COMPLETE DIY BATTERY BACKUP SOLUTION - FOR A SPS MIXED REEF AQUARIUM

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Жыл бұрын

In this video, I will be showing you my newly built reef aquarium lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) auto transfer, battery backup system. It’s been years in the planning, I finally went ahead and built this system and I am looking forward to sharing it with you. We’ll talk about why I decided to build this and go through all of the individual steps in putting together this backup system. At the end, I will install the generator and discuss some of the little details that will allow it to save my behind, when there is a power outage. Here we go.
Instructional Videos
Electricity Explained (beginner tutorial)
• Electricity Explained:...
DIY 400 Watt 12 Volt Power System Tutorial
• DIY 400 Watt 12 volt S...
• How To Build A Solar S...
How to Install a Shunt and Battery Meter
• How to Monitor RV Batt...
DC Wire and Connectors
• Off-grid Solar Buyer's...
Wiring Fuses, Breakers and safety
• Fuses, Breakers, and B...
Cutting Cables and Installing Lugs
• How to Crimp Various E...
Here are links to many of the products that we used in this battery backup build. Using these Amazon links to purchase your products, helps to support Craft Aquatic. Thank You!
Copper DC Cable (Go for this brand, which uses all copper wire, good price for 5’ or 10’ which will be enough for many builds)
10’ Black 2/0 Cable
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10’ Red 2/0 Cable
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5’ Black 2/0 Cable
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5’ Red 2/0 Cable
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5’ Red 4 AWG Cable
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5’ Black 4 AWG Cable
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12 AWG Wire for DC components
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LUGS, Affordable Crimper and Best Stripper
Lugs and Shrink Wrap 2/0 AWG
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Lugs and Shrink Wrap 4 AWG
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Purchase this stripper Jokari 10270
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Good Affordable Crimper
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Better Crimper
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Chins LiFePo4 Battery (I can personally recommend this brand for best value and reliability especially for larger inverter BDS Inrush startup)
50AH (perfect for DC only system, where you want to increase pump only runtime)
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100AH (the one I use in this video)
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200AH (the one I will be upgrading to for increased capacity)
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Inverter (Spend your money on high quality cable, a good battery and the best inverter you can afford. 1000W is okay, but 2000W will cover most any reef tank including heaters)
Aims 2000 Watt Inverter with Auto Transfer (this is the one I used in this video, you will need to purchase the panel mount on/off switch separately… see below in hardware list)
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Another High Quality 2000W Auto Transfer Inverter
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Budget 2000W Inverter with Auto Transfer
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Battery Meters and Shunts
Here is the one I use. Not the best out there, but affordable and good quality. This meter comes with a 200A shunt, which is plenty of capacity. I’d actually replace the shunt it comes with with this one.
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This meter comes with a 100A Shunt. Good for lower capacity systems.
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Best Choice Meter with a 350A Shunt and real time battery status. Highly recommended and the one I will be using on future builds. Also, easier to drill round holes than to cut square one’s.
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If you don’t care about a front panel meter (you can add it later) and want the absolute best, get this bluetooth shunt
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Fuse Blocks (Basically all the same. Simply pick the capacity you need)
The one I used
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Compact
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Large
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Hardware
Waterproof AC Panel Mount Outlet (output)
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Waterproof AC Panel Mount Inlet Socket
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DC Breaker Switch 60Amp
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DC Panel On / Off Switch 300A
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300 amp Shunt
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4 in 1 Charger / switch Socket Panel (the one I use in this video)
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On / Off switch for Aims Inverter
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Wire Nut Connectors
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12 AWG Fork/Spade Electrical Crimp Terminals
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DC Panel Connectors / For DC Pumps (make sure to size these to your specific wires. I’ve included the first link, if you decide to solder on new ends, to your existing DC wires)
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Download the music in this and many of the other Craft Aquatic videos at
craftaquatic.bandcamp.com
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The songs in this video were a collaboration with my Son and can be found under the names “Toebox Volcano” and “Toebox Overworld” All proceeds go straight to his future education. We really appreciate your support.

Пікірлер: 25

@kevinturner5544 Жыл бұрын

Nice Grand Seiko. Oh and the tank is awesome too

@craftaquatic6472 Жыл бұрын

Good to meet another watch fan.. and reef keeper. Lol!

@docforestal Жыл бұрын

great build - love the detail you have shared - cheers

@kksheff9296 Жыл бұрын

excellent video describing what you did even though i was still confused lol. Most tutorials don’t involve all of the fuses that you used so it’s good to see how you implemented them.

@craftaquatic6472 Жыл бұрын

Happy to help and Thank You! It is a lot to take in, but we’ll worth the effort. Let me know if you decide to build one and have any questions

@danielfogarty3266 6 ай бұрын

Looks and works great! About to do this for my tank. Could you make video on how you setup the apex to prioritize certain things when power goes out? Since the inverter switches so fast how does the apex know the power went out??

