Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

ok - is this right:
When the mains power is on, The 9 or 12 volt adapter keeps the switch open, and the connection to the battery is off, therefore the pump is off

When the mains power turns off the switch is closed, the battery connects and the backup pump is on via battery power.

: Is the battery charged by the adapter or would you use a trickle charger?

Cant imagine it would use much power....so would cost next to $0 to have it ready and waiting as a backup...

Thanks for posting though - starting to get it....

It would require a slightly more complicated circuit to feed the relay from the battery charger.
This design is using a trickle charger or 13.8vdc supply to charge the battery and a separate plugpack for the ac fail.

Yeah trickle charger (smart type) is always connected to mains charging the battery.

Does this mean that the power will always be recharging the battery and in turn the battery is being used by the pump?

No, cause the relay when it is powered goes from closed to open. So the pump is off. If the power fails the relay closes and turns on the pump.

I think we are starting to get it. Thanks everyone else for jumping in to answer questions.

No battery charging done with this simple setup. As OBO says get yourself a little smart trickle charger. These have a good reputation http://www.ctek.com/EN-AU/home/Default.aspx

hi

is this how it is wired up?
pardon my extreme photoshop skills but I have to visualise it to see how this works

I wouldnt plan on pulling a battery down below 50% otherwise it wont last long

I did some tests with a very similar 12v pump and found a 300W inverter running 60W AC pump drew much less power than the straight DC pump??
AC pump spec to give more air too.
Good part is this AC pump is same as main airpump so I have a spare if needed.
As far as wiring goes wire up the same just activate Inverter rather than DC pump

Any tips on a good charger? Mine seems to cycle all the time, bound to wear the relay out in the charger, Id say. (it is a 7A Ctek)

Jet,
With this setup it should not cycle that much. You are not drawing any power from the battery unless power has failed. So most of the time the charger should be sitting at float charge.
Was it an old battery perhaps?

the battery is a big wet cell but the charger does this on whatever battery its on, the float charge cycle senses when volts drop then charges until it is above certain level, I think mine senses this change over around 1 sec, so its on then off every few seconds.
Most likely a problem with the charger

Those using wet cell batteries, dont put them straight on a cement floor, cold sink will ruin them, also keep an eye on fluid levels as even small chargers can boil off water.

This discussion (Batteries on concrete) was had back in 06/07....I remember because I was always told the same and by my Tech lecturer no less....turns out its just a fable or wives tale.
This is the link to the Discussion

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=482&hilit=battery+on+concrete&start=120

Yup wives tale.

Main thing with nearly any battery, don't leave it flat for any length of time at all.

Yeh, thats the way. BTW Had mine hooked into an Inverter, originally, until it packed it in.
Believe me this setup produces a great amount of air supply and at a good depth. I have 7 (50 x 25 stones) running at once and water boils.

I pull the out the powerpack (this activates system) once a week and operate for 10 mins, Go around and check all airstones, they do have a tendency to clog up and not work.

Would this be ok for the trickle charge?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12-Volt-Smar ... 19c6596730

Also where can i buy the battery from without having to pay say $200+?

Just get a battery from a wrecker... my father in law sells batteries from his wortkshop for 30 - 40 each depending on size.
I got 3 brand new 550CA's off him about 2 weeks ago (of course im family) but you can get em cheap.
if your hearts set on dry cell's then i cant help their big $$$'s new or old.