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Back-UPS Selection

Post Date: 2012-02-21
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taw2015 View Drop Down
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Posts: 142 		  Quote taw2015 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Back-UPS Selection
    Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 3:15pm
How does one choose these things?

My config ticket # = 656486

and I have this bookmarked:

http://amzn.to/zypGrJ

Will it be sufficient to handle my system?
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Posts: 11066 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 3:20pm
That UPS is rated at a maximum of 865W, your power supply is a 1050W unit. It may work but, you may run into stability issues with the computer.
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Posts: 142 		  Quote taw2015 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 3:43pm
So... the rule is to get something equal or greater than the max wattage of the computer (at least)?

It will have an external drive for backups, and the monitor will be on battery too. Have to take those into consideration?

My printer is wireless and in a different room with a different circuit, and not on a battery. It's only turned on when necessary. No problem there.


Edited by taw2015 - 21 Feb 2012 at 3:44pm
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Posts: 5161 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 3:53pm
All the devices maximum loads running off the UPS would have to be considered. Add the computers 1050watts, the external drives and monitors rated wattage to play it safe.   Better too big than not big enough.   
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Posts: 11066 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 3:57pm
I honestly don't recommend a battery backup, unless you can find a high-quality unit and something that can be dedicated to the computer only.
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Posts: 11066 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 3:59pm
If you really want a battery backup, you'll need something like this which costs $500, and will provide about 8 minutes of power for your computer and monitor. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102068
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Posts: 142 		  Quote taw2015 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 4:35pm
Originally posted by Alex

I honestly don't recommend a battery backup, unless you can find a high-quality unit and something that can be dedicated to the computer only.


I live in the Midwest, where t-storms are frequent, and although I tend to turn off a system before they get too close, there are always those unforeseen reasons that power goes off (like trees in high wind).

Been living off laptops so long I don't know what happens anymore without a battery kicking in. If you're in the middle of a disk operation, all is lost, but is there anything else to worry about?


Edited by taw2015 - 21 Feb 2012 at 4:37pm
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Posts: 11066 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 4:38pm

A surge from the power coming back could be an issue. You could use a quality surge protector to prevent that.
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Posts: 142 		  Quote taw2015 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 5:18pm
Surge suppressor I have -- this is similar to one I use with my HDTV setup.

Are back-UPS almost always fairly expensive?
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Posts: 3312 		  Quote Tidgxor Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 5:38pm
The problem is.. well, yes, they tend to be expensive for a higher wattage. However, I will say, your machine will never pull 1050w, ever. That the maximum rated capacity of the your PSU, and in no way reflects what the actually running consumption of your rig will be. Case in point, I have a rig that would be more power hungry than yours and its currently pulling 315w (web browsing, etc.) and that includes my 24" monitor.
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Posts: 142 		  Quote taw2015 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 7:19pm
How do you know how much it's currently pulling?
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Posts: 3312 		  Quote Tidgxor Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 7:50pm
Well, I have a UPS, but you could also use a Load/Wattage meter. 
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Posts: 142 		  Quote taw2015 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Feb 2012 at 8:14pm
I found something that not only has a higher wattage spec, but is also a bit lower-cost than what Alex recommended. It also allows for piggybacking extra batteries for extended runtime.


Edited by taw2015 - 21 Feb 2012 at 8:25pm
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Posts: 26 		  Quote westom Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Feb 2012 at 6:13am

Originally posted by taw2015

How do you know how much it's currently pulling?

  His numbers (ie 315 watts) are typical of all computers.  One once noted his biggest machine was consuming a large 410 watts.  Most only consume between 200 and 350 watts.  Grossly oversized (more than double) supplies are recommended to computer assemblers who don't have basic electrical knowledge.  But the computer still draws that smaller power.

 

  Is your computer as hot as four slice toaster?  Of course not.  You don't need a 1000 watt UPS.

 

  However a UPS is made a cheaply as possible. Battery life expectancy is three years.  A UPS must be sufficiently large so as to still provide sufficient power three years later when batteries have so degraded.  A 350 watt system means a UPS must be maybe 500 watts.  So that degraded batteries can still provide sufficient power.

 

 



Edited by westom - 22 Feb 2012 at 6:20am
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Posts: 73 		  Quote chasblock Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Feb 2012 at 7:20am
I have an APC battery back up, I can't remember the model as I'm not at home right now... it's a tower model, I probably paid $150 about 8 years ago.

I use it to keep my cable modem and router up during those quick blackouts. I also run the PC and monitor off it.

It's still on it's original battery and still provides the necessary time to gracefully shut down the PC. It also evens out power during quick brown outs.

APC has always made reliable back up battery units and I have no qualms buying another APC product.

Just my 2 cents....
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Posts: 142 		  Quote taw2015 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Feb 2012 at 1:12pm
Originally posted by chasblock

... I use it to keep my cable modem and router up during those quick blackouts ...



I have a DSL modem and WiFi router and why didn't I think of that? There's nothing like squinting at a 3G-equipped iPhone when the power goes out when having to slog through a few dozen emails (let alone responding to them).

Thanks for the "tip".
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Posts: 73 		  Quote chasblock Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Feb 2012 at 3:14pm
Originally posted by taw2015

Originally posted by chasblock

... I use it to keep my cable modem and router up during those quick blackouts ...



I have a DSL modem and WiFi router and why didn't I think of that? There's nothing like squinting at a 3G-equipped iPhone when the power goes out when having to slog through a few dozen emails (let alone responding to them).

Thanks for the "tip".


Hey, I finally helped someone here! Awesome

You're welcome.
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