- Jun 24, 2006
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Best battery backup that can power an iMac G5, a DSL modem, and Linksys router for maybe 30 minutes?
Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
If I can keep the wireless router and the DSL modem on, I should still be able to access the internet through a laptop correct? What is a regular battery backup used to just shut down the computer?
Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Really, so using car batteries works? How would you setup this kind of system?
Originally posted by: Fritzo
Hah...this is my specialty at work
Just guessing the size of the power supply on your Mac, I'm going to say you'll need something around 1100Va. It'll be in the $100-$150 range. APC's stuff is a bit more pricey, but their customer service rocks and they REALLY back up their products (no pun intended).
Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Not to threadjack, but what about to run a little Linksys WRT-54GL router and little Westell modem for about half an hour to an hour? We got laptops that can run a battery, but we always lose internet still.. It would be nice to keep them running so we can get up to day weather reports.
Any APC device that would work? I used to have one but then the battery ran out and I didn't have any battery time anymore.
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Really, so using car batteries works? How would you setup this kind of system?
Car batteries are not ideal.
You first need a ups that was designed for extended run times.
Look for one that has a connection for external batteries.
It will be listed on the specs if it does.
The next thing you need is 2 batteries.
The system most ups use is 24 volt. So you need two batteries in serial.
Car batteries are not designed to be deeply discharged and recharged.
If you do that too often to a car battery it will ruin the battery.
Marine or deep cycle batteries are ideal.
They are designed to be discharged almost all the way down then recharged.
Used a lot on boats for trolling motors, lights, etc.
They are NOT cheap.
You can expect to pay 150-200.00 per battery for good ones.
Once you have the correct batteries, then you need a matching connector on the ups and some heavy gauge wire. 6 awg works for me. Then its just wire up the batteries and connect to the ups. Once thats done, unplug the ups and let it run all the way down till it shuts off then recharge the batteries. That calibrates the ups for the extended run time.
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Really, so using car batteries works? How would you setup this kind of system?
Car batteries are not ideal.
You first need a ups that was designed for extended run times.
Look for one that has a connection for external batteries.
It will be listed on the specs if it does.
The next thing you need is 2 batteries.
The system most ups use is 24 volt. So you need two batteries in serial.
Car batteries are not designed to be deeply discharged and recharged.
If you do that too often to a car battery it will ruin the battery.
Marine or deep cycle batteries are ideal.
They are designed to be discharged almost all the way down then recharged.
Used a lot on boats for trolling motors, lights, etc.
They are NOT cheap.
You can expect to pay 150-200.00 per battery for good ones.
Once you have the correct batteries, then you need a matching connector on the ups and some heavy gauge wire. 6 awg works for me. Then its just wire up the batteries and connect to the ups. Once thats done, unplug the ups and let it run all the way down till it shuts off then recharge the batteries. That calibrates the ups for the extended run time.