UPS for toasty conditions

FeuerFrei

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2005
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Currently seeking a UPS suitable for non-airconditioned buildings with elevated ambient temp. at times - as high as 98°F / 37°C.
Not overly dusty, just extra warm. Either a single 1500VA model, or two 1000VA models. Was looking at two CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPS 1000 VA / 600 Watts PFC compatible, until I remembered the heat issue. Prefer 8 battery-powered outlets total.

I see various UPS units typically top out at 104°F operating temp - whatever "operating temp" means.
Inside case? Outside case? Some specific component's surface temp?
Might reach over 104° inside unit's case, if I had to guess.

Anything consumer-grade rated for tough environment? Maybe just a unit with an always-on onboard fan.
Not like I have much money to spend.

Also welcome reports from anyone using their consumer-grade units in extreme conditions. Hopefully models still on the market. The unit I am replacing seemed to tolerate heat, a TrippLite OmniVS1500.
 
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Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
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How hot are we talking about here, if it's actually going to hit 104F I would worry about the battery, not to mention the rest of the equipment that will be in that room.

I'm not aware of any specific models made for such environments, but you could look commercial grade ones that have fans, and oversize it, so that it's not working too hard. Another option might be an inverter-charger with an external battery so it can be put outside the room.

I would strongly recommend venting that room in some way or the other though. Don't need A/C just air circulation with either the outside, or just another part of the building.

Also if you find anything that does temperature compensated charging that would be good too. Lead acid battery charge voltage is actually different based on temperature. Typical float voltage of 2.25v per cell may be lower in a high temp situation, or higher in a low temp situation, 2.25 is for typical room temp and most devices are locked at that.
 

FeuerFrei

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2005
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" as high as 98°F / 37°C " peak ambient in summertime

It's a windowless upstairs 32x20 room in a windowless building. A single doorway with no door, is open to an adjacent space of 7000 sq. ft. Rooftop AC units died and haven't been replaced. Typically a fan whirs just inside the door during summer months. We have talked about knocking a hole in the cinderblock outside wall to install a window/window AC, but it's just fantasy at this point. The equipment within has proved its hardiness by now. Still, I always worry about the UPS especially.

I need an efficient UPS under a load that allows it to operate at peak efficiency.
Wonder which would run cooler, generally speaking, a solitary high power output unit (w/ fan), or two low power output units (sans fan)?
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
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I would go with one that has a fan. Though thermal dynamically speaking maybe it's not going to do a big difference anyway as it's just going to be moving hot air into it anyway.

I would look at putting two 5" holes in the cinder block (this is actually really easy with right equipment) and putting an exhaust/intake with a blower. When the room temp hits over a certain amount it would just pull air into the room and hot air would escape through the exhaust vent. This would be a relatively cheap solution too. I actually did this for my home server room, but right now the vents arn't connected to anything, when I enclose it into a proper room I will then connect it.