DIY multiplug for use with a UPS? Safe or not?

[|tera|]

Hi guys.

I've seen people modify a standard multiplug to be used on a UPS to power other devices.

Is it safe to do?
Is it safe for the UPS and components connected to the plug?

I know you can't connect an appliance like a Kettle. Unless you want to overload and possibly lose some electronics.

That said.
Do you have advice for me?

I'm just thinking of connecting basics like my PC, Monitor, maybe a phone charger and my LTE Router.

If it's safe. Could you please let me know what the correct method is to make a functioning multiplug for a UPS.

Thanks

 

[Brawler]

Some of them come with a sa 3 prong plug at the back so I reckon it's fine things that don't draw too much.

Mine is like that and it powers my fibre only. When I got the ups it would last 2.5 hours but these days I'm lucky if I get 1.5 hour. I don't think they are designed to be discharged slowly and completely. It's also only 6m old.
Won't last long at all with a computer etc plugged in.

 

[CaneMan]

I have been running a PC, Monitor, switch and portable phone using a adapter without any problems. Wootware sell this:-

UPS - C14 male to 2x type M (Standard South African three point plug) female Cable Adapter - Wootware

Buy UPS - C14 male to 2x type M (Standard South African three point plug) female Cable Adapter at Wootware with fast shipping & superb service.

www.wootware.co.za

 

[ponder]

Rather use a steel PDU from a rackmount cabinet, that comes with its own switch and breaker.

 

[isie]

Hi guys.

I've seen people modify a standard multiplug to be used on a UPS to power other devices.

Is it safe to do?
Is it safe for the UPS and components connected to the plug?

I know you can't connect an appliance like a Kettle. Unless you want to overload and possibly lose some electronics.

That said.
Do you have advice for me?

I'm just thinking of connecting basics like my PC, Monitor, maybe a phone charger and my LTE Router.

If it's safe. Could you please let me know what the correct method is to make a functioning multiplug for a UPS.

Thanks

I made a few, as long as you know how to safely cut and join a plug it will be ok. The standard kettle cord is nothing different compared to a normal 3 prong plug so there is no current issues in the physical plug.
Just remember a UPS is not made for long usage its meant to give you protection from short power interruptions and a little time to safely shut down in case of prolonged outages, this being said i have frankensteined a few old UPS's with larger batteries.

 

[MidnightZA]

I used this. It's very simple to connect, no need to cut another cable and join 2 separate cables. I'm not sure where to get it locally

Just remember a UPS is not made for long usage its meant to give you protection from short power interruptions and a little time to safely shut down in case of prolonged outages, this being said i have frankensteined a few old UPS's with larger batteries.

How do you do that? I got 2 dead UPS's. Im hoping the batteries are still usable. I need to get a multimeter to test them. If they are usable I'd like to attempt to connect it to the working UPS

 

[yogidabear]

Male IEC I buy here http://www.tnw.co.za/contact but should be freely available and cost 25~30

or you can get the multiplug with IEC also from a number of suppliers

Multi Plug 1x16A 1x5A 0.5m IEC Cord

Multi Plug 1x16A 1x5A 0.5m IEC Cord Scoop's MP-02WIEC is a 2-way multi-plug that is made up of 1x16A 3-pin socket, and 1x 5A 2-pin round socket. This multi-plug has a half meter cord with a moulded IEC plug and offers overload protection.

scoop.co.za

Multi Plug 3x16A 3x5A 0.5m IEC Cord

Multi Plug 3x16A 3x5A 0.5m IEC Cord Scoop's MP-06WIEC is a 6-way multi-plug that is made up of 3x16A 3-pin sockets, and 3x 5A 2-pin sockets. This multi-plug has a half meter cord with a moulded IEC plug and offers overload protection.

scoop.co.za

Multi Plug 5x16A 5x5A 0.5m IEC Cord

Scoop's MP-10WIEC is a 10-way multi-plug that is made up of 5x16A 3-pin sockets, 4x 5A 2-pin sockets and 1x 5A 2-pin round socket. This multi-plug has a half meter cord with a moulded IEC plug and offers overload protection.

scoop.co.za

 

[|tera|]

Thanks for all the responses.

The UPS I'm getting is a 650VA (new).

If I buy any of the plugs that @yogidabear suggested, how long can I expect to have things up and running during a power failure?

The UPS connnects to the PC and is able to initiate the PC to shut down after a specified time interval.

Should I rather skip getting the plug, since it will technically only be used for the phone charger and Router + the PC?

I don't want to decrease the UPS lifespan.
I'd rather shut down properly and leave it until the power is back.

I've always got my phone, which can charge via my laptop if I desperately need Internet access.

