UPS Battery Experement. (Really Real)

[Evadman]

Well, I just unplugged my UPS from the wall, simulating a power outage. Lets see how long my machine will continue to run.

UPS Info:
Tripp lite BC-750a LAN UPS (750 VA)
Modified to use a deep cycle automotive battery with a 45 AH Rating.

Computer info
17" CRT
2400+ AMD
DVD Burner (will not be used)
3 hard drives, 7200 RPM.
7 fans including CPU

According to my estimates, it should run for 35-40 minutes. Before I replaced the battery, it ran for about 5 minutes. Lets see how I do.

Time:
11:04 PM Central Time (0 minutes) Time Start
11:15 PM Central Time (11 Minutes) Still running fine.
11:24 PM Central Time (20 Minutes) Same as above
11:41 PM Central Time (37 minutes) It just started beeping real loud
11:45 PM Central Time (41 minutes) Computer restarted, and monitor turned itself off a few seconds later. I think the voltage dropped below whatever threshold was required.


Not too bad, 41 minutes with a 17" monitor on a UPS that cost me $75. Lasted longer than I thought it would, but that may be because my PWS is a higher quality and can deal with a lower input voltage on the line in that the drained battery was putting out.

 

[freakflag]

I'm curious about this, however, I'm not sure my curiosity will keep me awake long enough to see the results until tomorrow.

:beer:

 

[acemcmac]

You wouldnt catch me dead subjecting my box to a test like that. GL tho :beer:

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
You wouldnt catch me dead subjecting my box to a test like that. GL tho :beer:

Aphex gave me the idea

 

[JC]

Can you hear me now?

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: JC
Can you hear me now?

Good!

 

[aphex]

Am i one of those trendsetter guys?

 

[NokiaDude]

Those batteries are like car batteries, they don't like being completely drained.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: aphex
Am i one of those trendsetter guys?

I seem to remember someone posting OMG!!!! NOOOOOOOO!OOOO!!OOOO the first time too. I think that was you was it not?

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Those batteries are like car batteries, they don't like being completely drained.

Umm, no. This is what deep cycle batteries were made for. Car batteries will die after a few full discharges because of sulfation and degragation of the plates. (the coating flakes off) Deep cycles are specificly made to go from 100 to 0 to 100 again.

 

[Maximus96]

how does one go about modifying their UPS batteries?

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: zaku
how does one go about modifying their UPS batteries?

He probably just pulled out the old battery and ran the leads to a car battery. Usually both types of batteries run at 12v

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: zaku
how does one go about modifying their UPS batteries?

He probably just pulled out the old battery and ran the leads to a car battery. Usually both types of batteries run at 12v

Exactly. They are both 12v. But the one that was in there was a fully sealed battery, which is more expensive to manufacture, and at that time they did not have the reserve capacity that the sealed ones do now. The replacment battery was $180, but the Deep cycle battery was only $70, with a higher reserve. It cost me $70 + $5 for the battery connectors.

 

[Evadman]

Test over, 41 minutes. Not too shabby

 

[SammyBoy]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
You wouldnt catch me dead subjecting my box to a test like that. GL tho :beer:

omg turning off your computer you'll ruin everything and corrupt the datas!!!! NOOOO!!!!

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: SammyBoy

Originally posted by: acemcmac
You wouldnt catch me dead subjecting my box to a test like that. GL tho :beer:

omg turning off your computer you'll ruin everything and corrupt the datas!!!! NOOOO!!!!

Do you understand what deep cycling a standard UPS will do? The battery will lose capacity. Evadman has a deep cycle battery in his, so this test won't ruin his UPS.

 

[Kelvrick]

Lets see. FOr me, an APC ES 350 or 375 from Best Buy on Black Friday.

19" Samnsung CRT
Barton 2500 running at 2.1ghz
2x 512 pc3500 corsair XMS
1x 160 Western Digital 8mb 7200
1x 120 Maxtor 8mb 7200
1x 80 Seagate 2mb 7200
16x dvd reader
52x cdrw
6 running fans total: 1x90 3x 80 2x60

Breaker blows, I have time to run to breaker and try to reset fuse about 15 feet away. Everything shuts off by the time I flip the cover. About 8 seconds run time. I lvoe my APC. I might as well use it as a surge protector instead of a battery backup.