Using ECM Pumps with UPS Backup

[brant2000]

I currently use a standard (non-sine wave) 650 VA UPS, connected to two large car batteries, as a backup for my system's 2 circ pumps. Each circ pump is a standard 1/25 HP (Taco 007 and Wilo Star) that likely draw 70ish watts each. In looking for a backup pump to have on hand in case one of those pumps fail and need replaced I was considering the newer ECM type, namely the B&G Ecocirc. I know that my current pumps will run on my UPS, but they don't like to, as they make a loud buzzing noise.

I would think that ECM pumps would do better connected to a UPS than my current pumps, but just wondered if anybody else has any experience using them like this.

 

[velvetfoot]

To bump this topic, and as someone with 4 Ecocircs, I too would like to know the answer to this question. I have not run them on an inverter or even a generator.
Perhaps the owner of this building should be contacted:

(broken image removed)
http://mechanical-hub.com/hydronics/newport-mansion-relies-on-ecocirc-pumps/
PS: Is that backing cool or too blingy?

 

[maple1]

I can't answer your question exactly - but I think I would be quite leery of hooking up an ECM pump to a UPS that was making 'ordinary' circs buzz loudly. I have a 2200va UPS, that I sometimes use with my loading unit that has a 15-58 3 speed circ built in. No noise whatsoever whenever the circ runs off the UPS - acts as normal. So not sure what would be causing your buzzing - the 70 watts x 2 should be within the capabilites of the 650va UPS - therefore would wonder if the buzz inducing whatever would damage the ECM? But they would not run for too awful long just using the stock UPS batteries. Wonder if having the bigger batteries hooked up is doing something? Does the buzzing start as soon as the circs start, or do they run for a little bit then buzz? Also if you use the UPS to charge the big batteries, that would likely play havoc with the UPS circuitry - but it might be able to handle maintaining them.

EDIT: Holy wow on the pic above. Is that what the flying spaghetti monster looks like?

 

[brant2000]

Thanks for the input. Yes, the buzzing seems to start immediately. I suspect it's caused by the actual waveform created from the UPS rather than the size of the UPS. I'm thinking that since ECM's convert the power back to DC that maybe the waveform distortion would become a non-issue. I really don't know how long my circ's will run with this setup and I don't want to risk testing it out for a long period of time for the risk of damaging the pumps.

Regarding the bigger batteries - I haven't had any apparent issues with this. I removed the internal battery and connected the car batteries with some 6 gauge cable I had laying around. I installed a little LED voltmeter in one of the battery boxes to monitor the charge. I did notice last summer that the voltage started dropping, which turned out that there was a short on the UPS control board. I can't say for certain what caused the short, but I had to replace the UPS.

I did just pull the trigger on two new ecocircs that I was able to get on ebay for $180 total. I figure for that price, I can't really go wrong. This summer I'll probably swap out both of my pumps for them and put the others on the shelf as backups.

 

[brant2000]

Velvet - that picture is impressive. As much as I wish I could say that I would be able to do an install like that, I know for a fact that it would end up looking like a disaster in the end. It really makes you wonder what the system is doing, however. I'm sure there had to have been a simpler way to do it.

 

[velvetfoot]

Well, as far as I incompletely understand, an ECM motor changes AC to DC and then back to AC again. Maybe that first change makes it less sensitive to power quality. I looked on the web, but found nothing.
ooops simultaneous posts.

 

[velvetfoot]

I did just pull the trigger on two new ecocircs that I was able to get on ebay for $180 total.

Sounds like a good deal. I like that you can dial them in exactly how you want. Knowing what I'm doing would help though.