ups advice? i need some :)

[pixeldotz]

so i'm thinking about getting a UPS so i don't have to worry about the wiring in my house killing my equipment, so i thought i'd ask if anyone had any advice on getting one based on what i want to connect to it.

pc with 3 hdds and a burner and one external usb (external usb runs on power plug so it would need to be hooked into the UPS)

17" flatpanel.

xbox360
xbox


does anyone know what voltage/amp i would need or somewhere i could get a calculation for the size i would need?


thanks for any help :)

[mips]

I would suggest you start by recording the power consumption of all the devices you want to connect to the ups and post them here. Wattage would be good.

Then tell us how long you require the ups to carry the load and I will make a recommendation based on the info you provided.

[pixeldotz]

to tell you the truth a few minutes (5 at the most really) is all i need for my pc to stay up.

the other devices will be connected to the ups as a means to avoid a short or damaged electronics if i'm playing my xbox/360 and my power blinks out.



psu
AC Input: 110-240V
Max Power Rating: 380 W

monitor.
On Mode 42 watt (max)
DPMS Mode < 2 watts
Power Type Built-in

cable modem
9 watts
input power north america
105 - 120 VAC 60hz

xbox 360
draws 160 watts of power
xbox
draws about 74 with a 130 watt power supply

now that i think of it, i don't think i really need to have my xbox360 plugged into the ups, i'll just get a surge protector or something for it. :)

[slimdog360]

well then about a kilowatt.
edit: Im guessing you would be safe with around a 750W UPS

[mips]

http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm

With no extra capacity a 1500va ups will give you 10mins runtime


I used to have a 1400va that powered 2xPCs and 2x21¨ monitors and that gave me about 20mins time.

[pixeldotz]

would this work?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8022935&st=UPS&type=product&id=1157067061643

or this?

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&N=200082+404087+11&Ne=500000&product_code=51875748&Pn=Enhanced_Series_ES1500C_UPS

[mips]

Yes they should work.

BUT, keep in mind that not all ups´ are equal. the cheaper models do not have all the fancy electronics that give you clean power. But at the end of the day you would be better off than without a ups.

APC brand is a good one. have years of experience with them.

[pixeldotz]

i think ill be getting the APC one from bestbuy.

just had one questions,

why does the Opti from compusa say

1400VA, 980watts

and the APC say

1500VA (865W)

wouldn't the higher VA mean higher wattage or am i totally off on this one?

[pixeldotz]

thanks you guys. i appreciate the help i'll feel so much better once i get this UPS. just for kicks here's a complete breakdown of all the wattage ill be drawing.

pc. 380
mon. 44 (compensate for the 2 extra watts)
modem. 9
router. 3.4
____________
436.4

xbox. 130
xbo360. 160
____________
190

total.
726.4 (865W APC brand should be perfect)

that's 6 devices total. i can plug my tv and my receiver into the surge-only protected devices.

thanks again. now to search for some linux APC/UPS software for ubuntu.

[gurgle]

^^ for software, check out linuxeq.com

they have some UPS software on tehre.

[mips]

wouldn't the higher VA mean higher wattage or am i totally off on this one?

Yes, you are correct. i have no idea how they got to those values

[mips]

thanks again. now to search for some linux APC/UPS software for ubuntu.

http://www.apcupsd.org/
http://www.mscs.dal.ca/~selinger/ups/backups.html

Or just google Linux APC

[Bigbluecat]

I use APCUPSD with my APC UPS. Works very well. There is a How To on these forums for installation instructions.

[pixeldotz]

very helpful on people in the general section :)

i think i'm re-evaluating my situation and might be getting the OPTI. the 1050 joule rating sits better with my for lightning protection whereas the apc one only has 564.

the opti might not have all the bells and whistles like an LCD display but it does seem to offer more than the APC.

[pixeldotz]

thanks for all the help guys. i bought APC brand one after and it's handling everything very nicely.

pc/cable.modem/router/lcd.monitor/usb.external.hdd

and the UPS is registering that it idles at about 70watts. when booting up it jumps to about 90watts.

this was a great buy, thanks you guys.

[mips]

Glad to hear you are happy with your purchase :)

[pixeldotz]

yeah, i just wish that new plastic smell would hurry and clear my room already. you know, not a burning smell but a new plastic smell. :lolflag:

[tgalati4]

Don't go crazy testing runtimes on consumer-grade UPS units. That plastic smell is probably the heatsinks getting toasty. To save costs, cheaper units have minimal heat sinks and will heat up and even melt the case during a long battery run (30 minutes). I prefer used, tossed out business-grade units with all-metal cases. Then just replace the batteries and you are good to go.

I have done comparisons between the two types and I have melted a few--including shooting flames out of the MOSFETs (otherwise known as flame-emmiting transistors).

Good luck.