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Black out Backsups...... [Archive] - Saltwater Aquariums - Reef Tanks Online Discussion

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Irisservice
09-01-2003, 11:59 PM
Ok my tank survived the great blackout of 2003 that hit the east coast.
Well After the 18 hour blackout I knew my little APC 250 that lasted for about a 30 minutes was not going to cut it. So it time to upgrade!!! I looked at getting a huge APC that was in the $1500 range ,but it still going to give me only 1.5 hours 2 hours max of runtime. An a generator was not an option since I live in an apartment building. So I did a little research and saw a system that 'David Playfair' made it used a deep cycle marine battery and inverter and a battery charger. This was a great setup.


Here is his idea.http://members.localnet.com/~playfair/bb/ups_iso1.jpgPlayfair Plans
Check out my new DIY power back up!
The quest was for a reliable, cost effective backup system that would come on automatically in the event of a power failure and run my MAG18 return pump for 8 hours...

The result cost under $175 total, and consists of a 95ah deep cycle battery, power inverter, automatic trickle charger/maintainer, and a DIY transfer switch.

The heart of the system is a transfer switch that consists of a relay normally energized with house power, and when that is absent, it turns on the 300w AC power inverter, and sends that power back up to the outlet.


So after speaking to David Via email I was going to take his system to the next level.Here is my idea.

1)Using a commercial made inverter,charger and transfer unit in one box.
2)Use three huge deepcycle marine batteries
3)put it together and get 20 Plus hours of runtime.

Step one: locate the inverter that can do all this for under $1000.
Solution= Trace Model TS 512 SB Inverter/Charger/transfer switch.
The trace 512 is able to deliver 500w of inverted power. Now any one that knows me knows that i don't just get some thing that does the job I always have to do it better. So I opted for the Trace 812 fan cooled model which outputs 800w of power.
http://www.jandareef.com/images/sept2003/traceinverter.jpg


Step Two:Locate an affordable deepcycle battery!!!
Solution=EXIDE NC-27
The EXIDE NC27 is unique in that it can be left uncharged for extended periods of time and fully discharged without suffering any performance loss or shortening battery life.
I picked upped three of these 100AH batteries (300ah total) at a local Wholesale clubs called BJ's
Picture of the three Exide NC-27
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/69-1/batteries.jpg
Photo of batteries in cases
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/74-1/batteryboxes.jpg

I well be installing it this week and will keep you up to date.

Fiji Live Rock
09-02-2003, 12:58 AM
How much did you get your Trace 812 for?

I did just a really fast, first selection search and found one for just over $500.

Irisservice
09-02-2003, 11:52 AM
How much did you get your Trace 812 for?

I did just a really fast, first selection search and found one for just over $500.

Trace TS812SB $446.25
Trace Battery Temperature Sensor 15' $27.95
Trace TM500 Meter w/500A shunt $192.00
Exide NC-27 @ 49.99+deposit $5 x3 = $164.97
Battery cables $35.00
Battery Boxes 3x $30.00

My goal was to keep everything under a $1000

ssgibby
09-12-2003, 05:32 PM
I looked into doing that, I ended up buying a whole house generator. I am in the process of installing it now. :) Now that I invested all of this money, I am sure we wont have anymore electrical failures.

Irisservice
09-12-2003, 06:06 PM
I think thats the idea.... The generator companies were not making money so they blew out the east coast.....


I here generator sales are up 40% this month, I wonder Why :roll:

Irisservice
09-16-2003, 01:38 PM
I looked into doing that, I ended up buying a whole house generator. I am in the process of installing it now. :) Now that I invested all of this money, I am sure we wont have anymore electrical failures.

Which generator did you get?

ssgibby
09-16-2003, 02:32 PM
Generac, I dont remeber if it was the 15Kw or the 20Kw.

Irisservice
09-16-2003, 02:38 PM
Like this?

http://www.guardiangenerators.com/support/guardian_1520W.asp?NavID=1

ssgibby
09-16-2003, 02:50 PM
Yep!

ssgibby
09-16-2003, 02:52 PM
sorry, no the one i have is air cooled. its the 04390 the liquid cooled ones are like $10,000.00 and very loud. The 04390 is sound attenuated and very quite. said and done it will have cost me about $5,000.00

Irisservice
09-16-2003, 05:10 PM
When i buy a house i will get one of these....

ssgibby
09-16-2003, 07:34 PM
do you plan on selling electricty to your neighboors LOL

Irisservice
09-17-2003, 12:16 AM
OK the unit is installed!!!!
The batteries are currently charging.
I will try to get some pics up soon.

Irisservice
09-17-2003, 12:25 AM
Here are some photos of were the unit is installed.


I made a wall to cover the batteries and the inverter.
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/132-1/DSCN1337.jpg

This is with one of the panels removed.
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/130-1/DSCN1336.jpg

Irisservice
01-17-2008, 10:48 AM
Updated List
Current setup includes

Xantrex Sine Wave Inverter XS400
http://www.xantrex.com/images/products/xs400_800x600.jpg

IOTA Engineering DLS-45 Powerconverter
http://www.iotaengineering.com/images/dls45_10.jpg

Battery Coffin
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/100-1/DSCN1854.jpg

Coffin in place and painted
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/108-1/DSCN1861.jpg

Irisservice
01-17-2008, 10:55 AM
Battery Bank of 4 interstate Deep Cycle Batteries at 115amp each
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/1497-2/IMG_1264.jpg

Battery cables
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/76-1/DSCN0028.jpg

Installed
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/126-1/DSCN1872.jpg

Irisservice
01-17-2008, 10:59 AM
Battery monitor
http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/116-1/DSCN1865.jpg

http://jandareef.com/gallery/d/114-1/DSCN1864.jpg