Red Sea dc pumps, and battery backup

robreefer420 · Jul 4, 2024

I'm starting a new build. Upgrading from my 20 gallon peninsula, to a Innovative EXT 112 100g cube tank. I have almost all the equipment figured out, except protien skimmer, return pump. I really like the Reefer Dc 300, and the Reefrun 7000. Both are 24vdc pumps, but cant seem to fin any info on running them off a dc battery backup. Has anyone attempted to, or gotten these on backup? From what intel ive gathered, each pump has its own 24vdc power supply that connects between the pump and controller.

My plan is to have 2 mp40s, return and skimmer on the backup in the end. Thanks in advance for any information.

PharmrJohn · Jul 5, 2024

BR260354 · Jul 5, 2024

Well, depends how deep you want to go with it. You can do something as simple as a UPS or a portable power station like an Ecoflow Delta 2.

With my setup, I run Hydros controllers. I have a Kraken with a 100ah SLA battery. However, if power is down, it will only supply 12v, which I don't believe the RR7000 (or 5500) will run. So, I also have a Ecoflow Delta 2 all plugged into that. I then have a USB to barrel to the 0-10v in on my X4. The USB is plugged into the wall outlet so when power is down, I have the Hydros go into the first stage of power outage - shutdown lights and certain things YET keep running other pumps at normal power. If power is out for longer than 12 hours (roughly), the Ecoflow will be drained and the 100ah SLA battery will take over running the remaining wave pumps at 12v. Overkill....maybe, but fun to put together.

Soon I will be moving to a subpanel configuration for critical loads and an Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra for a more robust solution.

C_AWOL · Jul 5, 2024

With the price of premade lfp batteries like ecoflows, there's less of a reason to use anything else.
Each Wh of the battery capacity is roughly equivalent to how many watts the unit can run for 1 hour (due to age/effeciency of the battery). So a 1000Wh battery can run 1000 watts continuously for ~ 1 hour (roughly double at 500w and so forth)

BR260354 · Jul 5, 2024

yep, I did the 100ah SLA before the Ecoflow. But, since I had it, why not. Having a way to detect when there is a power loss is an added benefit so I can shut off certain things. Of course, I could just plug those into another power strip not connected to the Ecoflow. Many ways to set it up.

robreefer420 · Jul 5, 2024

My plan was to use 2 lead acid, or agm batteries in series so i have 24 vdc to power my mp40s, Dc300, and reefrun. Running everything in DC is much much more effiecient than converting dc to ac via an inverter. I was just wondering if anyone had the redsea equipment running on icecap or ecosmart batteries, and whether they had to do a custom wire job, or if the redseas stuff had inputs for backup DC.

theatrus · Jul 6, 2024

robreefer420 said:
My plan was to use 2 lead acid, or agm batteries in series so i have 24 vdc to power my mp40s, Dc300, and reefrun. Running everything in DC is much much more effiecient than converting dc to ac via an inverter. I was just wondering if anyone had the redsea equipment running on icecap or ecosmart batteries, and whether they had to do a custom wire job, or if the redseas stuff had inputs for backup DC.

They do not have inputs for backup DC - you'd need to arrange for a switchover or paralleled input to run them on 24V. Over in the DIY forums we're working on some turn key stuff for that in the DCBuddy.

The EcoFlow of course works, but you're going to lose 20%+ on the dual conversion to and from AC. Not a huge deal and its plug and go.

The risk of using batteries directly is the charge voltage for series lead acid and LiFePO4 cells can exceed the max input voltage the pump controller is rated for (29.2V for an 8s LiFePO4 for example) - there needs to be a transfer switch.

The Vortechs enter a low power mode when fed 12V so you get a lot of extra runtime (and it made their battery module trivial). You can feed it on either the main or backup port - they're just diode-bred internally.

robreefer420 · Jul 6, 2024

theatrus said:
They do not have inputs for backup DC - you'd need to arrange for a switchover or paralleled input to run them on 24V. Over in the DIY forums we're working on some turn key stuff for that in the DCBuddy.

The EcoFlow of course works, but you're going to lose 20%+ on the dual conversion to and from AC. Not a huge deal and its plug and go.

The risk of using batteries directly is the charge voltage for series lead acid and LiFePO4 cells can exceed the max input voltage the pump controller is rated for (29.2V for an 8s LiFePO4 for example) - there needs to be a transfer switch.

The Vortechs enter a low power mode when fed 12V so you get a lot of extra runtime (and it made their battery module trivial). You can feed it on either the main or backup port - they're just diode-bred internally.

Thank you, this is the info I was looking for. I am very electrically savvy being an elevator tech. If there wasn't a plug and play option, I was thinking I could splice into the output of the AC power supplies, and put the output of the batteries on a relay that is powered by the wall outlet. That way the battery output would only be applied to the devices when the power goes out (eliminating the over voltage from a charger). I could create a how to post in the diy forum when I design it. Should be a fairly simple project.

ShakeyGizzard · Jul 6, 2024

Its not hard to build a battery back up to last a day, or even more. How long you want it to run and how much you got to spend is the kicker. You can build a battery back up to run pumps and lighting or a complete set up including heaters for limited periods of time. I use a set up on my boat for my trolling motor that packs a lot of power for extended periods of time. Interstate batteries sells a 31m deep cycle battery for $200 (they were $129 before inflation in 2022) you can run 2, 4, or 6 (best) to power a converter. I have on board charges to keep maintained when not in use and on average I get 3 to 4 years from each battery and this is with constant use. If you live in cold climate areas that loose power during the winter you defiantly need a generator for more than your tank. Were I am at its only during hurricane season that power can go out for extended periods of time if one comes close to me. you can cut your skimmer, heaters, UV, etc. off and just run wavemakers and return pump during this period. This will give me ample time to get my generator fired up. I am waiting on Wife approval to build this battery back system that can be used for other things also. If you spend a lot of money on fish, coral, and equipment. why skimp. You can loose thousands because of the forth coming political , green energy, and weather black outs that are coming.

theatrus · Jul 6, 2024

robreefer420 said:
Thank you, this is the info I was looking for. I am very electrically savvy being an elevator tech. If there wasn't a plug and play option, I was thinking I could splice into the output of the AC power supplies, and put the output of the batteries on a relay that is powered by the wall outlet. That way the battery output would only be applied to the devices when the power goes out (eliminating the over voltage from a charger). I could create a how to post in the diy forum when I design it. Should be a fairly simple project.

Yup, the relay approach is the standard way of tackling this.