APC Smart UPS 1500VA Q & quick review

I have two computers and a LCD connected (and later on a large screen Plasma/LED) to the IEC outputs on my APC Smart UPS 1500VA. The HTPC data line is connected to the USB input. However the desktop PC has no data line to the UPS, is it possible to connect a USB hub to the data line, then the two PC's into the USB hub?

HTPC--->USB HUB<----Desktop
.............I
...........UPS

Here's snapshot from Powerchute software, with slight voltage variances.






Impressed so far, works as stated and cuts down the number of plugs to extension sockets too (have it powering a USB enclosure)

The UPS has 8 IEC outputs, the unit will comepensate for under and over voltage (unlike the APC Back UPS which are dumb devices until a total power failure occurs in which case the unit switches to battery mode) Brown outs can cause more damage to a PSU than a instant power loss (brown outs are the short on/off voltage drops but where your PC stays on and your lights dim and brighten several times over a couple of seconds)

The UPS comes with a IEC connector so can snip the end of a fixed power cable 240v device ie a monitor. USB and serial cables, and a couple of IEC F -IEC M cables.

The APC does have a fan, but it only comes on when it's running of battery power. My heart stopped because I thought the fan might be 24/7, it is very loud. The fan is off during "power on" normal operation.

Purchased from competitor.

Depends on the version of powerchute you are running there.

You need to run powerchute business basic, it supports up to 5 (iirc) servers.

You install the console server and agent on one PC, and just the agent on the other.

Just one is connected to the UPS (the one with the server) The server then communicates via the network to the agents to do shutdown.

I've no experience of powerchute personal edition or whatever the noddy version is, but since you've got a 1500va UPS commonly found on servers you should have the Powerchute business CD. If not its a free download from APC anyway.

Excellent, thanks. Installed Agent and Console on the desktop here is the view in console. Beep test works, and it receives a broadcast message from the HTPC.



Beep test on the HTPC works. I had to install Agent, Console and Server on the HTPC though. I'll post a picture from the HTPC console later. Looking at it now the Smart UPS line is wiser choice, as the Back UPS doesn't have this network feature?

Here's snapshot from server (HTPC)
Shouldn't I have AMD in the list too? (that's my desktop) If I try to add AMD to the device list it just stops and gives me a error.



With both PC's on, with one LCD attached the UPS is on the first usage LED.
750VA Smart UPS would have probably done fine I guess but will be adding another couple of hundred watt device later.

Did you install the agent on AMD ?

Thats what you need to do. It then shuts down over the network using signalling from the server running on HTPC

I'll be doing this on a pair of servers on Thursday anyway, so that'll remind me exactly how it works.

Last job i did was on a UPS the size of a room against dozens of servers running powerchute network edition, so the old brain bucket has gone a bit fuzzy with this version now.

Yes installed agent and console on the amd.
On the AMD I can shut down the HTPC. But I can't shut down the AMD from the HTPC.

Does Powerchute use any depenency services? I've disabled quite a few prior to Powerchute installation. I can't add AMD to the server list. Surely a list of all connected "agents" should be shown?

oh with all three things on, 27% UPS load.

Right, agent, server and console on the PC physically attached to the UPS

Make sure when you install the agent and server you type in the same username and password on each install, so the agent can communicate with the server.

Then when thats all fine and talking to everything install just the agent on the other PC.

Then go back to the PC attached to the UPS, right click on the erea below where the first PC is listed in the console and do new device. Should just auto detect it there, assuming the two are on the IP subnet and there are no firewalls getting in the way.

Yup I've done all that. I'll be reinstalling Windows once I get that D-Link NAS so I'll try the UPS software again. At the moment it's not too bad, as the AMD isn't on 24/7, and when I'm using it I'm in the house, so if the power does go off I can manually shut it down. The HTPC (Server) is working ok from the UPS software.

Just installed XP MC SP2, the OS doesn't detect the APC correctly (XP Pro does)