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UPS questions

J

jim1976

Platinum Member
I'm thinking of buying a UPS for my PC and I have some questions

1. Which brandname would you recommend and some modesl if possible?
2. For my system(see sig plz) would a 600VA be sufficient?
 
I have an Opti-UPS 575VA for my system. It doesn't give me more than a couple of minutes run time, but that is enough to close any programs and shutdown safely.
Now your system should draw less power because I'm using a 19" CRT which really drains the battery. 600VA should be plenty unless you need like 10 minutes or more battery run time.
 
APC is pretty much the defacto standard for consumer UPSes, I would suggest any of their models w/ 500VA or more and AVR (automatic voltage regulation eg cleans the power) they should be fine for your needs, the higher the VA the longer in general it will run your system w/out power.
 
APC, Tripp-Lite, PowerWare (a merger of Exide/Deltec/Sola/BestPower/etc.) and Clary are the top makers. Second string are brands like Opti and CyberPower.

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
APC is pretty much the defacto standard for consumer UPSes, I would suggest any of their models w/ 500VA or more and AVR (automatic voltage regulation eg cleans the power) they should be fine for your needs, the higher the VA the longer in general it will run your system w/out power.
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I have a apc UPS and its done really good for me. choose wisely your brand for it sucks to lose data.
 
I've been using the APC 500's on my systems for about 3 years now with no problems. As a matter of fact, about a year and a half ago APC replaced all 3 of my Backups becuase of a recall. They paid the shipping both ways on the replacements. My systems stay on 24/7 and I've never had a power issue with these units from APC. Somewhat off topic, I use one for my Fax Machine, and I've heard of other folks using them on fish tank pumps, PVR devices and cordless phone base backups.
 
600VA should give you at leat 15mins...that's min..you could go till25mins...and please change the battery when it should be changed that is when it doesn't gives you the usual back up time it was giving when new
 
The best values have been Tripp-Lite at Costco. 600 VA will handle most anything.
 
The VA figure has nothing to do with how long the UPS will keep your PC going!
That can be figured out by the capacity of the battery. It just happens that some manufacturers use larger batteries for higher VA products. But, that is not always the case.

The VA figure is very important and you have to use it as well as the W (power) figure, which is often overlooked. Just because the VA figure is high does not mean that it can provide enough power!

Calculate the maximum power that your PC may need. Add to it the power that your monitor needs. Add to that the power that anything else that you will be powering with the UPS may need like your speaker system, cable modem, ....
Pick a UPS with a power rating higher than that.

Use the VA figure to make sure that the UPS can provide enough current.

 
Thanks everyone for your proposals.

One more question. Would it be wise to go for line interactive now that the prices have fallen? Does it offer more safety?
 
I don't consider Belkin even second string... In fact, Belkin doesn't exist in my world.

Yes, get line-interactive - I didn't think you were even considering the base battery backup, those don't warrant the name 'UPS'. L-I units can regulate the voltage over a wide range without having to switch to the battery. Next best thing to a true UPS (which runs on battery power ALL the time - equipment is almost totally isolated from the AC line).

.bh.
 
Belkin works fine for me as well as others...


Damn I just saw this @ hotdeals.com...wish there was an OD near me!

APC 725VA Power Protection Kit for $9.99 after rebates
10:04 am ET, Mar 20, 2005; expires 11:59 pm ET, Mar 22, 2005
Office Depot retail stores offer the APC Home and Small Office Power Protection Kit, which includes a 725VA UPS battery backup, surge protector, and 10-foot USB 2.0 cable, for $59.99. A $50 mail-in rebate drops the net price to $9.99. That's $30 under our best mention and the lowest price we've seen. So far, this offer is only listed in Office Depot's weekly flyer; however, it may become available online. Limit one per customer. Offer ends March 22 tell a friend
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