Whats the best UPS for me?

TheSmJTheSmJ
edited July 2003 in Hardware
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.

Comments

  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited July 2003
    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.
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited July 2003
    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?
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited July 2003
    <a href="http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1000&language=en&LOCAL.APCCountryCode=US">This</a&gt; 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...
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited July 2003
    Oh, and that RS does have automatic voltage regulation...
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited July 2003
    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.
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited July 2003
    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.
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited July 2003
    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?
  • BlackHawkBlackHawk Bible music connoisseur There's no place like 127.0.0.1 Icrontian
    edited July 2003
    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 :(
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited July 2003
    TheSMJ, if that's the uptime you want, and the 500va isn't giving it, then yeah... it's justified.
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited July 2003
    It's not uptime necessarily... just would make me feel more comfortable... not to mention, for $99, it's one hellava deal
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited July 2003
    what, $99 for 1000va? where?
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited July 2003
    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.
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