UPS - I know its not reccomended, but...

[NaughtyusMaximus]

I've got an old APC UPS 2000 sitting in my basement. It is a two piece stackable unit with one piece being about the size of an APC BACK-UPS 650 120V. One unit is the actual UPS, and the other is full of four batteries in series. Every single one of these batteries is very - very dead.

I'm too broke at the moment to go out and buy either a new UPS unit, or suggested batteries for it, and am looking for a solution for the interm. What I've done is hook up a car battery in place of the four batteries in series. I realize the quality of the singal that a car battery gives is not something that would be called clean, or good for computer electronics. However, would this be good enough for a quick solution in a power outage? (ie. Good enough to shut down the computer manually)

 

[MichaelD]

He-he-he; I'm kind of the same way...I know I really shouldn't do this, but.....

You're obviously intelligent and know the deal already; i.e. the signal that car batteries put out is intermittent at best and also the danger of fumes, acid and other cool stuff like that.

Here's my worry; a "temporary" solution is how long, exactly? Until you get paid next week? Until you get your refund check from the IRS? Until you remember to actually buy the proper batteries? You get my idea. One week will turn into four. All of a sudden it's Christmas and the battery has leaked acid all over the place.

These days a decent UPS can be had for $150 or so. I'd wait and not mess w/the car battery. My two cents. Good luck, whatever you decide.

ps
I'm sure you at least have a surge surpressor to plug all you computer equipment into, right? YOu'll be GTG w/that for now.

 

[rickn]

please take pictures of that and send them to HardOCP

 

[RossMAN]

These days a decent UPS can be had for $150 or so. I'd wait and not mess w/the car battery. My two cents. Good luck, whatever you decide.

I'm not sure how it compares to your "decent UPS for $150" but why not play it safe and buy a brand new TrippLite Internet Office 500 for $40 after rebates.

I'd hate to see your quick-fix-Mcguyver UPS screw up but it could ruin your current UPS, the car battery and your computer system --- is that worth risking just to save $40?

No.

 

[gsaldivar]

Be careful with the car battery - the fumes are explosive, especially close to all that nice electronic equipment!

 

[NaughtyusMaximus]

I think I'll leave this off to the side for a while then. It is all put together though, I'll have a website for it in a few minutes...

 

[etech]

The signal from a car battery is not any different then from any other battery. What you have to worry about is the voltage of the charging circuit. If it is too high you could literally have an explosive situation. Also if the charging circuit is not designed for a car battery it could overheat. Not likely with an APC but you would have to have the specs to know for sure.

Also if it does not explode, overcharging or just charging for that case will release hydrogen gas. The battery is filled with sulferic acid which is a hazzard all by itself.

All in all, I wouldn't do it.

 

[mastertech01]

Yes, auto batteries are extremely dangerous in confined areas, especially during recharge.. I agree with the suggestions to wait and get a real UPS..