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Aux Power Supply

JohnnyC

New member
Anyone ever make an auxiliary power supply just in case of power outage? I just completed a 1500W DC to AC system and I am going to see how long it will last for about 700W output, if need be I can add more batteries so that it will last longer. I also added an aural alert and an LED to indicate a power outage so that if I am home it will wake me up to check and make sure that the animals can be kept at a survivable temperature. I can post pictures parts listing, and even put up a schematic of the system if anyone is interested. Just thought that someone might need something with all the terrible weather this winter.
 
Sure, I'm interested. Is this something that can be put together on a solderless breadboard? Pics would be nice.
 
Thats sounds like an awesome idea. Specs, pics, And a part list would be awesome! My neighborhood has occasional power outages and the only way to keep them right when that happens is boiling a wash cloth and putting it under the tank which still doesn't work that well
 
Drawings and pictures

I have been a little busy but I have a few pictures and a general schematic as well. I will work on the parts list but my computer crashed not to long ago and took it out as well, so I will have to do some research on the parts. I also don't exactly know how many amp this thing is pulling, and it seems to not really be able to do 1500W with this inverter, and it is pulling way more than 30 amp with about 750-800W, but a higher wattage inverter might actually reduce the input wattage. I will have to try and run just some flex watt heaters and see how long it can run them and a what wattage.
Everything on the drawing is mounted inside the box. Enjoy!
Aux Drawings.JPG
Aux1.JPG
aux2.JPG
Aux3.JPG
 
Wow man that looks great. Do you have any kind of steps lol I am not above doing electrical work but I am not that much of a whiz to figure it out lol. Would an APC for like a computer work?
 
Vent it!
Charging that battery separates some of the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gases. The switch part of a DC starter relay sometimes arcs as it makes contact. Having both sealed in the same containment makes for a potential explosion. Usually a battery explosion doesn't damage things from the blast, but it sprays the corrosive electrolyte everywhere.
You might want to think about moving the DC relay to the outside of the containment even if you do vent it. I've seen a few battery tops explode with only the gas that was inside the battery.

http://zomeworks.com/research/hydrogen-venting/faqs
http://www.bdbatteries.com/hydrogenventing.php
 
Aux Pwr

Yes I had considered the gassing out of hydrogen but it does have holes on the cover, and since I am using a battery tender it is not going to gas out that much while charging since it will only charge when needed. You could move the batteries out and into a better vented area but as long as you don't hook up a 10-15Amp charger with the lid is on it should be fine. The parts that I used are: 1500W inverter that I bought at Frye's but I would look for a better unit than this since the fan comes on at all time and does not have a thermal switch. $150.00
Dayton AC relay 120VAC 15Amps Grainger PN: 5YR16. $25.00
Battery butler 12 VDC Tender / Charger PN: BBFC100 $15.00
Floyd bell One Touch Mutable Sono Alert PN: OC-09-530-SOA $30.00
Solenoid I think it was from Napa PN: MPEST82SB $17.00
Battery Deep cycle from Napa $75.00
Linrose Superbrite LED Red @ Frye's $4.99
Receptacle / Socket for outlet $??
2 Extension cords about 5 feet long $??
Push-on connectors, butt splices, and ring terminals, and wire I used 16 gage except for the battery to solenoid / inverter which were I think 2 or 4 gage, the inverter came with this heavy wire.
I had considered using a Aux Pwr for computers but they did not have enough wattage for my use. I would not rule it out if it was for just one snake but for multiple animals, and higher wattage I opted to make my own, or at least experiment with something. I will eventually get a back up generator that will come on in case of emergency power outage, but I will always use this as well.
This is not a hard project and could help keep your animals warm in an otherwise deadly situation. Just Pm me if you have any questions, and good luck.
 
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