Which UPS

ABDurbs

ABDurbs

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I did a search and couldn't find anything recent, specifically relating to this question

Vuma will be installing our fibre line on Thursday. I want to be able to keep the fibre line and modem going during load shedding so I can stream, but I have heard so many different things about UPS's, I am hoping somebody here can advise which USP works best, and if it is the right option.

I don't want to have to cut cables or anything like that, I just want to plug in the Vuma box and the wifi modem and have it operational during the power cut. Some people say 850va is enough, others say nothing less than 1000va and of course they all suggest different brands.

Thanks.
 
the bigger the better
your battery/batteries will love you when load shedding kicks in

So yes a 850va will do the trick but there is a chance that your batteries will drop to 60% capacity or whatever. Many of these repeat cycles and you will be needing to change out your battery.
My modified UPS batteries sit at 12.7 Volts each after 2 and half hrs loadshedding keeping my 55" telly, wifi, fiber, laptop, external monitor, hifi, lamp going.
My batteries are happy and will last a very long time.
Does not take long for them to go back to 13.7 volts

For your setup i wouldnt go less than 1000va, hell even that is low
https://www.takealot.com/eaton-5e-ups-1500va-230v/PLID47486927
 
I'd say 1500VA, so that it doesn't discharge too much (which is bad for the battery), and it will especially help if ever there is stage 4 again, so it has more ability to cope with being unable to charge fully again between sheddings..
 
The VA is really kind of irrelevant.

It's the size (capacity) of the batteries in there that make the difference. Which in general means higher VA units have bigger (or more) batteries...but it's not a given.

The RCT and Mecer units on Takealot have SA plugs on the back so you could plug a multiplug in there and be done with it.

The 2000KVA ones also have two big batteries in so last a good long time.

https://www.takealot.com/rct-2000va-line-interactive-ups/PLID32714413

https://www.takealot.com/mecer-2000va-line-interactive-ups/PLID34152441

https://www.takealot.com/rct-2000vas-line-interactive-ups-sa-wall-socket/PLID42175680
 
@SauRoNZA is correct, the VA is irrelevant.
I was just advising on a bigger VA rating as the bigger that gets the bigger the batteries get.
OP said he was too damn lazy to mod the UPS himself :ROFL:
 
Just a warning, in Joburg the loadshedding is always 4.5 hours, and sometimes twice per day.

So some of you may need to bear that in mind.

I use a 2000w UPS with two 105A deep cycle batteries. That usually works, but has gone down during some of the more extreme rolling blackouts.

But I do have other equipment on there, not just a couple of routers (eg POE CCTV).
 
Bought a 3000VA and never looking back, bit the bullet paid 2k for it and I love every sec of it. I don't have to worry my net is on and my PC if I need it can stay on
 
Just to give you an idea of my experience with UPS's so far.

End of 2018 (december) I bought a 1000va UPS. Connected it to my router/ONT. Tested and it worked a charm. During beginning of last year we had minimal loadshedding.
Until end of last year, then it went big again with all the downtime. Come January 2020, I now have to replace my batteries as they are fried.

Today's outage started at 10am. By 11 my UPS died.

I am now considering buying the 12v9ah batteries, in the hopes that this will allow the batteries to last just a bit longer. But all I have to go on, is my little bit of research done online.
 
My 2c go for 1 with as big a battery as possible, not just 1 that can last the 2 hour load shedding. Else you going to end up replacing batteries fairly quickly. Batteries shouldn't go below 50% capacity
 
Jola said:
Just a warning, in Joburg the loadshedding is always 4.5 hours, and sometimes twice per day.

So some of you may need to bear that in mind.

I use a 2000w UPS with two 105A deep cycle batteries. That usually works, but has gone down during some of the more extreme rolling blackouts.

But I do have other equipment on there, not just a couple of routers (eg POE CCTV).
Click to expand...

seen as you like to tinker like i do (i also run 2x105aH big boys on my UPS) is:-

add a proper solar charge controller like this https://www.sustainable.co.za/victron-blue-solar-75v-15a-mppt-charge-controller.html
and a solar panel (i am assuming your UPS is running 2x12v in series for 24v?)
Then add a solar panel https://www.sustainable.co.za/enersol-265-265w-solar-panel.html

Put a simple on/off switch (bedroom side lamp style is easy) between the solar panel and the solar charge controller. Connect charge controller to your batteries.

Now during the day when ESKOM trips you switch off the UPS at the wall and flip the switch to enable the solar panel.
When ESKOM returns you flip the switch to switch off the solar panel and switch UPS back on at the wall plug.

This will now enable your batteries to deplete less and as a result you will also get more life cycles out of your batteries and will therefore save money in the long run
 
Yes, that should work, I actually have a solar panel that I can use, but would need the Victron 75/15, unfortunately I don't believe that those are cheap.
 
Jola said:
Yes, that should work, I actually have a solar panel that I can use, but would need the Victron 75/15, unfortunately I don't believe that those are cheap.
Click to expand...
or get 5 of these :ROFL:
www.banggood.com

30/40/50/60/100A MPPT Solar Controller LCD Solar Charge Controller Accuracy Dual USB Solar Panel Battery Regulator

Only US$33.99, buy best 30/40/50/60/100a mppt solar controller lcd solar charge controller accuracy dual usb solar panel battery regulator sale online store at wholesale price.
www.banggood.com www.banggood.com
 
Jola said:
Yes, that should work, I actually have a solar panel that I can use, but would need the Victron 75/15, unfortunately I don't believe that those are cheap.
Click to expand...
no they arent but i love them, a really good RSA brand is this one, they are reliable

what volts is your solar panel? if it is 19-21v it will only run on a 12v array, if it is 38-40 volts then it is for a 24v array
 
Hi there. Want to get a UPS to power 2 routers, Fibre and Wireless router, during loadshedding for 2.5 hours.
I was going to buy this as read good reviews, but the power of the two routers is different (9V and 11-12V for Fibre router). Can they both be powered by 12V source? Or will thid damage 9V one? Apologies if this seems like a dumb question. The 9V one is 0.6amps while the 12V one is 1amp.

Will this UPS work for both?

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
Do u have other/better suggestions?
Thanks so much
 
FelixDaHousecat said:
Hi there. Want to get a UPS to power 2 routers, Fibre and Wireless router, during loadshedding for 2.5 hours.
I was going to buy this as read good reviews, but the power of the two routers is different (9V and 11-12V for Fibre router). Can they both be powered by 12V source? Or will thid damage 9V one? Apologies if this seems like a dumb question. The 9V one is 0.6amps while the 12V one is 1amp.

Will this UPS work for both?

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
Do u have other/better suggestions?
Thanks so much
Click to expand...
9V will need 9V and 12V will need 12V, try to look for a multiple variable output one.
 
FelixDaHousecat said:
Hi there. Want to get a UPS to power 2 routers, Fibre and Wireless router, during loadshedding for 2.5 hours.
I was going to buy this as read good reviews, but the power of the two routers is different (9V and 11-12V for Fibre router). Can they both be powered by 12V source? Or will thid damage 9V one? Apologies if this seems like a dumb question. The 9V one is 0.6amps while the 12V one is 1amp.

Will this UPS work for both?

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
Do u have other/better suggestions?
Thanks so much
Click to expand...

This might be an option: https://shop.dbg.co.za/mups60w17-6ah.html
 
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