Whats the best UPS for me?

[TheSmJ]

In my area, power outages and brownouts are common (especially during the summer). Because of this, I'm becoming very interested in a UPS.

The system in my sig would be the one I am going to be purchasing it for. I'd like the 21" monitor, and the computer itself to be on the battery backup. It would be unnecessary for the 15" monitor), and I doubt I'll find the need to charge the mouse while the UPS is supplying power.

Things I need in a UPS are:


At least 5 minutes of up time.
Unattended PC shutdown.
Voltage regulation/filtering.


I'd like to keep the price tag somewhere decent. While I've seen some nice $99 models, the "Belkin Home Office Battery Backup UPS 500VA" can be had for $20 right now after a mail in rebate. Pretty spiffy methinks.

So might this be a good choice? There's also the Battery BackUp XS 1000 UPS from APC, it's quite a bit more, but I'd get it if it would truly be worth it.

[Geeky1]

APC has a 1000va model for like $100-$200. It's got unattended shutdown, it will switch to batteries if the power from the outlet is outside a certain range, and it should power pretty much anything for 5 minutes+... I've got one on the server @ habitat for humanity, and i'm very happy with it. When buying UPSes, there's one -and only one- brand to buy: APC. Period.

[TheSmJ]

Well even 1000VA model I listed would be some overkill and I think is the same one you're referring to. Over the years, I've learned that paying more often means better quality, longer life, and overall a happy user. Perhaps I should splurge on the APC unit I listed?

[Geeky1]

<a href="http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1000&language=en&LOCAL.APCCountryCode=US">This</a> is the model I'm referring to...

Could that be what you meant? That's an "RS" model, and I don't see an "XS" model on APC's site, so that could be it. Their MSRP is $250, but I've seen it going for <$200... I've only had one for a few months (the server is only 4 months old) but it's performed reliably so far... and, as I said, APC is almost universally regarded as the best UPS manufacturer around.

You could see what their <a href="http://www.apc.com/template/size/apc/index.cfm?action=single_workstation&temp_country=US&device_type=workstation">UPS Selector</a> recommends...

[Geeky1]

Oh, and that RS does have automatic voltage regulation...

[TheSmJ]

Well, the manual is interchangeable from XS to RS. It's possible one is an older version then the other, but I have no idea if anything is different between the two. It appears they both have the same features.

[TheSmJ]

Found the diff!


1. The Back-UPS RS models have both 1-line 2-wire phone/fax/modem data-line protection and 10/100base-T ethernet protection, where as the Back-UPS XS models only has 1-line 2-wire phone/fax/modem protection.

2. The Back-UPS RS models have both Boost* and Trim** as features of Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), where as the Back-UPS XS only has Boost. When the input voltage increases above the high transfer point of a Back-UPS XS model it will only go to battery.


*AVR Boost: The UPS is compensating for a low utility voltage. While the UPS can run in this mode indefinitely without any negative impact on the UPS, the circuit should be checked by a qualified electrician if the utility voltage is consistently low.

**AVR Trim: The UPS is compensating for a high utility voltage. While the UPS can run in this mode indefinitely without any negative impact on the UPS, the circuit should be checked by a qualified electrician if the utility voltage is consistently high.

[TheSmJ]

Well I broke down yesterday and bought a 500VA APC UPS, one that was recommended for my system on their site.

Being as my computer currently is at a friend’s house for LANning, I only have the 15", and the computer itself connected to the UPS.

After the power-chute app that came with the UPS (whatever it's called) stated that the battery was at full charge, I unplugged the UPS, and watched. The computer lasted 5 minutes and 30 seconds.

Keeping in mind that this is using my 15" monitor, I worry about how long the system would last with my 21" connected (remember I will not be keeping the 15" on battery backup). If I find that the computer cannot keep alive for over 5 minutes (with the 21" monitor, and computer connected) I will return the supply, possibly replacing it with the larger, 1000VA model.

Does this sound justified?

[Black Hawk]

I would've gotten the 1000VA. I used to have a 500VA Tripp Lite that was like 3yrs and I have a 300W psu that I would think is pulling all the juice since it has 3 HDD's and a cdrw and a few fans, a 17inc monitor and a 4.1 speaker and it didn't last anything. It even shutdown for a brownout. Eventually it crapped out and I got a 1000VA tripp lite. Now it lasts around 30mins and it shuts down automatically. My dad got it at Costco for less than $200 I think. Haven't had a problem since except for it not liking DSL :(

[Geeky1]

TheSMJ, if that's the uptime you want, and the 500va isn't giving it, then yeah... it's justified.

[TheSmJ]

It's not uptime necessarily... just would make me feel more comfortable... not to mention, for $99, it's one hellava deal

[Geeky1]

what, $99 for 1000va? where?

[TheSmJ]

What sorta UPSes would you buy/already own for your computers?....

/me is starting to think he doesn't know what he wants.

That one I mentioned in my first post. It's $99 with rebate. Ends after tommrow.