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what size UPS do I need?



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 19th 08, 04:03 PM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Joe[_23_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 40
Default what size UPS do I need?

I have a 1.5 year old Dell DIM 9200 duel core, with 2 hard drives, 2 DVD
players and a Dell 26" flatscreen monitor. I have an APC UPS which is
getting long in the tooth so I want to replace it. I have no understanding
of electronics. My current APC UPS is an ES 725, which I think it means can
support 725 volts, watts, whatever- and the software says it's good for 66
minutes, so it's probably more than I need. So, if I replace it, what do you
recommend? I won't be plugging anything else into the UPS.

Yuh, what is it that I'm looking for- volts, watts?

Joe

  #2  
Old December 19th 08, 04:21 PM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Ron Hardin
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Posts: 996
Default what size UPS do I need?

Joe wrote:

I have a 1.5 year old Dell DIM 9200 duel core, with 2 hard drives, 2 DVD
players and a Dell 26" flatscreen monitor. I have an APC UPS which is
getting long in the tooth so I want to replace it. I have no understanding
of electronics. My current APC UPS is an ES 725, which I think it means can
support 725 volts, watts, whatever- and the software says it's good for 66
minutes, so it's probably more than I need. So, if I replace it, what do you
recommend? I won't be plugging anything else into the UPS.

Yuh, what is it that I'm looking for- volts, watts?

Joe


UPSs are pretty cheap; but you can also just replace the battery on
the one you've got.

APC tends to run cooler than the Cyberpower ones in small sizes,
if saving on electricity when the AC power is on is a consideration.
Check around online for battery price on the one you've got.

(The Cyberpower 1500AVR stays cool though, so the bigger sizes must
have some other circuit on idle.)
--


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.
  #3  
Old December 19th 08, 05:37 PM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
William R. Walsh[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 931
Default what size UPS do I need?

Hi!

I have an APC UPS which is getting long in the tooth
so I want to replace it.


If it still works, there may be no need to do that. A UPS doesn't just
fail because it is old, although the batteries do degrade with age.
How long the batteries last has a lot to do with the quality of your
power.

Something you could try--set up your computer so it is running from
something like a DOS boot disk and pull the plug on the UPS. See how
long the computer runs before it shuts down. You shouldn't do this a
lot because it is hard on the batteries, but it will tell you
approximately what kind of shape they are in. A UPS that is not
overloaded with healthy batteries should run for at least 10-15
minutes this way.

My current APC UPS is an ES 725, which I think it
means can support 725 volts, watts, whatever


Volt Amperes, or VA is the measurement commonly used. You can find out
exactly how much capacity you need to look for by finding out how many
amps the computer and anything else plugged into a battery-backed
outlet on the UPS is using by reading the nameplates on the back of
each device. (Such ratings are typically high, but they are a start.)
To get a rough idea of VA, multiply volts by amps.

Or you can get a cheap plug-in meter that can tell you exactly how
many watts, amps, or volt-amps (VA) you are using. One such meter is
the P3 Kill-A-Watt, which is a neat device that you will find other
interesting uses for. This will make it easy. Such a meter costs about
$30 (USD).

Ignore the "minutes of runtime" printed on the box of any UPS you see
for sale. These numbers are artificially high, and usually only apply
to a unit that is lightly loaded.

If you still want to replace your UPS, I would recommend another APC
unit in a heartbeat. Other good brands exist (such as Tripp Lite) but
may not be as easily found. I don't recommend the CyberPower units, as
I seem to come across a lot of them that have failed either completely
or partially.

If you buy direct from APC, they have a "Trade UPS" program where you
can return your old UPS to them and receive a discount on your new
unit. The old UPS does not have to work. Even if you don't do this,
you should see to it that your old UPS is either used for something
else or recycled. You should not throw it away with the trash.

William
  #4  
Old December 19th 08, 06:46 PM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Kevin Childers
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 142
Default what size UPS do I need?


"Ron Hardin" wrote in message
...
Joe wrote:

I have a 1.5 year old Dell DIM 9200 duel core, with 2 hard drives, 2 DVD
players and a Dell 26" flatscreen monitor. I have an APC UPS which is
getting long in the tooth so I want to replace it. I have no
understanding
of electronics. My current APC UPS is an ES 725, which I think it means
can
support 725 volts, watts, whatever- and the software says it's good for
66
minutes, so it's probably more than I need. So, if I replace it, what do
you
recommend? I won't be plugging anything else into the UPS.

Yuh, what is it that I'm looking for- volts, watts?

