Cheapest way to keep my internet alive during load shedding

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dotcat

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After messing around with UPS's that switch off because the draw from a modem is too low I have now cut the adsl modem plug off (from a spare modem) and connected 2 battery clips. +- R160 for a 12V 7AH gate motor battery and it should keep the 12v 0.7Amps modem and wireless router going for 10+hours.

Just check that your modem is 12V and check the polarity on the power supply and connect up. After load shedding connect your battery to a 12v intelligent battery charger for about an hour and it should be fully charged ready for the next one.

It is not automatic but can be changed over in under a minute and you don't have to be driven mad by the beep of the UPS.

IMG_20150415_184130.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
dotcat said:
After messing around with UPS's that switch off because the draw from a modem is too low I have now cut the adsl modem plug off (from a spare modem) and connected 2 battery clips. +- R160 for a 12V 7AH gate motor battery and it should keep the 12v 0.7Amps modem and wireless router going for 10+hours.

Just check that your modem is 12V and check the polarity on the power supply and connect up. After load shedding connect your battery to a 12v intelligent battery charger for about an hour and it should be fully charged ready for the next one.

It is not automatic but can be changed over in under a minute and you don't have to be driven mad by the beep of the UPS.

View attachment 207926
Click to expand...

I can vouch for this method. It works a treat.
 
Got mine on UPS , but doesn't help. Telkom ADSL dies 15 minutes into loadshedding.
 
Eish... unlucky for me that I don't have a 'spare' router lying around, only my primary one. Cutting the plug off that might not be too wise, so the total cost of this project would be: 1x router + 1x battery + clips + smart battery charger (which doesn't sound cheap).

I'd be better of buying a dedicated UPS ... am I being stupid though, or do they all only have kettle plug adapters? Can anybody please explain how I'd go about plugging in my two-pin plug for my router into a UPS like this, and how to circumvent the issue of the UPS stopping supplying power as described above?
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Eish... unlucky for me that I don't have a 'spare' router lying around, only my primary one. Cutting the plug off that might not be too wise, so the total cost of this project would be: 1x router + 1x battery + clips + smart battery charger (which doesn't sound cheap).

I'd be better of buying a dedicated UPS ... am I being stupid though, or do they all only have kettle plug adapters? Can anybody please explain how I'd go about plugging in my two-pin plug for my router into a UPS like this, and how to circumvent the issue of the UPS stopping supplying power as described above?
Click to expand...

I got and use the middle one of these, R70:
http://titan-ice.co.za/ups-surge-protection/multi-plugs/

20150415_192957.jpg
 
supersunbird said:
I got and use the middle one of these, R70:
http://titan-ice.co.za/ups-surge-protection/multi-plugs/
Click to expand...

Oooooh, your post just answered one of my questions: so one CAN buy a kettle-plug to 3-pin plug converter 0.o I've never seen such an item before.

Now one other 'stupid' question: if all I want to power is my wifi router/modem, I won't need a terribly expensive UPS, right? UPSes are designed to power PCs, so there should be more than enough juice for a wifi router on even what would normally be considered a 'smaller' UPS.
 
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Foxhound5366 said:
Oooooh, your post just answered one of my questions: so one CAN buy a kettle-plug to 3-pin plug converter 0.o I've never seen such an item before.

Now one other 'stupid' question: if all I want to power is my wifi router/modem, I won't need a terribly expensive UPS, right? UPSes are designed to power PCs, so there should be more than enough juice for a wifi router on even what would normally be considered a 'smaller' UPS.
Click to expand...

That's what mine powers, easily lasts many many hours.

The part I cant answer is that it depends on the UPS, the OP has a problem where his UPS would shut down because the router didn't draw enough power and the UPS would shut down after a certain time because it thought there was no load. My APC UPS (with new battery) does not suffer that affliction
 
I usually cut off the one end and connect up a janus plug instead, see http://www.appliancespares.co.za/Images/Products/3525.jpg

boom, sorts out the problem 1 shot.

Foxhound5366 said:
Eish... unlucky for me that I don't have a 'spare' router lying around, only my primary one. Cutting the plug off that might not be too wise, so the total cost of this project would be: 1x router + 1x battery + clips + smart battery charger (which doesn't sound cheap).

I'd be better of buying a dedicated UPS ... am I being stupid though, or do they all only have kettle plug adapters? Can anybody please explain how I'd go about plugging in my two-pin plug for my router into a UPS like this, and how to circumvent the issue of the UPS stopping supplying power as described above?
Click to expand...
 
My UPS has a setting, where it will not cut out if the load is under 10 watts. OP, check your manual, maybe you are also lucky to have this setting available and don't know it. (and @supersunbird: awesome that your UPS does it automatically)

supersunbird said:
That's what mine powers, easily lasts many many hours.

The part I cant answer is that it depends on the UPS, the OP has a problem where his UPS would shut down because the router didn't draw enough power and the UPS would shut down after a certain time because it thought there was no load. My APC UPS (with new battery) does not suffer that affliction
Click to expand...
 
Telkom LTE 'on the go' 10gb. R99 p/m x24.

Hotspot from phone.
 
dotcat said:
After messing around with UPS's that switch off because the draw from a modem is too low I have now cut the adsl modem plug off (from a spare modem) and connected 2 battery clips. +- R160 for a 12V 7AH gate motor battery and it should keep the 12v 0.7Amps modem and wireless router going for 10+hours.

Just check that your modem is 12V and check the polarity on the power supply and connect up. After load shedding connect your battery to a 12v intelligent battery charger for about an hour and it should be fully charged ready for the next one.

It is not automatic but can be changed over in under a minute and you don't have to be driven mad by the beep of the UPS.

View attachment 207926
Click to expand...
This is a good idea, but if you're on Vumatel, that minute will change to 30 minutes due to the authentication issues.
 
I found this backup power supply that feeds 12 volt to devises (Router ,Fibre, Switch) From the mains when power is on and keeps the battery (7ah ) charged and ones power is down the battery feeds the devices.. No interruption, Very convenient and with 3 devices hooked lasts more than 4 hours load sheading..
I bought it second hand so I am not sure who makes or import them. and why are they not available at ley say Security shops??
I tried before using old Alarm box that has 7ah battery, and works virtually same way, The difference is that Alarm box has external transformer, the PC board is combined for the alarm zones and Regulator /rectifier for the battery.. If you can pull the 12V feed to your devices you have uninterrupted power supply..
Mine unit is just neater All in one box , compact..

Most of the devices use 12V supply, even CCTV, DVRs.. For the one that use USB(5V) you will need step down, maybe Car Cigarette Lighter adapter … kind of)
 

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