Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: brett74 on September 16, 2008, 02:42:46 PM

Title: which brand ups' are good
Post by: brett74 on September 16, 2008, 02:42:46 PM
Hi my apc ups went out and I'm looking to buy a new one I know apc is pretty good but what about cyber power ones. Are those any good or should I stay away from those. Thanks

Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: drmsucks on September 16, 2008, 05:53:23 PM
I've only used APC, and always had good luck with them.

You didn't say what is wrong with your ups, but, most of the APC ups's have replaceable batteries. You may be able to save some money if you just replace the battery.

If you are in the U.S., see if there is a Battery Plus store in your area.

Good luck.

EDIT: I didn't realize they are online: http://www.batteriesplus.com/models/70-0/3832-UPS-Batteries/APC-(American-Power-Conversion).aspx.
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: brett74 on September 16, 2008, 06:13:54 PM
sorry what's going on is that there's a solid tone and the green light is blinking it's not the battery cause it should be beeping but it's a solid tone. The things that I have plugged into it is my tower, monitor, modem,router, speakers, and sometimes my laptop. I can't remember what the model it is since I am not at home right now
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: patio on September 16, 2008, 06:14:19 PM
APC is the only one i have experience with and none of the experiences have been bad...
Stick with what works and check into drmsucks suggestions.
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: drmsucks on September 16, 2008, 09:56:01 PM
Brett74 - See if this helps: Click Here (http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=480&p_created=1010390400&p_sid=38Ed_2ej&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=183&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MSZwX3Byb2RzPTE2MjQmcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PTEuMTYyNCZwX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9bG91ZCB0b25l&p_li=&p_topview=1)

Fixed link so the page wouldn't be so stretched...
- Zylstra

Thanks Zylstra!
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: drmsucks on September 16, 2008, 10:05:58 PM
Just occurred to me...

The ups self-tests at power on so try this if you haven't already: Turn ups off at switch, unplug the load (computer, etc), turn the ups back on. Are there any error conditions shown - blinking lights, tones, amber or red instead of green, etc?
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Call4ComputerHelp on September 16, 2008, 10:20:15 PM
APC all the way.
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: brett74 on September 17, 2008, 02:35:49 AM
sounds good guys thanks. I will definately buy apc
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: patio on September 17, 2008, 06:14:21 PM
Did you try drmsucks suggestions above ? ?
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: brett74 on September 18, 2008, 01:05:53 AM
I did. Also batteries plus doesn't carry my model's battery so I will probably end buying a new ups
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: patio on September 18, 2008, 04:47:35 PM
I know a guy in Florida that guts his APC units and uses car batteries...he sees alot of hurricanes.    ;)
Plus his backup time for the unit is greatly extended...
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Call4ComputerHelp on September 19, 2008, 09:13:47 AM
I know a guy in Florida that guts his APC units and uses car batteries...he sees alot of hurricanes.    ;)
Plus his backup time for the unit is greatly extended...

 8)

I would love to see a schematic of his hook up!  :)
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Call4ComputerHelp on September 19, 2008, 09:14:34 AM
Hi my apc ups went out and I'm looking to buy a new one I know apc is pretty good but what about cyber power ones. Are those any good or should I stay away from those. Thanks



drmsucks has the right idea and has me thinking, how about attaching the com port  cable or the usb/rj45 (depending on age) to you machine and pop in the disc or download the diagnostic software form apc and get a complete report. I know, drm's advice is faster.  :)
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: patio on September 19, 2008, 03:38:36 PM
I know a guy in Florida that guts his APC units and uses car batteries...he sees alot of hurricanes.    ;)
Plus his backup time for the unit is greatly extended...

 8)

I would love to see a schematic of his hook up!  :)

I'll dig it out...
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: soybean on September 20, 2008, 07:11:19 AM
I did. Also batteries plus doesn't carry my model's battery so I will probably end buying a new ups
You might take a look at http://www.batterywholesale.com/, too.  I bought a battery back in 2006 from them for my APC Back-UPS ES 500.  I'm still using that battery. 
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: JohnTaylor on September 17, 2009, 01:12:00 PM
I can also recommend http://www.hardwarexpress.co.uk I have bought batteries for my APC Smart UPS 3000 & APC Smart UPS 2200 from them over the years with good pricing and excellent customer service  :)
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Computer_Commando on September 17, 2009, 03:12:47 PM
I know a guy in Florida that guts his APC units and uses car batteries...he sees alot of hurricanes.    ;)
Plus his backup time for the unit is greatly extended...
If the particular model uses a 12V battery, it's a simple matter to use a car battery.  However, you must lengthen the power cables.  I have modified several of my APC's in such a manner.
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Geek-9pm on September 17, 2009, 03:24:10 PM
Read this only if you dare...
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/14/how-to-build-your-own-ups/
(Slow to load.)
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: computeruler on September 17, 2009, 03:51:49 PM
 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
none of you noticed the date?
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Computer_Commando on September 17, 2009, 05:07:27 PM
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
none of you noticed the date?
Not until you pointed it out.  1st post is Sept 16, 2008
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: TinyJoe on November 10, 2009, 02:57:47 PM
If the particular model uses a 12V battery, it's a simple matter to use a car battery.  However, you must lengthen the power cables.  I have modified several of my APC's in such a manner.



Replacing the regular batteries inside your UPS with external deep cycle batteries can increase your run time tremendously. Depending on the UPS model you can have a decent run time to shut down your equipment. However, if you're looking for a ridiculously long run time you'll need to replace the battery with an external.

I bought a Smart UPS 1500 (http://excessups.com/smartups-1500-sua1500-p-38.html) without the battery and installed 2x 12v 75ah marine deep cycle batteries. My system runs for days now. It's quite easy to do and if you do a bit of research locally you can actually pick up the UPSs pretty cheap. A lot of times people have them with bad batteries and they're trying to get rid of them. Even a UPS like the Smart UPS 1400 (http://excessups.com/smartups-1400-su1400net-beige-p-40.html) would work great. The bigger the UPS the more load you can place on it. Both the 1500 and the 1400 have 950W, so most applications are pretty good with that.


If you're thinking of using car batteries make sure you don't store them in doors. There is a whole bunch of safety stuff with those batteries as they're pretty dangerous.



Hope that helps



Joe
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Geek-9pm on November 10, 2009, 04:02:13 PM
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
none of you noticed the date?
Come back again next year.
We will still be here!(|
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Quantos on November 10, 2009, 05:23:16 PM
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
none of you noticed the date?

Who's dating who now?
Title: Re: which brand ups' are good
Post by: Cityscape on November 10, 2009, 07:52:14 PM
Hope that helps
Umm guys, there is no point continuing with this as the original poster is long gone and has most definitely bought himself a new UPS.