Are all UPS garbage?

[Wag]

I'm currently on my 2nd UPS in a year that has failed. My last one had the powerswitch break (mechanical switch), and my relatively new APC has developed some strange thing where the Ground Fault light keeps popping on and off, and resetting itself. (Other powerstrip in this outlet has no problems).

Are they generally this unreliable? I think I'm just going to get a plain powerstrip to replace it.

 

[Doomer]

Cheap ones are generally unreliable.

I've got a APC ups that about 8 years old and on it's 3rd set of batteries and it still works perfectly.

I've got a Cyberpower Systems 1500va ups that about 3 years old and still works perfectly.

I had an APC 350va ups (the ones that look like a power strip). It crapped out after 6 months.

Get a commercial grade ups and you'll be happy.

 

[Wag]

I don't need a commercial grade one. I'll just get a $20 surge at Sam's then.

It would probably cost $20 just to ship the APC back.

 

[Need4Speed]

you get what you pay for.... a quality UPS will set you back a few bucks...

 

[Wag]

I don't buy that. You spend $50 for something you expect it to last more than a few months.

 

[watkins]

I've used mostly Belkin 300-400 watt rated. Look for the deals and still spend $65-115.
All have performed well w/no glitches and plenty of hits. Oldest is 3 years. Even have one on a Toshiba 32" flat screen HDTV. Mine have been worth every penny!

 

[lucky9]

i'll agree, the Belkin's are great. my 400 replaced an APC that was plugged in and blew my BIOS. i've never had a prob with it. and, i like the software that comes with it and shuts down the pc if unattended and a power loss happens. it's simple to set up and works.

 

[EeyoreX]

I'll also agree with the "get what you pay for" arguement. I bought an APC UPS for about $80 on sale (regular ~$120) and the thing works like a charm. It's a lower wattage one, so it doesn't power my monitor(s) but that's okay, my PC turns off in the event of a power failure via the software, though I don't have power outage problems. I bought it primarily for line conditioning and the just in case scenarios. And frankly, if all USPs were "garbage" I doubt you would see as many people/businesses using them reliable for as long as they have.

\Dan

 

[xenos500]

Originally posted by: Wag
I don't buy that. You spend $50 for something you expect it to last more than a few months.

nah, it depends what your buying. UPSs are expensive, going cheap is not going to get you far. $50 might buy a nice set of headphones, or a good wireless mouse....but a UPS is much more significant peice of hardware.

 

[Agamar]

I own both a Belking 500va and a APC 500va, and both of them are doing great. I like the APC better simply because Win2k can use it natively with installing any software. The belkin comes with this cheesy "bulldog" service. It isn't too bad, but I just like using the built in stuff.

 

[beatle]

If you're willing to spend a bit more and need the power, I highly recommend getting an APC Back UPS Pro 1100 from Sams. It's about $119 and seems specially made for Sams. Its features are identical to the Back UPS Pro 1000, which costs over twice that! It's strong enough to power both machines in my sig along with the 2 19" CRTs.

 

[Jeff7]

I've got a Tripplite 650VA from...1998 maybe? It's still doing just fine. I've also got an IBM UPS - a rebadged Tripplite - it's in the 350VA area I think; it's from maybe only early 2001, and it's still working too. Both have served me well - in extended power outages (several hours or more), I use the UPS's (plugged in of course, for grounding) for backup power for flourescent lights or other low-power devices.
I paid $212 total for the 650VA one back then; the 350 cost me $40 after rebates.

 

[Need4Speed]

i bought a compaq 3000VA unit some time ago...well worth the money. enough to keep 5 systems up sans monitors for quite some time.

 

[mikeford]

Also keep in mind the function, powerstrip, surge protection, and UPS are different.

A powerstrip can just be some outlets, and the cheap ones have little or no protection.
Surge protection is what helps to keep your gear from frying when the power fluctuates or surges from lightning or whatever. Nothing really protects against a close lightning strike, but most good surge protectors do offer some insurance against any damage that happens.
A UPS keeps a system going for minutes to hours after you lose power. Frankly most people just don't need this, but for some it is essential (like for a tivo during the superbowl etc.)

Two big rules on a UPS, test it regularly, but not when the computer is busy just in case it fails, and batteries last only a couple years and gradually run out of power sooner and sooner, so when you test it and the time isn't long enough for you, replace the batteries.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: beatle
If you're willing to spend a bit more and need the power, I highly recommend getting an APC Back UPS Pro 1100 from Sams. It's about $119 and seems specially made for Sams. Its features are identical to the Back UPS Pro 1000, which costs over twice that! It's strong enough to power both machines in my sig along with the 2 19" CRTs.

No, it is not identical. I have used one, and it lacks some useful monitoring features of more expensive model. You get what you pay for, or TINSTAAFL.

 

[corkyg]

I'm with Jeff7 - got a pair of Tripplite 650s - each on a separate system. They have been running since about 1996. They cost about $125 each at Costco back then, and have more than paid for themselves. I wouldn't look at anything under $100 new. I also do not use any of the auto USB stuff - totally manual and we have survived a lot of Tucson electrical burps and T-Storms.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: jliechty

Originally posted by: beatle
If you're willing to spend a bit more and need the power, I highly recommend getting an APC Back UPS Pro 1100 from Sams. It's about $119 and seems specially made for Sams. Its features are identical to the Back UPS Pro 1000, which costs over twice that! It's strong enough to power both machines in my sig along with the 2 19" CRTs.

No, it is not identical. I have used one, and it lacks some useful monitoring features of more expensive model. You get what you pay for, or TINSTAAFL.

What's it missing, specifically?

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: beatle
What's it missing, specifically?

Please refer to this.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: jliechty

Originally posted by: beatle
What's it missing, specifically?

Please refer to this.

Wow, I had no idea. I thought I was just doing something wrong when fooling around with the software. I'll have to perform a test to see what the max uptime is on my setup.