UPS bargain

[ef37a]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B098HBL1FC? ... title&th=1

No, I have not finally snapped! I have just taken charge of one for £36 inc delivery!

I was browsing Sunday and thinking I would like a UPS but can I afford one?That model was one of only two left (they said!) so I jumped.

It looks the absolute dog's, comes with two mains cables, it has IEC outs not 13A but that's not a bother, and a USB A to B. The instruction book is thick, both physically and literally. Not a great deal of information and nothing about using the USB connection nor the Ethernet port. And WHY do they mix languages? Just have one completely English section...THEN French, then Urdu etc.

I have it charging for the recommended 8 hours, maybe I shall get more info when I plug it into my PC?

So, sorry chaps I thought I was going to tell you about a good deal but they seem to have almost tripled in price between Sunday night and now! Maybe it was a mistake?

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

It's the Amazon way. Sounds like a bargain, though. What are you going to run from it?

[The Elf]

92 quid?

[Wonks]

92 quid?

Variable Amazon pricing I assume. I've bought something that looked a real bargain and when I looked again a day later it's been more than double the price.

[Wonks]

Here's a link to the pdf manual, which does have the content in separate language sections (but nothing about the USB connection).

https://library.e.abb.com/public/e3b70b ... 0t7qB54Bir

[Hugh Robjohns]

I can't see anywhere that it says what kind of output it generates.

Many low cost models create a stepped rather than true sine wave output and not everything likes that, especially audio gear.

So worth checking if you have a scope (or other suitable means).

[ef37a]

It's the Amazon way. Sounds like a bargain, though. What are you going to run from it?

Initially Hugh the little wall box that feeds my router, the router and a laptop.
I am having a smart meter fitted in a couple of months time and I don't know how long I shall be without power but at least I will be able to chat to you chaps! It will also keep my VOiP landline phone working (Ooo! must hang a charger on it as well!)
After that I shall experiment with more things. Might see how long it will keep my TV, recorders and Tannoys going. Valve guitar amp?

I have run a USB cable from it to my laptop but the latter did not find it. I have not yet registered the supply so maybe there will be some software to download when I do?

Dave.

[Wonks]

The data sheet says 2 minutes run time at 600 VA, so it’s designed to allow you shut down your computer safely in the event of a power outage, not keep the computer and associated peripherals running for a couple of hours.

The USB connection should in theory be there to tie the PC to the UPS to automatically instigate a safe shut-down (as well as presumably give you power data that can be logged), but I can’t find any reference to such software on the ABB page for the UPS.

[ajay_m]

The lead acid gel cells in these units have a fairly short life, typically 3 years or so, after which they need replacing. This requires care as obviously being a UPS the unit can produce dangerous voltages from battery power.

[Wonks]

Though being kept inside, they should live their life at just over the optimum 20°C for maximum longevity.

[ef37a]

The data sheet says 2 minutes run time at 600 VA, so it’s designed to allow you shut down your computer safely in the event of a power outage, not keep the computer and associated peripherals running for a couple of hours.

The USB connection should in theory be there to tie the PC to the UPS to automatically instigate a safe shut-down (as well as presumably give you power data that can be logged), but I can’t find any reference to such software on the ABB page for the UPS.

I am obliged Wonks, the router etc is not going to pull anywhere close to 600 VA and the laptop will be fully charged so a good hour from that until I need to plug it in. The other stuff will just be me forking about for my own interest. They do give warnings about what you should and should not plug into it but my guess (and some experience years ago) is that these things are pretty well bomb proof? Had it been 90 quid I should not be quite so cavalier but yer gotta has SOME fun ain't ya!

The battery situation is covered in the sales waffle as being "easy to change" and indeed there is a large panel in the base secured by one Pozi#1 screw.
I am guessing that a replacement battery is going to make a dent in the savings I made when buying the unit but when the time comes it is more than likely that the battery is a common SLA type and I can shop around? Might even be an LioN equivalent?

Despite turning the drum over I cannot find an IEC line plug or cable! I have one coming from Zon but I am going out soon to see if my friendly local 'puter repair shop will sell me a couple.

Dave.

[The Elf]

92 quid?

Variable Amazon pricing I assume. I've bought something that looked a real bargain and when I looked again a day later it's been more than double the price.

Oh well...

[Wonks]

92 quid?

Variable Amazon pricing I assume. I've bought something that looked a real bargain and when I looked again a day later it's been more than double the price.

Oh well...

Yes, back in November I picked up a Bosch Professional cordless drill for less than the price of their basic consumer drill. So for around £85, and now it's £220. It wasn't marked as a Black Friday offer or shown as heavily discounted.

