Vortech Battery Back Up
Water type
Marine + Freshwater
Fits
EcoTech Marine VorTech MP10, EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40, EcoTech Marine VorTech MP60
Size
228mm x 177mm x 82.5mm
Voltage
12V DC
Vortech Battery Back Up
Your reef doesn't stop needing flow just because the power does. The EcoTech Marine VorTech Battery Backup is a 12 V DC sealed lead-acid battery pack that keeps a single VorTech propeller pump running through a blackout, buying the hours you need to get to a generator, a neighbour's power point, or the return of mains power – without the tank going still.
Key features
- Automatic changeover – detects a loss of mains power and switches the connected VorTech pump to battery power with no manual intervention.
- 18 Ah sealed lead-acid battery – housed in a powder-coated white aluminium case that matches EcoTech's other DC hardware.
- Plug-and-play, no controls to set – there's nothing to program; connect it and it's ready.
- Includes a trickle charger – keeps the battery topped up and ready between outages, rather than slowly self-discharging in storage.
- Two units can be daisy-chained – doubling runtime on a single pump, for keepers who want more than one night's cover.
Specifications
| Battery type | 18 Ah, 12 V DC sealed lead-acid |
|---|---|
| Housing | Powder-coated white aluminium |
| Dimensions | 228 mm L x 177 mm W x 82.5 mm H |
| Output | 12 V DC |
| Control type | Automatic, preset – no manual controls |
| Compatible pumps | EcoTech Marine VorTech MP10, MP40 and MP60 propeller pumps (12 V DC models) |
| Pumps per backup | 1 (2 pumps can share one backup, at reduced runtime – see below) |
Performance – runtime by pump model
Runtime depends on how much current the connected pump draws, so it varies by model. EcoTech's own figures, for one Battery Backup running a single pump:
| VorTech model | Single Battery Backup | Two Battery Backups (daisy-chained) | One backup running two pumps |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP10 | 72 hours | ≈144 hours | ≈36 hours |
| MP40 | 36 hours | ≈72 hours | ≈18 hours |
| MP60 | 20 hours | ≈40 hours | ≈10 hours |
EcoTech notes actual hours vary with operating conditions and the battery's cycle history – a backup that's been through many discharge cycles will run shorter than a fresh one.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for keeping one VorTech MP10, MP40 or MP60 pump running through a mains power outage. Not confirmed suitable for powering a Vectra return pump or a Radion light directly – those need separate compatible booster hardware, so check with EcoTech or your retailer before assuming cross-compatibility.
What's included
Battery Backup unit, fused cables, outlet plug and a power supply for charging. No VorTech pump is included.
Care and maintenance
Do I need to do anything to keep it ready?
Keep it plugged into mains power so the trickle charger can maintain the battery, store it around 21°C (70°F) where practical, and test it monthly by unplugging the wall power briefly to confirm the pump keeps running.
Will the battery wear out?
Yes – capacity diminishes with each discharge cycle, which is normal for sealed lead-acid batteries. A backup that's been through several real outages, or several monthly tests run to full discharge, will deliver less than the hours above.
Safety
This is a 12 V DC device and isn't exposed to mains voltage at the pump end. Position the connected pump as high in the water column as practical during an outage – it improves oxygen diffusion at the surface while the return pump and skimmer are down.
Goes well with
- Molykote Lube 6g - 3pk – for the pump's next wet-side service.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by EcoTech Marine's standard warranty terms, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard delivery Australia-wide.
Common questions
Will this run my whole tank through a blackout?
No – it's built to keep one VorTech pump circulating water, not to run heaters, lights or a return pump. Its job is preventing stagnant water and gas exchange loss, not replacing mains power for the whole system.
Can I run two pumps on one backup?
Yes, but runtime drops by roughly half compared with running a single pump.
Can I extend the runtime?
Yes – two Battery Backups can be daisy-chained on one pump to roughly double the hours of cover.
Does it need to be programmed?
No. It's a plug-and-play unit with automatic changeover – there are no settings to configure.
