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Do you run a UPS?

Do you use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

  • Yes?

  • No?

  • Used to, but no longer?

Results are only viewable after voting.
I do but I think mine is failing on me. Its been double beeping at times.
 
I do, but mostly out of habit - the mains power is pretty decent, and the UPS is so old and underspec'd for my current system that it can't actually keep it running, even with just the tower on and idling.
 
yes. i had to replace it recently too. the power kept browning out, causing the UPS to kick in... and my computer would kick off (incompatibility between active PFC PS and ups) so i had to buy a compatible ups. using cyberpower PFCLCD line now, no complaints. so much better than APC.
 
No, I am what's referred to as a "Quicksave Whore" so if the power goes out I'm never going to lose more than a few minutes work. I do have a surge protector to protect from power spikes, but I haven't actually heard it kick in since I moved house, so I suspect I don't need it (but I'd never have my PC not plugged into it).
 
I used to, well, until both of them died on me within 2-3 years.

They were Ativa brand 1200VA units, sold by OfficeDepot, and OEMed by APC.

Apparently, APC used cheaper components on those units than their own units, from what I can tell.

They failed by going into "overload", and whining, even with NO LOAD on them. Even if you turn them off with the power button. They turn themselves on again, and go into "overload".
 
Yes, an older APC 1000va unit for my desktop, and a newer 1000va unit for my servers. I also have an Ultra 1000va for some of the server stuff but it was recently pulled out for an experiment.

I've been wanting to get a setup that can run for as long as I put batteries and after much brainstorming and experimenting (hence the ultra 1000va ups I took out), so ended up buying one of these off ebay:

http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/model.cfm?txtSeriesID=818&txtModelID=2938

We don't really get that many power outages though, but it's always good to be prepared. Old hardware does not like to be shut down. Most of my server stuff is really old as it's not on my priority list to upgrade.

Got 2 100ah marine batteries that I'll be hooking up to it, and according to my calculations it should run everything for about 5-6 hours. I may add two more batteries to double that. I wanted something that will run on 24v or 48v but this will do for now. I don't know why inverter-chargers arn't more popular, or at least, good ones that can switch over fast enough. Was hard finding that one.

I think I may need to replace my workstation's UPS though. It makes funny sounds sometimes. 😱 Funny sounds from an electronic/electrical device is usually not a good thing.
 
No. Power outages, surges and brown-outs are pretty rare here and I've never met anyone here in Sweden that has a UPS at home.

EDIT: Why can I only answer this poll with another question? 😛
 
not at home, I haven't experienced a power outtage or anything in the last decade so I don't really see the need for one.
 
VirtualLarry said:
They were Ativa brand 1200VA units, sold by OfficeDepot, and OEMed by APC.
Click to expand...
Huh, whaddaya know. I've been running 5 of those on my various systems for the last few years without issues. Only really need them for protection against brownouts and they seem to work just fine with active PFC PSUs (BFG ES-800, EX-1000, CM RP 850, Corsair TX 750, etc.)

Wish I could get more at that Office Depot price (was ~$20-30 IIRC). Drove all the way to MN to get 'em.
 
if the batteries would last 5+ years i would... and especially if you have 2 or 3 ups units it seems like youre replacing batteries every 6 months. f that, ill let my components fry if they have to. renters insurance is a better investment.
 
Definitely.


Tho personally I don't run a UPS due to power outages. It has to do with how often we get voltage drop out here (power company related). So more or less my UPS is just a line conditioner.
 
I tried one and it put off a weird, new-car-like smell that filled the whole room when it was on- I think it was ozone creation (the manual warned it could create ozone gas), either that or off-gassing from plastic etc. In either case, I thought that could be a health risk so I returned it and never tried one again.
 
DigitalWolf said:
Definitely.


Tho personally I don't run a UPS due to power outages. It has to do with how often we get voltage drop out here (power company related). So more or less my UPS is just a line conditioner.
Click to expand...

This +1. I don't get the users who claim that all a UPS does is keep the PC up over a short brownout. Its most important function is line conditioning so that those power ripples do not hit your power supply on a continual basis.

Pure sine wave is also necessary on your UPS with the newer PSUs offering PFC.
 
One of the most important thugs to remember when using a ups is to stay on top of your batteries. Waiting until they die can often lead to the ups causing more problems than it ever helped you avoid during its entire life cycle.
 
althaz said:
No, I am what's referred to as a "Quicksave Whore" so if the power goes out I'm never going to lose more than a few minutes work. I do have a surge protector to protect from power spikes, but I haven't actually heard it kick in since I moved house, so I suspect I don't need it (but I'd never have my PC not plugged into it).
Click to expand...

This. The only power surges here are from lightning storms so I went with a suppressor with a high surge rating and network protection. I've had a suppressor trip once before during a storm.

I might get a UPS with my next computer. Even with a performance Haswell build and an LED display, I imagine I could get an hour runtime with a decent UPS.
 
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