@craftaquatic6472 6 ай бұрын

Thank you! I might include that info as part of a future video. Pretty basic. Plug into your DC input on the apex to a circuit in your home that will cut during a power outage. The apex will now be able to sense a power outage, even while plugged in to your battery generator. From there it is a simple matter of setting up “if .. then,” commands. most of that is covered in Apex videos already. Hope that helps

@garrycole9187 Жыл бұрын

Awesome build, I just have a rechargeable LIPO4 battery to back up my main MP40 and my inkbird. I live in the Phoenix area so the biggest challenge is keep the water moving and cool as much as possible. I don't think there is enough backup to run a cooler, which not too many people here uses because it creates a lot of heat. If have looked into Will Prowse DIY solar generators, but that is beyond my skill set.

@craftaquatic6472 Жыл бұрын

Thanks! LiPo is a good option to have, in pinch. Plenty of people have them kicking around for their RC cars and such, so they can be a great option, so long as you have one charged and ready to go. Also, batteries for lawn equipment are another great option. Building a battery generator is not for everyone, but Will Prowse is an excellent resource if you ever decide to. Thanks for checking out the video!

@mickeystock8623 6 ай бұрын

Great video. I only wish I had the knowledge to do something like this for my 225 gal tank. I'm comfortable with DIY and tackle some electrical things, but small ones. This one is way above my comfort zone. You willing to build something like this for a fee? I'm in central CT and luckily we don't lose power that often. P.S. Beautiful tank too!

@craftaquatic6472 6 ай бұрын

Thank you! I’d have to think about it, but that is a possibility maybe spring early summer. Much of my shop is outside. Wouldn’t be cheap, but it is pretty nice to have a purpose built power cab.

@skinnerjw5525 Жыл бұрын

Hudson valley! I’m in FISHKILL saw your bowls at Aquarium solutions

@craftaquatic6472 Жыл бұрын

Well hello neighbor. Glad you got to see the triple nano vase in person. It’s been doing very well over at 101. Hoping to keep them there for at least a few more months, maybe adding a few singles. What kind of setup are you running?

@reeferkenneth8657 4 ай бұрын

Auto Transfer inverter....for folks that have a regular non-auto power transfer inverter is there an electronic device you can buy that does the same? To automatically transfer over to inverter/battery power if house power dies when you are not at home? Thanks

@craftaquatic6472 4 ай бұрын

One affordable option is the Xantrex PROwatt sw 15A Transfer Relay 808-0915 It is 15 amp $70 but have no experience with it myself

@reeferkenneth8657 4 ай бұрын

appreciate it, thanks for the help and for sharing all your information and videos. @@craftaquatic6472

@KathouQC 7 ай бұрын

Nice setup I should do this for my aquarium soon aha how much all this cost you?

@craftaquatic6472 7 ай бұрын

Battery was around $200 and the inverter $140 used cables and hardware another $150 - $200. Not cheap, but worth every penny

@craftaquatic6472 7 ай бұрын

I’ve linked to all the parts below, if you’d like to use my build as a template

@mikew4435 6 ай бұрын

How is this working out after a few months? I have read that this particular inverter cannot be plugged into a gfci receptacle. (Some internal components apparently cause nuisance trips)I’m assuming if you fed the inverter from a non gfci receptacle, and installed a gfci receptacle for the load side of the inverter this would fix this issue. Obviously under normal conditions when using grid power you would want your tank gfci protected. What if anything would you do differently?

@craftaquatic6472 6 ай бұрын

So far, the build has been very reliable and has carried the system through one lengthy power out. About 28 hours. I do feed this inverter with a GFCI circuit, with no issues. I can’t find the info you are referring to. Care to share a link?

@mikew4435 6 ай бұрын

It was in the Amazon reviews for the inverter itself. Three different reviews mentioned tripping via gfci

@craftaquatic6472 6 ай бұрын

Got it. Fortunately, no issues with my build, so far. My inverter is plugged into a circuit using a 20 amp gfci. I switch the breaker off and on, to test the entire system at least once a month. It’s hard to say what the issue is, without closely inspecting others builds. Hoping it is not a QC issue. The inverter is built like a tank.

@mikew4435 6 ай бұрын

So I am a bit confused. What is your total tank draw in watts? You said your heater alone was 800w. Granted that would not be running for the entire time. How are you able to get 6+ hours of run time. With only 1280wh available you should be able to run 400w for three hours?

@craftaquatic6472 6 ай бұрын

I’ve set the Apex to prioritize specific functions during a power outage. In tank circulation switches over to the generators DC outputs. Return pump is AC, which remains on. All lights and dosing pumps pause to conserve power. Heat switches to low temp set at 76, in sump 200 watt heater. Rarely comes on, unless very cold outside and home temp drops significantly. I’ll be installing a 200MAh battery very soon, for increased run time. Cabinet will facilitate 3 - 100 AH or up to 1 300 AH