UPS Experiences

I have an APC UPS, which I bought back in 2000/2001 or so. It has been perfect so far, always kicking in at the slightest disruption. Even the battery has lasted ok so far, which is quite surprising.

The model is Back-UPS RS 1500 or something like that, it is currently providing backup power for my linux server, which is not located here, so I cannot check it.

 

My experience has been pretty similar to yours Taluntain but my UPS didn't start failing until shortly after the warrenty had expired. It pretty much is just an oversized surge protector now - although I don't really know if it is even accomplishing that. I do know that when the power goes off my computer just immediately shuts down.

I would have to say that your prediction about their warrenty "repairs" sounds about right to me too.

 

I have a small Belkin 425VA. I have had it for several years now. Maybe for 5 years. I just unplugged the cord from the wall for about 10 seconds and it kept my computer/monitor going just fine. I have no idea how well of a spike/brownout protector it is. I never hear it beep, but I have very stable power where I live. I did accidentally 'test' it once before about a year ago. I pulled the wall plug out while running the vacuum cleaner and it kept the computer going for at least 5 minutes before the battery went dead. I did hear the beeping but I thought it was something on the TV so I did not notice until after the computer went dead. I bought the Belkin brand from a local Frys store because I saw that this brand was actually still made in the US and not in China.

 

I've used several APC units over the years, and they've always worked flawlessly for me. My parents still use one of them (it must be over 5 years old) and it's still perfect, even with frequent brownouts and blackouts. I've never used Belkin but have heard good stuff from them, though I think you can't go wrong with APC.

 

Our power here tends to run closer to 130 V than to 115. I had to totally give up on incandescent bulbs, since the overvoltage replacement parts are neither easy to find, nor available in a full spread of sizes (I use nothing but mini-fluorescents now).

We also have numerous (comparatively nearby) lightning strikes that create current fluctuations in the neighborhood. There is a sizable transformer station just six blocks away, which probably explains the overvoltage problem. Complaining to the CPS is useless, of course (publicly owned utility).

So I have a couple of line filters (Tripplite) that function as both current controllers, and surge protectors. The (APC) UPS' (two in here) sit behind those; when there is any momentary brownout, there are beeping alarms from three of the four (the second line conditioner doesn't beep any more). I have also used Tripplite UPS devices, with slightly poorer service than from the APC.

 

Actually, my pair of small APC devices, the first UPSes I owned, both totally quit after about four years (I owned them during 1990/ 1994, roughly). One had needed a replacement battery at the 3 year point, and if the pair died of anything other than a "natural" death, there were no other household electronics affected by a surge of any kind.

These were the long, slender ones with four outlets on their rear panel. The more recently purchased (APC) ones are larger, horizontally oriented, and have a total of 8-10 outlets, only half of those being connected to the battery backup.

The Tripplite pair of small UPSes that served in the interim did give up the ghost in protecting systems here from a nearby lightning strike's effects.

 

My laptop is my UPS.

Heh...besides that, I used to have (gave it to my dad) some no-name box that was rated at 5000VA. I never really trusted it, so I didn't hesitate to leave it for my dad when I moved out. While it never failed on me, I'm not sure how it's been holding up for my dad.

When I finally build my next PC, I'll probably get an APC unit between 650VA - 1000VA. I haven't heard anything bad about APC, and they're the most commonly found at the store.

 

My UPS is a Tripp Lite.

 

I have a Microtek 600 VA UPS...nothing special...just something which lets me shut down the computer safely if there's a power outage...and it helps me keep the computer running smoothly with random power spikes which are a huge problem in my city.

Not much to say...works like its meant to...

 

Yet another example that if you want quality stuff then you have to pay a lot for it. I think that generally you do end up saving on the long run, but in the particular case of UPSs I'd much rather pay a lot more for something that'll last 3-5 years than to pay less for one that will die after a few months and take everything else (computer, screen, and so on) with it.

I don't know about where you live, but over here prices tend to jump in strange ways once you go above 500VA. If you don't need the 1000, then 800 should be more than enough, and could be much cheaper (especially since APC are more expensive than others to begin with)