Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well after seeing that your valve is physically quite a bit lower than the outlets from it. I've adjusted the set up that I was having difficulty with and now it is indexing forward each cycle. However since I'm running minimal pressure, it does not seal well around the indicator stem so I've set up a container under the valve to return the drippage back to the fish tank.

Keep up the good work there OBO, we are following your progress with eager anticipation.

Man that is a lot of pipework... Love to see an overhear shot when it's all finished...

Damn, just went and checked nearmap but they only have over head shots from 2004.

That's one great project OBO. Really looks good.

In the last photo of the pumps in the tank I noticed a double elbow on the outlet. I'm curious as to why.

Mal

Finally cleared customs and arrived today Colin... will post tomorrow AM...

How high a flow rate.

Well OBO is running 16000L/h pumps... at about zero head...

Malcolm c - look a bit closer you'll see the double elbow is actually there to raise the pipe from the pump to the wall bulkhead height. The middle of the tank and the pump outlet is a good 10cm lower than the wall bulkhead.

Cool thanks Rupe, I'm away from home for 2 weeks anyway

tks obo. I zoomed in and can now see the obvious.

Mal

OBO, would you mind sharing a little bit more information regarding the backup air supply. Part names and numbers would be great.

At the moment I have a fairly clear idea except for the solar controller and relay.

you'll have to wait till I get home in a fortnight for exact ebay item numbers.


The following relates to 12v current draw.

To put it simply I have around 10A of current draw from a large air pump, which is supplied power from a battery via an inverter.

When the water pump switches off, or the mains power fails, a 12v relay switches off which switches the 12v inverter on, starting the air pump.

The battery is kept charged via a large dumb 12v 10A charger, which is controlled by a 10A smart solar charger.

The relay controlling the whole lot is commonly called a changover relay.

If you really want a drawing I can do one, however I dont want to I figured it out by myself

Just takes up drinking time

Regards,

Colin

Thanks for that.

I will be running a airpump aco03 which draws 55w and the laguna 16000 which draws 160w.

Debating if I should backup both or just air.

Initial plans are:
1. Car battery
2. Trickle charger
3. 300w inverter

Would plugging the air into the inverter to run the air work as a backup if the mains power trips?

Or would I need something else to make it work?

Car battery isn't going to cut it. You need a deep cycle battery. Look at the battery backup thread.

Double check to see if the inverter is 300 surge watts or constant. I think consensus is to just back up the air.

vlt, I use a car (actually I think a 4WD) battery and it works... just don't expect it to last forever, since they are not built for a long discharge... so they would probably survive a few power failures... but they are cheaper than deep cycle batteries...



If by this, you mean to constantly run the air pump via the inverter and hence not built a changeover relay... then you will need a charger that is capable of charging the battery and power the air pump at the same time... not a trickle charger...

By the way, I would suggest we do not hijack OBO thread anymore. Start your own thread if you need, but search the forum for battery backup.. there have been many threads.. if you need a changeover relay circuit drawing.. I have one, but you will either need a sparkie or be able to wire 240VAC safely... but by law you need a sparkie...

If your running an inverter from 12v, and charging via 12v you dont need a sparky at all, but a RCD might be handy for the faint hearted.

VLT - that is exactly as my first air backup systems worked. The air ran constantly from the inverter, and the charger kept the battery charged. If mains failed, the air just kept right on as usuall. The normal water pumps just ran off mains. Your charger mnust be able to smartly charge the total current draw of your air pump, plus a little extra. If it charges too much it wil fry your battery, if it charges too little it will kill your battery. A normal 4wd battery will work excellently in your application, as long as your mains power supply is pretty reliable.
Unfortunately, when you start talking about 200w air pumps, it gets very inneficient to run them constantly. Hence the changeover realy.

Upon re-reading, Ivan sums it up pretty well......back to the beer