Recommend a good UPS?

[de8212]

I bought an el cheapo brand a few yrs ago. Had to replace the batteries twice in it and they are dead again. I'd like somethng a littel better and since I have a few $$$ in Best Buy gift cards I was looking at this model.

Was hoping to keep it around 150 but would go over a few $$ if necessary.

 

[Modelworks]

It has AVR so that will boost/cut AC voltage to the standard 110-120vac so that is good.
Looks like it supports up to 780Watts max. I usually like to stay within about 70% of the max , the closer you get to the max the less run time you have.
So if you are using in the 600Watt range on what will be plugged in , looks good to me.

 

[g8wayrebel]

APC rules.
If it has the capacity you need and the number of outputs for the actual number of things you must keep active (tower ,modem, router, one monitor, phone modem , phone, etc) you're exactly where you need to be with.

I run two on my desk to keep my VOIP active as well as giving me time to shut down my machine.
I highly suggest all LCD's and low voltage rechargeable items such as your mouse be on the surge protection as well.
A power up from outage often kills mouse chargers and LCD screens (TV's included).

The normal surge protectors you find in homes are only good for a few months , they have a "lifetime capacity" rating , not consistent protection rating since they absorb the overage not dissipate it.
A good UPS has the ability to use excess energy to charge batteries and has a load bank to dissipate it as well.

 

[Mide]

APC is the defacto company to go with. I've also heard good things with Cyberpower but have never actually used one.

 

[Aztech]

Yep, APC is a BIG name in battery backup. I've used many of their systems over the years, with no problems. TrippLite is another big name we've used and has a bunch of solutions. Both companies have configurators on their sites that let you select the items you're protecting, and give you the options to choose from based on that.

 

[Blain]

If you don't need full blackout power, you might look at the APC LE1200.
It is a line conditioner that holds down spikes and bumps up voltage during brownout conditions.
Sure, it's not a full on battery backup. But it conditions the incoming power (AVR), for a very reasonable price.

Pssss...
No batteries to replace

 

[Aztech]

Is it important to look at the Joules rating on an UPS? I was surprised to find out that my APCs that I recently purchased have only a 340 Joule rating. I know some surge suppresors go WAY higher than that, and I figured I'd be getting more with an UPS...

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Aztech
Is it important to look at the Joules rating on an UPS?

The main purpose of a UPS is to provide your components with power during brownout or blackout periods.
Surge suppression is only a secondary function. Even on expensive UPS units, the joule rating isn't much higher.
It's just not their main task.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: Blain
The main purpose of a UPS is to provide your components with power during brownout or blackout periods.

Electrical noise is another one. Having lopsided waves and harmonics is very hard on equipment. A computer with no UPS will still work when there is electrical noise, but it's damaging the computer. This is the one people don't think about because you can't see it like you can see a brownout.

 

[Aztech]

So, should I/could I plug a surge suppression strip into one of the battery backup outlets on the UPS, thereby getting the benefits of both?

 

[jdogg707]

I usually plug all of my equipment into 1-2 surge protectors and then hook those up to the UPS. Never had an issue and it works great. Just don't overload the surge protectors!

 

[Blain]

I talked to a Tripp-lite tech once, and he told me not to plug a surge suppressor strip into a UPS.
It had something to do with the surge sending something back up the line, which could then fry out the UPS.

 

[de8212]

OK guys, I got lazy and never bought a new UPS. Got unlucky week before last and lost my motherboard during a bad lightning storm. I believe it came in via the network cable and zapped my mobo so I think my cheap Cyber Power did the job. So, I want to get a new one that has RJ45 In/Out for protection. I saw some newer Cyber Power UPS's at Newegg that look decent.
One thing I am not sure about is the difference in 1350 VA 810 Watts vs. 1500VA 900W. i understand the wattage but not sure what the disadvantage would be with going to a lower VA. There is a $30 difference so it's not huge but I would like to save that $ if possible.

 

[Maverick2002]

I've personally been very happy with a 1500VA APC I bought a few years ago for $100 as part of a Black Friday deal. It's gotten me through countless electrical "glitches", on average ~once every other week. That said, not all are created equal. There are other considerations besides wattage and VA ratings.

-You definitely want to make sure your components don't exceed the max wattage rating, otherwise the UPS won't even kick in.
-Check the full/half load uptime specs. Wattage/VA ratings don't actually tell you the storage capacity of the battery (correct me if I'm wrong on this).
-Get something with voltage regulation.
-Don't skimp and get a cheapo unit. I personally think getting a quality monitor, UPS, case, and keyboard/mouse are crucial as they will last you several computers.
-Don't connect a laser printer to it ... lol.

 

[de8212]

The two I am now considering are

This one

or

this one.


APC is a good brand name and I am not trying to go cheap but I see alot of good reviews about Cyber Power as well.

They both have Automatic Voltage Regulation.

All I will have connected to it is the PC, LCD, mouse, usb hub. No router, modem on it. I have them on a regular surge suppressor. SO I think I am OK with regards to wattage.
And I am more interested in surge protection that battery life. As long as it gives me a minute or 2 (or does it automatically via software, I'm fine.
I have a regular inkjet. Why do you say not connect a laser jet? Just curious.

 

[Maverick2002]

You really want to only connect your PC (and maybe) LCD to the actual backup plugs. USB hub/backup drive is fine too. I only have my PC on my backup plug - LCD on "surge only" plug. Get a normal/cheapo surge strip for laser/inkjet. Actually I don't know how much power inkjet printers use, but when a laser printer starts doing it's thing there's a HUGE power draw - way more than your PC. So much so that on several occasions I had my ceiling lights flicker when it activates. I'm not the only one either. This kind of power draw can fry your UPS.

CyberPower has been getting a lot of good reviews, but I haven't seen any long term testing. I may consider them for a future purchase. You definitely can't go wrong with APC though.

 

[de8212]

Thanks. The specs look the same on both of these except one is 1500 VA, the other 1350. Any reason not to go with the 1350? As I said, I don't care so much about battery life.

 

[Maverick2002]

1350 is sufficient. 810watt is the rating on it - your PSU is rated at 620 watts max, even though your system won't use anywhere near that much anyway. LCDs don't use much. Just don't connect a printer to it.