Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    Members samtheman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    140

    Bilge pump for battery backup

    I have been told that Bilge pumps are not good for continuous operation in Aquaponics, but I was wondering if they can be use in a battery backup setup for power outages or emergency only. I have an 80 watt solar panel, 70ah gel battery and a 30 watt 12 volt bilge pump (800gph) and was contemplating the idea of making a solar battery back up where it can keep my battery charged and run the Bilge pump during power outages.....any ideas?

  2. #2
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Orange Park, Florida
    Posts
    1,830

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    Yes, they will work fine for short periods of service, however don't forget that our power outages here in Fl. are usually due to stormy weather and thus lots of cloud cover.....will your solor panel still produce enough juice under dark skys to last a week?
    JCO
    Irish eyes are always smiling but
    • "In the eyes of the world, you are only as good as your last success"
    so never forget
    • "MAN IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS IMAGINATION"

  3. #3
    Members samtheman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    140

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    I know what you mean.....I haven't seen the sun in 4 days here in Orlando. I only want to use the bilge pump when the power goes out and then switch back to the regular pump when the power comes back through a relay. The 12v bilge pump will be controlled by a relay to only come on when the power goes out and will be running off the 12v gel battery which is been trickle charge from the solar panel on a everyday basis. I'm hoping the battery is at full charge when I need it since is only been used for power outages only....

  4. #4
    Members samtheman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    140

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    Well, I setup everything and so far everything is working perfect . I killed the main power, the bosh relay detected no power and it switched to the bilge pump circuit running of a gel battery that's been trickle charge from a solar panel, the bilge pump ran for about 6 hours without a hiccup as a test. I'm happy now…..

  5. #5
    Members dead_sled's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    197

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    Very nice! Pictures and/or wiring diagrams for any who may follow in your footsteps?
    Less irritating avatar since 02/27/14.

  6. #6
    Members samtheman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    140

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    I'll see if I can get pictures with my phone, but for now I created a quick wiring diagram of the circuit :


    I am using a 12 volt wall plug transformer that I had laying around, it connects to the coil relay to turn it on,when the relay is on, the battery is connected from 87 to 30, when the power outage happens the coil looses power and then 87a connects to 30 and the Pump comes on. When the power comes back then 87 connects to 30 again and the Bilge pump shuts off.
    I am using a 12 volt Solar panel to trickle charge my battery through a solar charge controller, Some people don't use the charge controller but I do for the reason been that the charge controller will prevent the battery from overcharging.

  7. #7
    Members dead_sled's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    197

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    Very nice! Great diagram.
    Less irritating avatar since 02/27/14.

  8. #8
    Members samtheman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    140

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    These are the solar panels I am using, I get around 6 hours of full sun:


    This is the solar charge controller:


    These are 2 gel batteries running in parallel being charge by the solar panel:


    This the Bilge pump that runs during power outages. I added a "T pvc" and installed a check valve with the Bilge pump on the left and to the right of the "T pvc" I am running the main pump Danner 9.5 with a check valve also.

  9. #9
    Members Apollo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    365

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    GREAT set up...can you provide more information on what type of Bosh Relay you're using?

    One additional piece information back to you, I've been told that concrete has a way of harming a battery. You should place a piece of wood between the battery and your cement blocks, it will also add some center support to your battery.

  10. #10
    Members samtheman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    140

    Re: Bilge pump for battery backup

    I am using a 5 pin automotive bosh relay, I bought them locally for about $5.00 each but I have seem them online as low as $2.00 each: http://www.parts-express.com/12-vdc-aut ... e--330-073





    I wasn't sure about the placement of the batteries, I'll get a piece of wood for them to get them off the cement blocks.

Similar Threads

  1. Solar Panels and Backup UPS Battery backup
    By samtheman in forum General Hardware
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 12-04-2014, 10:36 AM
  2. Solar Battery Backup for 12 volt Bilge water pump
    By samtheman in forum Good, Better & Best
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-14-2014, 04:46 PM
  3. Pressure tank pump instead of electric pump?
    By notomo in forum Aquaponics Knowhow
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 12-05-2011, 06:14 AM
  4. Schematic for battery backup system
    By samtheman in forum Good, Better & Best
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-21-2011, 05:45 PM
  5. 500 GPH Bilge Pump @ $7.14
    By urbanfarmer in forum Water Pumps
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 02-05-2011, 08:50 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •