EcoTech battery backup
 

Anyone know where I can pick one of these up in stock in Calgary? I know I know, shame on me for not having one, but the news keeps warning of possible power outages and I don't want to toast my tank. My Neighbourhood is literally on the edge of the flooding (but safely up a hill thank god), so if they have to turn off power to more communities along the Bow there's a good chance we'll lose ours too.

Pisces and concept are the two places I think would have the backup battery pack.

If you are in a panic, I believe you can use a 12v battery, just need to find a correct plug. Remember reading about it on RC (that "other" forum). I think the Vortech backup is 12v as well and operates the pumps at half speed

Hey Adam, if you're not already out buying one, you can make your own
I made mine for less than $100 and when the battery craps out, it's only about $60 for a replacement instead of a new Ecotech one for $190

If you can't find the factory Ecotech cables, all you need is a 1.3mm x 3.5mm male connector and 2A fuse per pump

I bought a 12v trickle/battery minder charger and a 12v battery with 18ah (amp hours)
I should get 36 hours run time on 2 MP10s

I posted a simple DIY here

If anyone does use a 12v battery in a pinch, make sure you use a fuse inline so you don't run the risk of cooking your controller :surprise:

Or pick up a generator. They are on sale at crappy tire, and for your power needs, you coud get a small one for cheap!

Greg I'm going to check out making mine own tomorrow, thanks! Fingers crossed we have power all night.

If it ends up being too hard to source the parts in one day I might just get a generator. In a worst case scenario I'd like to keep the pump on my bio pellet reactor running as well, it's the backbone of my nutrient management program and letting it go anoxic and die would lead to weeks of pain.

If you're considering a diy battery backup for your VorTechs, you can actually go one better than the 12 volt version. You'll need two 12 volt batteries. Hook them up in series for 24 volts & wire up a connector of the normal size to your VorTech controller. You will then be able to run the pumps at fulll speed. The only down side to this is that you need to be around to hook this up, it won't work automatically as when you use the 12 volt back up connection on the controller. But in cases like this, when you're home to hook it up, automation is secondary to having full control of your pumps.

Hope it works out for you Adam
Any questions about your DIY, just send me a PM

Mike, thanks for the tip

I used this and a car battery.

100 watt isn't alot of power but it's enough to power your powerhead, and you can charge your iphone and surf canreef at the same time.

when the car battery is starting to run low, just put it back in the car and drive around for few hours to recharge it.

You can order one from J&L Aquatics with free shipping to your door if you don't need it immediately.