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#1
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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 |
#2
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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. |
#3
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"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. |
#4
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"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. |
#5
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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 |
#6
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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. |
#7
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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. |
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"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. |
#9
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"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. |
#10
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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. |
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