08-26-2013 08:59 AM
Anyone have any recommendations on adding battery backup power to the Ethernet cDAQ chassis? I was thinking of something like the PicoUPS-100 by Mini-Box, a 15V power supply, and sealed lead-acid battery. Has anyone tried this or similar and had any luck? It should certainly be more power efficient than an AC UPS. It's a shame NI doesn't source something like this.
Thanks,
Erik
08-27-2013 11:12 AM
Hello ErikL68,
Unfortunately, we don't have those kind of sources, however, I recommend you to find one that meets the power requirement of this device.
Carmen C.
08-27-2013 12:47 PM
Chassis can take 12v, right?
Get a 12v deep-cycle battery and a charger/maintainer. Two 6v golf-cart-type batteries in series will last longer and give you a little more capacity.
Hook the cDAQ up to the battery, rather than a power supply.
Hook the charger/maintainer up to the battery.
Lots of battery-wiring help if you search for RV wiring applications.
Remember you're only going to get half the rated amp-hours out of the battery before you start to damage the battery (Less for starting batteries). A 125 amp-hour battery will give you a little over 60 useable amp-hours.
Also consider duty cycle with the load (cDAQ) running off the battery, and the charger's capacity. If you've got more power going out than you have going in, the battery's going to drain and the charger won't keep up.