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| Author |
Message |
Guest
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 Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:33 am Post subject: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new one) |
 |
|
Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS 650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs, etc.).
The two shutdowns I had were noticeable because my computers were off/rebooted (depending on
computers' BIOS to automatically turn on when power is back) after I woke up. Checking the logs,
both OS reported crashes. It seems like the UPS was down for over an hour or so. I had another
one this yesterday morning. That time I didn't have my Linux box connected to UPS so it survived
(connected to a normal power outlet). My other box didn't since it was connected to the UPS. It
appears the UPS outage was short too (30 minutes).
I am not sure if its battery is dying or not. Or if it is the source of my problem. I didn't see
any lights on my UPS. Or maybe it is old and I need a new one. I have been using it daily
(rarely turned off). I also stimulated a power outage by pulling the power cord to see if UPS
still works. It does. I heard the high pitch sounds.
I had not changed anything in terms of power consumption recently. I don't think that is related
because I removed the minitower computer.
I think I will be needing a new one, but I need to research for the best model since UPS' have
changed over the four years. Is APC still the best brand today? If so, then which models should
I get? I don't do mail order so I will be shopping at local stores like Costco, CompUSA, Best
Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc. I looked at Best Buy's Web site and there were MANY. I used APC's
UPS finder, but they ended up expensive like 400 bucks! I plan to hook up two computers (tower
with its 400 watts PSU + mini-tower with 340 watts) and a 17" CRT monitor to it like before
(never had problems for years -- view http://alpha.zimage.com/~ant/antfarm/about/computers.txt
for the full details between my two machines). I would also like to connect the UPS' information
to my Linux/Debian (Kernel v2.6.12 and whatever is the latest from apt-get) box via USB/serial
connection. Hopefully, it is Linux friendly. Basically, I can shutdown -h now successfully if
needed. I would like to have 15 minutes of battery power if everything is on during a power
outage.
I am not sure how informative this would be about power here. Most of the power outages in my
home are long (hours). Once in a while, there are power hiccups (1 second). I live in Southern
CA, east of Los Angeles (S.C. Edison) to give you ideas on the power situation.
Thank you in advance. 
--
"Is this stuff any good for ants?" "No, it kills them." --unknown
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( ) |
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Pen
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:32 am Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
<ANTant@zimage.com> wrote in message
news:ooidncFoB7msjqzeRVn-tQ@mminternet.net...
| Quote: | Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about
UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS
650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I
am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the
high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power
outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs,
etc.).
snipped |
Test your old UPS by pulling the plug and timing how long it
lasts.
As far as new ones go, you are asking for a unit with very
high
load requirements so it will be expensive. However, new
units
will have the availability to shut down one machine via
software,
so I would suggest using a smaller UPS with one on each
computer.
APC is still good as is Triplite not familiar with any
others. |
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Trifecta
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
| Quote: | Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS 650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs, etc.).
The two shutdowns I had were noticeable because my computers were off/rebooted (depending on
computers' BIOS to automatically turn on when power is back) after I woke up. Checking the logs,
both OS reported crashes. It seems like the UPS was down for over an hour or so. I had another
one this yesterday morning. That time I didn't have my Linux box connected to UPS so it survived
(connected to a normal power outlet). My other box didn't since it was connected to the UPS. It
appears the UPS outage was short too (30 minutes).
I am not sure if its battery is dying or not. Or if it is the source of my problem. I didn't see
any lights on my UPS. Or maybe it is old and I need a new one. I have been using it daily
(rarely turned off). I also stimulated a power outage by pulling the power cord to see if UPS
still works. It does. I heard the high pitch sounds.
I had not changed anything in terms of power consumption recently. I don't think that is related
because I removed the minitower computer.
I think I will be needing a new one, but I need to research for the best model since UPS' have
changed over the four years. Is APC still the best brand today? If so, then which models should
I get? I don't do mail order so I will be shopping at local stores like Costco, CompUSA, Best
Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc. I looked at Best Buy's Web site and there were MANY. I used APC's
UPS finder, but they ended up expensive like 400 bucks! I plan to hook up two computers (tower
with its 400 watts PSU + mini-tower with 340 watts) and a 17" CRT monitor to it like before
(never had problems for years -- view http://alpha.zimage.com/~ant/antfarm/about/computers.txt
for the full details between my two machines). I would also like to connect the UPS' information
to my Linux/Debian (Kernel v2.6.12 and whatever is the latest from apt-get) box via USB/serial
connection. Hopefully, it is Linux friendly. Basically, I can shutdown -h now successfully if
needed. I would like to have 15 minutes of battery power if everything is on during a power
outage.
