Basic APC UPS to protect NAS?

[PostmanPot]

Heya all

I don't know much about UPSes. I just need a basic one, from APC, to protect a NAS enclosure.

These are the cheaper options I see:

464 APC Back-ups CS BK325i - beige , offline , 350VA / 210w - No software + interface

654 APC Back-ups CS BK350ei - beige , offline , 350VA / 210w , RJ-11 modem/fax protection ; with monitoring software, usb + serial interface

789 APC Back-ups CS BK650as / ei - beige , offline , 650VA / 300w , RJ-11 modem/fax protection ; with monitoring software , usb + serial interface ( no power cable included )

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449 APC Back-ups RS BR500Ci , black , line interactive with AVR+power conditioning , 500VA / 300w , RJ-11 modem/fax protection - No software + interface

741 APC Back-ups RS BR650Ci , black , line interactive with AVR+power conditioning , 650VA / 390w , RJ-11 modem/fax protection - No software + interface

I'm assuming that one of them will be suitable.

Thanks for the assistance!

 

[PsyWulf]

Ideally: Take value of NAS,halve that,buy UPS for that price

But yes,those would suffice in a lesser capacity,though I wouldn't bet my unborn children on them

 

[PostmanPot]

Thank you.

It's just a simple R1.5k 1TB Seagate BlackArmor.

Between these, which is more suitable?

464 APC Back-ups CS BK325i - beige , offline , 350VA / 210w - No software + interface

449 APC Back-ups RS BR500Ci , black , line interactive with AVR+power conditioning , 500VA / 300w , RJ-11 modem/fax protection - No software + interface

Would there be reason in going for something higher up?

 

[froot]

I'd buy a line-interactive UPS.... basically an offline UPS will protect you from surges and so forth, but not keep your NAS online when there are brown-outs.
A line-interactive UPS switches a lot faster than an offline UPS.

 

[justjaxx]

Thank you.

It's just a simple R1.5k 1TB Seagate BlackArmor.

Between these, which is more suitable?

464 APC Back-ups CS BK325i - beige , offline , 350VA / 210w - No software + interface

449 APC Back-ups RS BR500Ci , black , line interactive with AVR+power conditioning , 500VA / 300w , RJ-11 modem/fax protection - No software + interface

Would there be reason in going for something higher up?

Nice thread... cos Im also interested in a UPS - my NAS is busy resyncing RAID at present as a result of power dips last night.

I read that the Back-ups range are capable of signalling the NAS to shutdown when the power fails - do you intend to use this feature as well?

Im using FreeNAS 7, so Im looking for a UPS that is compatible in this regards.

 

[Pada]

The online UPS' would give you much better protection than the offline/line-interactive ones, because the online ones always (except perhaps when it is overheating or broken) power the devices from the batteries, even when the Eskom power to it is 100%.

The online UPS' are way more expensive to buy and would require you to replace the batteries more often.

 

[froot]

The online UPS' would give you much better protection than the offline/line-interactive ones, because the online ones always (except perhaps when it is overheating or broken) power the devices from the batteries, even when the Eskom power to it is 100%.

The online UPS' are way more expensive to buy and would require you to replace the batteries more often.

Correct. Although "way more expensive" refers in layman's terms to, a heck of a lot more

 

[PostmanPot]

How would one connect a NAS/plug-based devices link ext HDDs to the UPSes mentioned in OP? Or are the ones above limited to PCs and devices that use kettle plugs?

 

[Pada]

PostmanPot,
I simply took a multi-plug and cut off its plug and replaced it with a kettle-plug, which I got from like Yebo Electronics.

So now I can plug in pretty much anything I want to in the UPS, which can also be a bad thing - like it allows you to plug in Laser Printers, vacuum cleaners, etc.

 

[PostmanPot]

PostmanPot,
I simply took a multi-plug and cut off its plug and replaced it with a kettle-plug, which I got from like Yebo Electronics.

So now I can plug in pretty much anything I want to in the UPS, which can also be a bad thing - like it allows you to plug in Laser Printers, vacuum cleaners, etc.

Thanks, sounds like a great option! You think a 3/5 multi-plug of low powered devices would be OK for one outlet on one of the entry models?

 

[Pada]

Yes of course it should be fine, unless the UPS uses too thin wiring for its outlets.

I'm using one with 5 sockets, where I plugged in my HTPC, Gigabit router, ADSL modem & external HDD.
I have the APC Smart-UPS SUA1000i, which is a 1000VA UPS, so that I can run my gaming PC + 30" IPS panel from it too

 

[PostmanPot]

Yes of course it should be fine, unless the UPS uses too thin wiring for its outlets.

I'm using one with 5 sockets, where I plugged in my HTPC, Gigabit router, ADSL modem & external HDD.
I have the APC Smart-UPS SUA1000i, which is a 1000VA UPS, so that I can run my gaming PC + 30" IPS panel from it too

Sweet. For the bolded parts, would you say for low power devices, the BR500Ci will be fine?

 

[HavocXphere]

Make sure you get one with USB & Software included. Its a mission if it isn't.

I also DIY'd a multiplug like pada said. Just make sure nobody else goes near it. My dad's company once investigated a case of mysteriously weak UPSs...turns out the cleaning crewed plug a kettle in there every morning before office staff arrived.

Would there be reason in going for something higher up?

Online ones can correct more serious issues in the incoming power. For example a line interactive UPS won't stop a lightning strike...goes clean through. An online on *might*. For simple Eskom bullsht either one will do though. If you can get an online one without paying a hectic premium then go for it, but don't break the bank.

Correct. Although "way more expensive" refers in layman's terms to, a heck of a lot more

I think APC has that are within the reach of us mortals though. I think the entire Smart-UPS series is double conversion.

the online ones always (except perhaps when it is overheating or broken) power the devices from the batteries, even when the Eskom power to it is 100%.

No, the power isn't pulled off the battery. Its online because the battery isn't switched in via relay....its always connected (but not used *). The double conversion refers to AC-DC-AC, not AC-Battery-AC.

If it were always going via battery then the battery wouldn't last a month.

*How that is achieved I haven't figured out yet. If someone knows please do tell.

The online UPS' are way more expensive to buy and would require you to replace the batteries more often.

No battery usage is roughly the same as line interactive. Plus the expensive online ones usually have better battery management logic, so it should actually last longer. Companies tend to replace the batteries regularly though just to lower the risk further even if not absolutely necessary.

Sweet. For the bolded parts, would you say for low power devices, the BR500Ci will be fine?

Those barely draw any power, so they'll be fine regardless of what you pick. i.e. Don't decide based on this....think about the main box.

 

[Pada]

@PostmanPot:
500VA would be more than enough! All those things that you've highlighted won't even draw 80W in total.

@HavocXphere:
Thanks for that AC-DC-AC description of yours!
I always thought online UPS' made use of Battery(DC)-AC, whilst charging the batteries from AC. It would make sense that online UPS' batteries would last just as long when you just convert AC->DC->AC.

I really wonder when we'll get to a stage where the PC's would be able to draw DC power (+12V, -12V, +3.3V & +5V) from the UPS', so that you don't need an expensive UPS and an expensive PSU.

 

[HavocXphere]

@HavocXphere:
Thanks for that AC-DC-AC description of yours!
I always thought online UPS' made use of Battery(DC)-AC, whilst charging the batteries from AC.

Sure thing. I was under the same impression for a long time too. Eventually it dawned on me that one can't charge & discharge a battery at the same time without the dirty power jumping over the battery, so I looked it up.