Incubator, back up power supply

[The Devil]

A few years ago as a result of a severe storm, I was without mains power for a couple of days. Luckily it was in Feb and the only eggs I still had in the incubator were 2 clutches of spotteds.
I tried a few different ways to keep them warm, warm water ect, but still ended up loosing both clutches.

Since then with the help of a friend I've set up a back up power source, not a generator, which will run 2 incubators for about 26 hours.

What I set up would take a long post to explain so I thought I'd first find out if people are interested in this set up

I'd be interested to hear what you devised Nev.
I know you can can use those UPS units designed for computer power failure, but only think they last a few hours at best.

[Glimmerman]

It would be nice to have a built in back up device similar to a UPS in my incubator. You just never now. I was thinking along the lines of connecting the incubator to a marine battery via an invertor. The length of heat would also depend on the total power output also. (using a 50w heat cord or 3x60w globes).

Interested in your theory / set up Nev.

Cheers

Damian

[Azztech]

hmmm... 2 x 6v 130ah batteries, 150watt inverter, 2 x 50 watt heat cords.

in theory, the two batteries run in series give you 12 volts at 260 amp hours, the cords draw around 8 amps per hour together, so thats around 32 hours of heat in theory anyway. the whole setup costs around $800.

[Azztech]

oh, and can be supplied and installed by me (electical technician)

[cwarren72]

share the info Nev

[The Devil]

Azztech has just about explained it all other than the switching unit I use. I'm using a black box t/stat as the switch, the inverter is on standby while the incubator is running.
This t/stat is dual wired to the lights and set .5C below the main t/stat, I figure that most eggs will cope with a .5C drop in temp.
An electrician I'm not, but I was under the impression that a standard mains outlet was rated at about 10amps, therefor I'm not sure about 2X50W heat cords drawing 8 amps. Should that be correct I could be in trouble running 5X100W lights from the same point.

With the batteries you need to use deep cycle, I use 2X6V 220 amp hour, wire together this gives 12V 220a.h. Using deep cycle batteries gives you much longer running time as they will hold 12V down to about 40% capacity . The inverter needs about 12V input to work and deep cycle will outlast a normal battery by a country mile.

Another thing I did was to sit beside the incubators with a stop watch and time the on/off cycle of the lights. Knowing that, enables you to work how long the batteries will last.
Further, when using deep cycle batteries you need a good battery charger to to top them up weekly. Given that I'm told these batteries have high resistance plates the smallest charger would need to be about 15AH

[The Devil]

One more thing, my set up, with the battery charger,batteries ect cost about $500. Not a great deal when you consider the cost of a clutch of eggs.

[mciver]

Must be special batteries Azz, I always find if I connect in series, the voltage increases, but the amps stay the same. But connect in parallel, then amps increase and volts stay the same.

lotta losses in this type of setup, DC/AC inverters and higly resistive loads aren't the best bedfellows.
I agree it would be viable nonetheless, it just depends on the amount of time you want to be able to be on backup and how much you want to spend.
I powered (solar) our farm house in Mudgee for three years this way. It had it's moments though.

So what have you got cooking Nev?

Anyone care to fill me in regarding incubation and its requirements, I'm always interested in measurement and control devices.

Best regards Paul

[Samma3l]

Originally Posted by Azztech

hmmm... 2 x 6v 130ah batteries, 150watt inverter, 2 x 50 watt heat cords.

in theory, the two batteries run in series give you 12 volts at 260 amp hours, the cords draw around 8 amps per hour together, so thats around 32 hours of heat in theory anyway. the whole setup costs around $800.

i thought it would still be 130 amp hours. The rule I learned goes parrallel = amps add (a's in line/ parrallel) series, volts add (different initials).

My battery packs for RC are in series and the ah stay the same while the voltage goes up

[Magpie]

An electrician I'm not, but I was under the impression that a standard mains outlet was rated at about 10amps, therefor I'm not sure about 2X50W heat cords drawing 8 amps. Should that be correct I could be in trouble running 5X100W lights from the same point.

Watts = Volts x Amps so when you change your 240V cord to running off 12V, you use 20 times the Amps.

[Wrasse]

It's all double dutch to me, give me a good intergrade/crossbreed/hybrid thread anyday!

[Azztech]

An electrician I'm not, but I was under the impression that a standard mains outlet was rated at about 10amps, therefor I'm not sure about 2X50W heat cords drawing 8 amps. Should that be correct I could be in trouble running 5X100W lights from the same point

your right, an electrician your not! in fact don't go anywhere near electicity with comments like this

the 8amp draw is calculated by this:

2 x heat cord = 100 watts
power supply (batteries) = 12 volts
amps = watts/volts

= 100/12 = 8.3amps.

if they were plug into 240 volts (mains) they would be .4amps as in 100(watts)/240(volts) = .4amps

you have to remeber that your looking at what wattage the INVERTER is drawing under 12 volt condiditons.

[Azztech]

Ah sorry - 2 x 12v 130ah in parallel

[dugadugabowbow]

hey mciver,

I used to live in Mudgee until the start of last year lived there for 13yrs, where abouts was your farm house?