure
 

that *other* annoying little troll wrote:

Yah, but it's EXPENSIVE.

So, buy a cheaper UPS. I would put my Tunze and skimmer on the thing. Total draw
of maybe 10 watts. I think I could run that for days on a $40 UPS.

George Patterson
No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.

Backup for power failure
 

"Tristan" wrote in message
...
Blah] [mumble] [blah] you mentioned the [mumble] Ed Alston [whine] [mumble]
Hipcrime. I [yap-yap-yap] a copy of hipcrime [mumble] some [ramble]
[mumble] [blah] [bark] [mumble] Carol [mumble] [blah] [yap-yap-yap] liked
the way [Blah] worked.[Spew] and I [blah] may have to go and install
[blah] Gail
[chatter] library and [cackle] and see [blah] [gobble] it [mumble] do.
[Mumble] [mutter] something [mumble] [yelp] [howl] to make groups
[blah] [babble] [mumble] delete groups, [blah] Carol [Mumble] [mumble]
[blah] wrong on that aspect, but I do [mumble] Gail [stutter] Ed Alston
[blah] for
manipulating posts......but back [blubber] I had [mumble] need, now I
have [mumble] Carol [bitch] so [mumble] now there [mumble] a need......


[Mumble] [spit] jogging my [mumble] with [yackety-yak] [mumble]
hipcrime. [gibber] Carol [lament] Ed Alston [Blah] [blah] it somewhere
around my
[yak-yak-yak] here, and [huff and puff] Carol [spew] it. Losing quality
sleep
[spew]...........

Just Roy

I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Backup for power failure
 

"Tristan" wrote in message
...

Blah] [mumble] [blah] you mentioned the [mumble] Ed Alston [whine] [mumble]
Hipcrime. I [yap-yap-yap] a copy of hipcrime [mumble] some [ramble]
[mumble] [blah] [bark] [mumble] Carol [mumble] [blah] [yap-yap-yap] liked
the way [Blah] worked.[Spew] and I [blah] may have to go and install
[blah] Gail
[chatter] library and [cackle] and see [blah] [gobble] it [mumble] do.
[Mumble] [mutter] something [mumble] [yelp] [howl] to make groups
[blah] [babble] [mumble] delete groups, [blah] Carol [Mumble] [mumble]
[blah] wrong on that aspect, but I do [mumble] Gail [stutter] Ed Alston
[blah] for
manipulating posts......but back [blubber] I had [mumble] need, now I
have [mumble] Carol [bitch] so [mumble] now there [mumble] a need......


[Mumble] [spit] jogging my [mumble] with [yackety-yak] [mumble]
hipcrime. [gibber] Carol [lament] Ed Alston [Blah] [blah] it somewhere
around my
[yak-yak-yak] here, and [huff and puff] Carol [spew] it. Losing quality
sleep
[spew]...........

Just Roy

I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Backup for power failure
 

Roy "Tristan" Hauer stalker of old ladies and crippled men
wrote in message
...

Blah] [mumble] [blah] you mentioned the [mumble] Ed Alston [whine] [mumble]
Hipcrime. I [yap-yap-yap] a copy of hipcrime [mumble] some [ramble]
[mumble] [blah] [bark] [mumble] Carol [mumble] [blah] [yap-yap-yap] liked
the way [Blah] worked.[Spew] and I [blah] may have to go and install
[blah] Gail
[chatter] library and [cackle] and see [blah] [gobble] it [mumble] do.
[Mumble] [mutter] something [mumble] [yelp] [howl] to make groups
[blah] [babble] [mumble] delete groups, [blah] Carol [Mumble] [mumble]
[blah] wrong on that aspect, but I do [mumble] Gail [stutter] Ed Alston
[blah] for
manipulating posts......but back [blubber] I had [mumble] need, now I
have [mumble] Carol [bitch] so [mumble] now there [mumble] a need......


[Mumble] [spit] jogging my [mumble] with [yackety-yak] [mumble]
hipcrime. [gibber] Carol [lament] Ed Alston [Blah] [blah] it somewhere
around my
[yak-yak-yak] here, and [huff and puff] Carol [spew] it. Losing quality
sleep
[spew]...........

Just Roy

I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Backup for power failure
 

"that *other* annoying little troll" wrote in message . ..
And what if you aren't home when the power goes out? That UPS to which
the other annoying little troll posted a link seems the best way to go
to me.

Yah, but it's EXPENSIVE.

UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) will always be expensive
because it has advanced electronics to monitor precisely each
period of AC current and provide output without a missing power
for a milisecond. This is done for your computers/servers to not
reset when there would be some power glitch...

You do not need such advanced protection for your fish tank.
That is why a simple relay with one coil running straight from 120AC
(or if you have to use low voltage coil relay you add powerpack)
and with this cheap system you will have a moment without power,
lets say 20-50ms, time for the relay to react and switch over...
But this is ok for a fish tank. As soon as the relay switches over
your output to battery+inverter you will only be limited with the
size of the battery you get.

I have got a very large marine deep cycle battery at Walmart for
less than $80 EverStart MAXX-29. The battery is humongous.
I got it in 2003 and it still works great every power outage I have here.
All this with 10 dollar relay, 15 dolar inverter and 9 dolar charger
and some wire plus little time to assembly everything together.

Backup for power failure
 

"that *other* annoying little troll" wrote in message . ..
True, but the UPS setup I recommended below will run a 50 watt load for
about 105 hours. Without the noise and exhuast a generator creates.
Problem is it's over 3 grand. For those of us that live in apartments,
generators are not an option.

For less than $200 you could assemble similar system yourself
with marine battery + one relay + cheapo inverter and some wire.

Backup for power failure
 

"Tristan" wrote in message ...
Why can't a gen set be an option if you live in an apartment? Are
you allowed to have a LP gas grill? For a mere 125 bucks most if mnot
all th emajority of gas engines can be converted to run off LP gas, so
there is not any storage of any fuels other than the typical LP bottle
on the gas grill, and once the gas supply is disconnected its no
longer a possible fire potential due to fuel in a typical gas tank.
Aprtments in this region all have storage areas where folks keep odds
and ends......as such...I am sure for a lot less than 3 grand a means
to powering up and not suffering thrugh a lower outage is able to be
done quite easily. Those in storm / cane prone areas where power
outages do and wil occur just do not have an excuse to try and go
short term. Its gonna bite them bigger than life.

I am guessing you were never living in any large appartment building,
lets say on 4 floor, 100 yards from the front door ? :-)
Where are you going to put this generator ? Where do you run cables ?
Be real. Generators are not for apartments, unless you are willing
to run them right in your living room, next to the aquarium :-)))

Backup for power failure
 

Thats not like an apartment I am familiar with, thats more like a
hotel, if your living quarters is so far from a outside entry door. I
guess I can see your point on that with a lot of lofts or apartments
in the older larger towon instead of the newer ones......thats built
nowadays. Sorry I was zeroed in on the typical sytyles od aprtments
normally encountered around here.



On Mon, 29 Jan 2007 07:45:32 -0600, "Pszemol"
wrote:

"Tristan" wrote in message ...
Why can't a gen set be an option if you live in an apartment? Are
you allowed to have a LP gas grill? For a mere 125 bucks most if mnot
all th emajority of gas engines can be converted to run off LP gas, so
there is not any storage of any fuels other than the typical LP bottle
on the gas grill, and once the gas supply is disconnected its no
longer a possible fire potential due to fuel in a typical gas tank.
Aprtments in this region all have storage areas where folks keep odds
and ends......as such...I am sure for a lot less than 3 grand a means
to powering up and not suffering thrugh a lower outage is able to be
done quite easily. Those in storm / cane prone areas where power
outages do and wil occur just do not have an excuse to try and go
short term. Its gonna bite them bigger than life.

