UPS + Extension cable

W

webdev

Active Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
52
I've posted previously about putting my inverter under my stairs, however even if enough ventilation was obtained this unit is rather noisy. Mecer 2400VA.

My other option is to run it from my garage. Without measuring properly and just using Google Maps I get about 30m(with some padding).

I'm not sure if it would be good to run such a long extension with this unit. I assume I would need to make my own extension using twin and earth.

What do you guys think?
 
TheMightyQuinn

TheMightyQuinn

Not amused...
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
31,961
webdev said:
I've posted previously about putting my inverter under my stairs, however even if enough ventilation was obtained this unit is rather noisy. Mecer 2400VA.

My other option is to run it from my garage. Without measuring properly and just using Google Maps I get about 30m(with some padding).

I'm not sure if it would be good to run such a long extension with this unit. I assume I would need to make my own extension using twin and earth.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Firstly I would need to know what that means...............before discussing your setup compares to what I have done.
 
W

webdev

Active Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
52
MightyQuin said:
Firstly I would need to know what that means...............before discussing your setup compares to what I have done.
Click to expand...

It means I did not take a tape measure and measure from the office to the garage. I went on Google Maps and measured using their tool. The measurement I took was from the middle of my office to the end of the garage. The measurement is not going to be accurate, but close enough for planning.
 
S

savage

Expert Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2003
Messages
2,922
30m odd isn't very far, considering it is a high voltage (220V)... If you are concerned about voltage drops and what not, just get a slightly thicker cable. Instead of 2.5mm, opt for say a 4mm cable.

Twin & Earth is fine, provided that the cable will NOT run outdoors. If it does run outdoors it needs to be inside a conduit, or alternatively you should use Surfix cable instead (the black one is UV resistant, and recommended).
 
TheMightyQuinn

TheMightyQuinn

Not amused...
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
31,961
savage said:
30m odd isn't very far, considering it is a high voltage (220V)... If you are concerned about voltage drops and what not, just get a slightly thicker cable. Instead of 2.5mm, opt for say a 4mm cable.

Twin & Earth is fine, provided that the cable will NOT run outdoors. If it does run outdoors it needs to be inside a conduit, or alternatively you should use Surfix cable instead (the black one is UV resistant, and recommended).
Click to expand...

^ This. I bought a 9Amp cable from brights, that I run from my setup in my garage to my media etc. Remember the "pull" is very stable, so voltage drops will not be a factor.
 
W

webdev

Active Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
52
Thanks for the response guys. Definitely puts me at ease. I ran the UPS last night for the first time from upstairs(office) and could hear it going at it all night.

I'm not sure why its designed to have the fan permanently on full blast.
 
TheMightyQuinn

TheMightyQuinn

Not amused...
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
31,961
webdev said:
Thanks for the response guys. Definitely puts me at ease. I ran the UPS last night for the first time from upstairs(office) and could hear it going at it all night.

I'm not sure why its designed to have the fan permanently on full blast.
Click to expand...

Especially in a quite house at midnight. Sounds like aeroplane taking off. Maybe disable fan and point normal household fan at it. Should be much quieter. But when power fails and batteries kick in, the temp does increase quickly though. Put in garage.....
 
Dan C

Dan C

Honorary Master
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
36,659
MightyQuin said:
Especially in a quite house at midnight. Sounds like aeroplane taking off. Maybe disable fan and point normal household fan at it. Should be much quieter. But when power fails and batteries kick in, the temp does increase quickly though. Put in garage.....
Click to expand...

That fan is loud and there is no way to disable it. I even tried to replace it with a quieter one, but the unit starts complaining and then shuts down :p
 
SauRoNZA

SauRoNZA

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
47,847
Put it in the roof?

That's my plan, but I'm yet to get there so can't comment yet.
 
E

ellyally

Expert Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2013
Messages
4,413
SauRoNZA said:
Put it in the roof?

That's my plan, but I'm yet to get there so can't comment yet.
Click to expand...

Not sure about others, but going into my roof is hell. The heat is killer(not too bad in winter, but summer is unbearable). Wouldn't that just add to heating issue, having no 'cool' air to circulate?
 
W

webdev

Active Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
52
SauRoNZA said:
Put it in the roof?

That's my plan, but I'm yet to get there so can't comment yet.
Click to expand...

That also crossed my mind but...
1. It gets quite hot in there during summer
2. This thing is so loud I am sure I would still hear it
 
W

webdev

Active Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
52
Dan C said:
That fan is loud and there is no way to disable it. I even tried to replace it with a quieter one, but the unit starts complaining and then shuts down :p
Click to expand...

Changing the fan was on my list of things to try. :D
 
Dan C

Dan C

Honorary Master
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
36,659
webdev said:
Changing the fan was on my list of things to try. :D
Click to expand...

It's just a normal fan you find inside a PC case which spins at about 500000000 rpm :)
I took a fan out my old Li-an case and it spun for a bit (much quieter), but then the Mecer didn't like the silence and started beeping and shut down.
 
W

webdev

Active Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
52
Dan C said:
It's just a normal fan you find inside a PC case which spins at about 500000000 rpm :)
I took a fan out my old Li-an case and it spun for a bit (much quieter), but then the Mecer didn't like the silence and started beeping and shut down.
Click to expand...

Is the UPS fan not running off a PWM header or something similar? The UPS probably cannot tell what speed the fan is running at so it registers at 0 RPM = fail.
 
Dan C

Dan C

Honorary Master
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
36,659
webdev said:
Is the UPS fan not running off a PWM header or something similar? The UPS probably cannot tell what speed the fan is running at so it registers at 0 RPM = fail.
Click to expand...

hmmm not sure. It plugs into the circuit board (3 wires), that's about all I know.
 
W

webdev

Active Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
52
Dan C said:
hmmm not sure. It plugs into the circuit board (3 wires), that's about all I know.
Click to expand...

Ok, 3 pin is usually variable voltage speed control. May or may not be the case... :) Does the fan you put in there have 3 pins too?
 
Dan C

Dan C

Honorary Master
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
36,659
webdev said:
Ok, 3 pin is usually variable voltage speed control. May or may not be the case... :) Does the fan you put in there have 3 pins too?
Click to expand...

Yes it had 3 too. Black , White and Red. 12v 0.1A .. not sure of the Mecer's Fan Amps.. need to check that, but it's a 12V fan.

*edit .. seems the Mecer's is 0.3A .. not sure what difference that would make.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top