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Does anyone have an idea how I could use batteries to power my tank whenever the power goes out? I basically mean a DIY battery powered generator. Anyone have Ideas?

Chris

Is this what you are refering to. A 12Volt battery that will drive a generator to power 240v (or what ever rating you have) equipment for your tank.

How long does the power go off for and how often? Many camping stores sell small portable generators this is what you might have to think about if you are talking about many hrs without power.

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Keith

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Look into buying a UPS. They're not too expensive (less than $100 for decent ones). They're mainly for computers, but they work great on tanks as well

Check your local electronics store or www.newegg.com for them

HTH

Well, I was thinking just sing a very high voltage battery and hooking it up to my power strip. I don't know what a UPS is but I will look it up. Are those small generators loud?

Chris

UPS would be best. basicly, you plug whatever you want into it. then plug the ups in to the wall, and when power goes it. anything plugged into the ups will stay on. there are many kinds, lasting from 5 hours to hundreds of hours. but obviously, the longer hours, higher price

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

Hmmm... I was looking at some and I was very confused. Many of these last only 1/2 hour and need to charge for 4 hours and are like 200 watts. Can anyone give me a site name to look at some? Also do they need to be replaced after every thunder storm?

Chris

I have been using UPS for as long as I have had a computer. I have also cooked three of them caused by power spikes. My area is very well know for it.
As stated they will last varing times. You will have to locate a distributer who will be able to calculate what type you require and for how long you want the electrical supply to last.

The better ones come with a fully charged battery and all you should have to do is connect it up,

One very important thing is many are not desigened to protect against power spikes/surges. Therefore I had to buy a very good power surge protector board (not the usual type you buy at a bulk store) and three times the price of a standard board. Over all it is going to cost you money do a lot of research or you will finish up with a totally useless unit.
I still say a generator is what you are looking for.

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Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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Hi,
A UPS is a great idea, provided it is large enough.

These things are designed to provide power to your computer
for a predetermined amount of time. Some will provide power
just long enough for you to get to it, and properly shut it
down. Others will provide enough AC power so that you can
continue to run your computer and monitor and continue to
work for hours.
The really big ones will also run the printer as well.

The key is to know how much power (watts) you need to
run your system. This can include your filter, power heads,
air pump, lights, timers, and heaters.
Once you have computed how much power (watts) per hour
is required, then you have to guess at how long you
need to provide this power.
Will the power be off for a half hour, or for days?

Once you make that decision, then you start hunting for
the right size UPS. Chances are you will not find one
of the right size in the local computer store and they
may have to special order it, or you will have to contact
a manufacturer directly for a quote, and a
local distributer.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

well, the UPS consists of a battery (a set of dry batteries or a car battery)a charger circuit and an inverter (to convert DC to AC, as the battery stores DC only). The backup time solely depends upon the battery iself (means how BIG is the battery actually)...Normally you can upgrade the backup time by adding more battery units.
Most of the equiment used in medium aquariums consumes quite low power...the only "heavy duty" thing is the lighting..the motors in filters and air pumps are usually less than 20W. So if you can compromise lights, you can run the tank for quite some time
as for spikes, using a voltage regulator to at the input size of the converter (the actual charger of the UPS) can be used