Battery Backup devices

Hi,
Can anyone tell me something about this battery backup....APC 350VA Back-UPS
ES 350? One of the things
it mentions in the specs, is something about "auto shutdown software". Does
anyone know about this and what it
actually does and is it needed?

thanks,
Geo

George wrote:
Hi,
Can anyone tell me something about this battery backup....APC 350VA Back-UPS
ES 350? One of the things
it mentions in the specs, is something about "auto shutdown software". Does
anyone know about this and what it
actually does and is it needed?

thanks,
Geo




A 350V unit is not very large, and will only support a small system in
my opinion. I would not consider anything less than a 500VA unit. I
don't know anything about the software issue, sorry.

"George" wrote in message
...
Hi,
Can anyone tell me something about this battery backup....APC 350VA
Back-UPS
ES 350? One of the things
it mentions in the specs, is something about "auto shutdown software".
Does
anyone know about this and what it
actually does and is it needed?

thanks,
Geo

If there is a power outage the software will shut the pc down when the
battery
reaches a certain level. Older models had a serial cable the newer ones use
USB.
A UPS is a must in certain parts of the world where the power is tenuous.

"Ken" wrote in message
...
George wrote:
Hi,
Can anyone tell me something about this battery backup....APC 350VA
Back-UPS
ES 350? One of the things
it mentions in the specs, is something about "auto shutdown software".
Does
anyone know about this and what it
actually does and is it needed?

thanks,
Geo




A 350V unit is not very large, and will only support a small system in my
opinion. I would not consider anything less than a 500VA unit. I don't
know anything about the software issue, sorry.

I have two 500VA APC units and when the power even flickers
for a second, the PC on them (and that's the only thing on each
one, no monitor or any other device) immediately shut off.

I called APC and they tell me that my machines with a 350W
power supply are pulling more power than 500VA and that
I need larger units. From everything I've read here, this
should be enough to keep the PC alive at least for a couple
of minutes (I don't have a mega-PC or video card). You
might want to opt for an even larger UPS than 500VA.

If you're near a CompUSA, check out this link.
http://www.slickdeals.net/#p5461
In store TODAY ONLY they have a 900VA unit for $30.

Rob wrote:


"Ken" wrote in message
...
George wrote:
Hi,
Can anyone tell me something about this battery backup....APC 350VA
Back-UPS
ES 350? One of the things
it mentions in the specs, is something about "auto shutdown software".
Does
anyone know about this and what it
actually does and is it needed?

thanks,
Geo




A 350V unit is not very large, and will only support a small system in my
opinion. I would not consider anything less than a 500VA unit. I don't
know anything about the software issue, sorry.

I have two 500VA APC units and when the power even flickers
for a second, the PC on them (and that's the only thing on each
one, no monitor or any other device) immediately shut off.

I called APC and they tell me that my machines with a 350W
power supply are pulling more power than 500VA and that
I need larger units. From everything I've read here, this
should be enough to keep the PC alive at least for a couple
of minutes (I don't have a mega-PC or video card). You
might want to opt for an even larger UPS than 500VA.

If you're near a CompUSA, check out this link.
http://www.slickdeals.net/#p5461
In store TODAY ONLY they have a 900VA unit for $30.

I power my P4-2.8gHz, 1gB machine and LCD monitor from a 350VA APC UPS with
no problems. I use an older 500VA APC unit on another box of the same
description along with a 17" CRT monitor - again, no probs. I get at least
5-10 minutes on battery.

Are you sure your UPS batteries are fully charged and in good condition? I
have had UPS batteries fail after a year of service. Others last five
years or longer.

Test each UPS by loading it with a known load - one, two or three 100 watt
light bulbs to produce loads of 100/200/300 VA. Unplug the UPS while its
powering the bulbs. Does it pick up the load?

Roby

Rob wrote:

I have two 500VA APC units and when the power even flickers
for a second, the PC on them (and that's the only thing on each
one, no monitor or any other device) immediately shut off.

1) Did you try pulling the plug when the UPS was new?
2) Did the power go off sometime and completely drain the battery? That
would tend to damage the battery.

500VA is enough to run an ordinary computer with or without a monitor.

Probably the battery is shot, but it could also be something wrong with
the charging system.

You can buy a replacement battery online somewhere. Google for the
battery's model number. The important parameters are voltage, type
(Sealed Lead Acid), and physical dimensions. It will cost you something
like $20.

Matt wrote:

500VA is enough to run an ordinary computer with or without a monitor.

Uh oh. Now I notice that it may be overloaded if you plug in the
monitor too.

Note that if your computer's supply is putting out 350W, it is consuming
something like 525W, since it is only about 2/3 efficient.

"Rob" wrote:

....

I have two 500VA APC units and when the power even flickers
for a second, the PC on them (and that's the only thing on each
one, no monitor or any other device) immediately shut off.
I called APC and they tell me that my machines with a 350W
power supply are pulling more power than 500VA and that
I need larger units. From everything I've read here, this
should be enough to keep the PC alive at least for a couple
of minutes (I don't have a mega-PC or video card). You
might want to opt for an even larger UPS than 500VA.

For what it's worth.

I think what you're talking about are two separate qualities. One
quality is how long a backup power supply can run a system. The other
issue is whether that same backup power supply can run that same
system at all. The backup power supply must be able to smoothly
source/push enough current, that instant when your house power fails.

I think what they're saying is justifiable only if the volt-amp
rating is far below what your system should have. Otherwise, maybe
you can find a higher-quality battery backup.

Good luck.

"Matt" wrote in message
...
Rob wrote:

I have two 500VA APC units and when the power even flickers
for a second, the PC on them (and that's the only thing on each
one, no monitor or any other device) immediately shut off.

1) Did you try pulling the plug when the UPS was new?
2) Did the power go off sometime and completely drain the battery? That
would tend to damage the battery.

500VA is enough to run an ordinary computer with or without a monitor.

Probably the battery is shot, but it could also be something wrong with
the charging system.

You can buy a replacement battery online somewhere. Google for the
battery's model number. The important parameters are voltage, type
(Sealed Lead Acid), and physical dimensions. It will cost you something
like $20.

Ill have to try some of these experiments. Both UPS are brand new. In fact
I only bought one from Office Depot, I called and complained that it didn't
work
so they sent me another one free. The second one did the same thing, so I
called
APC and they told me I was overloading the things. However I knew
they were full of it since I had seen posts from others with the same UPS
with much more powerful systems getting at least a few minutes out of these
things, but I had no way to prove APC tech support wrong.

Rob wrote:

I called and complained that it didn't
work
so they sent me another one free. The second one did the same thing,

Is your house wiring okay? Probably the UPS has an indicator light that
tests whether the voltage is right and the ground is functional.