I am not sure how informative this would be about power here. Most of the power outages in my
home are long (hours). Once in a while, there are power hiccups (1 second). I live in Southern
CA, east of Los Angeles (S.C. Edison) to give you ideas on the power situation.
Thank you in advance.
Pull the battery and check the date of manufacture on them. If it is |
older than 3 years change them.APC recommends changing the batteries
after 3 years if you experience strange/inermittent problem and see if
that will improve the situation. Batteries certainly are a lot less
expensive than a new UPS.It should not run more than $40 on your unit
for the batteries. |
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|
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Jure Sah
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
| Quote: | Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS 650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs, etc.).
The two shutdowns I had were noticeable because my computers were off/rebooted (depending on
computers' BIOS to automatically turn on when power is back) after I woke up. Checking the logs,
both OS reported crashes. It seems like the UPS was down for over an hour or so. I had another
one this yesterday morning. That time I didn't have my Linux box connected to UPS so it survived
(connected to a normal power outlet). My other box didn't since it was connected to the UPS. It
appears the UPS outage was short too (30 minutes).
|
I'd say this can't be the battery, more likely something is going on
with the electronics that are in the UPS. Check if your power grid is
producing any kind of spikes that could make an UPS die.
Also, is the UPS connected to a computer via a serial cable or USB or
anything like that? How do you make that work when you have more than
one PC connected to the same UPS? You might want to check if the
computer it is connected to is not overheating, in my experience a hot
motherboard will make peripherials die.
Also what kind of crashes were reported by the OSs? Mere sudden shutdown
or anything more sinister?
In any case, you will probably have no choice but to send the UPS in for
someplace that is licenced to fix them. Again, it is very unlikely there
is anything wrong with the battery. If the battery was to blame, the
computer connected to it could tell you it is the case (most UPSes are
capable of measuring battery lifetime and give you a %).
But then again it may very well be simply that the cable or power outlet
you are using to connect the UPS to electricity could be to blame in
fact. Try switching that and see what happens before you do anything else.
--
Model: INFJ
Primary function: Coprocessor
Secondary function: Cluster commander
Yes I'm a therian:
http://www.wikitherian.org
Creationism & Darwin:
"The bible says humans were
supposed to use animals to
do work for them and I like
to work so I must be an animal!" |
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Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
Pen <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:
| Quote: | ANTant@zimage.com> wrote in message
news:ooidncFoB7msjqzeRVn-tQ@mminternet.net...
Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about
UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS
650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I
am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the
high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power
outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs,
etc.).
snipped
Test your old UPS by pulling the plug and timing how long it
lasts.
As far as new ones go, you are asking for a unit with very
high
load requirements so it will be expensive. However, new
units
will have the availability to shut down one machine via
software,
so I would suggest using a smaller UPS with one on each
computer.
APC is still good as is Triplite not familiar with any
others.
|
Well, I am more concerned on why my UPS still power off when the AC is
connected. That's worse than real power outages. 
--
"Is this stuff any good for ants?" "No, it kills them." --unknown
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( ) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
Trifecta <Toyo@sleepwell.org> wrote:
| Quote: | ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS 650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs, etc.).
The two shutdowns I had were noticeable because my computers were off/rebooted (depending on
computers' BIOS to automatically turn on when power is back) after I woke up. Checking the logs,
both OS reported crashes. It seems like the UPS was down for over an hour or so. I had another
one this yesterday morning. That time I didn't have my Linux box connected to UPS so it survived
(connected to a normal power outlet). My other box didn't since it was connected to the UPS. It
appears the UPS outage was short too (30 minutes).
I am not sure if its battery is dying or not. Or if it is the source of my problem. I didn't see
any lights on my UPS. Or maybe it is old and I need a new one. I have been using it daily
(rarely turned off). I also stimulated a power outage by pulling the power cord to see if UPS
still works. It does. I heard the high pitch sounds.
I had not changed anything in terms of power consumption recently. I don't think that is related
because I removed the minitower computer.
