UPS choices. Help needed.

DrJohnZoidberg

DrJohnZoidberg

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Hi guys

I need help choosing a UPS for my PC at home. I am running a software raid setup and don't want missions if the power goes down during an operation.

I have a budget of up to R1400 (that's pushing it) and was looking at these two models:

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=27584

or

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=150_151&products_id=10449

The APC is a more reputable brand and the one above is cheaper but it's not as beefy as the Eaton one. I also am new to UPS's and it's practically impossible to find any reviews online (have been googling for the past hour).

I am not looking for something that can power my machine for hours, I just need 10 - 15 minutes backup time and a good quality, reliable UPS.

I have a 550W PSU, but my machine is pulling far less that that - I don't have a hectic GPU or hundreds of fans but I do have 6 hard drives and two 140mm fans, but the rest of the stuff is pretty easy on the juice (see sig).

Will the APC unit be sufficient for me? It's just a pity its so damn ugly, I couldn't find a decent black UPS anywhere in my price bracket.

I would love advice from somebody that knows about these things :D

Cheers!
 
From practical experience, the APC range is not bad BUT will not work if you are running a generator during power failures.

So if you ever intend to use a generator during load shedding, choose a different brand of UPS (like the Powercom Black Night series which I have tested.)
 
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I would go with an APC. I currently have the APC CS 350 and am getting the APC CS 650. In my case, I use the APC to provide clean power to my router, switches, ADSL modem and NAS. With the CS 350 I get about 15 minutes of power. Regardless of what UPS you pick, make sure that it has a data-/USB-port to so that your PC/NAS can automatically shutdown.
 
A friend of mine is running the 650VA APC line-interactive UPS and says it works like a charm for him.
Take note not to take an off-line UPS as they don't mean anything.
 
Try go for a pure sine wave model, not the line interactive as the line interactive only kick in at a certain voltage drop. Pure Sine wave deliver exact power, so protect from not only power outages and spikes, but also drops in voltage and frequency changes.
 
psheldon said:
http://www.takealot.com/electronics/proline-1000va-line-interactive-ups-with-rs-232,4018979
http://www.takealot.com/electronics...nt-1000ap-line-interactive-ups-1000va,3300060
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links but I am not going to buy a Proline UPS and I read a few bad reviews regarding the Powercom black knight series. Will stick to APC or something more reputable.

ITCynic said:
From practical experience, the APC range is not bad BUT will not work if you are running a generator during power failures.

So if you ever intend to use a generator during load shedding, choose a different brand of UPS (like the Powercom Black Night series which I have tested.)
Click to expand...

Not running a generator.

Bern said:
Try go for a pure sine wave model, not the line interactive as the line interactive only kick in at a certain voltage drop. Pure Sine wave deliver exact power, so protect from not only power outages and spikes, but also drops in voltage and frequency changes.
Click to expand...

Price? I assume these are expensive and I only have a small budget so I doubt it will fit my needs.
 
ITCynic said:
It keep switches between power and battery about every 2 seconds and does not stay locked on to 1 power source ie either battery of mains
Click to expand...

Sounds pretty dodge to me then. Does it produce a pure sine wave output?

Surely all decent UPS/inverters are pure sine wave output. I definitely would steer clear of any that are not.
 
ITCynic said:
It keep switches between power and battery about every 2 seconds and does not stay locked on to 1 power source ie either battery of mains
Click to expand...

kayvee said:
Sounds pretty dodge to me then. Does it produce a pure sine wave output?

Surely all decent UPS/inverters are pure sine wave output. I definitely would steer clear of any that are not.
Click to expand...

The problem is that a generator does not produce a very clean output. This would (and is supposed to) be picked up by the UPS which would then switch the power input to the battery.
 
The question is do the APC units produce a clean (sine) output?
 
kayvee said:
The question is do the APC units produce a clean (sine) output?
Click to expand...

here

This one does produce a sine wave output. I took a look at the APC forums and they suggest this for "sensitive" PF corrected power supplies.

Most entry-level UPS' produce a square-wave cycle.

Edit.... even the smart ups from APC uses a step-approximation still....
 
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Yeah just went digging myself too.

From their website (South African 650VA model)
Waveform Type : Stepped approximation to a sinewave
Click to expand...

Marketing people trying the BS trick again....

It has to be sine or nothing IMHO.
 
froot said:
The problem is that a generator does not produce a very clean output. This would (and is supposed to) be picked up by the UPS which would then switch the power input to the battery.
Click to expand...

You are quite correct in this regard. That is why I recommended a non-APC UPS.

I have an old PCM Black Knight UPS 1.4KVA that has worked perfectly for the past 8 years. Obviously batteries get changed when needed. (I use the 12v7ah batteries that burglar alarms use which are pretty inexpensive)

Interestingly, I have an old Sendon UPS that is more than 15 years old and it works fine with generators.
 
Purchased replacement batteries for my APC from APC (Johannesburg) a month or so back.

I must compliment them on the awesome service that I received.
 
I'm selling a Nova 1100 AVR UPS for R500 if you are interested. Brand new. Hardly used.
 
bekdik said:
A UPS is like a parachute. When you need it, it'd better do its job!
Click to expand...
I can say even more. I have seen more blown PC's by cheapo UPS's than unprotected blown PC's. In many such cases UPS survived, but PC supposed to be protected - gone!
 
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