Solar Powered Aquarium

[lkruper]

Inverter/Charger with programmable features in this case running more than thousands dollars. the ups and batteries are less than $500. you do the math.

Many Samlex chargers have a DC UPS built into them. Also remember that the APC is not pure sine wave, so that lowers the cost.

Samlex charger/DC UPS - SEC-1215UL - $130
Cotek Pure Sine Wave Inverter - S150-112 - $139

The Cotek is a pure sine wave inverter, unlike the APC. The one thing the APC does that is programmable is that there is a setting to cause the unit to shut down without discharging the battery. To get this feature, one can add a Samlex battery guard which can be programmed for Low Voltage Disconnect for about $115.

So for $384 one gets a DC UPS, real two or three stage charger with meaningful amps to take care of expensive batteries and a pure sine wave output along with the ability to choose from 10 different LVD settings. The charger also has settings for different kinds of batteries.

What happens to the 200AH AGM batteries put in parallel with 9AH UPS batteries in the APC UPS of a different type and size?

[paulcheung]

Wouldn't it be more straightforward to get an inverter/charger and use it with the 2 200AH AGMs?

e
Inverter/Charger with programmable features in this case running more than thousands dollars. the ups and batteries are less than $500. you do the math.

[paulcheung]

APC has software called Powerchute and also a freeware from Sourceforge called Apcupsd. I have each installed on different computers. There are algorithms in the firmware of the APC units and these software packages communicate with it in a proprietary way.

The 1500 has two 9ah batteries and the external battery back has four more. The UPS is designed to charge the 54 AH in about 8 hours. If it were possible to add a couple 12v 200 AH AGM batteries to be charged via this cable (this is a 24v system), the amperage would be pretty low and the time to charge would be measured in days.

Also, what would be the effect of putting 200 AH batteries in parallel to the two internal 9ah UPS batteries? Not only are they different capacities, but they are also not the same kind of batteries.

Wouldn't it be more straightforward to get an inverter/charger and use it with the 2 200AH AGMs?

In my case, the old batteries died and is tooooo Expensive to replace them, so I disconnect them and use two large truck battery, (I can't get AGM in Jamaica). It give me more than 5 hours for the light and tv before I got my solar system. I think AGM will more kind to the charging rates, that is why I suggest AGM.

[lkruper]

I replaced my first UPS when it's battery failed but now know better that I can find a perfectly new battery for much less then the cost of a new UPS so for me it is worth keeping the older UPS.

It is extremely easy to hot-swap a battery in the consumer units.

[SunEagle]

Yes, I know. I now have an assortment of APC 550s, a 1300 and a 1500 with the extra battery pack distributed both at home and at the cabin. In three years or so I will have to decide what to do when the batteries start failing.

For the price with a lightning deal on Amazon, a 5 year old unit might be worth replacing instead of replacing batteries. I know that is what APC would want you to do

I replaced my first UPS when it's battery failed but now know better that I can find a perfectly new battery for much less then the cost of a new UPS so for me it is worth keeping the older UPS.

[lkruper]

I think a UPS is a great idea but remember that even those batteries have a limited number of cycles.

My APC 550va is about 5 years old and from the way the devices I have plugged into it are acting, (CCTV cameras stops recording) I would say I no longer have the same backup time to handle the same load as in the beginning. Time for a replacement battery.

Yes, I know. I now have an assortment of APC 550s, a 1300 and a 1500 with the extra battery pack distributed both at home and at the cabin. In three years or so I will have to decide what to do when the batteries start failing.

For the price with a lightning deal on Amazon, a 5 year old unit might be worth replacing instead of replacing batteries. I know that is what APC would want you to do

[SunEagle]

Agreed. In my case, the UPS keeps my TV, DirectTV, small desktop and an led light going for about 4 hours. That is long enough for me to decide if I need to start the generator. If I add a more substantial backup it will be through my manual transfer switch. I was intrigued that Paul mentioned the UPS that I just bought in this context.

I think a UPS is a great idea but remember that even those batteries have a limited number of cycles.

My APC 550va is about 5 years old and from the way the devices I have plugged into it are acting, (CCTV cameras stops recording) I would say I no longer have the same backup time to handle the same load as in the beginning. Time for a replacement battery.