I think I will be needing a new one, but I need to research for the best model since UPS' have
changed over the four years. Is APC still the best brand today? If so, then which models should
I get? I don't do mail order so I will be shopping at local stores like Costco, CompUSA, Best
Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc. I looked at Best Buy's Web site and there were MANY. I used APC's
UPS finder, but they ended up expensive like 400 bucks! I plan to hook up two computers (tower
with its 400 watts PSU + mini-tower with 340 watts) and a 17" CRT monitor to it like before
(never had problems for years -- view http://alpha.zimage.com/~ant/antfarm/about/computers.txt
for the full details between my two machines). I would also like to connect the UPS' information
to my Linux/Debian (Kernel v2.6.12 and whatever is the latest from apt-get) box via USB/serial
connection. Hopefully, it is Linux friendly. Basically, I can shutdown -h now successfully if
needed. I would like to have 15 minutes of battery power if everything is on during a power
outage.
I am not sure how informative this would be about power here. Most of the power outages in my
home are long (hours). Once in a while, there are power hiccups (1 second). I live in Southern
CA, east of Los Angeles (S.C. Edison) to give you ideas on the power situation.
Thank you in advance. :)
Pull the battery and check the date of manufacture on them. If it is
older than 3 years change them.APC recommends changing the batteries
|
I have had the UPS and its included battery since 2/2001. So definitely
over three years. However, wouldn't the UPS still be working and NOT
powering down when AC is connected with power?
| Quote: | after 3 years if you experience strange/inermittent problem and see if
that will improve the situation. Batteries certainly are a lot less
expensive than a new UPS.It should not run more than $40 on your unit
for the batteries.
|
Do local stores carry these batteries like Fry's Electronics, Best Buy,
CompUSA, etc.?
--
"Is this stuff any good for ants?" "No, it kills them." --unknown
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( ) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
Jure Sah <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote:
| Quote: | ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS 650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs, etc.).
The two shutdowns I had were noticeable because my computers were off/rebooted (depending on
computers' BIOS to automatically turn on when power is back) after I woke up. Checking the logs,
both OS reported crashes. It seems like the UPS was down for over an hour or so. I had another
one this yesterday morning. That time I didn't have my Linux box connected to UPS so it survived
(connected to a normal power outlet). My other box didn't since it was connected to the UPS. It
appears the UPS outage was short too (30 minutes).
I'd say this can't be the battery, more likely something is going on
with the electronics that are in the UPS. Check if your power grid is
producing any kind of spikes that could make an UPS die.
|
How do I do that? Contact So. CA Edison?
When spikes happen, do UPS make beeping noises or vibrating audible noises? I have had those years
ago, but haven't heard them recently.
| Quote: | Also, is the UPS connected to a computer via a serial cable or USB or
anything like that? How do you make that work when you have more than
|
No, I do not have UPS connected for its software.
| Quote: | one PC connected to the same UPS? You might want to check if the
computer it is connected to is not overheating, in my experience a hot
motherboard will make peripherials die.
|
The temperatures have been decent. It is not even heat waves when my computers and my room are much
hotter.
I one computer connected to the UPS' battery outlet, another one to the battery outlet, and then the
CRT 17" monitor to the last one. I only have three battery outlets. All the other outlets are for
other things like dial-up external modem.
| Quote: | Also what kind of crashes were reported by the OSs? Mere sudden shutdown
or anything more sinister?
|
Shutdown like a power outage, but UPS shut down even though there was power.
| Quote: | In any case, you will probably have no choice but to send the UPS in for
someplace that is licenced to fix them. Again, it is very unlikely there
is anything wrong with the battery. If the battery was to blame, the
computer connected to it could tell you it is the case (most UPSes are
capable of measuring battery lifetime and give you a %).
|
Well, I could never get the software to work when I first bought it so I gave up on it.
| Quote: | But then again it may very well be simply that the cable or power outlet
you are using to connect the UPS to electricity could be to blame in
fact. Try switching that and see what happens before you do anything else.
|
OK.
--
"Is this stuff any good for ants?" "No, it kills them." --unknown
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( ) |
|
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|
|
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:36 pm Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
Follow-up with more information.
My 650VA model is: BK650MC
APC finally e-mailed me back. The guy said I have too much stuff connected from two desktops
according to my link in computers.txt. I replied that I never had problems for years. Also, the light
to tell me overloaded never came on. Basically, each UPS battery outlet was connected to a device
(CRT, a minitower, and a tower). Again, I even disconnected the minitower for a test, but the UPS
failed to stay up after an hour.
In alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
| Quote: | Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS 650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs, etc.).
The two shutdowns I had were noticeable because my computers were off/rebooted (depending on
computers' BIOS to automatically turn on when power is back) after I woke up. Checking the logs,
both OS reported crashes. It seems like the UPS was down for over an hour or so. I had another
one this yesterday morning. That time I didn't have my Linux box connected to UPS so it survived
(connected to a normal power outlet). My other box didn't since it was connected to the UPS. It
appears the UPS outage was short too (30 minutes).
I am not sure if its battery is dying or not. Or if it is the source of my problem. I didn't see
any lights on my UPS. Or maybe it is old and I need a new one. I have been using it daily
(rarely turned off). I also stimulated a power outage by pulling the power cord to see if UPS
still works. It does. I heard the high pitch sounds.
I had not changed anything in terms of power consumption recently. I don't think that is related
because I removed the minitower computer.
I think I will be needing a new one, but I need to research for the best model since UPS' have
changed over the four years. Is APC still the best brand today? If so, then which models should
I get? I don't do mail order so I will be shopping at local stores like Costco, CompUSA, Best
Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc. I looked at Best Buy's Web site and there were MANY. I used APC's
UPS finder, but they ended up expensive like 400 bucks! I plan to hook up two computers (tower
with its 400 watts PSU + mini-tower with 340 watts) and a 17" CRT monitor to it like before
(never had problems for years -- view http://alpha.zimage.com/~ant/antfarm/about/computers.txt
for the full details between my two machines). I would also like to connect the UPS' information
to my Linux/Debian (Kernel v2.6.12 and whatever is the latest from apt-get) box via USB/serial
connection. Hopefully, it is Linux friendly. Basically, I can shutdown -h now successfully if
needed. I would like to have 15 minutes of battery power if everything is on during a power
outage.
I am not sure how informative this would be about power here. Most of the power outages in my
home are long (hours). Once in a while, there are power hiccups (1 second). I live in Southern
CA, east of Los Angeles (S.C. Edison) to give you ideas on the power situation.
Thank you in advance.
-- |
"Is this stuff any good for ants?" "No, it kills them." --unknown
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( ) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
David Maynard
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:32 am Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
| Quote: | Follow-up with more information.
My 650VA model is: BK650MC
APC finally e-mailed me back. The guy said I have too much stuff connected from two desktops
according to my link in computers.txt. I replied that I never had problems for years. Also, the light
to tell me overloaded never came on. Basically, each UPS battery outlet was connected to a device
(CRT, a minitower, and a tower). Again, I even disconnected the minitower for a test, but the UPS
failed to stay up after an hour.
|
Well, if it was overloaded it could be that something in the electronics
finally failed so that it can no longer handle even a normal load. |
|
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|
|
Trifecta
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:32 am Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
| Quote: | Trifecta <Toyo@sleepwell.org> wrote:
ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS 650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs, etc.).
The two shutdowns I had were noticeable because my computers were off/rebooted (depending on
computers' BIOS to automatically turn on when power is back) after I woke up. Checking the logs,
both OS reported crashes. It seems like the UPS was down for over an hour or so. I had another
one this yesterday morning. That time I didn't have my Linux box connected to UPS so it survived
(connected to a normal power outlet). My other box didn't since it was connected to the UPS. It
appears the UPS outage was short too (30 minutes).
I am not sure if its battery is dying or not. Or if it is the source of my problem. I didn't see
any lights on my UPS. Or maybe it is old and I need a new one. I have been using it daily
(rarely turned off). I also stimulated a power outage by pulling the power cord to see if UPS
still works. It does. I heard the high pitch sounds.
I had not changed anything in terms of power consumption recently. I don't think that is related
because I removed the minitower computer.
