Modified UPS for Electrical Backup?

[Lizistired]

Mine is the Diehard 1150. I think the manual did say to disconnect the DC plug as soon as it was fully charged. I can't find it right now though.

[GumbyCT]

Mine is the Diehard 1150. I think the manual did say to disconnect the DC plug as soon as it was fully charged. I can't find it right now though.

Look for it. Mine does not say that, in fact it does say "the charger will not overcharge the battery". Which fits the bill just right.

[OldLincoln]

Mine is a Harbor Freight cheap model. It said you cannot overcharge the battery and recommended to keep it plugged in.

My cable came today so tonight I'll unplug it from the wall and see how long it lasts. When Our power goes it usually is out 3-4 hours and sometimes longer so a good test is appropriate.

[GumbyCT]

Mine is a Harbor Freight cheap model. It said you cannot overcharge the battery and recommended to keep it plugged in.

My cable came today so tonight I'll unplug it from the wall and see how long it lasts. When Our power goes it usually is out 3-4 hours and sometimes longer so a good test is appropriate.

I think most are this way today.

Your jump starter has a battery level and condition gauge so the first thing I would do is to check that and document this reading maybe even on a label or sticker applied to the device. Sometimes I use a pencil to write right on things such as this. You want a reference you won't have to go looking for later when you can't remember where you put what.

Then after making sure it is FULLY Charged connect everything up and turn it ON to make sure it is working. Breath thru it for awhile maybe even take a siesta.

I always like to check things out long BEFORE bedtime (and before I need them) in case there are things that need correction or adjustment.

Later that same day...
Document your sleep begin and ending times.

Check the level gauge reading again.

Then charge back up to FULL charge. Documenting how long it took to charge back up. All this so you will know when the power goes out how long it will take from 1 nites sleep session to bring it back to FULL Charge.

I would avoid using it another nite to see how many nites you can get as that will damage the battery and will never last as long for the next time.

You Do NOT want to fully deplete any battery.

IF you want a UPS type power check it with the charger still plugged in and charging. That IS how I use mine a Sears 1150.

Happy Sleep

[GumbyCT]

One question/problem?

I did not see a cigarette lighter receptacle? Today it might be called something else like an Accessory Receptacle/Outlet or Plug.

Here is the link..
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-jum ... -8884.html

[OldLincoln]

My first night I slept on battery only for 9hrs. It still showed lots of battery left so I used it last night and got 4hrs before it quit. Now I'm confident it can easily make it through 1 night but not 2 so I'm going to continue to leave it plugged in and run the APAP off it's battery. Since I had the jump start thing anyway it only cost me the $30 (incl shipping) for the power cord from cpap.com.

PS: I don't need the air compressor so I bought this on for under $50.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-ju ... 38391.html

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

OldLincoln,

What was the cost of shipping for you for this jump start? Also, can it be left plugged in until needed (like until a power outage occurs) without any damage to the jump start battery? I already have a 12 volt DC power cord from CPAP.com for my PR System One APAP that can be plugged into a automobile cigarette lighter/power point. In your opinion is this a power cord that could be plugged into the jump start to provide emergency power or do I need a different power cord?

Sorry for all of the questions, but I really like this idea for emergency PAP powering. I want to get moving on it before summer time, where we have already been told by our local power company to expect excessive power consumption outages due to air conditioning usage and changes in the power grid (or something to that effect). I think it is just a reason to raise the prices, yet again, but I want to be prepared just in case.

Thanks,

John

[1tree]

There is a major issue with the idea of adding a deep cycle battery in parallel to the one installed on your UPS unit.

You see different batteries have different internal resistance and charge levels. As a result of this even on a charger, they will tend to cause a charge/discharge between themselves. Then if you should lose power you will have a long period where one charges the other even while carrying the load. Then when it becomes drained enough the one being charged will try to do this in reverse.

Any circuit which is using parallel batteries should have the batteries matched by type. (In satellites they do intense testing to get matched batteries but for the average person on earth this isn't worth doing. Just get the same type and possibly look for ones from the same production run.)

If you wanted to save yourself some hassel, then setup to simply charge the batteries with them providing the DC that the unit takes. But check your unit to see what voltage it operates on. Mine uses 24 volts.

[Lizistired]

Mine is the Diehard 1150. I think the manual did say to disconnect the DC plug as soon as it was fully charged. I can't find it right now though.

Look for it. Mine does not say that, in fact it does say "the charger will not overcharge the battery". Which fits the bill just right.

Don't know why the manual was under the paper plates on top of the microwave!

Anyway, Page 7,

IMPORTANT: Using this method to charge the battery overrides the maintain mode and the battery can be overcharged. Monitor the progress of the battery and when it reaches full(100%) charge, disconnect the charger. Do not leave the battery unattended or it could explode causing property damage or personal injury.

However, this site: http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owner_m ... =200.71988
does not include that statement on page 3 where it discusses charging.

[GumbyCT]

Let me guess... this is how rumors start?

A couple of points ...

IMPORTANT: Using this method to charge the battery...

Would lead me to believe there was something before this which this statement is referring to.

There is a RED label wrapped around the carry handle (when new) which says "IMPORTANT!" This charger will NOT overcharge the battery".

I would expect the owners manual will say the same...

http://www.managemyhome.com/mmh/lis_pdf ... 904777.pdf

And regardless of what others say, think, or feel...
I have been using mine "in this method" for close to a year now - with NO Adverse affects. So you be the judge.

Another Battery Option
by GumbyCT on Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:44 pm
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64943&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... on#p606095

It appears that I bought this jump starter in Dec 2009 ...

Re: Tell me your power outtage backup plans

by GumbyCT on Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:11 pm
Just added this Sears 1150 Jump Starter to my collection today.

http://www.managemyhome.com/mmh/lis_pdf ... 904777.pdf

It's on sale right now for $99 if you can find it still in stock.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47625&p=434501&hilit=+1150#p434501

I am please with that $99 purchase and think I have already gotten my money's worth.

"Life Consists of a series of choices" - GumbyCT