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Uninterruptible Power Supply threads?

R

Ravich

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 20, 2009
773
0
Portland, OR
Hi, I'm looking for threads where people have asked for advice about and discuss uninterruptible power supplies. Unfortunately, the nature of the abbreviation hasnt given me much luck. Anyone have some links they could share?

Thanks.
 
Ravich said:
Hi, I'm looking for threads where people have asked for advice about and discuss uninterruptible power supplies. Unfortunately, the nature of the abbreviation hasnt given me much luck. Anyone have some links they could share?

Thanks.
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I like APC UPSs, I've used them extensively in 4 OSs and in everything from personal use to large scale use in a machine room, so I'd recommend them! Whatever you buy, make sure it suits your needs in power capacity and draw
 
alphaod said:
You basically want one with a pure sine output.
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Good advice. :)

OP:
Take a look at the UPS Wiki, and pay close attention to the Double Conversion/Online type, as that's what we're talking about. ;) Line Interactive ( = switched + auto transformer on the AC side to assist with brown out conditions) can be used in a pinch, but it's not as good as the Online type (always runs from the battery = constant voltage to the devices attached).

As per manufacturers, I also recommend APC in the US. If your budget is tight, you can get them refurbished (just verify the model number is that of an Online unit, not something else). Line Interactive types are the bottom end of what you'd want to use. There is lower, but avoid those units like the proverbial Plague.
 
Ravich said:
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BX1500G

I am worried about fan noise because I will be doing music production on my Mac Pro, so that one was recommended to me as it doesnt have a fan. What are thoughts on that model? It isnt pure sinewave.... so would that leave it out of the question in your opinion?
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It at least has an auto transformer (called the AVR feature). Pure sine wave will prevent damage to the system's PSU (stepped waves can wreak havoc if there's too few steps to perform a good approximation, and it's an area corners may get cut to shave off costs). APC does better than most I've seen, but to be safe, go for pure sine wave.

As per the fan, it only kicks in when the battery is being used (cools the inverter, which generates heat when active). It's another area that costs can be lowered by using forced air cooling rather than large passive heatsinks.

The Online types are pricey when purchased new (example), and the refurbished units (example) can make a big difference in cost.
 
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I found these threads discussing the same issue, not too long ago...


They might be helpful.

BTW, my APC Smart UPS 1500 is not noisy at all - only when power goes out and the UPS kicks in, the fans speed up and it plays an alarm so you save your work and shut down. Also, keep in mind you can keep the UPS far away from your recording setup to avoid any possible noise or interference you find with your microphones. The 1500 is more than capable to support a MP, 2-3 displays and some basic audio gear for 10-15 minutes.... I'd definitely would go with a Smart UPS if you have lots of high end audio gear: the quality of power is crucial in such setups.

Cheers!
 
I've got two APC BackUPS 650 for my server and Mac Pro peripherals and a SmartUPS 1400 for the Mac Pro itself.

All devices don't make any noise at all, the BackUPSes kind of buzzes though when the power is down and the SmartUPS has a very loud fan that kicks in.
But since a power out should be very rare (I had only one in 5 years due to a lightning bolt) that should hardly be a problem.

I've been using APC devices for roughly 10 years now and can absolutely recommend them. The BackUPS devices I've got are about 5 years old and still keep my server running for more than 10 minutes.
 
nanofrog said:
It at least has an auto transformer (called the AVR feature). Pure sine wave will prevent damage to the system's PSU (stepped waves can wreak havoc if there's too few steps to perform a good approximation, and it's an area corners may get cut to shave off costs). APC does better than most I've seen, but to be safe, go for pure sine wave.

As per the fan, it only kicks in when the battery is being used (cools the inverter, which generates heat when active). It's another area that costs can be lowered by using forced air cooling rather than large passive heatsinks.

The Online types are pricey when purchased new (example), and the refurbished units (example) can make a big difference in cost.
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Hmmm...I'm a bit confused about the difference between the unit that you're showing and this one

They both have sine wave output, and I'll bet that a majority of people on this forum have the sua1500VA vs the surta1500XL.

Are you saying that the "Online" type that you show is constantly running off of the battery, while the regular smart-ups 1500 that I'm showing (and own) switches between running from regular AC and the battery for brown and black outs? And, the online type will keep my electrical equipment in better condition in the long run?
 
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wally21 said:
Hmmm...I'm a bit confused about the difference between the unit that you're showing and this one

They both have sine wave output, and I'll bet that a majority of people on this forum have the sua1500VA vs the surta1500XL.

