Need help selecting a UPS

[Diablo]

I was looking at this APC Back-UPS (BE350VA) at comp usa for $20 after MIR & was about to get it, when i noticed there was no serial/usb connector to connect w/ the pc. The box claims that it includes software that will shut down your pc in the event of a power outage, but without being hooked up to the UPS, how does it do this? Does this UPS seem like a good deal?

I've just been looking for a decent UPS for at home use to protect from brown/black outs. Any other recommendations for UPSs would be appreciated...thx

[ribitch]

apc are nice, but they also come with a name premium.

we decided to try a large belkin UPS at work and the thing is very nice. It does its job and has plenty of capacity allowing plenty of battery time. Plus it cost half of a APC model of less capacity. We bought it from staples.

[revil]

APC's are very nice. I can't find this model on the apc website, so i can't tell you much about it. If it doesn't have usb, then it probably has a serial interface. either works just fine. although if it comes with neither, bitch 'em out.

I have a nice 900va from APC. It's a little outdated, but it works great. I have 3 computers, my stereo, and my moniter behind it and i get at least 30 minutes off of it. I haven't tried for longer cause i didn't want to push it too far.

[Diablo]

nevermind that compusa deal..heh. It does NOT have a serial or usb connection, still cant figure out how the pc is supposed to shut down in the event of a power loss.

found this belkin F6H350-SER UPS @ microcenter for $35 after MIR...probably going w/ this one. Thanks for the help

[smurphy]

I have been using a Belkin 650 unit now for 3 months. It was half the cost of a APC unit and came with software and serial cable.

This unit unit has been very good and I have 2 systems, both with P4 2GHz, 2x18GB 10K RPM SCSI and 2GB RAM and 450 power supplies running off this unit now for 2 weeks straight and through 3 brown outs that lasted for about 10 minutes each (too many air conditioners!). That time may not seem very long but both systems stayed up and both draw a lot of power.

I have an older DelTec 400 that is about 5 years old now that supports a P4 1.8GHz system with a 60GB HD, 450W Enermax power supply and 21" Monitor for about 15 minutes but when I bought it, it lasted for almost 30 minutes. This unit is about 3x the size of the newer Belkin unit. Battery sizes have really been reduced too.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Scott

[Diablo]

How accurate is this statement (from belkin's website):

_______________________________________________________________
If the power draw is expressed in AMPS multiply by your nominal line voltage (North America = 120, Europe = 220, etc.)

If the power draw is expressed in WATTS, multiply by 1.4 for VA load

Example: Computer #1 - 250 watt power supply (x 1.4) = 350VA load

Monitor #1 - 0.7 amp (x 120) = 84VA load

Total: 434VA

Once you have calculated the total VA draw of you equipment, select a Belkin UPS that is rated equal to or higher than the number generated. DO NOT OVERLOAD AN UPS SYSTEM! UPS systems that attempt to support excessive loads will pop their circuit breakers and provide no runtime.

______________________________________________________________________

I was looking into a 350VA...but according to belkin, it wont even support a pc w/ a 250 w PS & a monitor I can understand that maybe the battery wouldnt last as long during an outage, but can overloading it actually harm the UPS?


*EDIT*
_________
found this Inland 650VA UPS @ microcenter for $35. Inland's description. No usb/serial connection though no software included. This seems to be the only UPS in my target price range that i've found.

[LPMiller]

Thats very accurate, actually. You will nuke your UPS if it isn't rated high enough. Even then, run only the minimum needed to save your work and shut down.

[Speedfreak]

http://www.ups.com

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Speedfreak
http://www.ups.com

any useful info would help too

[Cheesypuff]

before, my school would have a lot of power outages with the cali power shortage, and it really put my UPS to the test...well...after like 10 bijillion outages throughout the year, my APC has done it's job very well...I say go with any APC UPS products!

[Apex]

Ebay is actually a pretty good place to look for UPS's.