We tested a DIY mini UPS for a Wi-Fi router

[Jan]

We built our own Wi-Fi router UPS for R785 that can survive Stage 6 load-shedding

MyBroadband tested building a do-it-yourself uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for a Wi-Fi router, and it easily survived a 4-hour power outage.

Although there are initiatives afoot to end load-shedding in South Africa, experts agree that the country faces at least another year of rotational power cuts.

 

[Adhvik]

Wonderful article - thanks . I hope though MBB can also investigate laptop battery running times as well as to guide readers which laptops to consider buying for loadshedding and what steps to do to prolong life on these laptop batteries.

 

[bwana]

Fortunately our load shedding never exceeds 3 x 2.5 hours so even the most basic solution, an alarm battery with a direct connection to the router, can handle it.

 

[r00igev@@r]

Awesome - you can stop by Shell House and the cadres will sell it to Eskom for R7m.

 

[McGuywer]

@Jan Do you have a wiring schematic?

 

[Exaelea]

Yes its cheaper, but you forgot to add in the cost of tools, materials and time to make this. Not everyone has nearly everything lying around waiting to be used. This then far exceeds the prebuilt units cost.

 

[Alexander the Straight]

Very nice..... One question though.. Would a separate charging power supply of 5v 2A not have been cheaper and allowed for fewer components, as opposed to using a buck converter to step down the 12v router power supply?

 

[SubtleBeast]

Wonderful article - thanks . I hope though MBB can also investigate laptop battery running times as well as to guide readers which laptops to consider buying for loadshedding and what steps to do to prolong life on these laptop batteries.

Most laptop CPU's are very efficient these days meaning most devices will usually have long enough runtimes(5-6hrs), but do some proper research before deciding on a particular device.
NotebookCheck and LaptopMedia does very good reviews.
Laptop batteries are very susceptible to overcharging so don't leave your device plugged in for too long after the battery's fully charged.

 

[Dave Lardner]

Very interesting article but, unfortunately, our tower relies on Eskom as it has no battery backup.

 

[Canggu]

About a year ago I bought a cctv battery pack plus a 12v lead acid battery from Communica in JHB for about R500. It lasts more than 12 hours on my router + the ONT

 

[Adhvik]

Most laptop CPU's are very efficient these days meaning most devices will usually have long enough runtimes(5-6hrs), but do some proper research before deciding on a particular device.
NotebookCheck and LaptopMedia does very good reviews.
Laptop batteries are very susceptible to overcharging so don't leave your device plugged in for too long after the battery's fully charged.

Many thanks. I noticed that having the charger plugged in all the time reduced my laptop battery. I rather use perhaps a smart plug for that

 

[Alexander the Straight]

Yes its cheaper, but you forgot to add in the cost of tools, materials and time to make this. Not everyone has nearly everything lying around waiting to be used. This then far exceeds the prebuilt units cost.

This is strictly a labour of love

 

[SubtleBeast]

About a year ago I bought a cctv battery pack plus a 12v lead acid battery from Communica in JHB for about R500. It lasts more than 12 hours on my router + the ONT

And when your LA calls it a day, replace it with a Lithium and enjoy even more benefits.

 

[Conack]

We built our own Wi-Fi router UPS for R785 that can survive Stage 6 load-shedding

MyBroadband tested building a do-it-yourself uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for a Wi-Fi router, and it easily survived a 4-hour power outage.

Although there are initiatives afoot to end load-shedding in South Africa, experts agree that the country faces at least another year of rotational power cuts.

Great article, thanks Jan.

 

[Fratpacker9]

Very interesting and great article.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

very nice article, would be awesome as a prebuilt kit, with everything included together as one,

 

[The_Ogre]

Fortunately our load shedding never exceeds 3 x 2.5 hours so even the most basic solution, an alarm battery with a direct connection to the router, can handle it.

How do you charge it?

 

[PsyWulf]

Fortunately our load shedding never exceeds 3 x 2.5 hours so even the most basic solution, an alarm battery with a direct connection to the router, can handle it.

Lead acid doesn't like fast recharge though so you'd kill cycles depending on the discharge

 

[morbill]

From the Bot Shop.......... I would recommend a 2P4S ( 2 in parallel and 4 in series ) along with a 4S 40A Lithium Battery 18650 Charger
and use a old laptop power supply (19V/20V) with 5A Constant Current Battery Charger
adjusted to 16.8V and 1A to charge the batteries.

This will supply you with 16.8V when the batteries are full. 14.8V when they are coming close to flat and 11.2 before it shuts off, when using only 3 cells you have 12.6V when full 11.1 when coming close to empty and 8.4V when shutting down.

Parts +- R300, plus batteries use 2000-8000mah ones, also recycle old laptop batteries to save costs

 

[McGuywer]

From the Bot Shop.......... I would recommend a 2P4S ( 2 in parallel and 4 in series ) along with a 4S 40A Lithium Battery 18650 Charger
and use a old laptop power supply (19V/20V) with 5A Constant Current Battery Charger
adjusted to 16.8V and 1A to charge the batteries.

This will supply you with 16.8V when the batteries are full. 14.8V when they are coming close to flat and 11.2 before it shuts off, when using only 3 cells you have 12.6V when full 11.1 when coming close to empty and 8.4V when shutting down.

Parts +- R300, plus batteries use 2000-8000mah ones, also recycle old laptop batteries to save costs

They are out of stock.