Questions about my new UPS.

[Barrymore]

I have just bought a new 2000va / 1200w UPS unit.
I will be running only my PC with the PVR, and TV off it.
I am not sure whether to set the input voltage range selector to "narrow" or "wide"
and the charge current selector to 10A or 20A.

Can anyone suggest what run time I can expect from this setup?

 

[Archer]

You'll probably get 5-15 minutes runtime off a typical UPS (I'm referring to APC units and the like) as they are not designed to take over for long periods, but rather maintain supply until you can either switch over (to a generator for example) or safely shutdown the equipment. Depends on the size battery in the unit, what exact model did you get?

edit: by needing to make a decision on the charge current I'm guessing you've got the other bigger UPS things, so I'd estimate 1 hour backup (PVR is stupidly power hungry iirc)

 

[DrewChan]

Sounds like the takealot UPS which I think has 2 9AH batteries in it

 

[Archer]

Sounds like the takealot UPS which I think has 2 9AH batteries in it

Ouch, then backup would only be 5-15min tops

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

I have just bought a new 2000va / 1200w UPS unit.
I will be running only my PC with the PVR, and TV off it.
I am not sure whether to set the input voltage range selector to "narrow" or "wide"
and the charge current selector to 10A or 20A.

Can anyone suggest what run time I can expect from this setup?

I'm assuming the input voltage range is just the sensitivity, meaning "wide" would allow a wider variance of input voltages from the mains without switching to battery. If set to narrow it will switch to battery even if there is a small fluctuation in the mains supply voltage. It's safer to use narrow but if you have unstable mains power or you use a generator you'll probably have to switch to wide.

Not sure what the other option would do.

 

[TehStranger]

I have just bought a new 2000va / 1200w UPS unit.
I will be running only my PC with the PVR, and TV off it.
I am not sure whether to set the input voltage range selector to "narrow" or "wide"
and the charge current selector to 10A or 20A.

Can anyone suggest what run time I can expect from this setup?

Which unit? Sounds exactly like my Ellies unit. I've got voltage range selector on Wide and charge current set to 20A with 2 x 12v 105Ah batteries.

What batteries have you got it connected to, or is it an all in one unit?

 

[dunkyd]

Obviously not connected yet?

More details about your purchase when you back please. Make, model, specs etc and etc. Makes it easier for those that know to answer. Count me out, I'm learning slowly……...

 

[Vrotappel]

Which unit? Sounds exactly like my Ellies unit. I've got voltage range selector on Wide and charge current set to 20A with 2 x 12v 105Ah batteries.

What batteries have you got it connected to, or is it an all in one unit?

Also sounds like the Ellies I bought today at Makro. Mine being used for the first time now. Power just went out. Find it frustrating that it only has a 4 level battery indicator.

 

[Bona Botse]

Also sounds like the Ellies I bought today at Makro. Mine being used for the first time now. Power just went out. Find it frustrating that it only has a 4 level battery indicator.

Did your PC stay on when the power went out? Mine reset for some reason.

 

[Vrotappel]

Did your PC stay on when the power went out? Mine reset for some reason.

I thought the unit was on but it was on sleep mode I think. So when the power went everything went off. Then discovered I had to press in the on switch to have it on. The manual is pretty basic.

 

[Bona Botse]

I thought the unit was on but it was on sleep mode I think. So when the power went everything went off. Then discovered I had to press in the on switch to have it on. The manual is pretty basic.

Heh yes that almost caught me off guard - when it's off and you plug it in to charge, it will switch on automatically but it will switch off again if you unplug it/power goes off. So have to make sure to turn it on manually before doing anything.

Let me know if it keeps your PC on though, I'm worried...

 

[The_Traveller]

Did your PC stay on when the power went out? Mine reset for some reason.

Transfer time must be 20ms+

 

[Barrymore]

I thought the unit was on but it was on sleep mode I think. So when the power went everything went off. Then discovered I had to press in the on switch to have it on. The manual is pretty basic.

That's exactly what happened to me last night when load shedding kicked in.
When I connected the unit to the mains the blue display panel lit up and it indicated input 220v and output 220v.
From this I naturally assumed that the unit was switched on. Only after everything went off did I realize that the unit was switched off.
And yes, the manual is useless. My old Tedelex intellipower unit's manual explained clearly that the "narrow" selection was required for a PC and it explained why. This unit's manual states that PC's should not be used on "narrow" then it states that "wide" is only for certain appliances like fans or lamps. Yes, I bought the unit from Ellies and on contacting them they recommended "wide".
I have set the amp switch to 10A as that equates to 2200w, surely more that my setup requires.
In response to another post, there are 2 x 100ah batteries in the trolley enclosure.
No doubt my UPS will be put to the test tonight at 8pm.

 

[Vrotappel]

I'm using it on Narrow with 20A. Used it last night from 8 to 10 and this morning from 7.30 to 10.30. Running the TV, decoder, media player, x-box, PC and 2 7watt light bulbs. Have not yet switched on everything at the same time.

 

[Bona Botse]

Transfer time must be 20ms+

Interesting, I see the specs say transfer time is "Typical 15-20ms, 40ms max". I suppose that it hit max then. Will see how it fares at the next shedding.

 

[The_Traveller]

If you using 100ah batteries than set the charge current 20A. 100ah batteries are ok with 20A.

 

[Barrymore]

I'm using it on Narrow with 20A. Used it last night from 8 to 10 and this morning from 7.30 to 10.30. Running the TV, decoder, media player, x-box, PC and 2 7watt light bulbs. Have not yet switched on everything at the same time.

I have done the same. It kicked in without so much as a flicker from TV or PC.

 

[Bona Botse]

OK PC did not restart at the previous shedding. I saw it was on Wide though so maybe that was the problem.

Regarding 10A vs 20A, doesn't the larger setting decrease battery life?

 

[dunkyd]

OK PC did not restart at the previous shedding. I saw it was on Wide though so maybe that was the problem.

Regarding 10A vs 20A, doesn't the larger setting decrease battery life?

I'll stick to 10A , slower the better until I hear otherwise.

 

[greg_SA]

The recommended charging rate for most batteries is 0.1C - so for 100Ah, that is 10A.

Are you batteries in parallel? If so, then use the 20A setting to get 10A to each battery. If you batteries are in series (24V) then 10A will be the correct setting.