Joe


UPSs are pretty cheap; but you can also just replace the battery on
the one you've got.

APC tends to run cooler than the Cyberpower ones in small sizes,
if saving on electricity when the AC power is on is a consideration.
Check around online for battery price on the one you've got.

(The Cyberpower 1500AVR stays cool though, so the bigger sizes must
have some other circuit on idle.)
--


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.


To further emphasize what Ron has said, I used to have a sweet deal selling
reconditioned UPS, back when the military solutions was to replace any UPS
that had any issues. Bought them cheap at property disposal sales as
electronic scrap. New batteries and about 90% of them were as good as new.

KMC


  #5  
Old December 19th 08, 11:21 PM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Joe[_23_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 40
Default what size UPS do I need?

Thanks everyone-

A few more questions:

If I want to replace the battery, do I need to get it from APC? I have no
clue about their interchangeability (is that a word?).

I will check the nameplates after next time I turn the PC off, but for just
the PC and the 26" flatscreen monitor, does the ES 725 seem the right size?

Regarding APC's Trade UPS program, wouldn't I have to ship my old one back
to APC? So any discount might be lost from all the shipping charges compared
to buying new at a local store?

Joe



"William R. Walsh" wrote in message
...
Hi!

I have an APC UPS which is getting long in the tooth
so I want to replace it.


If it still works, there may be no need to do that. A UPS doesn't just
fail because it is old, although the batteries do degrade with age.
How long the batteries last has a lot to do with the quality of your
power.

Something you could try--set up your computer so it is running from
something like a DOS boot disk and pull the plug on the UPS. See how
long the computer runs before it shuts down. You shouldn't do this a
lot because it is hard on the batteries, but it will tell you
approximately what kind of shape they are in. A UPS that is not
overloaded with healthy batteries should run for at least 10-15
minutes this way.

My current APC UPS is an ES 725, which I think it
means can support 725 volts, watts, whatever


Volt Amperes, or VA is the measurement commonly used. You can find out
exactly how much capacity you need to look for by finding out how many
amps the computer and anything else plugged into a battery-backed
outlet on the UPS is using by reading the nameplates on the back of
each device. (Such ratings are typically high, but they are a start.)
To get a rough idea of VA, multiply volts by amps.

Or you can get a cheap plug-in meter that can tell you exactly how
many watts, amps, or volt-amps (VA) you are using. One such meter is
the P3 Kill-A-Watt, which is a neat device that you will find other
interesting uses for. This will make it easy. Such a meter costs about
$30 (USD).

Ignore the "minutes of runtime" printed on the box of any UPS you see
for sale. These numbers are artificially high, and usually only apply
to a unit that is lightly loaded.

If you still want to replace your UPS, I would recommend another APC
unit in a heartbeat. Other good brands exist (such as Tripp Lite) but
may not be as easily found. I don't recommend the CyberPower units, as
I seem to come across a lot of them that have failed either completely
or partially.

If you buy direct from APC, they have a "Trade UPS" program where you
can return your old UPS to them and receive a discount on your new
unit. The old UPS does not have to work. Even if you don't do this,
you should see to it that your old UPS is either used for something
else or recycled. You should not throw it away with the trash.

William


  #6  
Old December 20th 08, 12:46 AM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
William R. Walsh[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 931
Default what size UPS do I need?

Hi!

If I want to replace the battery, do I need to get it from APC?


No. If you can find a battery specialist store in your area, they will
have or can get what you need. And it will be cheaper than what APC
offers.

The old battery comes out easily. Turn off and unplug the UPS from
everything. There's a door on the bottom that slides out. Depending
upon how you're holding it, the battery may fall out. Don't let it
strain the leads. Each lead most likely slides on to a matching metal
terminal in the the battery. (Some are more like specialized plugs.)

Take the battery to the store and ask for an exact replacement. Leave
the old one there for recycling, or find someone who will recycle it.

I will check the nameplates after next time I turn the PC off, but
for just the PC and the 26" flatscreen monitor, does the ES 725
seem the right size?


Many, but not all, flat panels draw less power than an old-style CRT
(or "big monitor"). If the software estimate from your UPS says you
can run for 66 minutes, I think that's a pretty good sign that your
current UPS is big enough for the job. I don't think that you have
anything to worry about. And remember, the numbers given on your
equipment are fully loaded, worst case figures. Your actual results
will come in much lower in all likelihood.

Regarding APC's Trade UPS program, wouldn't I have to ship my old
one back to APC? So any discount might be lost from all the shipping
charges compared to buying new at a local store?


