If this is too verbose or vague, I apologize in advance. There is no easy selection process for a UPS. Everybody seems to have different opinions on UPSs and depending on who you talk to, all may be right,all may be wrong.
I have a strong preference for APC UPSs, although all brands have their lemons. The unit I have and all the units at my work all beep on and off when there is a power outage. Most UPSs have a USB cable that provides status information for a automatic shutdown. I have not used it and although I have not looked in a long time, I have not seen anything written about Linux support with APC.
I have a backup XS 900 for about 5 years with no problems. The only issue for me is that it has a small fan that runs all the time. I generally only hear it when things are very quiet . I intentionally went big to extend the life of the UPS by reducing stress on the battery and maintaining an acceptable power up time on outages when the battery degrades. Yes, the battery will degrade.
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for a UPS is that VA (volt amps) is not the same as watts. My personal view is that when comparing UPSs of a good brand, compare them based on watts, not VA.
Where I work, we use an APC 450 for just about every PC in the place (mostly office machines). Untill recently, the building would loose power about 3 times a year. I think the battery typicaly lasts about 3 years before they need replacement. If you want to check the power usage of your computer, you may want to use a "kill a watt" or similiar device to measure the power usage, both steady state and possibly when turning the PC on. I will assume the actual power usage will be in the ballpark of 200W for the computer and reasonable monitor (light to moderate loaded cpu).
For myself and limiting myself to APC and newegg, I would consider the "APC BE750G 750 VA 450 Watts 10 Outlets Power Saving Back-UPS ES". The power save feature would get in my way, but I run my computer off from a power strip so I would not use those power outlets anaway. Anything smaller, I would not be confortable assuming 5 minutes of run time for one machine. Of course, it is almost 2X the cost of an APC 450 :(
Whatever you choose to use, I wish you best of luck.
On Sat, Sep 22, 2012, at 12:01 AM, E Johnson wrote:
Today and the other day we discussed my issues with a modem declared-dead by twin techs from my ISP. Part of that problem may have been caused by bad elex service here.
I need a recommendation for a UPS to use here. We have dirty elex here in this 112 year-old central Worcester house, & inadequate amperage to my floor (top floor garret). Refrig runs on same circuit as my computers do. Lights dim when something downstairs also turns on, probably a microwave oven and/or a TV. This won't be fixed any time soon unless the landlady suddenly becomes a benefactress of the Gate$ Foundation, which will never happen. I could sometime get an electrician in here to add a suitable circuit for my floor, but it would be faster & better just to get an UPS, whether or not the elex here is ever upgraded.
UPS here would only need to run max 2 PCs plus their monitors, one modem and router & a light bulb or two. Really needs to run only one. The primary PC here is mine, which has a 450W power supply running a 95W AMD FX4100 quad (bulldozer) no vid card. Antec Sonata II case has 2 fans. Mobo is
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157292
Built June 2012. Works great. The other PC is a few years older; similar, but usually don't care if it shuts down in power outage or not.
I need UPS to beep audibly in a power outage, but only need maybe 5 minutes to light a candle, go to office, save whatever is not saved & Halt. Otherwise just need UPS to smooth out the fluctuating elex here.
I'm not clear from newegg or any vendor, which kind of UPS I need to get for this small home setup. Please would someone recommend what UPS would be suitable here, but not overkill.
Thanks extremely,
Liz J
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