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#1
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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