Electronics suppliers - Surrey/Langley - DIY Battery Backup

[Craigdillman]

Originally Posted by WarDog

scherzo, do you think you could detail the build process here? I would love to build my own as well! Thanks!

double ditto

[Vancouver Reefer]

If your after electronic components for cheap you can't beat Lee's Electronics on Main St in Van!

[gregzz4]

Here's some info on how I put mine together

Vortech battery backup alternate

[scherzo]

Here is what I was going to do.

LINK

I think I might have to drive out to RP electronics or Lee's.

I want to use a SLA battery so I don't run the risk of either releasing acid into my house or burning it down. - Because - well - that would suck.

The power is supposed to go out in my area for about 4 hours tomorrow. Maybe I'll just stay home and run my inverter and extension cord. Not really worried about temp just flow.

Parts:
Connector: https://www.rpelectronics.com/31-101...lug-pkg-2.html
Battery: http://www.rpelectronics.com/bt-12v1...hargeable.html (Cheaper @ Lee's)
Charger: http://www.rpelectronics.com/fc-1212...ger-12vdc.html

I have a 1.5amp fuse somewhere lying around that I'll just solder into place - It'll look ugly - maybe I can find a holder somewhere lying around the house.

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by scherzo

I want to use a SLA battery so I don't run the risk of either releasing acid into my house or burning it down. - Because - well - that would suck.

A heads up on SLA battery if you wish to use one. There's no guarantee that an SLA battery will not leak or burn your house down. Any electrical/electronic component is subject to failure. I recall disassembling a non functional computer battery backup that had a similar sealed battery in it & it was bulging out at the sides significantly. Not much longer & it could have burst and/or shorted out & caused a fire. Of course this battery was hidden inside the battery backup housing & looks like yours will be external so you can keep an eye on it.

Although flooded batteries need to be monitored from time to time, that's kind of why I prefer them. You can top up the water level. SLA will eventually dry out & then they're trash. With proper care, a deep cycle flooded battery will serve you well & IMO longer than an SLA.

[scherzo]

True, true - Any battery could cause a fire - I "play" around with Lipos because I am trying to get my 5 year old into R/C car racing like I used to be... they can be very dangerous.

We also have a few SLAs around the house. Alarm backup, alarm cell backup, UPS for my little home server/wifi. They are contained in steel cases and their factory cases so hopefully that was thought about. I have a steel box that can hold this little project.

Originally Posted by mike31154

SLA will eventually dry out & then they're trash. With proper care, a deep cycle flooded battery will serve you well & IMO longer than an SLA.

I've tried slow charging an SLA after refiling it and carefully pulling the top off. It does give it some more life - in fact it worked for at least a year again. There are tons of youtube videos on how to do it. I would do it very carefully and do it outside while you can watch it.

Are there small sized deep cycle batteries as well? I don't have a lot of space around the tank.

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by scherzo

Are there small sized deep cycle batteries as well? I don't have a lot of space around the tank.

Not to my knowledge. The thing that makes them 'deep' cycle is plenty of lead & I don't think there's a market for a smaller flooded deep cycle. Most of them are made for golf carts, off grid power storage, etc.

Seems the SLAs are working for you & you're keeping an eye on things. There are also AGM (absorbed glass matt) batteries as an alternative. I suspect SLAs use similar technology. Like SLAs, AGMs tend to be a bit pricier than the traditional flooded type.