UPS / Need Power Supply Recommendation

[elvindeath]

I live in an area that's been losing power on average of once per week. Sometimes it's just for minute - sometimes for longer. Unfortunately, I do a lot of work at home, and when this happens, I'm somewhat screwed. I'd like to get an uniterruptable power supply that would let me at least continue working for a few minutes so I can print some critical documents and then shut down normally. I'd need to plug in, at minimum, my cable modem, monitor, CPU, and printer into the UPS.

I'm looking for something that can give me at least 15 minutes of time.

I'd very much appreciate hearing from anyone with a recommendation and, better yet, a hint as to where to get the best price. If at all possible, I'd like to keep it under $100 ... but I'm willing to spend more if there's a good reason to do it.

Thanks.

 

[boomerang]

Click under "Help Me Choose"

 

[Chris The Tech]

I have found a couple at tigerdirect.com:

1) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...etails.asp?EdpNo=261661&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $229.99 because it has a $500,000 connected warranty, and 65-135 full load run time but only has 2 outlets.

2) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...tails.asp?EdpNo=1264971&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $34.99 because it has 8 outlets, but only 3 minutes run time at full load.

3) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...tails.asp?EdpNo=1192806&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $39.99 because it has 3 backup outlets and 3 surge protector outlets, but it doesn't say how long it will run after power out.

4) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...item-details.asp?EdpNo=1051532&CatId=0 $69.99 because it has 3 backup outlets and 3 surge outlets, 25-60 min run time after power out. and has $300,000 attachment warranty.

5) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...etails.asp?EdpNo=770423&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $69.99 because it has 4 backup outlets, 60-70 minutes runtime after power out, and a $125,000 attachment warranty

6) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...details.asp?EdpNo=96351&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $74.99 because it has 4 backup outlets and 4 surge outlets, 5 minutes full runtime and 17 minutes half run time.

7) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...tails.asp?EdpNo=1068237&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $94.99 because it has 4 backup outlets and 6 surge outlets, 50 minutes runtime, and $100,000 attachment warranty.

8) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...details.asp?EdpNo=54894&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $109.99 because it has 3 backup outlets and 3 surge outlets, 5 minutes full load tuntime and 17 minutes half load runtime.

9) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...tails.asp?EdpNo=1192810&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $114.99 because it has 8 backup outlets, 45-55 minutes runtime, alarms for things like battery mode, fault, and overload.

10) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...etails.asp?EdpNo=616696&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $119.99 because it has 3 backup outlets and 3 surge outlets, 40-82 minutes full load runtime, and ethernet and phone line outlets.

I may have left things out so before you decide you might want to look at all of the links.

 

[Chris The Tech]

you can find the rest of the battery backups at:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...ory_slc.asp?Sort=0&Nav=|c:234|&Recs=30

 

[rise]

i got this apc rs-1000 that you can normally find for 125-150, sometimes better. i got mine for ~105 a couple months ago.

my system in sig gets about 25mins run time if i need it. thats with my lcd, printer, speakers and modem hooked up.

 

[elvindeath]

Thanks all, for the recommendations ... Chris, especially - that's exactly what I'm looking for. Now I'll just scan for some reviews of each of those models, and see where it takes me.

 

[Jeff7]

I've got a bunch of Cyberpower UPSes and surge protectors. My brand favorite before them was Tripplite.
Currently, there are 3 Cyberpower UPSes in this house, two of them mine - AVR1250 and AVR1100; the other's an 800VA, don't remember the model number. All seem to do the job just fine, and they last plenty long enough, and come with adequate software.
I've also got an APC 250VA that I got cheap with a rebate somewhere. It backs up the network equipment - cable modem, switch, and router. No mute button on the darn thing, thus allowing it to beep constantly during a power outage, so I had to open it up and remove the speaker. Now it doesn't say a thing.

 

[egkenny]

Be careful about claims for runtime. They can be a bit optimistic. If I were you I would get at least a 750VA model for about $100. That should give about 15 minutes of runtime for your computer and monitor. Do you really need the cable modem on the UPS? If you really need the printer on a UPS you should think about a seperate UPS for it. Also remember that not all the outlets are hooked up to the battery backup circuit. On mine only half are.

I bought a APC 500VA UPS on sale for $29. If I am lucky I get 5-7 minutes before it shuts down. I am running the following setup on the UPS:
Midtower case with 550 Watt supply.
4 IDE hard drives
1 CD/RW drive
1 DVD/RW drive
1 19-inch LCD monitor

 

[elvindeath]

Originally posted by: egkenny
If you really need the printer on a UPS you should think about a seperate UPS for it.

egkenny - that's the conclusion I came to. I'm going to buy a "big unit" for my system, and look for cheapie on sale for just the printer ... I just want to be protected in the event I'm in the middle of some document or something and I need to get a hardcopy to work on during the outage ... just in case my laptop isn't charged.

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: Chris The Tech
I have found a couple at tigerdirect.com:

1) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...etails.asp?EdpNo=261661&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $229.99 because it has a $500,000 connected warranty, and 65-135 full load run time but only has 2 outlets.

2) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...tails.asp?EdpNo=1264971&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $34.99 because it has 8 outlets, but only 3 minutes run time at full load.

3) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...tails.asp?EdpNo=1192806&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $39.99 because it has 3 backup outlets and 3 surge protector outlets, but it doesn't say how long it will run after power out.

4) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...item-details.asp?EdpNo=1051532&CatId=0 $69.99 because it has 3 backup outlets and 3 surge outlets, 25-60 min run time after power out. and has $300,000 attachment warranty.

5) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...etails.asp?EdpNo=770423&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $69.99 because it has 4 backup outlets, 60-70 minutes runtime after power out, and a $125,000 attachment warranty

6) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...details.asp?EdpNo=96351&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $74.99 because it has 4 backup outlets and 4 surge outlets, 5 minutes full runtime and 17 minutes half run time.

7) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...tails.asp?EdpNo=1068237&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $94.99 because it has 4 backup outlets and 6 surge outlets, 50 minutes runtime, and $100,000 attachment warranty.

8) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...details.asp?EdpNo=54894&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $109.99 because it has 3 backup outlets and 3 surge outlets, 5 minutes full load tuntime and 17 minutes half load runtime.

9) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...tails.asp?EdpNo=1192810&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $114.99 because it has 8 backup outlets, 45-55 minutes runtime, alarms for things like battery mode, fault, and overload.

10) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...etails.asp?EdpNo=616696&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 $119.99 because it has 3 backup outlets and 3 surge outlets, 40-82 minutes full load runtime, and ethernet and phone line outlets.

I may have left things out so before you decide you might want to look at all of the links.

holy crap man you have some linking skills and patience

 

[Navid]

Your main challenge is to find out how much power your PC consumes. You can find the power consumption of your monitor in its manual.
This is an example of runtime chart that you can find on the manufacturer's site.
http://apc.com/products/runtime_for_extendedruntime.cfm?upsfamily=21

Also note that the runtimes advertised are often the runtime of a new unit. The battery ages fast. After two years, you will need to replace the battery. The runtime drops gradually as the battery ages. If you really need 20 minutes, you will have to spend a lot.

You can alternatively shut down the system whenever there is a power problem. Then, you will only need to plan for a 5-minute runtime. Instead of printing, you can save the documents in softcopy, which will not need the printer to be powered and can be done faster than printing. You will only need to power your PC, the monitor and the cable modem in that case.

When you calculate the power needed, don't confuse VA with Watts. Keep in mind that if the VA rating of two units from two manufacturers are the same, the Wattage ratings may not be the same.
The total power you need must be less than the maximum Wattage rating of the UPS.

 

[furballi]

In the case of a power interruption, just finish the page that you're printing, save all documents, and shutdown the PC! That's a 5 min job. No need for 15 min of power.

 

[furballi]

Power...

Amp x Amp x Ohm = Volt x Amp = Watts

A modern PC will pull between 200 and 250 watts under full load. Look for a UPS that can deliver about 250 watts in 6 min.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: furballi
Power...

Amp x Amp x Ohm = Volt x Amp = Watts

This is correct for DC. For AC, you have to take into account the phase difference between current and voltage. That is where power factor comes into play. That relationship is correct for AC only for a power factor of 1.

A modern PC will pull between 200 and 250 watts under full load. Look for a UPS that can deliver about 250 watts in 6 min.

Don't forget the monitor!
When there is power interruption, it is a good idea to have the monitor also powered so that in case the auto shut down malfunctions, you can manually power down.

It is much better to accurately find out how much power the PC needs. That is a very rough estimate. There are many different PCs with many different power requirements out there.

 

[elvindeath]

Originally posted by: Navid
Don't forget the monitor!
When there is power interruption, it is a good idea to have the monitor also powered so that in case the auto shut down malfunctions, you can manually power down.

It is much better to accurately find out how much power the PC needs. That is a very rough estimate. There are many different PCs with many different power requirements out there.

I'm getting a new Dell 9100 with a 24" LCD Monitor shortly. Any idea what kind of wattage I would need for that setup ? Does and 24 " LCD use more / less power than a 19" CRT ? I would think less.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: elvindeath

Originally posted by: Navid
Don't forget the monitor!
When there is power interruption, it is a good idea to have the monitor also powered so that in case the auto shut down malfunctions, you can manually power down.

It is much better to accurately find out how much power the PC needs. That is a very rough estimate. There are many different PCs with many different power requirements out there.

I'm getting a new Dell 9100 with a 24" LCD Monitor shortly. Any idea what kind of wattage I would need for that setup ? Does and 24 " LCD use more / less power than a 19" CRT ? I would think less.

The power consumption of the monitor is in the manual. If you do not have it yet, download it from their web site.

 

[furballi]

250 watts is about the max even for a loaded PC. Note that the PC is not going to be running at 100% CPU load during the shutdown sequence.

A 19" CRT may pull 170 watts. 24" LCD shouldn't top 70 watts.

The process of shutting down the PC does not take more than 3 minutes. Therefore, 250 watts for 6 minutes is a realistic goal if you have an LCD monitor. Those with a big 19" CRT may want to bump up to 400 watts.

There is no easy way to ACCURATELY predict the actual PC load without an ammeter connected in series to the AC line. Even with an accurate meter, the load will still vary by about plus/minus 40 watts due to various software/hardware running at any point in time.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: furballi
There is no easy way to ACCURATELY predict the actual PC load without an ammeter connected in series to the AC line.

This will accurately measure the power.
http://www.p3international.com/products/special/P4400/P4400-CE.html

 

[elvindeath]

Just to make sure the thread is complete ... I ended up getting a Cyberpower 900AVR (BC-900) 560 Watt UPS from Bestbuy. Cost $114.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...=7185191&type=product&id=1112808065032

It had all the features I needed, and was reasonably priced. I didn't have time to shop online, as (a) I need it by the time my new rig arrives tomorrow and (b) Shipping was going to kill me.

All in all, it looks like a good unit. 75 minutes runtime for my rig (yeah, right), 8 outlets (4 surge / 4 backup), USB connections ... the whole 9 yards. Looks pretty good too ... better than a big blocky mess.

 

[dnoyeb]

Sweet. im lookin at getting a Cyberpower Office Series OP850 850VA 510W from newegg or mwave for about $110. Same features but adds boost and trim with lights for each, and explicitly claims to support Linux. Im suspecting they all support Linux though. Thanks for putting me onto Cyberpower.