UPS

[Ken C]

Thinking of getting a couple of online UPS's, one for the HTPC and TV (about 400 watts), another for the office, 3 computers including a media server (about 800 watts).

Any experience, suggestions, etc ?

Ken C

[hemicuda]

I've had good luck w/ APC brand. Be prepared to replace the batteries every 2-3yrs on average. If you don't have a hangup about generic then Batteries+ might save a bundle over APC-branded replacements. As always, YMMV.

Oh, UPS' are generally rated to run about 7-10min at full load.

[mattdcknsn]

I use APC brands, and haven't had a problem. I have a 1500 on my server downstairs because of the amount of HDs in it. The only problem to look out for is USB devices. If they are not on the battery side they don't seem to come up and be usable in Sage. I have to do some manual tinkering. For regular PCs 550s should be good enough.

I have my TV on a seperate UPS (mainly due to location) I have a 300W one there and it can keep it on for a good 10 minutes (last time it happened).

[Paul H]

Right now I'm using Ultra brand. I have two 850s, one 700 and one 500. I like the design, rectangular with the AC outlets on top, makes it easy to see what's connected to UPS outlets and what is connected only to surge suppressor outlets (4 of each on the 850s, 3 of each on the 700 & 500). The software is user friendly too.

[GKusnick]

APC is the gold standard. There's a load calculator on their website for figuring out how big a unit you need:

http://apcc.com/tools/ups_selector/

[Polypro]

Costco has a nice Tripp-Lite for $99 (OmniPro Smart LCD 1000)...I use that for the HTPC/TV. They also have a nice APC (LCD 1300) there for $139 that I use on my WHS box and the computer next to it (KVM switch).

P

[stevech]

I've had APCs for a long time. They're OK.
Bought a small Belkin one recently - to backup the laptop that runs SageTv client and drives TV. I'm very pleased with the Belkin and their USB-based software. Price and small size attracted me. I later bought another to replace a small APC whose battery hit end of life; replacement battery was more expensive than a new same-capacity Belkin.

What I don't like on ALL of these is that there is no way to turn off the audible beeper alarm during a power failure. When we do have such, and when I'm at work on on a trip, three constantly squawking beepers drive people nuts.

Beeper-ectomy may be needed.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by stevech

What I don't like on ALL of these is that there is no way to turn off the audible beeper alarm during a power failure. When we do have such, and when I'm at work on on a trip, three constantly squawking beepers drive people nuts.
Beeper-ectomy may be needed.

Another plus for Ultra, under backup mode hold the POWER button in for > 1 second to silence the alarm. The units' will reactivate when utility power is normal.

The Ultras also have a "no load shutdown function". When the UPS senses no load, the unit will automatically shutdown after 3 minutes.

www.ultraproducts.com
http://www.ultraproducts.com/product...&productID=465

[sainswor99]

Originally Posted by stevech

I've had APCs for a long time. They're OK.
Bought a small Belkin one recently - to backup the laptop that runs SageTv client and drives TV. I'm very pleased with the Belkin and their USB-based software. Price and small size attracted me. I later bought another to replace a small APC whose battery hit end of life; replacement battery was more expensive than a new same-capacity Belkin.

What I don't like on ALL of these is that there is no way to turn off the audible beeper alarm during a power failure. When we do have such, and when I'm at work on on a trip, three constantly squawking beepers drive people nuts.

Beeper-ectomy may be needed.

I'm surprised at that; have considered Belkin before because of the price, and I'm glad I didn't purchase them (if this is the case). I use APC, and it's very easy to disable the alarm.

[stevech]

My older APCs didn't have a beeper-silence capability. I'd like to see an on/off switch so you can choose "don't beep - ever - and not require intervention.

[MattHelm]

Originally Posted by stevech

My older APCs didn't have a beeper-silence capability. I'd like to see an on/off switch so you can choose "don't beep - ever - and not require intervention.

I have a high end APC, and I set it to never beep. I'm like you, wish they could all turn the beep off. Maybe a little jumper in the battery compartment for low end units?

[hemicuda]

I use apcupsd from sourceforge and it can write directly to the UPS EEPROM to disable the beeper if the feature exists. Used to drive the wife nuts since mine drives 2 PCs. One would shut down after about 40min then the router would run for the next 3-4hrs w/ the UPS beeping about every 30sec.

