UPS Units?

[drfsupercenter]

I was thinking of getting a UPS unit for my computer... but I'd want one as cheap as possible since I don't have that much money.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0280024

Is that one any good? I don't get, however, why it says 550VA but only 275W. Last I checked, watts was just volts times amps?
I have a 450W PSU... so would that not work? I don't want to buy one of those $100 units if I don't have to...

Anyone know any other good bargains on one?

[Chewy]

Up to 15 minutes backup time

might help if you have brownouts that don't last long

they usually have better surge protection than standard surge protectors

[drfsupercenter]

We have a generator, I only need 20 seconds' worth

That's why I was going for cheap... I just want something that will keep my computer on for the 20-30 seconds it takes the generator to kick on, so I don't lose my work. Of course, then I'd have to put the modem on it too...

But is there a cheaper alternative? This recent power outage literally gave me a 5 second warning to shut down... the power got killed while I was closing stuff. So I really want a UPS now, in case these storms come back... or something else happens to the power, you know?

[paglamon]

I don't get, however, why it says 550VA but only 275W. Last I checked, watts was just volts times amps?

For DC, yes.
For AC, see here:http://www.powerstream.com/VA-Watts.htm

[atifsh]

same here i put 2 ups one for my PC a little better one, and one cheap small ups for my dsl modem, wireless router, and cordless phone .. everyone was what the hell u are doing putting ups for cordless phone, but now everyones quite cause they know it works, we have lot of power downs these days...

[drfsupercenter]

So a 550VA wouldn't power my computer with a 450W power supply?

Or maybe it would for only 30 seconds? I don't care if it's 5 minutes or 15 minutes... I'm never going to use it for that long since the generator starts up relatively quickly. I just don't want to pay $100 for something if I can get a cheap one.

[Chewy]

If you can pick one up at the store, get it and let it charge then test it by pulling the plug and see if you can shut down windows and save work, if not then return it

[MilesAhead]

We have a generator, I only need 20 seconds' worth

I get a lot of outages less than 10 seconds and the CyberPower type available at Best Buy work well for me. They come charged enough to use out of the box. No waiting. If you have a Best Buy nearby it's probably one of those things that's good to buy locally. If it doesn't work out of the box, exchange it. The initial charge should be good enough for what you want and they continue to charge up during normal usage.

I used to see them on sale now and then for $19.95(which is why I tried that brand initially) but not lately. They seem to go @$45 for the 3 battery backed outlet type.

They seem to last at least 4 years or so. Does the job.

[drfsupercenter]

If you can pick one up at the store, get it and let it charge then test it by pulling the plug and see if you can shut down windows and save work, if not then return it

I don't even need to shut down... the generator will always kick on in 20-30 seconds, and that powers my computer (unless, of course, natural gas gets shut off for some reason)

I get a lot of outages less than 10 seconds and the CyberPower type available at Best Buy work well for me. They come charged enough to use out of the box. No waiting. If you have a Best Buy nearby it's probably one of those things that's good to buy locally. If it doesn't work out of the box, exchange it. The initial charge should be good enough for what you want and they continue to charge up during normal usage.

I used to see them on sale now and then for $19.95(which is why I tried that brand initially) but not lately. They seem to go @$45 for the 3 battery backed outlet type.

What's the wattage of your computer's power supply?
And do you know the model number of yours? If I know a certain model is good I can call around instead of just asking for any old unit.

[browneye]

I would be very careful pluging My PC into any home generator,as they are rarely caibrated for a true and correct sine wave, or exact voltage. Good for your fridge,lights, well pump, furnace. Electronics, get a pro to install a line conditioner first.

[drfsupercenter]

The computer works fine... I just ran it off the generator for 2 days when we didn't have DTE's power. The fan did make some weird noises, but it didn't seem to affect performance... is that bad for the computer? I know the generator can handle it, as it's 16kW... more than adequate when the power goes out. (And it's one of the ones that's hooked up to the natural gas and starts automatically, not one of the little gasoline-powered things that a lot of people have)

And yeah I noticed it's not the exact voltage... I have 3 clocks in my room and they ended up about 5 minutes off the next day due to their tendencies when they don't have exact voltage. But isn't that the point of high-quality PSU units? I thought they were able to work at more than one voltage... and it seemed to work fine anyway. (Even when the lights would flicker, the computer didn't budge)

[MilesAhead]

The main UPS I'm using is equivalent to this model:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7041943&st=CyberPower&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1099396538742

but I have 2 PCs and one monitor with a Belkin KVM switch on it. For your purpose
this one should be fine:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6201585&st=CyberPower&lp=6&type=product&cp=1&id=1069297060711

I have a couple of the $45 ones for TVs and cable boxes, cable modem etc...
I've had outages where the Color TV/Cable box/DVD player have stayed running
for more than a few minutes, so you should have plenty of time for an orderly shutdown even on Vista.

[doctorhardware]

I would get a ups that is capable of automatic voltage regulation(AVR), this would keep your voltage at a constant even level to your computer. This would be very helpful during brown outs. The ups does not have to be that big, since you will be on the generator.

The second cyberpower that miles has posted would be more than adequate, for those few seconds for the generator to kick in.

[drfsupercenter]

Well, it says it only supports up to 240 watts. Would 450 break it? Or just lower the time it will run for?

If it'll run more watts for a shorter time I could get one of those $20 ones on eBay that are about the same specs... (And I don't need 6 plug outlets, I could just plug my whole power strip in if I wanted)

[copyless]

Well, I have to agree with brown on this one, I would take the 60-80 dollars and save a little more and get something like the CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD which you can find for about $143.00 shipped. It has a very good joule rating and also has a great voltage regulator. They also have a few models that are less VA's & watt's, but for the money you can't beat this model. Or maybe the model without the LCD readout since you will have it hooked to a computer.

I would especially consider it since you want to run your computer with the generator, since it will condition the line for you. I have 4 of them that I keep every piece of high end electronics hooked to.

I know that you want to go for something cheaper, but in this instance, I really think I would consider saving a little longer and doing it right. Just a thought.