I am guessing you were never living in any large appartment building,
lets say on 4 floor, 100 yards from the front door ? :-)
Where are you going to put this generator ? Where do you run cables ?
Be real. Generators are not for apartments, unless you are willing
to run them right in your living room, next to the aquarium :-)))



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Backup for power failure
 

"Tristan" wrote in message ...
Thats not like an apartment I am familiar with, thats more like a
hotel, if your living quarters is so far from a outside entry door. I
guess I can see your point on that with a lot of lofts or apartments
in the older larger towon instead of the newer ones......thats built
nowadays. Sorry I was zeroed in on the typical sytyles od aprtments
normally encountered around here.

I was not describing my place - I live in a much nicer, brick building
with only 12 units at 3 floors :-) But my buddy lives in an condo
unit which looks like a big hotel with probably 20-30 apartments
on each floor. Even in my place I cannot imagine putting a gas
generator outside on the front yard farting there loud and clear
like a fricken gas mower and running extension cords to my window
on 2nd floor... Generator is not an option for appartments, believe me.

Backup for power failure
 

Pszemol wrote:

I am guessing you were never living in any large appartment building,
lets say on 4 floor, 100 yards from the front door ? :-)

Even if one had a patio or balcony sort of thing, in most apartments in which
I've lived, that generator would be in a pawn shop half an hour after you left
for work.

George Patterson
No one ever says "It's only a game." when his team is winning.

Backup for power failure
 

"George Patterson" wrote in message news:jBpvh.535$Pw3.24@trnddc01...
Pszemol wrote:

I am guessing you were never living in any large appartment building,
lets say on 4 floor, 100 yards from the front door ? :-)

Even if one had a patio or balcony sort of thing, in most apartments in which
I've lived, that generator would be in a pawn shop half an hour after you left
for work.

That is true... apartments attrack certain sort of individuals with
short time stay on their mind... Totally different than a house in
a nice area where people more watch for each other's property.

Backup for power failure
 

"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"that *other* annoying little troll" wrote in message
. ..
True, but the UPS setup I recommended below will run a 50 watt load for
about 105 hours. Without the noise and exhuast a generator creates.
Problem is it's over 3 grand. For those of us that live in apartments,
generators are not an option.

For less than $200 you could assemble similar system yourself
with marine battery + one relay + cheapo inverter and some wire.

Agreed. I`m lucky enough to have had a new house built with whole house back
up generator that powers everything needed as part as the build :)
Buddy had used some marine deep cycle batteries and some inverters that gave
him long enough power to keep everything alive and some water movement/ and
air circulation in the process. Worked real well for a few days he needed
it.

Backup for power failure
 

Another thing that can be done is to hook up a car battery to your ups
for longer running time. You could even hook up as many batteries as you
like.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets


Pszemol wrote on 1/29/2007 8:42 AM:

UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) will always be expensive
because it has advanced electronics to monitor precisely each
period of AC current and provide output without a missing power
for a milisecond. This is done for your computers/servers to not
reset when there would be some power glitch...

You do not need such advanced protection for your fish tank.
That is why a simple relay with one coil running straight from 120AC
(or if you have to use low voltage coil relay you add powerpack)
and with this cheap system you will have a moment without power,
lets say 20-50ms, time for the relay to react and switch over...
But this is ok for a fish tank. As soon as the relay switches over
your output to battery+inverter you will only be limited with the
size of the battery you get.
I have got a very large marine deep cycle battery at Walmart for
less than $80 EverStart MAXX-29. The battery is humongous.
I got it in 2003 and it still works great every power outage I have here.
All this with 10 dollar relay, 15 dolar inverter and 9 dolar charger
and some wire plus little time to assembly everything together.

Backup for power failure
 

Wayne Sallee wrote:
Another thing that can be done is to hook up a car battery to your ups
for longer running time. You could even hook up as many batteries as you
like.

I've never seen a UPS with a 12 volt hook up. I use APC's and even have
a 80# version w/ no hookup.

I was looking into a power failure relay, but haven't made much
progress. I think I'll just build my own as I've been thinking of a
battery bank anyway for other reasons.

