I'm in the market for a UPS for a home system. Seems APC has the market. Anyone care to relate their experiences with this piece of hardware, good and/or bad. Or are they all pretty much the same and it's just a matter of shopping price?
Opinions on Uninterruptible Power Supplies?
- Thread starter Carbo
- Start date
All good UPS units include line conditioning (though not as good as dedicated >$1000 line conditioners). My APC SmartUPS 700VA has some of the best line conditioning for a UPS, which was part of my reason for getting it.
I have the Back-UPS Pro 650 and it's incredible. The software was great for Win98, and it's even better with Win2K since APCC co-wrote the power protection program with MS. Always kicked in during brown outs, and it doesn't make any noise after the initial 2 seconds of powering up.
For something that you'll be using for a long time, in terms of computer life, I wouldn't skimp out on a UPS.
For something that you'll be using for a long time, in terms of computer life, I wouldn't skimp out on a UPS.
If you really want line conditioning, you're gonna have to pay for it!
UPS' manufacturers offering true line conditioning:
Best Power, Deltec, Liebert, Sola, Johnson, Opti.
I don't think APC has it. Perhaps in their Matrix line.
Note: LC filters, relays connected to cut/boost transformers are NOT true line conditioners! You need a resonating transformer to perform this function! This provides total galvanic isolation from utility power, true continuous regulation, and most importantly: ZERO TRANSFER TIME when the power fails!
Cheers!
UPS' manufacturers offering true line conditioning:
Best Power, Deltec, Liebert, Sola, Johnson, Opti.
I don't think APC has it. Perhaps in their Matrix line.
Note: LC filters, relays connected to cut/boost transformers are NOT true line conditioners! You need a resonating transformer to perform this function! This provides total galvanic isolation from utility power, true continuous regulation, and most importantly: ZERO TRANSFER TIME when the power fails!
Cheers!
May want to steer clear of "Smart" Ups units and instead choose the "Dump" ones.
another vote for APC I am using a Back-UPS PRO 650 very good indeed kicks in when needed over 5 years old and on its second Battery
worth ever penny ( peace of mind during bios flashing )
worth ever penny ( peace of mind during bios flashing )
I bought a Belkin UPS and the first one was defective. The UPS didn't switch over fast enough to battery for my PC. Their customer service was very nice and told me to send it back for a new one.
I paid for shipping myself (which was expensive since the UPS weighs a ton)and got a different one from the one I sent. I had originally bought a 425W 4 powered, 2 unpowered UPS but got a 425W 2 powered, 1 unpowered one in return. I think they were the same price and it worked so I didn't mind.
I paid for shipping myself (which was expensive since the UPS weighs a ton)and got a different one from the one I sent. I had originally bought a 425W 4 powered, 2 unpowered UPS but got a 425W 2 powered, 1 unpowered one in return. I think they were the same price and it worked so I didn't mind.
May be a dumb questions...but what exactly does "Line Conditioning" actually do?....other than make a soft and manageable healthy looking line...heh heh..sorry...had to say that 
In other words, the line conditioner filters out spikes and drops in the power. For example, if you have a sensitive stereo, a dirty line would cause you to hear humming or interference through your speakers.
I have an APC Line-R 1250, it's solely a line conditioner. I have my stereo system on it, and it has worked like a charm so far. In the summer I've been running two air conditioners, my stereo system and 2 computers on the same circuit (yeah, kinda overloaded), and the line conditioner really helped keep the power clean going to the stereo. I would figure there isn't a real reason for a true UPS for a stereo system because it's not like your going really be needing it if the power goes out. I got my line conditioner for about $120 bucks.
For anyone interested in line conditioners I suggest you check your electronic surplus stores or watch local electronic parts auctions. Topaz of San Diego sold an incredible number of 1 and 2 KVA line conditioners to businesses and these show up all of the time at good prices. Unlike most electronic equipment, there is virtually no risk in buying a used line conditioner. I have three of them and they are rated to provide provide a steady 120 Volts out (plus or minus a max of 3%) while the input can vary anywhere between 85 Volts and 135 Volts. They also provide very good spike and noise filtering. They are humungous chunks of copper and iron though. As I recall, I paid $20 each for the three I have.
