$50 APC UPS - doing its job.

Flint · 05-29-2012, 11:16 PM

Thunder and lighting outside, the electricity at my house keeps cutting out intermittently. But not for me, as I sit at the PC doing my nightly online studying regimen of 9pm to midnight (I go to WGU, getting a degree in Health Informatics).

My cable modem, PC, external hard drive, and primary monitor stay up 100% --not a bit of interuption except my non-battery powered right side monitor blinking off for a second or two. Plus, everything is surge-protected (except my laser printer--if you get a UPS, do NOT run a laser printer through it--they need current directly from an outlet).

Seriously, folks. Go down to Fry's Electronics or whatever you've got in your area, or go online to NewEgg or TigerDirect, and pick up a $50 Uninterruptible Power Supply. I recommend APC because they are the kings of UPS, but others I'm sure are better than nothing.

Gravdigr · 05-30-2012, 03:30 PM

Cool beans...but, I don't know if I'd shop for electronics at a place called "Fry's".

Sundae · 05-30-2012, 03:55 PM

This year has been a doozy for power cuts.
We've had 2-3. All in the morning. All during the time of year where electricity is necessary in the morning.

As I don't use the internet at this time I can recommend a wind-up torch.
And going into work early to get a cup of tea.

Nothing I can recommend about a cold-water wash, except that you will feel better afterwards. And NOTHING I can suggest about having to wash your hair. Just hope it happens on a day you don't need to.

xoxoxoBruce · 05-31-2012, 01:36 AM

Had an APC for about 8 years before it died, it was great.

tw · 05-31-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Plus, everything is surge-protected (except my laser printer--if you get a UPS, do NOT run a laser printer through it--they need current directly from an outlet).

A UPS claims near zero surge protection. And when in battery backup mode, it outputs surges into adjacent appliances. Why do appliances not fail? Any protection provided by a UPS is already done better inside every appliance. Therefore spikes from a UPS (and most from AC mains) do not harm electronics.

That UPS has only one purpose. To provide temporary power with constant surges. Protection inside appliances makes irrelevant even surges created by a UPS.

A utility demonstrates waveforms from a UPS (when powered from its batteries) that can even harm a laser printer or other motorize appliance:
http://www.duke-energy.com/indiana-b...ech-tip-03.asp
Electronics are routinely so robust as to not be harmed by any UPS in battery backup mode.

glatt · 05-31-2012, 10:29 AM

Sounds like you are agreeing with Flint. Don't plug the laser printer into it, and it will work just fine with the computer.

tw · 05-31-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Don't plug the laser printer into it, and it will work just fine with the computer.

Don't plug a computer into the UPS to have same hardware protection.

zippyt · 05-31-2012, 10:23 PM

then what good is a UPS TW ??????

tw · 05-31-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyt

then what good is a UPS TW ??????

To provide temporary power during a blackout.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-01-2012, 01:56 AM

Exactly, even a momentary interruption will shut off your PC. That can be pretty damn annoying especially if you haven't saved what you've been working on for hours.

05-29-2012, 11:16 PM	#1
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	$50 APC UPS - doing its job. Thunder and lighting outside, the electricity at my house keeps cutting out intermittently. But not for me, as I sit at the PC doing my nightly online studying regimen of 9pm to midnight (I go to WGU, getting a degree in Health Informatics). My cable modem, PC, external hard drive, and primary monitor stay up 100% --not a bit of interuption except my non-battery powered right side monitor blinking off for a second or two. Plus, everything is surge-protected (except my laser printer--if you get a UPS, do NOT run a laser printer through it--they need current directly from an outlet). Seriously, folks. Go down to Fry's Electronics or whatever you've got in your area, or go online to NewEgg or TigerDirect, and pick up a $50 Uninterruptible Power Supply. I recommend APC because they are the kings of UPS, but others I'm sure are better than nothing. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

05-30-2012, 03:30 PM	#2
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	Cool beans...but, I don't know if I'd shop for electronics at a place called "Fry's". __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

05-30-2012, 03:55 PM	#3
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	This year has been a doozy for power cuts. We've had 2-3. All in the morning. All during the time of year where electricity is necessary in the morning. As I don't use the internet at this time I can recommend a wind-up torch. And going into work early to get a cup of tea. Nothing I can recommend about a cold-water wash, except that you will feel better afterwards. And NOTHING I can suggest about having to wash your hair. Just hope it happens on a day you don't need to. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

05-31-2012, 01:36 AM	#4
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Had an APC for about 8 years before it died, it was great. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

05-31-2012, 10:23 PM	#8
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	then what good is a UPS TW ?????? __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

05-31-2012, 10:29 AM	#6
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Sounds like you are agreeing with Flint. Don't plug the laser printer into it, and it will work just fine with the computer.

06-01-2012, 01:56 AM	#10
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Exactly, even a momentary interruption will shut off your PC. That can be pretty damn annoying especially if you haven't saved what you've been working on for hours. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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