Power Outage options? - UPS?

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by piusma

I use a tripp-lite inverter, one that is similar to this

Tripp-lite inverter

It's an inverter and at the same time a charger for a car battery. I hook up a deep cycle battery to it and run 2 Tunze DC powerheads to it. It also powers my Aqua controller and my router/cable box. It'll run for about 4 hours. I choose to use this inverter because I could switch out the battery if it stops working and it out perform a regular UPC when it comes to efficiency. However the inverter + battery did cost a little over $450 but it is very reliable.

Steven

This looks like a pretty good bang for the buck since it's inverter/charger combined. They don't state clearly in the specs whether it's pure sine wave but from the other info provided and price per watt, I'm pretty sure it is. The advantage of DC pumps like Tunze and VorTech in power outage situations can not be overstated. Since they use DC from the get go, you don't even need an inverter, just a battery, the appropriate connector and Bob's your uncle. No matter how efficient an inverter is, there's always some power lost through the DC to AC conversion process. I've even considered looking into a DC return pump for when I set up a sump.... if I ever get around to that.

[piusma]

Just so everyone is aware of the fact that the tripp-lite is only a modified sine wave unit but it's very efficient and has a great review. I've ran this for about a year now and it had been really great. I'm confident with it's performance and if the battery dies, I'll only need to get a new replacement deep cycle battery.

Steven

[mark]

seeing some high wattage suggestions, be thinking for a power outage run the minimum to extend battery life.

my plan, not to worry about the lights, CL, skimmer, basement return pump etc. Just be throwing in the heater and power head I normally use for my water changes into the display for heat and aeration. Have run this off a cheap UPS and if looking to be a long time have a cheap little generator. Both are not true sinewave and no problems with the PH, plus if was long term, for the difference in price between a cheap UPS and true sine, go to Aquagiant and but a few more PHs.