Power failure contingency - Ecotech battery backup, iSocket

[SubzeroLT]

In the past month, I've heard of at least 2 reefers suffering losses to corals due to power trip. Personally, had a bad experience several months back.

Some have the Apex Neptune but when the whole house trips, it won't be able to trigger alerts since the home router/wifi will also be off. Web Cams will be useless as well.

 

Just sharing 2 equipment which I think are good contingencies to have. Some may think its an unnecessary expense but for those of us have suffered through a power trip before, this will be money well spent. 

 

1) Ecotech Battery Backup (http://ecotechmarine.com/products/battery-backup)

Keeping the water moving is critical. Without it, corals can die within a couple of hours because of lack of oxygen due to no still water. Also, as long as there is some water surface agitation, there will continue to be air exchange with the atmosphere. 

 

When the main power is cut, the Ecotech batter takes over powering the wavemaker. I was curious about how long the battery could last & decided to clock it recently.

 

For my system (1x MP40, 1x MP10), it lasted about 55hrs. That's 2 days plus. At least this gives some peace of mind especially & sufficient time to come home from work to turn the power back on. Some pics :

 

Battery mounted on a small cabinet next to the tank. It has 2 output cables hooked to 2 Vortech wavemakers

 

When the battery takes over, the LED indicates the amount of power left. Right most = 100%.

This photo was taken after 24hrs

 

After 36hrs, 

 

Setting for MP40. Running ~ 60%

 

Setting for MP10. Running ~ 40%

 

 

 

2) iSocket - (https://www.isocketworld.com/en/all-isocket-products/) 

 

This is another important equipment. I got mine from the above website. 

- Plugged into an electrical socket / extension plug

- Has an internal rechargeable battery. 

- Has a SIM card which then sends you an SMS when it detects power outage. In my case, i have an MobileShare SIM card which i got free with my Singtel contract. Else some folks use pre-paid SIM cards.

 

Configuration is quite simple. From your own phone, just send a command "MakeMeBoss" to the number of the SIM card. Then all future alerts go to your mobile phone.

 

There are temperature sensor, smoke detector & leak detector sensor attachments available as well.

 

 

With the SMS trigger & backup power source to keep the wavemaker going for a while, I think it gives us sufficient reaction time to rush home to restore power.

 

Edited February 23, 2016 by SubzeroLT

[quarantasei]

Thank you for sharing. Where did you get the vortech battery backup and the price?

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[SubzeroLT]

Can get from Madpetz. Think some other LFS carry it as well.

This is Madpetz' link & price http://www.madpetz.com.sg//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=59

 

[quarantasei]

Can get from Madpetz. Think some other LFS carry it as well.

This is Madpetz' link & price http://www.madpetz.com.sg//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=59

 

Thank you!

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[badsector]

i using a 1200watt UPS link to all equipment except lighting.

much cheaper than ecotech

[chercm]

i using a 1200watt UPS link to all equipment except lighting.

much cheaper than ecotech

What model ???

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[SubzeroLT]

i using a 1200watt UPS link to all equipment except lighting.

much cheaper than ecotech

Agree.....A UPS is a good alternative.

Note that most UPS generate either square waveform or modified squarewaves. So far, i know only of the APC Smart UPS that can generate a pure sine wave but those UPS cost more than $600 for a small one.

AC pumps will not run properly with the square or modified waveform. It will in fact damage the motor. Should be OK for DC motors/pumps.

[leong_rei]

Can share where to get the ups and around how much it cost

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[badsector]

What model ???

 

 

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got mine from taobao

http://world.tmall.com/item/35190727499.htm?id=35190727499&spm=a1z09.2.0.0.lpBsZ0&_u=pvgd4vh5ae6

[redsuns]

got mine from taobao

http://world.tmall.com/item/35190727499.htm?id=35190727499&spm=a1z09.2.0.0.lpBsZ0&_u=pvgd4vh5ae6

Have you tested to see how long does it last? Most UPS are meant to just run for a short amount of time to allow users to save or backup their data in event of power outage. The link mentioned that it can power cpu for an hour?

[Harlequinmania]

This is a very helpful for newbie as well as season reefer how we can protect our investment inside our tank. At time, we have spend hundreds of thousand of dollars on live stocks and equipment but neglect about power backup or some form of contingency plan . I too suffer a tank crush before the CNY for my frag tank where the power trip due to a faulty equipment from china, very painful lesson learn when i loss all my collection of frags over the years. I did has a Mobeye SMS notification in place but since it only trip one section of the room, it did not trigger the alarm. 

Now i bought a second unit of the SMS notification alert for that section together with a additional Apex power bar hopefully in the event of another power failure in that section of the room, the apex will still be able to send out power failure alert email to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Harlequinmania]

Another possibility setup of a simple back up could be the use of the battery backup air pump similar to the photo which could either connect to Apex or other aquarium computer to trigger it upon a power failure. 

 

[Harlequinmania]

A interesting slide for those using apex 

 Slides_from_Apex_Power_Monitoring_and_Management_presentation.pdf

 

Edited February 26, 2016 by Harlequinmania

[leong_rei]

Where to buy I socket and how much it cost ?

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[quarantasei]

Where to buy I socket and how much it cost ?

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http://www.isocket.eu

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[SubzeroLT]

Yeah. Purchase from http://www.isocket.eu. 

If you just want to monitor power, get the PowerWatch model (S$137+)

If you want to add features such as smoke or water alarm, get the Environment Pro (S$169+)

Remember to select "British Plug" type for Singapore use.

 

Shipping is S$29 (via FedEx). But is free if you spend more than $185. So either get some additional sensor accessory or group buy with a buddy if you want to avoid shipping cost. Takes about 5 days to arrive.

 

 

 

http://www.isocket.eu

 

 

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[SubzeroLT]

A interesting slide for those using apex 

 Slides_from_Apex_Power_Monitoring_and_Management_presentation.pdf

 

Nice! Thanks for sharing.

[monkeysee]

If one of the power unit fail, will the apex still be able to send email notification without UPS connected ?

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[0ekkeoo]

Nice piece of information.

Thanks

[Harlequinmania]

If one of the power unit fail, will the apex still be able to send email notification without UPS connected ?

 

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No it wouldnt be able to send any email notification unless there is a power source during the power failure 

[superio]

Oh no, I don't have a power back up for my tank. Thanks so much for sharing. Will do more research and consider getting one..

[badsector]

Have you tested to see how long does it last? Most UPS are meant to just run for a short amount of time to allow users to save or backup their data in event of power outage. The link mentioned that it can power cpu for an hour?

Not sure how Long it would last. But I'm plugging in just the return pump.

Should be able to last >1hr

[SubzeroLT]

Come April 2017, the telcos in Singapore will be turning off the 2G network.

This means that the older generation of iSocket GSM wont wok anymore. In fact, from Nov 2016, M1 stopped 2G support for newly activated pre-paid SIM cards. Any has  workaround suggestions? Else, its time to give the iSocket GSM to our Malaysia reefing buddies.

[SubzeroLT]

On 2/26/2016 at 2:00 PM, he said:

A interesting slide for those using apex 

 Slides_from_Apex_Power_Monitoring_and_Management_presentation.pdf

 

Apparently Apex Fusion has enabled a new feature recently called "HeartBeat". 

Basically, it'll send a notification if the cloud detects the Apex is disconnection for 'a period of time'. I tested it and it send me a mobile phone & email notification after 35 minutes.

Its a slight delay but at least its better than no notification at all.

 

HeatBeat is turned off by default. Need to enable it.

[sherman]

Those that send email alert also using 2G?