Are you saying that the "Online" type that you show is constantly running off of the battery, while the regular smart-ups 1500 that I'm showing (and own) switches between running from regular AC and the battery for brown and black outs? And, the online type will keep my electrical equipment in better condition in the long run?
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Don't panic, the SUA1500 is a good unit, and certainly suffice quite well. :) Also note the cost difference between the two units.

But it is a Line Interactive model, so it switches to the battery when needed. This means there is voltage variation to the system's PSU between when the auto transformer kicks in (undervolt conditions on the wall) and switches to the battery (when the auto transformer can no longer provide sufficient voltage to the system).

The SURTA1500XL is the Online model (for the same VA rating), and it does always run off of the battery. This means there's never any switching noise or voltage sag (computer never "sees" the variations on the wall - ever). As a result, it offers more protection from the wall (isolation).

BTW, of the current models, those that have XL at or near the end of the model number are the Online units (i.e. some might be ...XL1500L2U, where L2U = 2U rackmount_.

Also note the Surge suppression ratings, which are low. I use a good surge suppressor unit between the wall and UPS in order to get ~ 3k Joules + of protection (also protects the UPS). ;)

TrippLite is another good brand, and their Online units can be had for less. But the replacement batteries are more expensive (i.e. ~$175 vs. ~$75). Over its usable lifespan (say 10 - 12 years), and a 3yr MTBR for the batteries, it will add up and be closer to the total cost of the APC models if purchased new. But a refurbished APC will be cheaper (initial cost + replacement battery costs over time).
 
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I got an APC SUA1500. I noticed in the UPS preferences in OS X, there is an option to enter sleep after so many minutes and also an option of when to shut down. I assume that if I enable the sleep option, the shutdown would never be initiated since it would be in sleep mode already. I currently have it set to never sleep and then to shut down when the UPS has 10% power remaining. Can anyone confirm this is correct?

Thanks.
 
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Ravich said:
Does anyone have any recommendations for or against a refurbished UPS?

I mean, if I can get Smart UPS for 250$, why not?

The ones I've narrowed it down to are:

http://www.amazon.com/APC-BACK-UPS-BR1500LCD-1500VA-System/dp/B000NDA5E0/

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500LCD

http://excessups.com/smartups-1500-sua1500-p-38.html

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BX1500G


All are in the ~200-250$ range.
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I don't have a problem with refurbished units (I actually use them when possible, as it does save money, and gets me a better UPS unit).

Of those listed, go for the 3rd, as it's a Smart UPS. It's a Line Interactive model (as are the others), but it has a pure sine wave output (others RS and XS do not). Their stepped waves are better than some vendors, but it's not as good as pure sine.

So for the same money, get the Smart UPS model.
 
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^That's because its so darn heavy...it weighs twice as much as the other three units.
 
Just saw this posted over on the Apple Mac Pro forums in another thread...

If you're going to get an APC UPS, you MUST get a Smart UPS product if you plan on using sleep mode. I have the largest Back UPS model made, and it just doesn't work.

If the UPS doesn't provide sine-wave power, when the power goes out, the UPS will wake the Mac up to shut it down. The UPS will not be able to support the power draw the instant the Mac wakes up, and will drop the power to the Mac, go into overload mode, and beep at you continuously until you manually shut it off.

If you leave the Mac awake all the time you'll be fine, but if you plan on allowing it to sleep, you must have sine-wave power to wake (or for that matter, power on) the Mac Pro.
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...true?
 
Anybody know? Also, excessups just emailed me asking why I didnt buy the refurbished smart APC UPS and I explained that I wasnt willing to pay 60$ for shipping, so they asked me if free shipping would work for me.

My gut says no because of the potential fan noise issues that I cant seem to get a solid report on, but does anyone know whether excessups is an okay reseller?
 
I don't know about excessups, but I don't think that the fan noise is much of an issue. I have the exact same model and I notice my computer fan noise much more than I notice the ups fan noise.
 
Yes, that quote is true, at least in my experience. I scrape by with an APC 1050 which works fine when power goes out with the computer on but cannot muster the juice to wake the Mac Pro in sleep mode to shut it down.

There is also a bug in my model/Mac Pro USB interaction whereby the unit will switch to battery power and attempt to wake a sleeping Mac Pro even when there is power in the mains. As the unit can't supply power to wake the Pro it will then alarm and cut power to the computer!!! :eek: Needless to say, I operate the unit without a USB link after that. Works fine.
 
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