I think I will be needing a new one, but I need to research for the best model since UPS' have
changed over the four years. Is APC still the best brand today? If so, then which models should
I get? I don't do mail order so I will be shopping at local stores like Costco, CompUSA, Best
Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc. I looked at Best Buy's Web site and there were MANY. I used APC's
UPS finder, but they ended up expensive like 400 bucks! I plan to hook up two computers (tower
with its 400 watts PSU + mini-tower with 340 watts) and a 17" CRT monitor to it like before
(never had problems for years -- view http://alpha.zimage.com/~ant/antfarm/about/computers.txt
for the full details between my two machines). I would also like to connect the UPS' information
to my Linux/Debian (Kernel v2.6.12 and whatever is the latest from apt-get) box via USB/serial
connection. Hopefully, it is Linux friendly. Basically, I can shutdown -h now successfully if
needed. I would like to have 15 minutes of battery power if everything is on during a power
outage.
I am not sure how informative this would be about power here. Most of the power outages in my
home are long (hours). Once in a while, there are power hiccups (1 second). I live in Southern
CA, east of Los Angeles (S.C. Edison) to give you ideas on the power situation.
Thank you in advance. :)
Pull the battery and check the date of manufacture on them. If it is
older than 3 years change them.APC recommends changing the batteries
I have had the UPS and its included battery since 2/2001. So definitely
over three years. However, wouldn't the UPS still be working and NOT
powering down when AC is connected with power?
When the battery in a UPS is bad or weak you either would not be able to
power up and if it does power up will power down occassionally on it's own. |
| Quote: |
after 3 years if you experience strange/inermittent problem and see if
that will improve the situation. Batteries certainly are a lot less
expensive than a new UPS.It should not run more than $40 on your unit
for the batteries.
Do local stores carry these batteries like Fry's Electronics, Best Buy,
CompUSA, etc.?
Just look up battery in the yellow pages and I'm sure you can find |
someone selling them. Failing that you can always buy from APC or for a
cheaper(just as good) alternative Tripp Lite now sells replacement
batteries for It's competitor's UPS. |
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Trifecta
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:32 am Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
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David Maynard wrote:
| Quote: | ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
Follow-up with more information.
My 650VA model is: BK650MC
APC finally e-mailed me back. The guy said I have too much stuff
connected from two desktops
according to my link in computers.txt. I replied that I never had
problems for years. Also, the light
to tell me overloaded never came on. Basically, each UPS battery
outlet was connected to a device
(CRT, a minitower, and a tower). Again, I even disconnected the
minitower for a test, but the UPS
failed to stay up after an hour.
Well, if it was overloaded it could be that something in the electronics
finally failed so that it can no longer handle even a normal load.
From my experience 95% of UPS problems are battery related.The |
electronics of APC UPS are quite solid. |
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David Maynard
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:32 am Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
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Trifecta wrote:
| Quote: | David Maynard wrote:
ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
Follow-up with more information.
My 650VA model is: BK650MC
APC finally e-mailed me back. The guy said I have too much stuff
connected from two desktops
according to my link in computers.txt. I replied that I never had
problems for years. Also, the light
to tell me overloaded never came on. Basically, each UPS battery
outlet was connected to a device
(CRT, a minitower, and a tower). Again, I even disconnected the
minitower for a test, but the UPS
failed to stay up after an hour.
Well, if it was overloaded it could be that something in the
electronics finally failed so that it can no longer handle even a
normal load.
From my experience 95% of UPS problems are battery related.The
electronics of APC UPS are quite solid.
|
That still leaves 5% and I can't think of any way a bad battery would cause
his UPS to drop power.
Doesn't mean there isn't one, just that I can't think of it off hand. |
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Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:33 am Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
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Trifecta <Toyo@sleepwell.org> wrote:
| Quote: | ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
Trifecta <Toyo@sleepwell.org> wrote:
ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
Hello. I hope these are suitable newsgroups to ask about UPS'. I e-mailed APC.com yesterday
morning, but still have not received a reply yet. :(
I don't know what is going on with my old APC Back-UPS 650VA (owned it since 2/2001), but it has
happened three times so far within about two weeks when I am asleep. So far, I did not have any
power outages (no evidences of them) and did not hear the high pitch sound from UPS to tell me
it is running on its battery. I know it is not a power outage because of all the devices not on
UPS were still on (no blinking times on clocks, VCRs, etc.).
The two shutdowns I had were noticeable because my computers were off/rebooted (depending on
computers' BIOS to automatically turn on when power is back) after I woke up. Checking the logs,
both OS reported crashes. It seems like the UPS was down for over an hour or so. I had another
one this yesterday morning. That time I didn't have my Linux box connected to UPS so it survived
(connected to a normal power outlet). My other box didn't since it was connected to the UPS. It
appears the UPS outage was short too (30 minutes).
