[ale] OT power failure problems - answering machine, dehumidifier

[Scott Plante]

I'm sure there's a transformer inside to power the electronics. I wonder if you could just wire up some battery backup just for the digital control panel? Googling "dc ups" turns up lots of products. If you found one with the right specs you might be able to put it inline between the internal power supply and the control panel. 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Jeff Hubbs" <jhubbslist at att.net> 
To: "Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts" <ale at ale.org> 
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 4:58:24 PM 
Subject: Re: [ale] OT power failure problems - answering machine, dehumidifier 

I'm not sure if anything but many-multi-thousand-dollar UPSses (if that) 
could handle the inrush current of a dehumidifier. 



On 7/12/12 4:27 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) wrote: 
> Hi all, 
> 
> With all the storms in the area, I've had three power failures within 
> the last week. Not long ago, I got advice here which prompted me to get 
> a APC Smart UPS for the PC. That's working well. Unfortunately, I have 
> some other things which give problems when the power fails. 
> 
> By the way, if you need a cheap power failure sensor, just get one of 
> those old red LED clocks. Don't put any backup battery in and make sure 
> it has no power failure protection. If there is a glitch more than a 
> few seconds, it will be blinking in your face when you see it again. 
> 
> I have two answering machines that lose their greeting when the power 
> fails. They do have a spot for a 9V battery but they eat a battery 
> every few months. It's not physically convenient to attach these to my 
> UPS. I went on a search for new machines locally. They're almost 
> impossible to find without phones attached and higher price tags. I got 
> the AT&T 1740 and it works well. It will survive a power failure 
> without a hitch. The manual says it saves the greeting and the 
> messages. It also says you may have to reset the clock. However, I 
> unplugged it for 30 seconds and the clock kept working. If the clock 
> does die, it will automatically reset on the first call if you have 
> caller ID. This device does not require a 9V battery. If you were to 
> buy one, don't get the 1739, it's older younger brother. Get the new one. 
> 
> The main reason I'm writing this message is to ask about a 
> dehumidifier. I have a unit from Kenmore which has a digital control 
> panel. So, you push some fancy flat panel buttons to set the thing. 
> However, when the power fails, the unit shuts off and won't restart 
> until you manually go turn it on and reset everything. When my LED 
> clock starts blinking upstairs, I know there has been a power failure 
> and I have to go to the basement and check the unit. Other than buying 
> a different appliance, anyone know anything I could do? Since it draws 
> 700 W, it would probably cost more than the dehumidifier does to put it 
> on a UPS. 
> 
> Sincerely, 
> 
> Ron 
> 


_______________________________________________ 
Ale mailing list 
Ale at ale.org 
http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale 
See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at 
http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mail.ale.org/pipermail/ale/attachments/20120712/a858e95a/attachment-0001.html