[Discuss] UPSes

[R. McFarlane]

On 12/12/06 10:58 AM, Chris Hennessy wrote:

> I just bought a BackUps NS 1050 from Costco for $150 on Friday.  Good thing
> too, because we had 20+ brownouts and a 4 hour yesterday.  No problems 
> on my
> Core 2 Duo system with a 19 and 21 inch CRT.
> 
> And like whoever else said it.. less bells and whistles, the less to go
> wrong.


	Having CRTs over 17" hooked up to a UPS is a bad thing. First off, when 
the CRT is first turned on, the power draw is huge and often triggers 
the UPS overload alarm (unless the UPS is double or more in capability - 
eg : a 500VA won't power a 17" CRT, a 700VA will but will only last 
about 5 minutes) and when the power does go out, a CRT will drain the 
UPS faster than the computer will. This is one of the reasons why I 
upgraded to an LCD.

	The advantage to a SmartUPS model is that you get actually useful log 
information. The BackUPS models don't tell you load or time remaining. 
At least not the ones I have working with NUT. My SmartUPS does provide 
time remaining to NUT. With this information I can precisely time the 
shutdown of equipment.

	Now granted my APCs are old in comparison to what is available now, but 
from what I've read, the BackUPS lack useful log information where as 
the SmartUPS have what you need to make reasonable use of the battery 
power amongst multiple systems. For example, when my 600VA goes on 
battery power, I've set my print server to shutdown. This provides more 
power for the internet equipment, which means I'm on-line longer.

	As for replacing batteries in a UPS, this is fairly straight forward. 
Unplug UPS, remove required screws, slide out dead battery and remove 
it's connectors, insert new battery and connect the connectors, replace 
screws, plug in UPS and charge. I have a TrippLite needing a battery as 
well as a APC 1400. Once I get them populated, I will have more backup 
power available. Especially once the 1400 goes live. :D

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