Battery back up

[Markbluereef]

Anyone have an opinion on the Icecap battery back up? Its 80$ cheeper then Vortech. But of course not available anywhere.

 

[geldof]

I've had both. I preferred the Vortech. From what I remember it ran much longer. The Icecap is fine, for running one pump on low for a couple hours. It is what I am using currently. Anything beyond that, you are going to need a generator. Instead of fully relying on the backup battery, I've invested in a bunch of economical battery backup air pumps. Some are permanently installed and come on when the power goes (air lines run to tank / overflows and sump to keep everything alive) and a couple for backup. They put out a ton of air, for a long time, with cheap easy to find batteries. I've had no casualties utilizing both options and a dedicated generator, on a local grid that browns out often.

 

[Geraud]

You can easily replace the batteries inside the Ecotech for less than 40$. As a matter of fact I have just ordered two of these as mine are old and not holding a charge.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A82A3RK/?tag=reefs04-20

 

[homegrowncichlid]

I'm considering getting a UPS, uninteruptable power supply, which are used for computers. They are basically a seal lead acid battery, like your cars, and are usually plugged into the wall, with the computer plugged into it. They kick in where theres a power drop. They were designed to keep your PC running for X amount of time, depending on the battery size, but I think the smallest one can keep my 3W powerheads going for as long as you can run your radio, while the engines off.

 

[Geraud]

I'm considering getting a UPS, uninteruptable power supply, which are used for computers. They are basically a seal lead acid battery, like your cars, and are usually plugged into the wall, with the computer plugged into it. They kick in where theres a power drop. They were designed to keep your PC running for X amount of time, depending on the battery size, but I think the smallest one can keep my 3W powerheads going for as long as you can run your radio, while the engines off.

You should avoid them. First because when their battery is low, they have a tendency to start beeping loudly in the middle of the night. Second because it is way better to just use the aquarium made ones that plug into your controller. Otherwise you are losing a lot of energy turning 12V into 110V into 12V again.

BRS had done an interesting test about that.

 

[BZOFIQ]

...., but I think the smallest one can keep my 3W powerheads going for as long as you can run your radio, while the engines off.

or a bit more than few hours at best

 

[homegrowncichlid]

Ah, thanks for the link Bzofiq,
18W at 5 hours vs ~5W at 81 hours, a massive difference. I was wondering why the UPS were so inefficient, makes sense, it uses more power internally. I ran the UPS calculator, even at 5W for the UPS, it would still only last up to ~8 to 10 hours.

I'm going to use a portable air pump, and a single AA enloope battery lasts about 8 hours. Just have to order more air line tubing, I can't seem to keep enough of it lying around. heh