will this idea be worth it..please read

[Canada_Dry]

Hi fellow members, I am a electronics tech by trade, and I have be designing a new reef system called LifeLine. This system will be a power failure back up containing a 900 GPh pump, with a built in power supply capable or running the pump for 10 hrs and up to 24hrs if needed. The system will fully automatic when a power failure occurs the LifeLine 900GPH pump will kick in taking over from your main sump pump, thus keeping your system on line, when the power is restored the LifeLine system transfers control back to your main pump, and then recharges it self ready for the next power failure. This system will also have out puts for smaller pumps if the user would like small circulating pumps in the tank as well.

Here is where I would like your help:
The system I have in mind for sump use, would require a Y fitting to hook up The LifeLine 900GPH pump, so that your main pump and the LifeLine pump are both hooked in to your pluming in your sump. Do you like this idea? or do you think it would be better to design the system to only work as a circulation pump, mounted in the tank?

I think by going with the system hooked in to your main pluming would be best as you could keep your whole system on line and even keep your skimmer going.

Any suggestions on how you would like a system like this to be incorporated into your system?

I am still in the design stages but I would like fellow reefers input on this,,,would anyone be interested in a product like this?

I think that most people would be interested as a power failure of only a few hours, could kill a reef tank with thousands of dollars of life stock.

So far it looks like I will have to retail the system for about $175.00 or so.

Please give me your feed back and any other things you may like to see added to this system. The system could even run lighting if needed.
A few other notes: This system will use 12v dc pumps, unlike the UPS some people are using, wich will provide much longer run time, as well most ups do not run pumps very well, and with this system if your main pump should ever break down, the LifeLine pump will run the tank untill you get a replacement pump.
Thanks Canada_Dry

 

[Anonymous]

great idea! you might want to put a place for a heater to plug into. IF your heater isn't powered, running for 12 hours at 65 degrees won't help much...

B

 

[Canada_Dry]

here is a link to pictures of the pumps i will be using for the LifeLine system.
http://www.welovethissite.com/pump.htm

[ February 20, 2002: Message edited by: Canada_Dry ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

I would be interested in it without the pump. Because my system is smaller, I would rather plug my main pump into your system. I am totally interested.

RR

 

[Tybond]

Canada,

Sounds like a great idea.
I have a ups back-up on my 55 and man has it came in handy.
Mine will run my system for only 2.5 hrs but so far thats all that I'v needed.
If it is true that a 12v dc pump will run longer on a battery that 110v pumps, this is a real intrest to me.

ty

 

[Canada_Dry]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Tybond:
<strong>Canada,

Sounds like a great idea.
I have a ups back-up on my 55 and man has it came in handy.
Mine will run my system for only 2.5 hrs but so far thats all that I'v needed.
If it is true that a 12v dc pump will run longer on a battery that 110v pumps, this is a real intrest to me.

ty</strong><hr></blockquote>


The pumps i am looking into will draw 1 AMP DC for the 650 GPH and 3 AMPS DC for the 900 GPH
so if the systen has a reserve capcity of 100 AMPS DC then the 650 GPH pump would run close to 100 hrs and the 900 GPH pump would run close to 33 hrs.
some of the larger external DC pumps can draw close to 8 AMPS DC and they would still run close to 12hrs.
remember that is going by the battery amp/hour specs, so alow for + or - 20% on the actual run time. test will be done to get exact run times in the fucture as the design is perfected.

 

[Mike and Donna]

Great idea! And, as someone else said, having a way to run the heater is critical.

Geesh, now I'm sorry I spent $2500 for a backup generator for the house!

 

[Marcosreef]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mike and Donna:
<strong>
Geesh, now I'm sorry I spent $2500 for a backup generator for the house!</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't think you'll be able to plug your fridge, hot water heater, furnace, or stove into that! It is a good investment, I know what you mean

 

[Anonymous]

Shoot, throw in a connection for an air pump, too. And for an accessory, add a 12v cig lighter connector and run the thing while the system is in rubbermaids in the back of the U-Haul going cross country. I'd buy two of those seeing as us service guys get shuffled around from time to time.

 

[Anonymous]

I would shoot for simply trying to create circulation in the main tank. If you put the backup pump in parallel with your main return pump, you'll need some sort of valve to keep the main pump from discharging back to the sump via windmilling the backup pump.

You'd need either a checkvalve (sketchy track record in reef tanks) or a solenoid valve--either one raises questions of reliability.

I think a good goal for an emergency system would be to simply provide some circ for the main tank.

 

[landm010]

It is a great idea

But have i thought about having te pump run every day for an our to make sure it works when the lights go out.

Greetz,

MML

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with tyroberg. Cirulation is all that is needed to save the critters during an outage. Keep it simple, small, and affordable!

Do these three things and let me know if your looking for investors!

 

[Canada_Dry]

Thanks for the replies,,,pleas keep them coming the more ideas i get the better the design will be. THANKS!!

Canada_Dry

 

[fishfarmer]

I would like the system to be able to run my own pump as well. I don't have the space for another pump. Running a heater would be a plus too. Would the system your designing come with the battery backup or would I have to buy the batteries? The price sounds great, I've looked at many options for backup power and the cheapest I find for my needs would cost $350 and that is without the batteries.

 

[bensenvill]

Well I've sort of had my own ideas for how to work this floating about in my head. I know you can buy a car battery with an attachment that allows you to plug in a few cords. Why dont you just make a kit out of this that senses when current is no longer availible in the circuit and then turn itself on. And instead of having to buy an extra pump just for backup, why dont you have it run the main pump instead.

 

[Canada_Dry]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Terrence:
<strong>Well I've sort of had my own ideas for how to work this floating about in my head. I know you can buy a car battery with an attachment that allows you to plug in a few cords. Why dont you just make a kit out of this that senses when current is no longer availible in the circuit and then turn itself on. And instead of having to buy an extra pump just for backup, why dont you have it run the main pump instead.</strong><hr></blockquote>

NEVER USE CAR BATTERIES OR MARINE DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES TO POWER A UPS OR PUMP SYSTEM NEAR SALT WATER!
A word of caution: Lead-acid batteries contain a sulfuric acid electrolyte, which is a highly corrosive poison and will produce gasses when recharged and explode if ignited. This will hurt you--BAD! When working with batteries, you need to have plenty of ventilation, remove your jewelry, wear protective eyewear (safety glasses) and clothing, and exercise caution. DO NOT ALLOW BATTERY ELECTROLYTE TO MIX WITH SALT WATER! Even small quantities of this combination will produce chlorine gas that can KILL you!

Only use sealed gell cell type lead acid batteries, the type used for security lighting and alarm systems, theese are totaly sealed and leak proof never use a standard deep cycle marine or car battery!

before you attempt to make a do it your self backup system, you should have a very good understanding of electronics, and lead acid battery theory.

Canada_dry

[ February 23, 2002: Message edited by: Canada_Dry ]</p>