At 07:22 AM 9/18/2001 -0700, you wrote: >APC and Belkin are good choices. I use them both. All Belkins have line >conditioning built in. Belkins go for between $100 - $200 depending on the >battery size. The electronics are the same in all the ones I've looked at. >I've heard there is software to control the computer but I haven't found it >yet. > >Any APC that has SMART in the name has line conditioning. The smallest Smart >APC, I beleive, is the 450. New is about $250 - $300. I bought one the >other day for $75. :^) > >How do you shutdown a computer after the power goes out if the monitor isn't >pluged into the UPS? Hey Bob. Of course you run a little piece of software that does it for you when the battery voltage gets too low. Is there one for Linux for APC yet I wonder? Regards, Jim >Have a nice day. > >On Tuesday 18 September 2001 01:05, you wrote: > > >We get way too many power outages out here in the boonies. Any > > >suggestions for a UPS or place to buy same. > > > > It all depends on what you are after. Figure out the exact power > > requirements and length of time you would like to figure out how big a UPS > > to get. I don't remember the formula off hand but most manufacturers > > should have that info listed on their web page. > > > > Personally, I prefer APC products, but I am far from an expert (I only > > have one, but I love it (but I don't really like their new case styling)), > > my roomate has 2 MGE's and they seem to work about the same (but are much > > lower capacity). > > > > If you only need a few minutes, the lower capacity ones I believe you can > > get in the $40-$80 range. The cost rapidly goes up from there, depending > > on your needs (and features). My APC 650 pro (I think I paid about $250 > > three years or so ago) will run my pentium 120 and a 17" Impressions > > monitor for a little under 30 minutes. A bit more time than most people > > really need but I wanted to make sure I could finish a CD burn if one was > > in progress. > > > > Things to consider: > > > > Amount of raw power needed to run CPU, monitor, printer, etc. > > > > Amount of backup time desired. > > > > Most UPSes are really only designed to run one system. Most will have > > multiple outlets on the back, but only two of them will be battery backed > > (unless you get one of the industrial rack mounts, but those will cost big > > bucks). There is a wattage limit on each outlett. > > > > There are two basic types of UPS, one the system is powered by the battery > > all the time and the line constantly charges the battery the other uses > > line voltage and automatically switches to battery in case of failure. I > > don't remember the pros/cons of each system, I did research three years > > ago when I bought mine but I've forgotten most of it. > > > > Most software supplied (which will automatically close applications and > > shut down the computer when the battery is nearing exhaustion) is normally > > only supplied for Windoze (big shock huh). There is third party software > > available for Linux, I've never used any but you might want to check > > FreshMeat or somesuch to see what software is available for what models. > > Linux software availability for a specific model might dictate what you > > buy. > > > > The software communication with the hardware WAS a serial port connection, > > but I believe most newer UPSes have switched to USB (which might be a > > problem with Linux if your not running the latest kernel). > > > > Batteries do go bad and need to be replaced. My APC book stated that the > > battery pack is good for about two years. Its been three and my last > > test-to-destruction (turn off the line and time how long the battery > > lasts, the APC softare does this for me) shows my battery is still going > > strong. Check to see if the brand you are looking at has some kind of old > > battery recycle program to help keep these things out of landfills. > > > > The higher end UPSes will have a lot of nifty features and extras (option > > packs, status LEDs etc), for example mine will automatically boost brown > > outs and clip surges. But if you don't need a feature don't pay for it. > > > > Thats about all I can think of off hand, I hope it points you in the right > > direction. > > > > /\-/\ Dean Ridgway | Two roads diverged in a wood, and > > I- ( - - ) InterNet [EMAIL PROTECTED] | I took the one less traveled by, > > =\_v_/= FidoNet 1:357/1.103 | And that has made all the > > difference. CIS 73225,512 | "The Road Not Taken" - Robert > > Frost. http://www.peak.org/~ridgwad/ > > PGP mail encouraged, finger for key: 28C577F3 2A5655AFD792B0FB > > 9BA31E6AB4683126 > >-- >Bob Crandell >Assured Computing >30004 Carol Ave. >Eugene, Ore 97402 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >www.assuredcomp.com >541-914-3985
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