Power outage & Aquacontroller (Fios users)

[kthomas]

Ok, so my ACIII is setup to email me on alarms, but it won't/can't alert me of a power failure.

My question is this. I have Verizon Fi0s fiber, so if my power goes out and I have a battery backup on my router, will it still send out the notification? I think that the Internet will still go out as well at the connection in my garage right?

Not sure how you guys handle this? I just want to be notified by email if my power goes out in my house so I can go home and get my generator/inverter set up as quickly as possible.

 

[Guest]

this is a good question as that box on the wall is a battery backup....tagging along to find the answer. slallen might know the answer as we are both in fios territory

 

[DennisF]

It should work, that is what the battery is for on the box connection. Now the controller will also have to be connected to a ups for it to continue to work after power go out. I know some have an internal battery but I don't know if it is just ot keep time and programming or if it will maintain all functions.

 

[Ashlar]

Nick may know for sure, but I do know that the ONT on the wall has a battery, so that you don't lose phone service. If your router is plugged into a UPS, I'd think the AC3 can send the page out.

 

[Guest]

problem i see is if the aquacontroller is on battery bakup how will it know that power went down as it would only send a message when power is restored a message would be sent is what i think but not sure....i will ask my friend J_G later this morning that has a bunch of alarms setup on his ac3 script

here is script he has copied down for me to use when i setup my ac3

If Power 000 Then ALM ON

 

[kthomas]

Cool, thanks guys ... i'm sure someone knows.

Also, I was told the battery backup was for the "phone" only on the wall ...

 

[Ashlar]

@kuyatwo wrote:

Good point. Maybe wire a relay and power supply to a switch contact on the AC3?

IF Switch1 OPEN Then ALM ON

The If Power.. statements only work after power is restored, yes.

 

[kthomas]

I wouldn't put my ACIII on battery backup, I would just put the fans on a battery backup, and the router on a battery backup.

This way the AC would still know there is a power failure and I should be notified by the ALM.

right?

 

[Ashlar]

If the AC3 isn't on a battery backup, not sure it can actually send the alarm.. (it's without power, and it's internal battery is only for settings).

 

[Guest]

@kthomas wrote:

you will need to to get this fixture to work...so my omment is answered about how ac3 knows there is a power failure. so if your router and ac3 is on a battery backup i think you should be good to go



from neptune systems website

Power Fail Alarm
In the event of power failure the AquaController III can signal by email or a local audible alarm the fault condition. The III has a second AC adapter connector which should be plugged into an external UPS to power the controller internal circuitry. The AquaController can sense the loose of power on the primary AC adapter connector and signal either a local audible alarm or send an email through its Ethernet internet connection. In addition the AquaController III logs the time that power failure started and when the power was restored.

 

[Ashlar]

Right- there's a 'battery' plug on the AC3, but the unit only comes with one power brick. Not sure that's 100% implemented yet.

Anyone know the specs that the second plug is looking for?

 

[J_G]

I havent read all the responses but I was asked to chime in by Pampee. Your problem is this: You have 2 power plugs inputs on the controller. One says power and the other says battery. You MUST have both plugged in to work (which means two dc power supplies). The one that says battery should be hooked to your battery backup. The controller senses incoming power from the power plug and thats where the statement Power 000 comes from.

hope this helps

-John

 

[J_G]

By the way, I want to say this for all that dont have an aquacontroller. The Aquacontroller III is the single best device I have ever bought for my reef. Before, all i had were individual timers and relays and power strips etc... This was such a major birdsnest and electrical hazard. Even a friend's power strip caught on fire. Luckily he was home and its wasnt while he was asleep. He would probably be dead today. I would also suggest only using the DC8's and DC4's. This is so important if you want to keep you, your wife and kids safe. I sound like a Neptune sailsman but im not. I have about $1500 in my Aquacontroller III. I have 2 DC8's, 1 DC4 HD, Aquanotes (Retail version), socket expansion module, IO module, X10 transmitter, and a buttload of X10 receiver modules. I use it to control all my holiday lights on the outside of my house including my christmas tree in my house. If my wife puts a christmas light ornament on the window all she does is grab one of my X10 transmitters and plugs the gadget into my X10 receiver. its that easy. One code will controll multiple receivers so they all come on at the same time.

-John Gilbert

 

[Ashlar]

Looks like the second 'battery' plug is looking for 9v DC, but no idea how much current it's looking for. Let me check the RC neptune forum.

 

[J_G]

@Ashlar wrote:

You use the same type adapter as the first one.

 

[slallen]

Speaking of the battery in the ONT or in your garage. I highly recommend you test it on occasion. The battery can go bad due to constant charging and the heat build up in the garage. I had ATT previously and they battery for their service went bad. Did not even know it until the power went out and I had no phone service.

If believe there is a test button on the battery casing. You can always unplug the ONT and see if you lose your phone service.

As it has been mentioned if you do not have a ups on your router and AC3 it will not matter if FIOS is up or down. You will not get an alarm when power goes out.

 

[200mfromocean]

I had to replace my battery going to FIOS located in the garage. You can get a replacement battery at Radio shack. They are supposed to last for only one year.

After doing this I no longer had internet and phone issues.

 

[kthomas]

@200mfromocean wrote:

So when the power is complete out you still had Internet connection?

 

[200mfromocean]

@kthomas wrote:

So when the power is complete out you still had Internet connection?"]

I believe so. You should probably check for yourself by disconnecting the power to the FIOS garage unit. When the battery is connected properly you should see a green led light. When battery is bad or disconnected you will see a red led light.

For some reason a bad/old FIOS battery will cause phone interference and choppy internet. An old FIOS battery means that it has been around for more than 1 year.

 

[mo]

@Ashlar wrote:

Scott,
here is an email I received over the weekend from Curt at Neptune Systems.

First, my inquiry:
From: Mike Olier
Sent: Saturday, June 07, 2008 4:50 AM
To: support@neptunesys.com
Subject: Neptune Systems - AquaControllers: Battery Backup on AC3

Hi Curt,
Wondering if the battery port works on the AC3 and if so, do you sell the battery or a kit of some kind or can I install a second power supply in it and have that on a UPS?


Thank you,
Mike Olier


The Reply:
From: Curt Pansegrau
Sent: Saturday, June 07, 2008 2:14 PM
To: 'Mike Olier'
Subject: RE: Neptune Systems - AquaControllers: Battery Backup on AC3


Hi Mike,
As you mention, most just get a second AC adapter, and plug that into a
UPS. We sell an adapter for 12.50 (part PS9), but no specific battery
backup kit.

Curt