UPS Risks

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Pilbromatic

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#233526 19-Apr-2018 18:34

Hi all,

Looking to purchase a cheap UPS, probably a Dynamix or something. Does anyone know much about fire risks with UPSes? I know they can get pretty hot at times and want to make sure I don't take any chances. Obviously keeping it in a ventilated area and away from walls and desks etc is a good idea.

Cheers!

cyril7

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#1999466 19-Apr-2018 19:18

Hi, I have a basic Dynamix UPSD650 to keep the ONT and Mikrotik router alive. It does not get hot, maybe if the battery was fully discharged and was on a full charge cycle. And I am guess that when the inverter is actually on load (ie when the power fails) its going to heat up a bit, but in normal everyday floating, not a problem

Cyril

JimmyH

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#1999470 19-Apr-2018 19:23

I also have a Dynamix. It works fine and doesn't seem to get hot at all.

sonyxperiageek

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#1999476 19-Apr-2018 19:38

cyril7:
Hi, I have a basic Dynamix UPSD650 to keep the ONT and Mikrotik router alive. It does not get hot, maybe if the battery was fully discharged and was on a full charge cycle. And I am guess that when the inverter is actually on load (ie when the power fails) its going to heat up a bit, but in normal everyday floating, not a problem

Cyril

How long does it usually last for on batteries just for ONT and the tik?

Sony

andrewNZ

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#1999486 19-Apr-2018 20:02

I believe Eaton is pretty good for the money, APC is very good.

I have a Dynamix, and I would strongly recommend avoiding. My main gripe is that when the supply voltage gets too low @218v it boosts (good) to as high as 258v (BAD) and is within it's stated spec of 240v +/- 10%.
I've also had untold issues with computers connected to it, I have had to disconnect everything but network equipment.

The main issues with small UPS's come when people modify them with bigger batteries for longer run time. That's when they overheat and components fall out the melted bottom.
Keep it ventilated, not covered in newspapers and pie wrappers and it'll be fine.

Jase2985

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#1999501 19-Apr-2018 20:18

i ran 10x small dynamix single PC ups on a very variable power supply, from about 218v to 245v (sagging power supply (brown out) till the generator could catch up) routinely they would be powering the PC for 20-30 minutes and were not really hot at all.

would normally get about 3 years out of them before they needed replacement. changing the battery in them was just not worth it as they are a PITA to change and at $60 for the UPS it was only slightly more than the battery :)

freitasm

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#1999509 19-Apr-2018 20:38

I have a small Eaton 750vA - don't remember ever having "used" it until yesterday morning when all lights in the house went out in the morning - laptop still on (battery) and Internet worked flawlessly (ONT and router on UPS). Power came back five minutes later - figured a crew just outside our house was working on a pole replacing some cables. So from that point of view it worked. Actually have had a UPS from one brand or another for the last 15 years or so and this is the first I time I "saw" it working.

My comment is more like about the safety - as mentioned had one or another around for 15 years or so and never had a problem.

Pilbromatic

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#2982359 13-Oct-2022 17:55

Oops really sorry for not replying! Have just come across this after all of these years.

Very good pointers about the UPSes, much appreciated! In regards to changing the batteries, it's a lot easier on the newer Dynamix units. In fact, it's just one screw on the bottom and pop off a couple of bits and you're in!

I actually have a Dynamix UPS now - ironically, it's due for new batteries 🤪