Replacing a UPS fan?

[Evgeny]

I have Liebert UPStation GXT 700VA UPS with a fan that's a bit louder than I'd like. (It also cannot be turned off, short of disconnecting AC power and switching the UPS off). Is it easy enough to replace this fan with a quieter one and is that a good idea (is it safe)? How much airflow does a UPS need to keep it cool, anyway?

 

[akira34]

I have a MGE 800VA UPS and an APC 1000VA UPS and neither one has a fan inside it. Both are silent unless I lose power in which case they beep at me to let me know. How much was that UPS you have cost? I hope it was cheap...

 

[Evgeny]

It was second-hand, $AU200.

 

[akira34]

What's that in US$? I paid $150 (US) for the APC unit and $0 for the MGE unit. I'd seriously worry about any USP (consumer level) under 1500VA (or even 2000VA) that has a fan inside it. How OLD is that thing anyway, from the 60's??

 

[Degrador]

Just a bystander - $200AU is about $140US.

 

[akira34]

So for the ~$10 difference, I got a UPS with 300VA more in it... For UPS's stick with the "big boys"... They make quality products that don't have the stinkin fans inside them. I can replace the batteries of both units if I ever need to...

Just as a side note, the next time the local stores have APC units on sale, I'll be grabbing one of the 1500VA models. I want to use the older MGE on other items on the other side of the room, so I need an unit to replace it. 1500VA should be enough for what's on that unit at this time...

 

[Degrador]

Originally posted by: akira34
So for the ~$10 difference, I got a UPS with 300VA more in it... For UPS's stick with the "big boys"... They make quality products that don't have the stinkin fans inside them. I can replace the batteries of both units if I ever need to...

Just as a side note, the next time the local stores have APC units on sale, I'll be grabbing one of the 1500VA models. I want to use the older MGE on other items on the other side of the room, so I need an unit to replace it. 1500VA should be enough for what's on that unit at this time...

Even though it may be only $10 difference when converted directly, it could be a fair bit more here - we have extra costs for shipping and other taxes involved. So it'd probably be the equivalent of $50US difference here. Note, again, I'm just a bystander here - don't have much experience with UPSes.

 

[akira34]

There has to be someone down there that carries APC products... If it was me, I'd locate a store that does and just pick up one of those.

 

[Zepper]

Ignore the noise from above. Liebert is a very good brand. It may be a full-time (true) UPS (and not a standby like most of them are familiar with) and many of those DO have fans as the inverter is running ALL the time. Well, I took a quick look and I was right - yours is a true UPS (much more expensive than the standby or line-interactive units). It also has true sine wave output so it's safe for things that can't handle the chppped square wave that most other types put out.
. Don't give a second thought about replacing the fan. Anything around 20-30 CFM should be fine. If you could find a Japanese made Panaflo with the wave bearing, that would probably be ideal.
.bh.

 

[Evgeny]

Zepper, yes it's advertised as a "true online" UPS. If 20-30 CFM is enough then I'll give this fan thing a go. Thanks!

akira34, I appreciate your concern about me not getting good value and all, but the topic was actually about replacing the fan. If you want to talk about which UPS is best for the money, please start another topic.