Mains Failure Alarm

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Mains Failure Alarm

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#303427 9-Feb-2023 13:31

I just fitted a sump pump in anticipation of Gabrielle.

I was congratulating myself on a job well done when I realised that if the power goes out I'm going to have to start bailing.

But if it happens in the middle of the night I'm not going to know.

Finding a mains failure alarm is proving more difficult than I expected - aliexpress has loads, but they aren't going to arrive on time.

Does anyone have any ideas where I can get one, or any clever workarounds?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

pih

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#3034033 9-Feb-2023 13:55

Most UPS systems will beep at you when the power goes out. Buy a big enough one and you won't need to start bailing in the middle of the night😉

wellygary

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#3034036 9-Feb-2023 14:00

Is the pump hard wired or socketed? is the pump feed on the same feed as the house?

neb

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#3034044 9-Feb-2023 14:11

pih: Most UPS systems will beep at you when the power goes out. Buy a big enough one and you won't need to start bailing in the middle of the night😉

I wouldn't run a pump motor (or any kind of motor) off a UPS, and if all you need it for is as a quickly-available power-outage alarm get the cheapest one within short driving distance.

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3034045 9-Feb-2023 14:12

Same feed as the house, socketed.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#3034062 9-Feb-2023 15:06

Ok so its on the house feed good, so the easiest thing is to have the failure detector work off the house wiring,

A quick a dirty solution would be one of these...

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/orbit-lighting-power-failure-night-light-3-7-volt-white/p/309441

Then find the wiring to the light that activates on the power failure and hook one of these across it...

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/mini-piezo-buzzer-3-16v/p/AB3462?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-JS9p6yH_QIVjAkrCh0g1ApxEAQYAyABEgJiZvD_Bw

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3034066 9-Feb-2023 15:10

wellygary:

Ok so its on the house feed good, so the easiest thing is to have the failure detector work off the house wiring,

A quick a dirty solution would be one of these...

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/orbit-lighting-power-failure-night-light-3-7-volt-white/p/309441

Then find the wiring to the light that activates on the power failure and hook one of these across it...

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/mini-piezo-buzzer-3-16v/p/AB3462?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-JS9p6yH_QIVjAkrCh0g1ApxEAQYAyABEgJiZvD_Bw

That's perfect thank you! I reckon the light will wake me up pretty effectively..

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#3034070 9-Feb-2023 15:20

if you think a light will be sufficient than try your local Bunnings for one of these

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/philips-7w-700lm-warm-white-es-led-battery-bulb_p0161031

looks like M10 have then at some stores too

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/philips-led-e27-bulb-with-battery-backup-60-watt-cool-white/p/353849

EDIT: I think they need to be on, to stay switched on, so probably not helpful

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jarledb

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#3034071 9-Feb-2023 15:23

turb:

That's perfect thank you! I reckon the light will wake me up pretty effectively..

Just be aware that it is not a very bright light.

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SATTV

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#3034098 9-Feb-2023 16:20

wellygary:

Ok so its on the house feed good, so the easiest thing is to have the failure detector work off the house wiring,

A quick a dirty solution would be one of these...

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/orbit-lighting-power-failure-night-light-3-7-volt-white/p/309441

Then find the wiring to the light that activates on the power failure and hook one of these across it...

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/mini-piezo-buzzer-3-16v/p/AB3462?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-JS9p6yH_QIVjAkrCh0g1ApxEAQYAyABEgJiZvD_Bw

I have the previous version of that night light, it stays on all night and dimly, then when it detects motion it is bright, if there is a power outage it is bright and even in daylight if you pick it up you get the torch.

My house alarm can alert when the power fails but I do not have it enabled, there are several alarms in our area that do go off and it is a pain.

This looks like the right tool for the job, it will even alert you if your not at home, https://www.isocket.nz/

John

I know enough to be dangerous

SATTV

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#3034099 9-Feb-2023 16:23

If you are a DIYer you could just use a power pack, relay, rechargeable battery and buzzer.

Use the Power pack to open the relay contact, on lack of power, the relay closes and turns on the buzzer.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

SomeoneSomewhere

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#3034183 9-Feb-2023 18:37

Something like this: https://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/sound-an-alarm-on-android-when-charger-is-disconnected/

Chances are you've got an old phone lying around with at least half an hour of battery, and you should be able to find a bunch of other apps to do the same thing (perhaps if-this-then-that, though I've never played with it).

Another option would be to ditch the mains powered pump and swap it for a DC bilge pump, an old car battery, and a float charger.

neb

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#3034209 9-Feb-2023 19:40

jarledb:
Just be aware that it is not a very bright light.

What the OP could do, if they're in a two-story house, is wind some paracord with a heavy weight attached around an axle attached high up on the house, with an old air raid or fire siren driven from the axle and an electromagnetic brake holding it in place. When the power fails the brake is released and the descending weight winds up the siren, alerting them to the power outage.

Or is that overthinking it a bit?

Scott3

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#3034214 9-Feb-2023 20:09

I would get a water level alarm. Set the trigger point, a little above where you expect water to get to with the pump running.

Means you will be alerted to other flood risk events, such as the pump getting overwelmed by inflows, the pump failing, or the pump underperforming (perhaps partially clogged).

Also means you don't get woken every time there is a power cut.

Example:

https://petstop.co.nz/jad-water-level-alarm-aquarium-fish-tank-monitor-sw-01.html

jarledb

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#3034263 10-Feb-2023 00:11

neb:

What the OP could do, if they're in a two-story house, is wind some paracord with a heavy weight attached around an axle attached high up on the house, with an old air raid or fire siren driven from the axle and an electromagnetic brake holding it in place. When the power fails the brake is released and the descending weight winds up the siren, alerting them to the power outage. Or is that overthinking it a bit?

I live two houses down from the local fire station with such a siren that goes off whenever they are called out on a fire.

Would not recommend having one in your house.

Creative solution though.

DonH

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#3034329 10-Feb-2023 09:24

neb: .. Or is that overthinking it a bit?

A bit. Just use the electromagnet to hold up a bucket of water over the bed.

People hear what they see. - Doris Day