I am not sure if its battery is dying or not. Or if it is the source of my problem. I didn't see
any lights on my UPS. Or maybe it is old and I need a new one. I have been using it daily
(rarely turned off). I also stimulated a power outage by pulling the power cord to see if UPS
still works. It does. I heard the high pitch sounds.
I had not changed anything in terms of power consumption recently. I don't think that is related
because I removed the minitower computer.
I think I will be needing a new one, but I need to research for the best model since UPS' have
changed over the four years. Is APC still the best brand today? If so, then which models should
I get? I don't do mail order so I will be shopping at local stores like Costco, CompUSA, Best
Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc. I looked at Best Buy's Web site and there were MANY. I used APC's
UPS finder, but they ended up expensive like 400 bucks! I plan to hook up two computers (tower
with its 400 watts PSU + mini-tower with 340 watts) and a 17" CRT monitor to it like before
(never had problems for years -- view http://alpha.zimage.com/~ant/antfarm/about/computers.txt
for the full details between my two machines). I would also like to connect the UPS' information
to my Linux/Debian (Kernel v2.6.12 and whatever is the latest from apt-get) box via USB/serial
connection. Hopefully, it is Linux friendly. Basically, I can shutdown -h now successfully if
needed. I would like to have 15 minutes of battery power if everything is on during a power
outage.
I am not sure how informative this would be about power here. Most of the power outages in my
home are long (hours). Once in a while, there are power hiccups (1 second). I live in Southern
CA, east of Los Angeles (S.C. Edison) to give you ideas on the power situation.
Thank you in advance. :)
Pull the battery and check the date of manufacture on them. If it is
older than 3 years change them.APC recommends changing the batteries
I have had the UPS and its included battery since 2/2001. So definitely
over three years. However, wouldn't the UPS still be working and NOT
powering down when AC is connected with power?
When the battery in a UPS is bad or weak you either would not be able to
power up and if it does power up will power down occassionally on it's own.
after 3 years if you experience strange/inermittent problem and see if
that will improve the situation. Batteries certainly are a lot less
expensive than a new UPS.It should not run more than $40 on your unit
for the batteries.
Do local stores carry these batteries like Fry's Electronics, Best Buy,
CompUSA, etc.?
Just look up battery in the yellow pages and I'm sure you can find
someone selling them. Failing that you can always buy from APC or for a
cheaper(just as good) alternative Tripp Lite now sells replacement
batteries for It's competitor's UPS.
|
Are Tripp Lite batteries available in popular stores that I listed earlier?
I never heard of that brand before.
--
"Is this stuff any good for ants?" "No, it kills them." --unknown
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( ) |
|
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Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:33 am Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
| Quote: | Follow-up with more information.
My 650VA model is: BK650MC
APC finally e-mailed me back. The guy said I have too much stuff
connected from two desktops
according to my link in computers.txt. I replied that I never had
problems for years. Also, the light
to tell me overloaded never came on. Basically, each UPS battery
outlet was connected to a device
(CRT, a minitower, and a tower). Again, I even disconnected the
minitower for a test, but the UPS
failed to stay up after an hour.
Well, if it was overloaded it could be that something in the
electronics finally failed so that it can no longer handle even a
normal load.
From my experience 95% of UPS problems are battery related.The
electronics of APC UPS are quite solid.
That still leaves 5% and I can't think of any way a bad battery would cause
his UPS to drop power.
Doesn't mean there isn't one, just that I can't think of it off hand.
|
Hmm, to buy a new UPS or not. Maybe I should just buy a new one (low-end
model like my old one).
Are the new ones way better than the old ones from 2000/2001? Like more
reliable, last longer, etc.
--
"Is this stuff any good for ants?" "No, it kills them." --unknown
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( ) |
|
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Mxsmanic
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:33 am Post subject: Re: APC UPS problems and questions (might need to buy a new |
|
|
David Maynard writes:
| Quote: | That still leaves 5% and I can't think of any way a bad battery would cause
his UPS to drop power.
|
If the battery is bad, the UPS may drop power as soon as it sees a
problem on the line--based on the assumption that it can't switch to
back up and cannot continue to provide conditioned power if the line
is unstable.
APC will usually ship batteries the same day. I believe most of their
UPS models beep if the battery is bad.
--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail. |
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