UPS failure

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#1511195 11-Mar-2016 11:39

If I replace it, what would your suggestion be (bearing in mind that it has to get past the Minister of Finance, so no $2000 flux capacitor equipped models please...!).

Has to run

iMax 27"

4 Bay NAS

4 HDD's on the desk

Router

Ethernet switch

I cheated a bit with the old one and plugged an anti-surge gang board into it to run the lighter load items.

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jnimmo

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#1511202 11-Mar-2016 11:51

Not sure where you are, could look out for one on TradeMe like http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/peripherals/ups/auction-1045484281.htm

Does it need to keep these items running or shut down?

Geektastic

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#1511204 11-Mar-2016 11:52

jnimmo:

Not sure where you are, could look out for one on TradeMe like http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/peripherals/ups/auction-1045484281.htm

Does it need to keep these items running or shut down?

Keep them running for 10 minutes or so would be fine (our power cuts are usually brief).

Nearest big town is Wellington 80kms.

1101

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#1511230 11-Mar-2016 12:19

Even IF you replace the batts, you may have a charging circuit issue & the new batts may fail
within 3 months (or in 2 weeks in 1 case I saw)

That brand has the worst reputation. If qualified people say they are a fire hazard, then they are dangerous.
Just because you have 10 means nothing. Youve just playing the averages & have been lucky , so far.
Not every single one is going to fail , but on av I'd bet more of that brand fail/overheat .

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#1511282 11-Mar-2016 12:58

Geektastic:

jnimmo:

Not sure where you are, could look out for one on TradeMe like http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/peripherals/ups/auction-1045484281.htm

Does it need to keep these items running or shut down?

Keep them running for 10 minutes or so would be fine (our power cuts are usually brief).

Nearest big town is Wellington 80kms.

If you can get something like that for that price you are doing pretty well, Those APC units go forever, and the batteries are simple to replace unlike some other brands.

Not 100% sure but I think you can add more batteries in parallel with that model series

Matthew

Linuxluver

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#1511513 11-Mar-2016 18:01

Amended:

I'm testing my new Blazer III 1200 ($171) this afternoon.

Connected are:

- HG659b modem/router (bride mode)
- the fibre box on the wall (ONT?)
- D-Link DIR-890L router
- 2 * Synology 2-bay NAS
- mains powered phone.

I've had the power off to the UPS for an hour and everything seems to be running fine. The UPS battery is still over 50% full.

On that basis, it looks like I'd get at least 2.5 - 3 hours of uptime if the power goes out. Devices using the NAS would be battery-powered phones, tablets and laptops.

That's pretty good as far as I'm concerned.

(I understand better how the 4 bars on the battery display work now. It wouldn't last 4 hours. It would be closer to three.)

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#1511591 11-Mar-2016 20:52

I contacted IT Power.

They suggested

APC Back-UPS RS BR1500GI 1500VA Tower UPS - 1500 VA/865 W - 230 V AC - Tower - 5 x IEC 60320 C13 - , 5 x IEC 60320 C13
1

SMT1500I
APC Smart-UPS SMT1500I 1500 VA Tower UPS - 1500 VA/980 W - 230 V AC - 7 Minute - Tower - 7 Minute - 8 x IEC 60320 C13
1

SEP1000
Riello 1000VA / 800W Online UPS – Tower model 4 x IEC 320 10A outlets.
1

Prices run from $550 to $1200 plus GST.

The $1200 one is probably overkill - mainly I want to prevent the system dying every time we get a 2 second power cut (annoyingly common out here) and give me 5 or 10 minutes in which I can decide to shut it all down if the power looks like being out for a while.

jnimmo

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#1511601 11-Mar-2016 21:35

If short power cuts are common you probably need the Smart-UPS instead of Back-UPS - Smart is line interactive meaning always on. The Back-UPS flick it on and off too fast and it will get into a state of confusion. 750 VA would probably be OK for that use I think...

iMac uses .. 200ish watts max, 30 watts HDs 30 NAS 10 router

If you can find a 750, 1000 or 1500 Smart-UPS second hand would be best recommendation for something affordable

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#1511604 11-Mar-2016 21:40

Geektastic:

I contacted IT Power.

They suggested

<snip>

Prices run from $550 to $1200 plus GST.

The $1200 one is probably overkill - mainly I want to prevent the system dying every time we get a 2 second power cut (annoyingly common out here) and give me 5 or 10 minutes in which I can decide to shut it all down if the power looks like being out for a while.

Those APCs are good but probably over-kill.

I would suggest a compromise:

APC Smart-UPS C Series Tower UPS, 1000VA, Line-Interactive @ $735 at Ascent or Computer Lounge

I bought one of these last month, and now run a modem, router, switch, a server, and a screen on it.

It ran for three hours (screen off) in a recent power cut.

Sideface

Aaron2222

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#1511609 11-Mar-2016 21:53

michaelmurfy:
I've had a dynamix UPS burst into flames once however I was trying to run a vacuum cleaner off it outside.

Protip: Never run a vacuum cleaner off a UPS unless if you want to intentionally destroy a dynamix UPS.

What were you doing running a vacuum cleaner off a UPS outside???

Geektastic

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#1511630 11-Mar-2016 22:27

Sideface:

Geektastic:

I contacted IT Power.

They suggested

<snip>

Prices run from $550 to $1200 plus GST.

The $1200 one is probably overkill - mainly I want to prevent the system dying every time we get a 2 second power cut (annoyingly common out here) and give me 5 or 10 minutes in which I can decide to shut it all down if the power looks like being out for a while.

Those APCs are good but probably over-kill.

I would suggest a compromise:

APC Smart-UPS C Series Tower UPS, 1000VA, Line-Interactive @ $735 at Ascent or Computer Lounge

I bought one of these last month, and now run a modem, router, switch, a server, and a screen on it.

It ran for three hours (screen off) in a recent power cut.

One of the APC models is cheaper at $547.

Jase2985

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#1511715 12-Mar-2016 06:54

it nay be cheaper but its probably also less wattage/VA

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#1511731 12-Mar-2016 08:24

Geektastic: One of the APC models is cheaper at $547.

APC has a huge range of models, priced from $250 to $10,000 plus.

You get what you pay for.

1000VA is a reasonable compromise for what you want.

(I run 4 x APC units rated 1000VA or 1500VA, and all have proved very reliable over the years - my oldest one is running well after 10 years (on its third set of batteries)

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Dynamic

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#1511737 12-Mar-2016 08:40

michaelmurfy:

I've had a dynamix UPS burst into flames once however I was trying to run a vacuum cleaner off it outside.

Protip: Never run a vacuum cleaner off a UPS unless if you want to intentionally destroy a dynamix UPS.

hahahaha this is the funniest thing I've read all week!

But the UPS should have shut down as soon as it detected it was overloaded. Doing anything else is dodgy, let alone being a hazard to human life.

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#1511742 12-Mar-2016 09:02

"I cheated a bit with the old one and plugged an anti-surge gang board into it to run the lighter load items."

I thought that this was a no-no?

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