UPS causing computer problems ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Canus_Lupis
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Canus_Lupis

A friend bought a $99 UPS to try to combat power surges in the mains supply
and noticed that over a week or so, his computer started doing some odd
things with his installed programmes.
The same computer plugged in on my desk and no UPS seems to be ok.
Can a cheap UPS cause problems ?
 
A friend bought a $99 UPS to try to combat power surges in the mains supply
and noticed that over a week or so, his computer started doing some odd
things with his installed programmes.
The same computer plugged in on my desk and no UPS seems to be ok.
Can a cheap UPS cause problems ?
Click to expand...

ever notice how everyone's "friends" are constantly plagued with problems?
 
Low voltage can cause hassles. If the UPS is a cheapo, then it won't boost
voltage.
- Tim
 
VERY unlikely. Unless the UPS "activates" (e.g. there is a power
failure or severe "brown out"), the UPS is NOT part of the PCs power
circuit at all. Until the "tranfer relay" kicks in (you can hear it if
you unplug the UPS), the UPS ***IS*** running directly off the AC mains,
and the only thing that the UPS is doing is charging it's batteries and
monitoring the AC mains to detect a power problem needing intervention.

[Note: This doesn't apply to "full time" UPS systems which generate the
output power "from scratch" ALL the time. However as a practical
matter, none of the commonly sold UPS units fall into this category.]
 
If it is turned on!!! ;-)
I have a switch on one of m UPSs that must be turned on to function
properly. If it is not turned on maybe it is causing a further drain on the
AC power. :-(

just a thought!
dave


Barry Watzman said:
VERY unlikely. Unless the UPS "activates" (e.g. there is a power
failure or severe "brown out"), the UPS is NOT part of the PCs power
circuit at all. Until the "tranfer relay" kicks in (you can hear it if
you unplug the UPS), the UPS ***IS*** running directly off the AC mains,
and the only thing that the UPS is doing is charging it's batteries and
monitoring the AC mains to detect a power problem needing intervention.

[Note: This doesn't apply to "full time" UPS systems which generate the
output power "from scratch" ALL the time. However as a practical
matter, none of the commonly sold UPS units fall into this category.]


Canus_Lupis said:
A friend bought a $99 UPS to try to combat power surges in the mains supply
and noticed that over a week or so, his computer started doing some odd
things with his installed programmes.
The same computer plugged in on my desk and no UPS seems to be ok.
Can a cheap UPS cause problems ?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Barry Watzman said:
VERY unlikely. Unless the UPS "activates" (e.g. there is a power
failure or severe "brown out"), the UPS is NOT part of the PCs power
circuit at all. Until the "tranfer relay" kicks in (you can hear it if
you unplug the UPS), the UPS ***IS*** running directly off the AC mains,
and the only thing that the UPS is doing is charging it's batteries and
monitoring the AC mains to detect a power problem needing intervention.

[Note: This doesn't apply to "full time" UPS systems which generate the
output power "from scratch" ALL the time. However as a practical
matter, none of the commonly sold UPS units fall into this category.]
Click to expand...

Barry;

Do you have any info on a "Datashield" AT-1500 ?
It appears to use 4ea 12v batteries in series, 48v at the
DC binding posts. It weighs a ton and has one *huge*
transformer, as well as other circuit elements.

Picked one up for $4.50 when my local electronics
surplus store (Atex) was cleaning out their warehouse.
Have found where they well sell me the "right" batteries
for it; but I can't find any info on how it works or how
to set it up. It looks simple enough and I'll probably just
"wing it". With 1500 watts to work with I should be able
to run two systems. It would be nice if it supplied
conditioned power full time.

One odd thing, when I got it home and opened up the
dirty and slightly dented case; it was pristine inside and
obviously had never been turned on. This thing is old
though, I found a sticker for $3000 on it, its been some
time since they cost that much.

Any info you may have would be appreciated.

Luck;
Ken
 
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