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View Full Version : Battery backup run-time. What has your experience been?

mysubaruimp
03-08-05, 06:17 PM
I am trying to price out a UPS (or multiple UPS's) that will deliver 3 hours of run-time with two computers with or without two CRT monitors attached.

How long do you get off of your battery backup?

I have an APC 1000va Smart-UPS that gives me ~20 minutes of runtime with my system at full load with a CRT monitor hooked up.

IIRC, I get ~60 minutes of runtime if I am gaming on the same system, but with an LCD instead of the CRT.
techun
03-08-05, 06:21 PM
any way to hook up a car battery for a ups?
Tebore
03-08-05, 06:29 PM
I am trying to price out a UPS (or multiple UPS's) that will deliver 3 hours of run-time with two computers with or without two CRT monitors attached.

How long do you get off of your battery backup?

I have an APC 1000va Smart-UPS that gives me ~20 minutes of runtime with my system at full load with a CRT monitor hooked up.

IIRC, I get ~60 minutes of runtime if I am gaming on the same system, but with an LCD instead of the CRT.

The max that UPS can output is about 600watts. Which gives you 1min, you're at about 20 mins meaning your system is about 250watts. If you switch to an LCD which is going from ~70watt monitor to ~30watts, you'll get about 40mins. Your tower is still a powerhouse. :bang head
deathman20
03-08-05, 10:43 PM
There are ways to dasy chain UPS's but truely getting 3 hours out of a few UPS's will be a huge money cost. And if your spending that much it is probley cheaper to get some LCD's to replace the CRT's to save on getting more UPS's to power those beasts.
deez
03-09-05, 05:28 PM
Might be cheaper just to get a gas powered generator that kicks on when power goes out
Electron Chaser
03-09-05, 05:34 PM
any way to hook up a car battery for a ups?

Yes, but it will cost you more then just buying a UPS.
deathman20
03-09-05, 05:52 PM
Might be cheaper just to get a gas powered generator that kicks on when power goes out

Didn't think about that, yes that would be the true way to go and much cheaper in the long run, besides now u got a generator at your disposal for any other type of use.

Yes, but it will cost you more then just buying a UPS.

Well for a UPS that has that type of output it might be cheaper to get the car battery.
Bios24
03-09-05, 06:08 PM
Check This out: http://www.apcc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm
That might give you an idea of what APC has in mind for you. A few quick clicks and it suggested a few ups's over $1k. What's you budget for this?
Cyrix_2k
03-09-05, 06:15 PM
any way to hook up a car battery for a ups?
I had my UPS on two tractor batteries at one time and it worked fine. I don't know if the UPS would charge the batteries back up or not though... I used a car battery charger I bought for a dollar at a yard sale to recharge my batteries.
Sancho
03-09-05, 10:09 PM
my ups 500va gives me about 1-2 min with my 21" crt and 420w tower
deathman20
03-09-05, 10:28 PM
my ups 500va gives me about 1-2 min with my 21" crt and 420w tower

On that note I got a 375va that gives me 2-3min with a 17" LCD and a 430W Tower. Its using at full load approximiatly 80% of total power (take 13% off for the LCD).