[lkruper]

I don't think trying to charge different size or types of batteries at the same time from the same charger will work for you.

IMO it would be better to charge those 200Ah batts using a totally different charging system then the one on the UPS.

Agreed. In my case, the UPS keeps my TV, DirectTV, small desktop and an led light going for about 4 hours. That is long enough for me to decide if I need to start the generator. If I add a more substantial backup it will be through my manual transfer switch. I was intrigued that Paul mentioned the UPS that I just bought in this context.

[SunEagle]

APC has software called Powerchute and also a freeware from Sourceforge called Apcupsd. I have each installed on different computers. There are algorithms in the firmware of the APC units and these software packages communicate with it in a proprietary way.

The 1500 has two 9ah batteries and the external battery back has four more. The UPS is designed to charge the 54 AH in about 8 hours. If it were possible to add a couple 12v 200 AH AGM batteries to be charged via this cable (this is a 24v system), the amperage would be pretty low and the time to charge would be measured in days.

Also, what would be the effect of putting 200 AH batteries in parallel to the two internal 9ah UPS batteries? Not only are they different capacities, but they are also not the same kind of batteries.

Wouldn't it be more straightforward to get an inverter/charger and use it with the 2 200AH AGMs?

I don't think trying to charge different size or types of batteries at the same time from the same charger will work for you.

IMO it would be better to charge those 200Ah batts using a totally different charging system then the one on the UPS.

[lkruper]

Normally the UPS are using voltage to shut down the unit. but if they are using software then you should be able to change the settings.

APC has software called Powerchute and also a freeware from Sourceforge called Apcupsd. I have each installed on different computers. There are algorithms in the firmware of the APC units and these software packages communicate with it in a proprietary way.

The 1500 has two 9ah batteries and the external battery back has four more. The UPS is designed to charge the 54 AH in about 8 hours. If it were possible to add a couple 12v 200 AH AGM batteries to be charged via this cable (this is a 24v system), the amperage would be pretty low and the time to charge would be measured in days.

Also, what would be the effect of putting 200 AH batteries in parallel to the two internal 9ah UPS batteries? Not only are they different capacities, but they are also not the same kind of batteries.

Wouldn't it be more straightforward to get an inverter/charger and use it with the 2 200AH AGMs?

[paulcheung]

Normally the UPS are using voltage to shut down the unit. but if they are using software then you should be able to change the settings.

[lkruper]

Find a connector that can connect to the cable come with the unit. try an electronic store. make sure the connectors and the additional cable can support 50 amps.

How do I know if the UPS puts out enough amps at the proper voltage for new batteries? Also, how does the software in the UPS know that there is excess capacity so that it does not shut down when it thinks the smaller bank is exhausted?

[paulcheung]

Hey! I just bought one of those from Amazon along with the external battery a month ago.

Teach me how to extend it! It comes with a cable to an external battery pack, but how would you add AGM batteries?

Find a connector that can connect to the cable come with the unit. try an electronic store. make sure the connectors and the additional cable can support 50 amps.

[Mike90250]

I agree a UPS (of sufficient size) and a generator are the best way to do this. If there is a winter storm, solar recharge will be less likely (clouds, ice, snow) and a generator would be more reliable. Size the UPS for a 10 hour run, and recharge it from the generator, so you can sleep at night without the generator running. Beware of how long the internal charger may need to recharge, some need 24 hours to recharge. An external charger may BBQ internal gel batteries, but AGM cells are OK to fast charge .

[lkruper]

If it were me, I would just buy one of these and buy 2 12 volt 200 amps AGM batteries connected external. it will give about 5 hours continues power on 400 watts, or 14 hours at 200 watts. The ups has 5 connections for batteries power and 5 without battery power, that mean you can put your lights on the none battery power outlet so when the grid is down the light will be out to conserve power.

http://www.amazon.com/APC-BR1500G-Ba...6&keywords=ups

Hey! I just bought one of those from Amazon along with the external battery a month ago.

Teach me how to extend it! It comes with a cable to an external battery pack, but how would you add AGM batteries?