Note added,
The primary function of a line conditioner is to protect equipment from voltage sags (brownouts). They also protect against overvoltage but sags are much more common.
Note added,
The primary function of a line conditioner is to protect equipment from voltage sags (brownouts). They also protect against overvoltage but sags are much more common.
Anyone have an idea for my needs?
I wouldn't mind one that shut my system down for me, however, here's my main concern..
Every now and then I get power flashes.. so like less than a few seconds. No big deal, reboot/scandisk.. HOWEVER, when the power to my cable modem goes out, the POS is pretty much dead for about an hour before it goes back to normal. I'd like to avoid that
I wouldn't mind one that shut my system down for me, however, here's my main concern..
Every now and then I get power flashes.. so like less than a few seconds. No big deal, reboot/scandisk.. HOWEVER, when the power to my cable modem goes out, the POS is pretty much dead for about an hour before it goes back to normal. I'd like to avoid that
For the cable modem you could really just pick up any cheap UPS and it should do the job even during long power outages, because a cable modem isn't going to be consuming that much power.
Shudder
You are getting into the high end UPS's when you want automatic shutdown after the power fails. Most manufacturers have such systems with proprietary software that communicates with the computer over a serial cable; APC has PowerChute, Exide/NSSI has LAN Safe and Fail Safe. All are pretty similar, but proprietary, and the UPS and software together are pretty expensive.
For your cable modem why don't you get a separate low power rating UPS -- recently you could have got an IBM 350VA at Circuit City for $40 after MIR -- and protect it alone.
You are getting into the high end UPS's when you want automatic shutdown after the power fails. Most manufacturers have such systems with proprietary software that communicates with the computer over a serial cable; APC has PowerChute, Exide/NSSI has LAN Safe and Fail Safe. All are pretty similar, but proprietary, and the UPS and software together are pretty expensive.
For your cable modem why don't you get a separate low power rating UPS -- recently you could have got an IBM 350VA at Circuit City for $40 after MIR -- and protect it alone.
Actually, you can pick up an inexpensive UPS that will also shut your computer down after a power failure. Such as this APC unit, it's only $153 and comes with APC's powerchute. And while they may not be the best UPS's out there, you cna get like a BlackoutBuster or something similar from like CompUSA for like 70 bucks that comes with power management software.
Supergax
I was unaware that APC had any low priced UPS with the PowerChute software. Thanks for pointing it out. I just paid almost as much as that for six batteries for one of my 1200VA NSSI UPS. Thank goodness batteries last several years.
I get my power from an REI Coop and it is very poor and unreliable. By poor, I mean the system is overloaded so instead of a sine wave one gets a flat topped sine wave as the transformers saturate -- lots of high harmonics and other crud, plus frequent voltage sags. Line conditioners and solid UPSs are a necessity of life
I was unaware that APC had any low priced UPS with the PowerChute software. Thanks for pointing it out. I just paid almost as much as that for six batteries for one of my 1200VA NSSI UPS. Thank goodness batteries last several years.
I get my power from an REI Coop and it is very poor and unreliable. By poor, I mean the system is overloaded so instead of a sine wave one gets a flat topped sine wave as the transformers saturate -- lots of high harmonics and other crud, plus frequent voltage sags. Line conditioners and solid UPSs are a necessity of life
On the APC site, they have auctions for reconditioned UPS systems. They are often very cheap. I've seen some $150 UPS systems go for $35. You should make sure you have the right size UPS for your needs though. I think the Belkin site has a wattage calculator.
Personally I'd recommend MGE UPS.. they are as good as APC, and offers more functions then APC at the same price level. and even the lower end ones has powerchute capability.
I very highly recommend APC. I have had EXTREMEMLY bad experiences with other brands (cough...Belkin...cough...Tripplite...cough). I have used a lot of APC products and they are all Excellent. My favorite is the Back-UPS Pro line.
Shudder
If you are still interested, someone over in the Hot Topics forum has just reported that the $40 deal on the IBM UPS is still alive at Circuit City.
If you are still interested, someone over in the Hot Topics forum has just reported that the $40 deal on the IBM UPS is still alive at Circuit City.
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