APC Battery Backup

[firstadopter]

I retired my 12 yr old APC Back UPS 280 yesterday. It's probably the longest running computer peripheral I ever used. The backup UPS started powering out randomly, but I guess I really can't blame it after over a decade of service.

It would probably keep working if I bought a new battery for it, but I decided to just buy a new one at Best Buy for $60. APC 500 series.

[CAG]

My APC UPS400 has been goin' for over 7 years, easily outliving the computer I originally bought it for.

[TheAngryIntern]

i've never had a UPS for any of my computers. I'm sure that this is somewhat stupid, but I've been lucky enough to not have to worry about power outages, especially here in San Diego, since i haven't seen a good thunderstorm yet. I keep thinking I should get one, though, so does anyone have a suggestion for one? HOw is that one you just got, rendition???

[firstadopter]

Well you should definitely get a UPS, the one I got was only $60 at Best Buy and has capacity for 300 watts.

Most surge protectors are made of cheap materials, a quality UPS gives you better surge protection PLUS the ability to work off battery power for a few minutes in case of a blackout.

I've only had the APC 500 series for one day, seems to work fine. My original APC UPS was a work-horse that lasted over 10 years.

I whole heartedly recommend buying an APC UPS. If you spent thousands of dollars on your 2001FP and your computer, why not give it full protection for only $60.

[CAG]

TheAngryIntern:

What the APC UPS allows you to do is save anything you're working on at the time of the blackout and to shut your machine down normally. Here in South Florida during the summer, we get alot of thunderstorms and an occasional hurricane...so, the UPS is an absolute must-have, particularly at the office.

[makoto]

Just a quick question about UPS's in general: Did you choose the UPS capacity based on your current system and monitor?

If I have this correctly, I would require an 800VA UPS to support my 450w PS + 90w 2001fp. multiply that by 1.4 to get VA, and that comes to 756. So an 800VA would be my best bet correct?

Is that how I should be choosing my capacity?

[CAG]

APC has a UPS size selector here http://www.apcc.com/template/size/apc/index.cfm Just configure your set-up with the selector, input things like power reserve and how much time you want the system on after a power failure, and it gives you a selection of UPS sizes/prices :cool:

[makoto]

Nice. Thanks CAG.

[CAG]

No problem...What I thought was intersting about the selector app is that if you select a large CRT as opposed to a large LCD, the UPS size it recommends goes up...kinda gives you an idea of the power a CRT draws.