Sigh, this decision wouldn\'t be so difficult if users with stepped sign wave models such as yourself didn\'t keep reporting back good results and positive feedback!
Not all stepped inverters are the same, equipment they're attached to (it can even differ within the same model numbers from a vendor), and most importantly, there may be cumulative damage they're not yet aware of (i.e. PSU not able to operate at nearly the load it's meant to).
To be sure a stepped unit will even work for certain with the equipment you own, you have to try it out. And only long term use (with multiple power outages/brownouts that trigger the inverter), will prove whether or not any damage is occuring when on the inverter.
So the point of pure sine wave units is to avoid the hassle and/or potential for damage in the first place.
And you also have the cyberpower 1500AVR? you said for 5 years? That's quite a long time for that model to be around!
USP models aren't changed year to year as other products are. It's also cheaper for them to do it that way (larger production quantity to disperse R&D costs).
Both had moderate cosmetic damage to the cases, but nothing that you shouldn't expect in a SELLER-refurbished unit. The batteries looked new, but I didn't see a label so I believe they are an off-brand, not APC batteries.
The refurbished units usually do have cosmetic damage, as that's not something they address (just battery changes, capacitors if needed, and test it).
As heavy as they are, damage is essentially inevitable anyway, as the tower versions will be tucked out of the way somewhere. So they get dinged up being moved, and I've seen them close enough to the user's feet, it may get kicked from time to time, and even used as a foot rest.
And they still hold up (just don't kick out the cords).
As per the batteries, they do get 3rd party parts, but APC doesn't actually make their own either. But there can be some slight differences in the current ratings between them (i.e. unknown brand vs. APC labeled units), and it makes a difference in how much time you get for the actual load.
The second UPS is for two external RAID boxes I intend to purchase for backup purposes. I suppose backup for those is even more critical, as they will lack the battery backup found internally on my Apple Pro RAID card.
Definitely, but if the card loses power, it won't matter if the drives do.
Also, sleep tends not to work with RAID cards, so you may want to keep note of that. And not all cards can spin down the cards (if offered, it tends to be a feature on the card, not the OS's power management, as the card takes control of the drives attached to the card, not the OS).
