Vectors M1 with battery backup and Neptune Apex

mikebow16 · 06/18/2018, 11:22 AM

Wanted to bounce an idea off some people to see if this is viable.
I want to upgrade my return pump to a controllable DC pump. I like the idea of a battery backup on the return in case of power outage.

Problem one apparently Neptune and Ecotech are not getting along and my wxm module will not control the pump. Normally that would not be an issue except during water changes and low sump conditions the pump is turned off using the controller. Simply turning off the switch will not work since the battery will kick on.

I looked into getting the cor pump from Neptune but they do not offer battery backup which is a deal breaker for me. I don’t really want to jerry rig a battery to kick during an outage and possibly have the same issue.

So here is my solution, feel free to poke holes in it and bring up issues that’s why I’m putting it out there. Using the vectra m1 pump with battery backup, I will add a solid state relay on a second controlled outlet. Connecting the battery leads to the normally closed posts so when the outlet is energized the battery is disconnected. Under normal operation and during power outages the battery is connected. For water changes or failsafe conditions the relay outlet will turn on and disconnect the battery from the vectra.

I haven’t sourced any parts yet but I was figuring an old cell phone charger to activate the relay. Since under normal conditions the relay is off I won’t have to worry about too much wear and tear on the relay or heat build up.

What do you guys think?

Mike

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Rover88 · 06/18/2018, 11:33 AM

You might be overthinking the requirements a bit.

I don't have a Vectra, but for the normal powerheads they already have a spot to plug in a battery backup.

If you get a Coaxial plug that fits (I have some extras, they were 25cents), you just need to connect a battery to that directly. The EcoTech Driver is already designed to automatically switch over to that port when you lose power.

You can save yourself all the finangling with your own detector to see if power is on, and just rely on the EcoTech to tell you. I've got mine hooked up 24/7, and the second it loses Mains power, it swaps over.

The only thing to question is what the input on a Vectra backup is. The website for EcoTech specifies you need their special booster to make it work with their regular batteries, and the regular EcoTech powersupply puts out 12Volts, IIRC.

mikebow16 · 06/18/2018, 11:45 AM

The issue is not the battery backup automatically switching on during an outage that part will work fine. In the event that the controller turns off the outlet the pump will see that as a power outage and switch to battery. This setup would ensure the pump turns off. If the controller could talk with the pump and send an off command the battery would not engage.

I ran into a similar issue with my gyre pump but I found a third party pump controller that allowed the communication from the variable control outlets.

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Rover88 · 06/18/2018, 12:01 PM

Ahhhhh, I thought you were taking it off the controlled outlet because it wasn't talking right.

06/18/2018, 11:22 AM	#1
mikebow16 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 53	Vectors M1 with battery backup and Neptune Apex Wanted to bounce an idea off some people to see if this is viable. I want to upgrade my return pump to a controllable DC pump. I like the idea of a battery backup on the return in case of power outage. Problem one apparently Neptune and Ecotech are not getting along and my wxm module will not control the pump. Normally that would not be an issue except during water changes and low sump conditions the pump is turned off using the controller. Simply turning off the switch will not work since the battery will kick on. I looked into getting the cor pump from Neptune but they do not offer battery backup which is a deal breaker for me. I don’t really want to jerry rig a battery to kick during an outage and possibly have the same issue. So here is my solution, feel free to poke holes in it and bring up issues that’s why I’m putting it out there. Using the vectra m1 pump with battery backup, I will add a solid state relay on a second controlled outlet. Connecting the battery leads to the normally closed posts so when the outlet is energized the battery is disconnected. Under normal operation and during power outages the battery is connected. For water changes or failsafe conditions the relay outlet will turn on and disconnect the battery from the vectra. I haven’t sourced any parts yet but I was figuring an old cell phone charger to activate the relay. Since under normal conditions the relay is off I won’t have to worry about too much wear and tear on the relay or heat build up. What do you guys think? Mike Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Mike

06/18/2018, 11:45 AM	#3
mikebow16 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 53	The issue is not the battery backup automatically switching on during an outage that part will work fine. In the event that the controller turns off the outlet the pump will see that as a power outage and switch to battery. This setup would ensure the pump turns off. If the controller could talk with the pump and send an off command the battery would not engage. I ran into a similar issue with my gyre pump but I found a third party pump controller that allowed the communication from the variable control outlets. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Mike

06/18/2018, 11:33 AM	#2
Rover88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 590	You might be overthinking the requirements a bit. I don't have a Vectra, but for the normal powerheads they already have a spot to plug in a battery backup. If you get a Coaxial plug that fits (I have some extras, they were 25cents), you just need to connect a battery to that directly. The EcoTech Driver is already designed to automatically switch over to that port when you lose power. You can save yourself all the finangling with your own detector to see if power is on, and just rely on the EcoTech to tell you. I've got mine hooked up 24/7, and the second it loses Mains power, it swaps over. The only thing to question is what the input on a Vectra backup is. The website for EcoTech specifies you need their special booster to make it work with their regular batteries, and the regular EcoTech powersupply puts out 12Volts, IIRC.

06/18/2018, 12:01 PM	#4
Rover88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 590	Ahhhhh, I thought you were taking it off the controlled outlet because it wasn't talking right.