Power Outage

[Neptune, the Mystic]

My HDB block experiences power outage with such regularity that I no longer instinctively check my circuit breaker. (You get numb to it). The outage appears to be confined to only my block presumably because of the lift upgrading that is taking forever to complete.

The power failure can last 30 to 60 minutes. However, the incident last Sunday lasted 90 minutes.

If you guys are caught in such a power-less situation (not a pun), what can you do if anything at all where your fish-stock is concerned? Get a generator on stand-by? Or sue for the loss of your rare or exotic fish?

[felix_fx2]

Hi,

You can get a AC/DC airpump, that is a common sight for large predatory fish like aro.
Else, there are actually solutions that can also power your filtration systems (UPS systems for aquarium). But cost alot more that only deeper pocket folks willing to fork out the money.

But before you get overly happy, UPS systems in general can only supply power around 20-60minutes. Highly dependent on the power drawn by your equipment.

You can start asking google for more infomation.


Cheers

[joshuatang]

Hi bro Neptune, there is no point in suing. The contractors are definitely guarded by a safety legal net. Can probably write in to your town council for advise.

on a more pressing issue, I reckon the AC/DC pump is your next best option. I had a blackout once it saved my Arowana. Generators are too costly, bro! I research on ot before and you will need diesel on standby. Too dangerous for hdb residential living!

2nd - invest in those portable air pumps for anglers when they bring live bait for fishing.

The AC/DC pump can actually run quite long without power. I had it going for 1.5 hrs before. If you are trapped without power for more than 2-3hours, time to use that battery air pump and call your help.But I honestly don't think it will last that long.

If you are not at home, hmmmm I need a bit more time to think of a solution.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[felix_fx2]

Hi,

I found it, it was in the brochure i got from reef systems in the recent aquarama. Worse part, it's really really high priced.
Not for the faint hearted......... $900+ - $1800+ (ok, AC/DC seems to be a 100% wiser choice)

I managed to find the product maker's page.
http://www.genplus.my/home/

Personal note, maybe can look at computer UPS. Those entry level ones might be good for running just filter for a while, their around $100 onwards can run a desktop pc under load for 20-30minutes.
But need some electrician advise, i am sure filter runing 10w+ will last different

Cheers

[li_gangyi]

If the computer UPS can do a 200W load (a typical computer now) for 10-20mins, it should last a fair bit longer if it's just operating a pump and/or filter. The question remains if the pump can run on the modified squarish waveform that comes out of the UPS, most cheapish UPSes don't output anything that looks like the right sine wave, it'll probably induce more noise in the motor for example, and it really depends on whether the motor/item will tolerate being driven by a square wave.

[Neptune, the Mystic]

Wow! Appreciate the responses on hardware that I am learning loads about since it is new knowledge to me.

Fortunately for us in Singapore, buying tropical fish is very convenient and pricing is, understandably, nowhere you can get in the States. That being the case, it is more economical to replace livestock than buying hardware costing a bomb.

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I think affected residents have raised issue not so much on the power failures but the protracted completion date for the lift upgrading, now expected Sept 2013. Taking 4 years to complete just a lift project is ridiculously long! And that's assuming it is on track this time.

Finally, just kidding about suing.