But I suppose there's always the possibility that sometimes the wrong price gets pushed out to the Amazon platform, maybe cost price instead of retail?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Initially Hugh the little wall box that feeds my router, the router and a laptop. ...
It will also keep my VOiP landline phone working

Using it to keep your router and Voice phone going during an outage makes sense, and I expect you'd get a reasonable duration supporting just those.

But you'll only get mi uses running a TV, amp and more power-hungry things.

I have two 1500W units here which, between them, run my desktop pc, two monitors, the broadband router, three NAS boxes a couple of switches, and a printer. They'll keep going for about 30 minutes, and longer if I shut down the NAS and printer.

My batteries last about 7-10 years on average —although I guess it might depend on how often they get hammered.

I use APC units and they self test regularly and warn when it's time to change. They are standard batteries and I have no problem finding cost effective units from battery suppliers complete with the right connectors.

I wouldn't rush to replace SLA batteries with L-ion types unless the UPS says you can because the different chemistry and charge/discharge curves will mess up its calculations!

[James Perrett]

I wouldn't rush to replace SLA batteries with L-ion types unless the UPS says you can because the different chemistry and charge/discharge curves will mess up its calculations!

They are totally incompatible with each other and intended for completely different uses. They also require different charging strategies. If you try to fit a Li-ion battery where a SLA was previously fitted you will probably end up with a big fire!

There are possibly other newer Lithium chemistries that are more suitable for UPS use but they would still require a different charger.

[ef37a]

I wouldn't rush to replace SLA batteries with L-ion types unless the UPS says you can because the different chemistry and charge/discharge curves will mess up its calculations!

They are totally incompatible with each other and intended for completely different uses. They also require different charging strategies. If you try to fit a Li-ion battery where a SLA was previously fitted you will probably end up with a big fire!

There are possibly other newer Lithium chemistries that are more suitable for UPS use but they would still require a different charger.

I spake wrongly. See, I got a Makita drill from my late son in law and the NiCad battery was completely borked but I found an exact NiMH replacement on line which works fine with the original charger and is a much better battery than the old Nickel job. So, maybe there is an NiMH version and would that have a greater capacity? Academic of course at this stage.

Whee! I have a couple of IEC 'puter cables. Now to splice then into a diss strip. (Hugh, the book says not to use the supply on a printer but that is not likely.)

Dave.

[James Perrett]

So, maybe there is an NiMH version and would that have a greater capacity? Academic of course at this stage.

They use yet another charging regime - there are good reasons why SLA batteries are used in these things because they are the only reasonably priced solution when you need a battery that is constantly fully charged and ready to take over.

[ef37a]

So, maybe there is an NiMH version and would that have a greater capacity? Academic of course at this stage.

They use yet another charging regime - there are good reasons why SLA batteries are used in these things because they are the only reasonably priced solution when you need a battery that is constantly fully charged and ready to take over.

I shall take your advice Mr P and stick to Lead!

Dave.

[James Perrett]

I shall take your advice Mr P and stick to Lead!

Although, if you don't mind spending far more than you paid for the UPS, something like this

https://uk.eco-worthy.com/products/life ... te-battery

might work. This is the kind of lithium battery that is more suited to storage and is safer at full charge than the normal lithium ion batteries.

[Wonks]

Reading the comments on the UPS on Amazon, ABB can supply software to auto shut-down on a power failure if you contact them about it, but it's not provided as standard (which I find a bit odd).

[Matt Houghton]

My batteries last about 7-10 years

My batteries have lasted almost 50 years now, but it's starting to feel like they're on their way out...

[Hugh Robjohns]

Wow... you dont look that old...

[ef37a]

Update: first test, router and the fibre to RJ45 converter power supplies plus charging my Lenovo T510 battery I got a slightly disappointing 35 minutes.

That was a week ago so today I did the same but sans the laptop charger. Two hours on the dot. Very nice, I don't know how long it will take to fit a smart meter but two hours seems plenty? I can keep the laptop going as I have a rough arse Maplin inverter and I always have a charged car battery about the drum.

But I shall have to repeat the test the morrow, the display was giving some unexpected readings. For the first 40 mins, 232V as expected with blips to 230 and 234. Then down to 228, 226 "hello? End of?" But no! Seemed to find a second wind and went back to an average of 232V. A good hour in I was getting a maximum of 245V!
I shall repeat the exercise but with my trusty Fluke 85 hung on the supply.

James, do SLAs "improve" with charge/discharge cycles?

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I don't know how long it will take to fit a smart meter but two hours seems plenty?

When they did mine the power was off for about 30-40 minutes. Definitely less than an hour.

[Wonks]

Ours took no time at all according to the electric wall clock in the kitchen.