 

[isie]

I used this. It's very simple to connect, no need to cut another cable and join 2 separate cables. I'm not sure where to get it locally



How do you do that? I got 2 dead UPS's. Im hoping the batteries are still usable. I need to get a multimeter to test them. If they are usable I'd like to attempt to connect it to the working UPS

Open up the UPS, connect up longer cable to the UPS battery cable, drill a hole on the side to get the cable out and connect the batteries. has to be on the outside since the batteries are larger (there's a thread on MYBB i'll look for it) - don't forget your old high school science for series and parallel
Are you sure the UPS's are dead? I thought both mine were dead because i tested them with some batteries I had lying around and they didnt work - so assumed they were not working and used them as a footrests i bought 2 small 3.5 AH batteries for my garage but that motor packed up so when insurance replaced it, i kept the new batteries i thought what the hell and tested them on the UPS and boom it worked so i hooked up larger batteries to them - just note the charging rate on the UPS (48 AH battery on a 1 amp charger takes long )

 

[isie]

Thanks for all the responses.

The UPS I'm getting is a 650VA (new).

If I buy any of the plugs that @yogidabear suggested, how long can I expect to have things up and running during a power failure?

The UPS connnects to the PC and is able to initiate the PC to shut down after a specified time interval.

Should I rather skip getting the plug, since it will technically only be used for the phone charger and Router + the PC?

I don't want to decrease the UPS lifespan.
I'd rather shut down properly and leave it until the power is back.

I've always got my phone, which can charge via my laptop if I desperately need Internet access.

You won't really decrease the UPS's lifespan but you will decrease the lifespan of the battery inside it especially if you end up running it below 50% (battery is replaceable)
as for how long just the PC maybe 15-30 minutes
Honestly if you want you should just use the UPS use it to safely shut down the PC and use it to keep your router running that should give you a 4 hour plus time

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

multiplugs run fine, been doing this for donkeys years on all my UPS's and my inverter
just dont overload

 

[|tera|]

You won't really decrease the UPS's lifespan but you will decrease the lifespan of the battery inside it especially if you end up running it below 50% (battery is replaceable)
as for how long just the PC maybe 15-30 minutes
Honestly if you want you should just use the UPS use it to safely shut down the PC and use it to keep your router running that should give you a 4 hour plus time

I used the wrong words. I was referring to the batteries.

I'll see how things go and use the UPS as is first, with only the PC connected on it.

multiplugs run fine, been doing this for donkeys years on all my UPS's and my inverter
just dont overload

Thanks. Do you replace batteries in UPSs often, and if so at what cost?

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

I used the wrong words. I was referring to the batteries.

I'll see how things go and use the UPS as is first, with only the PC connected on it.

Thanks. Do you replace batteries in UPSs often, and if so at what cost?

never once before
i am naughty and when i buy i UPS i gut the insides and throw away the batteries
i then externally add waaaaay bigger batteries
this then gives me a long time to run things and my battery levels hardly dip which means i get many more life cycles out of the batteries
only downside to this is the look and that the charge controller will take a lot longer to charge the batteries once power has restores and this means the controller will run much warmer and i have been told this now runs the risk of blowing up. Touch wood, i have been safe for the last 10 plus years i have been doing this

 

[isie]

ah

I used the wrong words. I was referring to the batteries.

I use em until the batteries die then I go to work

I'll see how things go and use the UPS as is first, with only the PC connected on it.

if you bought it for long usage on a PC you will be disappointed - like i said shut down only.
though depends on model you may get some more time out tof it

Thanks. Do you replace batteries in UPSs often, and if so at what cost?

Standard UPS batteries are cheap 7Ah , but some places are crazy. when they die honestly I think it's time to go bigger.

i am naughty and when i buy i UPS i gut the insides and throw away the batteries

Bad pappa you supposed to dispose of them in a decent manor

 

[|tera|]

FknuTZ. You got me good

 

[Geoff.D]

Thanks for all the responses.

The UPS I'm getting is a 650VA (new).

If I buy any of the plugs that @yogidabear suggested, how long can I expect to have things up and running during a power failure?

The UPS connnects to the PC and is able to initiate the PC to shut down after a specified time interval.

Should I rather skip getting the plug, since it will technically only be used for the phone charger and Router + the PC?

I don't want to decrease the UPS lifespan.
I'd rather shut down properly and leave it until the power is back.

I've always got my phone, which can charge via my laptop if I desperately need Internet access.

650VA won't get you very far as a backup. Strictly there to shut down systems properly. Might be able to charge cell phone and run a router but that is about it.

 

[Speedster]

Thanks for all the responses.

The UPS I'm getting is a 650VA (new).

If I buy any of the plugs that @yogidabear suggested, how long can I expect to have things up and running during a power failure?

The UPS connnects to the PC and is able to initiate the PC to shut down after a specified time interval.

Should I rather skip getting the plug, since it will technically only be used for the phone charger and Router + the PC?

I don't want to decrease the UPS lifespan.
I'd rather shut down properly and leave it until the power is back.

I've always got my phone, which can charge via my laptop if I desperately need Internet access.

Those UPS typically come with a 12V, 7Ah lead acid battery. That gives you 42Wh usable, not counting conversion losses. A basic computer and monitor runs at about 200W, so the ups will give you in the region of 10-12 min run time.

 

[|tera|]

Thanks guys,

I've got the UPS setup. The software shows it would be on standby time, for the current load, between 15 and 19 minutes, on a 90% charge level.

That's fine and shouldn't bother me too much.
At least I will have the software to hibernate the PC once the timer has run out.

Thanks for all the help.