• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

UPS

J

jacksen

Junior Member
Hi all,
I am planning to buy a UPS (uninterruptible Power supply) for my PC. Does anyone know which UPS can support at least 8 hours at a reasonable price? If not, any recommendations on DIY projects?
On the hand, anyone knows how to build a low power PC?
Really need a good solution/recommendation as my place here always have long hours of power failure. Thanks.


Jack Sen
 
Chances are for that amount of runtime you'll either be looking at several UPS's in parallel or a business class UPS system. Either way, the pricetag isn't going to be too cheap. Check out some of the UPS manufacturer's sites for info on them and see if they have what you need. I personally recommend APC stuff. Very good stuff.
 
8 hours is a lot for UPS. Also what kind of system, monitor included? APC is know as the best of UPS. Try their selector.
What about a UPS plus a generator?

Kk
 
Without spending too much money, they'll typically give you about 15 minutes or so. Enough to power down the computer and save what you need.

What about an AC generator?
 
ya. with monitor. Should be LCD monitor as it should be more power efficient. I went to APC and tried their selector. The package that they recommended is around 800USD. that'll burn a hole in my pants!
what about DIY solution? i found some diy tutorial on backup battery using car battery. what do ppl think?
about generator, i think that's too much for a single PC right? except if there exists a mini generator of some sort...
 
8 hours is a little much to expect out of a UPS. I would go with a generator of some sort. I have a little Honda 1000 watt generator that runs real quiet and I got second hand for about $600....
 
Originally posted by: MisterMe
8 hours is a little much to expect out of a UPS. I would go with a generator of some sort. I have a little Honda 1000 watt generator that runs real quiet and I got second hand for about $600....
Click to expand...
8 hours is too much to expect for a consumer level UPS (ie something you can afford) UPS' are really meant to give you enough time to survive a short power blip or to bring a server down gracefully.

Thorin
 
I'll also chime in that 8 hours is really too long for a UPS system. At least at any reasonable cost. You will pretty easily be looking at $1000+ for that kind of run time. I would say generator also as some others have already. Get a UPS that can give you 15 to 30 minutes of runtime, which will be plenty of time to get your generator going. And with a generator once you have it started as long as you keep fueling it you can go as long as you want. Even at companies I ahve worked at in the past where money is not an issue on UPS selection (Sprint for instance) we plan for around an hour of battery operation tops usually, and switch over to the generators in that time.
 
Agreed, Generator with a smaller UPS that does line conditioning. Then you can gas up as needed, and you don't have to worry so much about the high/low voltage surges...

Where are you that has these long power outtages?
 
[EDIT]D'oh!! Silly me, as I somehow missed the part about frequent long power outages, my post isn't really relavent. Sorry all![EDIT]

\Dan
 
I'm using a Belkin 800va UPS which gives me like 20mins. run time. Thats with my tower, monitor, modem. Which is good enough since our power don't go out that much.
 
If your power goes out that often and for that long... you need more than a UPS, you need a generator.

I got a used APC Smart-UPS 1400 off Ebay and I'm still using the original batteries. I can run my PC, monitor, switch, cable modem, firewall, basically my entire network for nearly an hour on battery.

An hour is about the most you can hope for on UPS batteries.

Another idea I'm surprised no one has mentioned is: a laptop! You can get a laptop with multiple battery options. With my laptop and two batteries I can run for over 4 hours. Perhaps instead of a UPS you should consider a laptop.
 
Hi. UPS's are pretty cool, but I need one just to quickly shutdown my computer and nothing more. There's this one I'm looking at that has a 300VA rating. I will be runnining this on a 350W ps. Is this enough power to make it run? Do UPS's in general have a maximum wattage requiremnet that the ps needs to be? Or is it just that if you have a higher watt ps, that it wouldn't last as long? Thanks guys, trying to decide on my setup.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top