Battery backup recommendations

[triumphrider-1]

For those that have/use them which one do you recommend and why?

I only ask because the powers gone out here at school twice now in less than two weeks and I really do not want to lose school work if power goes out when I'm in the middle of it.

Thanks.

 

[LearjetMinako]

For battery back-up. I prefer APC models. I have two right now to run my whole system for 15mins if I lose power. Currently I have an APC XS 900 to run the network, sound system, and LCD monitor. And an APC XS 1500 LCD to run the main tower PC and PS3.

Depending on your needs. I highly recommend the APC XS 900 to start with. It costs around $100 or less, but will provide around 10-15 mins for the basic PC. If you are planning to run everything that you can, then go with the APC XS 1500.

FYI: Models are rated by max wattage but do NOT rate like that. A XS 900 model will deliver 450W MAX and if it exceeds, it will go into overload. Best to buy bigger than needed.

 

[BlackBII]

At work, all we have are APC's, everywhere......
Very good units

 

[BMT_Ranger]

Apc

i work for Interstate Batteries and we put new batteries into those APC's all the time....so its not a "disposable" unit ........ very good for the price....

 

[srteach]

I use Belkin brand. Mine are all 750VA model (750 watt/hours).
Purchase about 1.5 times the wattage you expect to have connected to it. ONLY put the computer on each one. If you do that, you will have plenty of time to save and shut down. You should never continue to run on battery backup for your computer.

Anything non-critical should be on a surge protector, but not on battery backup. I have my computer on battery backup with delayed shutdown, my server set for auto shutdown on battery backup, and each of my 5 other comps on their own battery backup with auto shutdown. Only the main computer monitor is on battery backup, the others are on surge and turn off immediately. NONE of the sound systems, network components, or the printer are on battery backup though they are on surge protectors. They lose power immediately, just like most of the monitors.
If I lose power, 5 out of 6 hard (non-mobile) systems immediately begin saving work in progress, and shutdown on their own. My main system will run until out of delay (20 mins, battery tested for 1/2 hour run time) then begin forced save and auto shutdown. If I am working on something, I save and shutdown immediately, If I am not working on something, or am not at the computer, it will execute save and auto shutdown after 20 mins.

 

[srteach]

Just re-read your original post. By "at school" do you mean you are working on a personal laptop? Are you working on a school owned computer? What can you do if the computer is school owned? Do you intend on carrying a battery backup with you? Battery backup units have lead-acid batteries in them (think car battery) and are not light weight.
I'm not sure I understand what you are asking (now). The advice I gave was based on the assumption of you working on a desktop at home. If you are working on a laptop, it is always on a battery unless it is plugged in. If it is plugged into the wall and the wall power is lost, switchover to battery (called failover) is automatic and usually you are given notice.

 

[triumphrider-1]

No, its my desktop pc in my dorm. Its not real fancy, but I like it how I built it.

Right now its just on a surge protector, but with these power outages its kind of had me worried about erasing my work if and when the power goes out again.

Thanks guys!

 

[LearjetMinako]

Depending on the equipment, I'm guessing just a monitor & PC, I would recommend a UPS with a rating between 500VA to 900VA. I would highly recommend the 900VA, more is always better and allows more time when needed.

As my system sits, the PC takes 130W + 75W for the LCD monitor, 205W total. With everything running at once, I can run into the 515+ Watt range.

 

[srteach]

A 750 or more sounds about right. should cost $75 - $100. If the backup has auto shutdown, you could put the computer on the system, not the monitor or sound, and you will have more time.
If I was in your situation, I would get one with about 1000 Milliamp Hours (mAh) and an alarm. Put the computer and monitor on the backup (speakers, printers and everything else on surge only).
If the power outages tend to be long, save as soon as you hear the alarm, then shutdown. If the outages are short duration, save anyway.

You are saving to 2 separate physical devices, aren't you? Always CYA with critical information.

 

[triumphrider-1]

Yeah, I'll probably get something in the 1000W - 1200W range, that should cover my tower and monitor, as said my peripherals are non-critical devices, so I'm going to leave them on surge.

You are saving to 2 separate physical devices, aren't you? Always CYA with critical information.

CYA?

 

[smokey]

cya= cover your a$$

 

[triumphrider-1]

Had a feeling thats what it was going to be.

If the information is really important I usually keep it in 3 or 4 locations:
Hard drive
thumb drive
and an email account or 2

 

[Jspafford]

We use APC's at work.

We run a Credit Card Machine, a CRT monitor, and the system off of it for a good ten minutes before it runs out of juice.

We also have one on the server.

They work great.