I sent them a very large and very nonfunctional Smart UPS 2200. They
picked up the shipping and sent a prepaid label. It was easy, all I
had to do was pack the thing up. I put it in the box that the new UPS
came in, slapped the label on and called UPS for a pickup.

William
  #7  
Old December 20th 08, 01:16 AM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Ron Hardin
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 996
Default what size UPS do I need?

William R. Walsh wrote:

Hi!

If I want to replace the battery, do I need to get it from APC?


No. If you can find a battery specialist store in your area, they will
have or can get what you need. And it will be cheaper than what APC
offers.


I always just look online for the battery for the model I have.

Find out what kind from say the APC site, and then google for sellers of it.
Or google directly for the model and "battery."
--


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.
  #8  
Old December 20th 08, 10:14 AM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Brian K
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 532
Default what size UPS do I need?


"Joe" wrote in message
...
Thanks everyone-

Regarding APC's Trade UPS program, wouldn't I have to ship my old one back
to APC? So any discount might be lost from all the shipping charges
compared to buying new at a local store?



Joe, I was offered $7 to trade in my old APC. I didn't bother sending it
back.


  #9  
Old December 20th 08, 05:26 PM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Tony-ExcessUPS[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default what size UPS do I need?


Brian K;846732 Wrote:
"Joe" lid wrote in message
...-
Thanks everyone-

Regarding APC's Trade UPS program, wouldn't I have to ship my old one
back
to APC? So any discount might be lost from all the shipping charges
compared to buying new at a local store?
-


Joe, I was offered $7 to trade in my old APC. I didn't bother sending
it
back.



Hi Joe,


With the configuration you describe I highly doubt that the ES725 can
provide you a run time of more than 5-8 minutes. The ES725 is a good
power bar with a little bit of back up power, I wouldn't necessarily
qualify it a UPS.


Try and pull the plug on your UPS to see how much time it's really
giving you. With 300W of load on the unit, the 725 should be able to
provide around 7 minutes. 66 Minutes is unrealistic.


Replacement batteries don't necessarily need to be purchased from APC.
There are many vendors out there who can supply you a good quality
battery at a third of the cost of a battery from APC.


APC doesn't manufacture batteries, they purchase them from a variety of
manufacturers and attach their labels to them. You pay quite a premium
for that label.


If you're looking to upgrade to a solid UPS that can provide power
protection, power filtration as well as some run time I would
definitely recommend going with a Smart-UPS. They're very reliable
units, network grade, and provide quality protection for the equipment
that's plugged in.


'APC Smart-UPS 750' (
http://tinyurl.com/3uvye)

Typical Backup Time at Half Load: 15.9 minutes (250 Watts)
Typical Backup Time at Full Load: 4.6 minutes (500 Watts)


'APC Smart-UPS 1000' (http://tinyurl.com/49zxm)

Typical Backup Time at Half Load: 20.6 minutes (335 Watts)
Typical Backup Time at Full Load: 6.1 minutes (670 Watts)


Both the above units are new units from APC. They can get a bit pricey,
but you can find them from online vendors are a bit cheaper.


If you're looking to save some money and still get a good network grade
Smart-UPS, I would recommend looking into the following REFURBISHED with
New Batteries Models:


'APC Smart-UPS 750' (http://tinyurl.com/9a267u)

Typical Backup Time at Half Load: 15.9 minutes (250 Watts)
Typical Backup Time at Full Load: 4.6 minutes (500 Watts)

'APC Smart-UPS 1000' (http://tinyurl.com/63sukr)

Typical Backup Time at Half Load: 20.6 minutes (335 Watts)
Typical Backup Time at Full Load: 6.1 minutes (670 Watts)

'APC Smart-UPS 1400' (http://tinyurl.com/a5btct)

Typical backup time at half load: 25.2 minutes (475 Watts)
Typical backup time at full load: 7.0 minutes (950 Watts)


The above mentioned models you can find online, look around for the
best deal with the best warranty. Refurbished UPSs can provide you a
lot of value, you're buying network grade protection with new batteries
for a third of the cost of brand new.


Let me know if you have any questions.



Thanks,
Tony




--
Tony-ExcessUPS
  #10  
Old December 21st 08, 08:46 AM posted to alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Brian K
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 532
Default what size UPS do I need?

Tony,

Interesting numbers. I know one chap who has his UPS connected to two car
batteries. He probably gets hours on the batteries. I think I'll do
something similar when my current battery dies.


 




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