[olug] One Point Twenty-One Jigawatts

[Jon H. Larsen]

I'd love to talk about the UPS software stuff.  Unfortunately, the June 
meeting won't work for me, as I'll have Jury Duty that week (I've 
postponed it once) - so I'm not sure if I'll have time to put anything 
together.

All of my APC UPS units have been resurrected by replacing the batteries.  
My SmartUPS 900 has four batteries.  The unit is old enough that it does 
not have the convenient battery door, and I had to take the entire unit 
apart.  Replacement batteries were $80 from Batteries Plus.  They'll last 
about two years, the same as I have encountered with half of our APC units 
here at work (we have a total of 11 of various sizes)

The smaller units I have are the 300 and 280 - both had batteries that 
only cost $20-$30 bucks.  Very economical to replace.

Back in 1998 I bought a CyberPower UPS because it was cheap ($45).  When 
that thing blew a year later, I heard it from across my apartment (at 4 AM 
too!).  I heard a pop, then a small fizzing noise.  It blew my 'power 
center' under my monitor, and fried the inside of the UPS.  Luckily, I got 
the hardware unplugged quickly enough.  There wasn't any severe weather 
that day, go figure.  So, that was enough of a reason not to get anything 
other than an APC - I might get a Liebert unit if I had a choice, but they 
are not as prominent in the US for Home Office.

Jon L.

On Wed, 14 May 2003, OBrien, T wrote:

> Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 21:46:30 -0500 (CDT)
> From: "OBrien, T" <IrishMASMS at olug.org>
> To: olug at olug.org
> Cc: relayer at omahadirect.net
> Subject: Re: [olug] One Point Twenty-One Jigawatts
> 
> <quote who="Jon H. Larsen">
> > Maybe this could be a OLUG meeting subject?  I don't mind discussing it
> > at  the next meeting...(did I just volunteer?)
> 
> [snipped]
> 
> Thank you for volunteering on a superb topic Jon! Please make sure you
> cover setting up your PowerChute software with Linux – this is something I
> have not even thought of doing yet.
> 
> > I have several APC UPS units at home.  My main unit, APC SmartUPS 900,
> > is  a bit older, but still works great.  I followed the directions from
> > the NUT  site to build my own APC cable using a couple DB-9 plugs and a
> > Cat-5  cable.  Using PowerChute, I can have my PC shut down
> > automatically after a  given amount of time.  I have a small APC BackUPS
> > 300 for my cable modem  and router.  The smaller current draw allows the
> > 300 to stay up longer.
> 
> [snipped]
> 
> For any of the APC units, the rule of thumb is their batteries last
> between 3 to 6 years. When they go out, it is more economical to instead
> purchase new batteries use the UPS unit with APC's 'trade up' program. APC
> give you a superb rebate for you old UPS towards purchasing new. They take
> the old one & according to APC dispose of it properly.
> 
> In fact, I have scrounged a few dead UPSes to use just with their 'trade
> up' program. The folks I procured the dead UPS from paid full price for
> new; and I help with the environment while getting a new UPS on the cheap.
> 
> Be sure to check it out. I have a few places where you can score UPSes if
> you need them.
> 
> 
> 

-- 
 [ Jon H. Larsen  - email: relayer at omahadirect dot net         ]
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