--Kurt

Backup for power failure
 

KurtG wrote:

Wayne Sallee wrote:

Another thing that can be done is to hook up a car battery to your ups
for longer running time. You could even hook up as many batteries as
you like.


I've never seen a UPS with a 12 volt hook up. I use APC's and even have
a 80# version w/ no hookup.

I was looking into a power failure relay, but haven't made much
progress. I think I'll just build my own as I've been thinking of a
battery bank anyway for other reasons.

--Kurt

The "extended run" or "XL" series UPS'es that APC makes have hookups for
extra external batteries. Of course they are inteded for their APC brand
extended run battery packs (which cost an arm and a leg) -- but I bet
that one could hook up any old 12 volt lead acid battery...

Backup for power failure
 

I dunno if I would really want to fool with keep ingf a buynch or even
one battery topped off and redy. Not particularly fond of the smell of
electrolyte in a living space or long termin my shop or shed....Gell
cells are an alternative, but still require a trickle charge but are
usuallay not obnoxious when it comes to smell and you do not have that
corriosive vapor getting in the area and causing premature rust, nor
the chance of spilling it and eating holes in the carpet etc. I htink
I would look at sealed, totally sealed gell cells.

On Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:39:53 -0500, Add Homonym's home account
wrote:

KurtG wrote:

Wayne Sallee wrote:

Another thing that can be done is to hook up a car battery to your ups
for longer running time. You could even hook up as many batteries as
you like.


I've never seen a UPS with a 12 volt hook up. I use APC's and even have
a 80# version w/ no hookup.

I was looking into a power failure relay, but haven't made much
progress. I think I'll just build my own as I've been thinking of a
battery bank anyway for other reasons.

--Kurt

The "extended run" or "XL" series UPS'es that APC makes have hookups for
extra external batteries. Of course they are inteded for their APC brand
extended run battery packs (which cost an arm and a leg) -- but I bet
that one could hook up any old 12 volt lead acid battery...



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

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"Tristan" wrote in message ...
I dunno if I would really want to fool with keep ingf a buynch or even
one battery topped off and redy. Not particularly fond of the smell of
electrolyte in a living space or long termin my shop or shed....Gell
cells are an alternative, but still require a trickle charge but are
usuallay not obnoxious when it comes to smell and you do not have that
corriosive vapor getting in the area and causing premature rust, nor
the chance of spilling it and eating holes in the carpet etc. I htink
I would look at sealed, totally sealed gell cells.

I have huge marine deep cycle lead-acid battery in my living
room and it is on the trickle charge: no smells/odors...

Backup for power failure
 

Tristan wrote:

I dunno if I would really want to fool with keep ingf a buynch or even
one battery topped off and redy.

I was planning a 12V or 24V circuit around the house that gets topped
off with wind/solar. It's been in the back of my mind for a few years,
and why not now? That I have a conspicuous 110 gallon energy hog
sitting in my living room that needs a backup plan gives me all the more
reason to think about it.

I like to explore my engineer, geek, gentlemen scientist side and it
certainly beats the snot out of TV.

And, yes, I wouldn't use anything except for sealed cells. I have a
very bad habit of failing to maintain my batteries by topping them off
with distilled water.

--Kurt

Backup for power failure
 

Tristan wrote:

I htink
I would look at sealed, totally sealed gell cells.

These are used a lot in aviation. They last about half as long as regular
lead/acid batteries.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

Backup for power failure
 

Yea most of them don't. But that won't stop me from
hooking one up. I already have the car battery, just
got to find the time.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets


KurtG wrote on 2/10/2007 6:16 PM:
Wayne Sallee wrote:
Another thing that can be done is to hook up a car battery to your ups
for longer running time. You could even hook up as many batteries as
you like.

I've never seen a UPS with a 12 volt hook up. I use APC's and even have
a 80# version w/ no hookup.

I was looking into a power failure relay, but haven't made much
progress. I think I'll just build my own as I've been thinking of a
battery bank anyway for other reasons.

--Kurt