Spec me a UPS

dulcificum · 15 Apr 2020 at 21:58

Looking for a 1KW UPS (does that mean I need 1100VA? 1500VA?)

Will consider standalone as well as rackmount. Price is an issue but reliability non-negotiable. Don't need any fancy feaures.

EsaT · 16 Apr 2020 at 18:05

If you want watts instead of empty marketing volt-amperes than look for watt rating.
Volt ampere specs are usually 50% bloated from watts outside server UPSes.
But in some marketing scams it's doubled.

Though that PC is your sig doesn't need even remotely that kilowatt.
If goal is getting certain backup time that also varies from UPS to another for same output power, because of difference battery capacities.

dulcificum · 16 Apr 2020 at 18:10

It's for a server with dual xeons and 12 hdd and would like more than a few minutes to shut it down. Actually, that still seems a lot of power but the machine does have a 920W power supply.

Happy to go rack mount if enterprise is better.

EsaT · 16 Apr 2020 at 18:34

Rack mount UPSes tend to have tiny fans.
So if you're working next to it there might be noise issues.

Though that depends lot on UPS topology and how it's designed.
Double Conversion/Online UPSes have higher power losses than others and need more cooling all the time.
Line-interactive design has smaller power losses when running on wall power and doesn't need as much cooling.
Though high level models (like Eaton 5P) still have active cooling also in "tower" form factor.

dulcificum · 16 Apr 2020 at 19:41

This will all be in a server cupboard so noise not a high priority. Cost is though.

dulcificum · 23 Apr 2020 at 13:04

Any suggested models or anything?

Phil2008 · 7 May 2020 at 22:54

Hi,, I have a powerwalker 2000va/1800watts online ups with a petrol powered 2800watt generator for extended backup power. Owning a UPS that you can use with a generator is a lifesaver if you do a lot of 3d printing or constant power is critical.

I have my UPS powering my whole main room and the PC stuff, but Im only using about a max of 400watts. But with having way larger UPS then I need, I have about 2hrs battery backup and longer still if I plug the UPS into my generator. Btw you need a "generator friendly UPS", if you plan to run a UPS with a generator.

I bought this well specd UPS for around about £350 and a APC or other well known brand equivalent would cost 3x or 4x as much to buy
https://powerwalker.com/?page=product&item=10122042&lang=en

katastrofa · 29 Dec 2020 at 18:22

Phil2008 said:
Hi,, I have a powerwalker 2000va/1800watts online ups with a petrol powered 2800watt generator for extended backup power. Owning a UPS that you can use with a generator is a lifesaver if you do a lot of 3d printing or constant power is critical.

I have my UPS powering my whole main room and the PC stuff, but Im only using about a max of 400watts. But with having way larger UPS then I need, I have about 2hrs battery backup and longer still if I plug the UPS into my generator. Btw you need a "generator friendly UPS", if you plan to run a UPS with a generator.

I bought this well specd UPS for around about £350 and a APC or other well known brand equivalent would cost 3x or 4x as much to buy
https://powerwalker.com/?page=product&item=10122042&lang=en

I am considering getting a PowerWalker UPS myself for a setup like yours. What are your experiences so far with this brand?

dulcificum · 29 Dec 2020 at 18:33

Coming back to this. My peak power is 330W with 7/12 drives. So I'm guessing I could get away with 750W. Still would love some recommendations.

Phil2008 · 30 Dec 2020 at 01:23

I have had the PowerWalker 1800/2000VA Online UPS for just under 3yrs now without a problem, I have it running everything in my main room (about 600-700watts). It will keep everything going for about a hour, enough time to get the UPS plugged into my generator without anything loosing power, as its "generator friendly".... So yeah Im really happy with it,, as a well known brand like APC would cost about 3 times as much for the same spec of the PowerWalker. Plus there technical support is superb as they use to do online technical support chat and have helped me out loads of times.

Online UPS's use battery power 24/7 so your devices are completely protected from the mains power comming into your house, but I use it in "eco mode" as it uses less power. So this means it acts more like a line-interactive UPS, only using battery power when the voltage drops/increases 5% from whatever voltage you set it at,, for me its 240. So if I had "ECO Mode" turned off it would maintain 240volts constantly without any fluctuations.

1 thing Im not looking forward of doing is replacing the batteries, as its not easy, you have to take the thing apart and disconnect/reconnect each battery separately, being really careful you don't short circuit anything. But PowerWalker would replace the batteries for me if I sent the UPS to them.