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timmmay

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#283826 14-Mar-2021 14:13
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NB: this question is from 2021. The key point here is sentry lite owners should check their power supply, if it's so hot it's difficult to touch you should probably stop using it. There's a 2023 comment below.

 

--

 

OLD QUESTION - no longer requires answering. I got a replacement power supply that after two years is just as hot as the original.

 

I have a Sentry Lite DC UPS powering my Chorus fiber box and Fritzbox router. I noticed today that the power supply for the Sentry Lite (NetBit 18v 1.2A) was 70 degrees in the back of a cupboard and buzzing quite loudly. I moved it to the front of the cabinet and moved it so it had more airflow and the temperature dropped to 47 Celsius, which is still not very comfortable to touch.

 

Key question: Is this something I should unplug immediately or can it wait a couple of days? I suspect it's been like this for months. Given it's dropped from 70c to 50c I think I'll leave it given I will replace it in a couple of days.

 

Notes:

 

  • If I had my standard Chorus power supply I'd plug that back in, but I don't know where I put it :( I've ordered a replacement
  • Constant Vigil replied to my email on Sunday afternoon are sending me a replacement power supply, which should be here in a day or two. Good service :)

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jpoc
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  #2674315 14-Mar-2021 16:37
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If I had a spare old-style smoke detector, I would be comfortable for a couple of days if the smoke detector was in the same cabinet.

 

Those older detectors will complain about plastic getting hot enough to emit volatiles.

 

 




timmmay

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  #2674322 14-Mar-2021 17:33
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I have a somewhat modern smoke detector I've put in there, in addition to the one in the room. Hopefully it doesn't give a false alarm in the middle of the night... might even just turn it all off overnight.


  #2674454 14-Mar-2021 18:27
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Mine if fine, barely warm to the touch




  #2674460 14-Mar-2021 18:31
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Jase2985:

 

Mine if fine, barely warm to the touch

 

 

Mine's fine too, but thanks for the heads-up to check it


timmmay

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  #2674461 14-Mar-2021 18:32
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Good to know most peoples are fine. Mine is probably one of the older units. Unfortunately now I will put a reminder in my calendar to check all of the wall warts in the house every few months.

coffeebaron
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  #2674555 14-Mar-2021 19:14
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Are you running both the ONT and Router of the one Sentry UPS? I at 1.2A, I think it may be a bit under powered?




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timmmay

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  #2674568 14-Mar-2021 20:01
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coffeebaron: Are you running both the ONT and Router of the one Sentry UPS? I at 1.2A, I think it may be a bit under powered?

 

Power supply draws up to 1.2A but outputs 2.5A 18V. That sounds adequate I guess, but Constant Vigil did say the new model would support 65W which is might higher current. Maybe high draw for 5 years basically wore it out.

 

Constant Vigil gave me a bit of info about the V2 coming out soon. Seems the new one will have a bunch more features, though I've only seen info about the integrated unit rather than the standalone one I use.


 
 
 

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  #2674571 14-Mar-2021 20:06
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coffeebaron: Are you running both the ONT and Router of the one Sentry UPS? I at 1.2A, I think it may be a bit under powered?

 

*3: Total output current from both ports combined is 4A maximum.

 

more than enough for a ONT and Router considering the model 300 ont comes with a 12V 1.5A power adapter.


mdav056
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  #2674607 14-Mar-2021 21:54
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Jase2985:

 

coffeebaron: Are you running both the ONT and Router of the one Sentry UPS? I at 1.2A, I think it may be a bit under powered?

 

*3: Total output current from both ports combined is 4A maximum.

 

more than enough for a ONT and Router considering the model 300 ont comes with a 12V 1.5A power adapter.

 

 

I've had a Constant Vigil for about 3 years (so maybe older), it doesn't get hot, but the reason is that it refuses to run both the ONT and the standard Spark router at the same time.  Maybe coffeebaron is right?





gml


  #2674612 14-Mar-2021 22:05
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mine is running my ONT and router. Both have the same size connector and both run the same 12V 1.5A power supply. so at max drawer its still under the devices max limit. and i suspect the constant draw will be less than half of that.


Bung
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  #2674664 15-Mar-2021 00:16
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mdav056:

I've had a Constant Vigil for about 3 years (so maybe older), it doesn't get hot, but the reason is that it refuses to run both the ONT and the standard Spark router at the same time.  Maybe coffeebaron is right?



It cuts the output when the battery voltage drops below 11 volts. If it won't run ONT and modem as designed maybe there's something wrong with the battery.

timmmay

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  #2674668 15-Mar-2021 05:13
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Constant vigil have been really good with support. I would email them about that issue @mdav056

  #2674688 15-Mar-2021 08:10
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Jase2985:

 

mine is running my ONT and router. Both have the same size connector and both run the same 12V 1.5A power supply. so at max drawer its still under the devices max limit. and i suspect the constant draw will be less than half of that.

 

 

My setup too

 

We had an extended unscheduled power outage - over six hours 😞 - a couple of weeks ago, and the Sentry Lite integrated model kept my ONT & router up for longer than my UPS kept the PoE switch & Desktop systems going, at least a couple of hours IIRC


timmmay

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  #3174479 22-Dec-2023 11:19
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The replacement power supply from Constant Vigil for my Sentry Lite is two years old now, and is also around  70 degrees. I've unplugged it because it's a fire risk, and I've emailed Constant Vigil to see if the new model runs cooler.

 

Anyone with a sentry lite, please check your power supply. If it's very warm to touch you should probably unplug it and use the PSU supplied with the router / ONT.


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