Backup power for fibre / VoIP

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Backup power for fibre / VoIP

Scotdownunder

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#175553 3-Jul-2015 15:35

Just read the review of the Constant Vigil Sentry Lite DC UPS Review on the home page. Will be interested to see a future comparison with the Fuelcube being offered by Spark as part of their fibreswitch initiative.

At first look it has similar battery capacity 7AH but is half the price !

Issue will be how Chorus / Spark will treat (for warranty etc) replacing the supplied PSUs for the ONT and Router with this unit. Also will the order require specifying the ONT / Router / Cordless Phone type being used to ensure correct cables are supplied - assuming if different types are deployed they may have different power input plugs.

stevenz

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#1337153 4-Jul-2015 22:51

The Fuelcube strikes me as being a bit overpriced for what it is ($313 including GST and postage) given that you can get a perfectly good "proper" UPS from a company with a track record for less than a _third_ of the price.

They really need to sharpen the deal.

The only benefit I see is that the Fuelcube looks a bit prettier.

@KnightNZ

Jase2985

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#1337159 4-Jul-2015 22:57

its probably a little smaller than the Dynamix item so would fit into a cabinet better

richms

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#1337169 4-Jul-2015 23:51

I wouldnt group the dynamix with a proper UPS company product like an APC or liebert.

Richard rich.ms

lucky015

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#1337186 5-Jul-2015 02:42

I'd take the Sentry over the Fuelcube.

Fuelcube does look like more of a polished device and more suited to those not as tech savvy however I do see a number of things I don't like about it that make it less of interest to me.

1. Wouldn't converting converting it to 240 AC and then back waste more power than directly drawing the power or direct conversion? (Not an electrical engineer)
2. Battery looks sealed or at the very least not easily user replaceable which means not useful in the event of extended outage or natural disaster. (Also shorter lifespan of device)
3. Size and shape means that it has to be mounted close to the associated devices in comparison to the Sentry that could have a battery close by but not in the way.

Jase2985

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#1337206 5-Jul-2015 08:38

1) yes it makes it less efficent
2) seems like its just one of these devices, http://global.energizerpowerpacks.com/nz/energizer/portable-chargers?product_id=261 with the addition of the 240V socket and transformer stuff.
3) yes as well but depends on your setup, i like how the sentry can use a different range of batteries not just a 12v7ah one.

gstarkey

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#1337209 5-Jul-2015 08:57

Fuel cube website says the output is 120V , max 0.15A and max 18W

andrewNZ

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#1337219 5-Jul-2015 09:35

richms: I wouldnt group the dynamix with a proper UPS company product like an APC or liebert.

Agreed. they are a terrible UPS. I got one due to a lack of any other options and needing one "now". If my mains voltage drops below 220v, it boosts the voltage to nearly 260v.
I've had to unplug it due to the weird issues it's causing on my PC.

The software is dreadful too.

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timmmay

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#1337224 5-Jul-2015 09:45

I did the sentry lite review. I was about to make a home made DC UPS myself when it came on the market, so I emailed them and they kindly sent me a demo unit - which I should really send back, but they're in no hurry. I have no bias toward either product.

Fuel cube is prettier, which could be an issue if it's out in the open. Mine is up in a cupboard, so having an SLA battery with a wall mounted DC UPS is fine. I mean you have a big black SLA, cables going to it include lugs, in the open it would be ugly. In a cupboard that's irrelevant and the advantage is it's really easy to replace the battery. I'm going to put in a 20-30AH battery at some point, to give me much more run time.

If an elderly, someone not good with technology, or someone wanted something small and tidy I might say fuel cube is an option. Otherwise sentry lite for most people who can keep it out of the way.

OP - please link to the Fuel Cube, their SEO sucks and it's hard to find.

stevenz

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#1337229 5-Jul-2015 10:12

richms: I wouldnt group the dynamix with a proper UPS company product like an APC or liebert.

Even APC do a low-end UPS for half what the fuelcube costs.

@KnightNZ

Scotdownunder

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#1337232 5-Jul-2015 10:17

gstarkey: Fuel cube website says the output is 120V , max 0.15A and max 18W

I noted that - Solution presumes the ONT & router have universal (120/240 Vac) PSUs which may be true in Spark's case as they promote it but not others. Since it is using the original PSUs no warranty issues unlike the Sentry lite which replaces those PSUs.

k1w1k1d

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#1337264 5-Jul-2015 11:12

The fuelcube website is abysmal!
No information on why you need it, how it works, how to install it, what it will run, etc.
If you buy it, you don't know what will come in the box.

Presumably aimed at the general Spark home user, but doesn't even give the GST inclusive price.

An absolutely hopeless way to try to sell a device that costs $313.25 delivered.

Jase2985

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#1337280 5-Jul-2015 12:19

k1w1k1d: The fuelcube website is abysmal!
No information on why you need it, how it works, how to install it, what it will run, etc.
If you buy it, you don't know what will come in the box.

Presumably aimed at the general Spark home user, but doesn't even give the GST inclusive price.

An absolutely hopeless way to try to sell a device that costs $313.25 delivered.

totally agree, its a horrible site. + its very hard to find on google.