Posted by David Prichard on September 13, 2007 at 11:56 PM
Up here we don't have a power grid, just one line. It is not unusual to have several surges or blackouts in the course of a day.
After a surge this evening it is time to look at a UPS. APC has several reasonably priced ones with software which will turn the computer off for extended blackouts.
Before I rush out and order one, perhaps I could get some recommendations.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on September 14, 2007 at 12:12 AM
Dave,
You need to figure out the max load you'll be placing on a UPS and the max time you want to be able to run without power before buying one. In my case, it's no more than a few minutes, so I get by with a couple of lower end ones here at home. I've always used APC and had good luck. They have a configurator on their web site that will help you size one. Be aware that they can be expensive to ship, especially the bigger ones. Newegg.com sells them and I found the user reviews really handy in making my decision.
Good luck,
Paul
Posted by Tim Behle on September 14, 2007 at 12:30 AM
Dave,
I can't recommend any in particular, but I can recommend that when you get one, how to set the voltage parameters.
Here in the US the standard voltage is 120, +/- 5%. Probably the same there in NT. That means that anything between 114 -126 is good voltage. For some reason, UPS salesmen like to tell people to set their voltage parameters to 118-123. Then it sets off an alarm every time it kicks in and out. That causes you unneeded stress, and annoys the local Utility Troubleman who takes the call to investigate.
You voltage will drop in the afternoon, when temps are up and more people are up and active, and raise in the early morning hours. when most folks are asleep.
A UPS can be a great thing, Just don't set your low voltage above 113 or your high voltage below 127.
I turned down a job with the Electric Utility there in Yellow Knife about 18 years ago. Every time I see one of your posts, it makes me wonder how much my life would be different if I had moved North, instead of South to this Mexican Border town.
Posted by Gene Lugo on September 14, 2007 at 5:59 AM
Keep in mind that all battery-based UPS products have batteries that have a life of not more than 3 yrs. A 1500VA UPS will cost about $200 and will only give you 12 mins of backup power at half load, which is fairly typical for a computer, monitor and printer. The replacement battery is around $70.
Most UPS devices have very basic sacrificial cascaded MOS-based surge protector circuits. When I used UPSs I always placed a ZeroSurge, induction-based surge protector in between the UPS and the wall. I nearly had a fire in my home after a surge totally fried an APC 1000 (?) to the pont where the internal components were unrecognizably charred, and I lost a laserjet and a monitor in the process. Never had a problem after installing ZeroSurges.
Posted by James Hersey on September 15, 2007 at 11:17 AM
For my money I use a small inexpensive UPS and have a generator backup for anything longer than just shutting down the computer. I live in a hurricane zone so my generator will power much more than a pc but smaller generators can be found for around $200. This means you only need ups long enough to start up the generator. You probably want to run through the ups or a good surge protector to a PC from an inexpensive generator.
Discussion
4 repliesAfter a surge this evening it is time to look at a UPS. APC has several reasonably priced ones with software which will turn the computer off for extended blackouts.
Before I rush out and order one, perhaps I could get some recommendations.
You need to figure out the max load you'll be placing on a UPS and the max time you want to be able to run without power before buying one. In my case, it's no more than a few minutes, so I get by with a couple of lower end ones here at home. I've always used APC and had good luck. They have a configurator on their web site that will help you size one. Be aware that they can be expensive to ship, especially the bigger ones. Newegg.com sells them and I found the user reviews really handy in making my decision.
Good luck,
Paul
I can't recommend any in particular, but I can recommend that when you get one, how to set the voltage parameters.
Here in the US the standard voltage is 120, +/- 5%. Probably the same there in NT. That means that anything between 114 -126 is good voltage. For some reason, UPS salesmen like to tell people to set their voltage parameters to 118-123. Then it sets off an alarm every time it kicks in and out. That causes you unneeded stress, and annoys the local Utility Troubleman who takes the call to investigate.
You voltage will drop in the afternoon, when temps are up and more people are up and active, and raise in the early morning hours. when most folks are asleep.
A UPS can be a great thing, Just don't set your low voltage above 113 or your high voltage below 127.
I turned down a job with the Electric Utility there in Yellow Knife about 18 years ago. Every time I see one of your posts, it makes me wonder how much my life would be different if I had moved North, instead of South to this Mexican Border town.
Most UPS devices have very basic sacrificial cascaded MOS-based surge protector circuits. When I used UPSs I always placed a ZeroSurge, induction-based surge protector in between the UPS and the wall. I nearly had a fire in my home after a surge totally fried an APC 1000 (?) to the pont where the internal components were unrecognizably charred, and I lost a laserjet and a monitor in the process. Never had a problem after installing ZeroSurges.