[ale] OT need 600-1000W power protection for 3 minutes - cheap

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Hi Solomon,

Thanks for the note.

(see inline)

On 7/9/2013 12:38 PM, Solomon Peachy wrote:
> On Tue, Jul 09, 2013 at 11:45:13AM -0400, Ron Frazier (ALE) wrote:
>    
>> The more I think about my loads, the more I think I need a 1500 VA /
>> ~ 900W unit.  A 1200VA/~700W unit might do it, but most product
>> lines seem to jump to 1500 VA after 1000 VA.
>>      
> I used to have big deep-cycle batteries hooked up to low-end UPSes.  The
> inverters weren't actively cooled and ended up overheating themselves
> during even moderate outages.
>
> I replaced that pair of 325W units with with a single 950W/1400VA APC
> Smart-UPS, which I purchased secondhand (sans batteries) for $150.  I
> kept my old 35aH batteries, which ran me about $80 each when new.
>
> My server closet sucks about 400W; during the last prolonged outage I
> suffered, that pair of (two-ish year-old) 35aH batteries lasted just
> under an hour before the low-battery-iniated shutdown occured.
>
>    

The idea of getting more run time is appealing.

>> Based on prior discussions and my experience, I know APC is a good
>> brand.  I also understand that, for the "smart" units, it can be
>> hard to get linux to talk to it, if you want to use the auto
>> shutdown software like apcupsd.  I think you guys told me before
>>      
> Controlling modern APC units is no problem (they use USB).  Older ones
> were only tricky because they required funky non-standard serial cables.
>
>    

See my note to Alex about compatibility problems with certain Smart APC 
units and apcupsd.  This may not be a showstopper, as I think you still 
have basic control.  Otherwise, I'm sure you are correct.

>> Charles, thanks for the links.  I'll keep the buy batteries local
>> idea in mind.  Might not be necessary with Amazon's free shipping.
>>      
> I used to live a mile from an Interstate Batteries retail location; I
> highly recommend that route as it usually worked out noticably cheaper,
> especially with the larger batteries.
>
> Oh, if you want to use oversized batteries that live outside your UPS's
> enclosure, make sure you use appropriately heavy cabling -- my 950W unit
> at full load will draw over ~50 amps out of the batteries, so 6-gauge
> (or larger) wires were necessary.
>
>    

This local battery / different battery concept does sound interesting.  
I may cruise by the local Batteries Plus store.  I'll have to check 
where the nearest Interstate Batteries is.  By the way, I calculate that 
if you're pulling 950W and 12V, that would be 79A.  It would be 40 A at 24V.

Good point about the big external wires though.

Hmm ... I do have a mostly unused deep cycle boat motor battery sitting 
in the basement.  I can barely lift it.
>> http://www.amazon.com/APC-BR1500G-BACK-UPS-10-Outlet-1500VA/dp/B003Y24DEU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373381258&sr=1-1&keywords=br1500g
>>      
> I've used the 1000VA versions of this unit, they're pretty solid, but I
> never had a very high load on them.
>
> The enclosures aren't as robust as they used to be (ie plastic instead
> of literally bulletproof heavy-gauge steel) but the electronics (and
> inverters) are smarter and more efficient than ever.  Not to mention a
> usable control panel.
>
>   - Solomon
>    
>

That BR1500G is looking pretty appealing at this point, compared with $ 
500 for an SMT-1500.  I still might have to do some tripp lite research.

Sincerely,

Ron


-- 

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Ron Frazier
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