[BFisher]

I too use the Ultra units. No issues with them so far...

[mike1961]

I bought the one from Costco which is a 1000VA. Can someone explain what all that means? I'm trying to figure out if I want my Sage Server and my DirectTV cable boxes on them approximately how long the UPS could run it for. I realize this depends on my server but just in general how might I get an approximation outside of fully charging it and then unplugging it from the wall. It seems power failures are doomed to happen when you are recording the most important of all shows you want to watch (Murphy's Law in action).

Thanks,
Mike

[carlgar]

I would expect the box would provide a lot of the information for you. I have 2 APC UPSs. The 500va is 300 watts and typical runtime in Minutes for a Desktop is 18 min. (15" monitor), 11 min. (17" monitor), 9 min. (19" monitor) and 7 min. (21" monitor). My current 1250va is 780 watts and lists typical runtime for a Desktop PC 76 min. (LCD), 54 min. (15" monitor), 40 min. (17" monitor) and 31 min. (21" monitor. The software that came with it shows my current load at 211 (from 780 available) watts giving me an estimated 28 min. of backup time.

[Menehune]

Basically the capacity of the batteries (the VoltAmperes rating) determines the run time of the UPS. You can think of the UPS like a swimming pool. The pool has a fixed capacity and as you use the energy, the amount left in the reserve decreases.

Basically, the UPS VA rating divided by the power consumption of the connected equipment and a power load factor will determine the UPS run time.

You can check the ITT Wiki for a quick calculation-scroll down to "Calculating Run Time" near the bottom of the page.

Most UPSes are designed with enough reserve (about 10-15 minutes worth) to perform an orderly, safe shutdown of the server or to allow a generator to turn on and take over the utility load.

[mike1961]

The box said it could provide for up to an hour on a computer with a 15" monitor. On my Sage server I keep the monitor off all the time but I would plug the computer and the STB's in the UPS. I'm just thinking if I'm on vacation (or even if I'm not on vacation) and it's in the middle of recording a show and there is a power failure for say 1 hour, what good is a UPS that only works for 10-20 minutes?

Mike

[carlgar]

A lot of power outages or even brownouts last only a few minutes.
It will do an orderly shutdown of your system, so you don't have corrupted files.
It allows you to switch to a backup generator, if you have one.

A few days ago one of my local stations was knocked off (power outage) the air for a few hours during prime time. I was lucky the the station rebroadcast the one show that I lost because of the problem. There can be all types of issues that may cause you to lose recordings, it is very unlikely you will ever be 100% protected. A lot of shows can also now be seen on-line, CBS is getting very good about this.

[Menehune]

Originally Posted by mike1961

...what good is a UPS that only works for 10-20 minutes?

Mike

A relatively short runtime (10-20 minutes) is usually the best "price/performance" ratio for many UPS users. UPSes are not designed to run equipment for long periods of time. They are designed to temporarily hold the load while a generator starts or until the equipment is shut down.

Most data centers have generator backups since it is cheaper to install a generator and fuel tanks for a 24 hour run time than it is to install 24 hours worth of batteries. A generator fuel tank can be easily refilled while the generator is running, whereas a battery bank cannot be easily recharged while the UPS is in use. Battery charging usually requires utility power or a generator to run a charger. The building generator also runs the facility AC plant which has no UPS backup and cannot run during a utility outage. Loss of power and loss of cooling are the main killers of computer servers.

Add additional batteries (for longer run times) and you have a larger battery bank replacement cost occuring every 4-5 years in addition to the larger square footage consumed by the batteries in the server room. Not to mention the corresponding increase in dangerous chemicals in the building that may require special remediation-berms to contain possible spilled battery acid, off-gassing of hydrogen gas during battery charging, etc.

A business with the lights out usually will evacuate and close during a sustained power outage since it is unsafe to have customers or employees in a darkened building.

Residences will probably lose the services they want to use during the power outage-cable company signals and amplifiers in the neighborhood will go down due to loss of utility power, DSL lines and telephone may have outages so no internet, etc.

We have a UPS at work that I think is rated at 15KVA. It is a box three feet deep, six feet high and 15 feet long. That UPS can power the data center computers for 180 minutes.