UPS Issues

Badieh

I have a question, I got an old 650W UPS, the thing is, sometimes when an electricity switches (between ABS, power generator, and normal electricity) it shuts off my Computer, and other times, it switches normally. Does that mean the UPS is bad? or since I have an ABS running in the background it affects the UPS?

Thanks!

Rubz

I had the same issue happen with me (with power/generator switch, just a split second switch) , even with new batteries, so I purchased a new 1kva 'online' ups (300$) that always supplies battery power instead of switching from AC to battery when power cuts. It is working great. I kept the old offline1kva UPS as a backup power for the DSL modem.

Check your batteries, and make sure you are not exceeding the max load the UPS when power goes out. For extra safety and reliability, get an online UPS.

Also check the numerous threads regarding UPSs for reccomendations.

Badieh

I always wondered why don't they make such a UPS, didn't know it existed under the name "online", thanks :D

EDIT to ADD:

I checked the other UPS thread, but sadly doesn't help me much as my RIG most probably is bigger than the guy requesting help. The person who i bought the RIG from, recommended PCE 1700 VA UPS Vista Series. Which is way higher than all the recommendations in that thread (1000-1400). And the "Online" UPS are expensive when they go above 1000VA. Will I be okay with the 1700 recommended one?

h-s

I'll post on this thread since there is no reason to make a new one.

I am having a serious problem with my UPS shutting down when there is no power coming from the wall power outlet, so it's pretty much useless right now. It was working fine until it beeped once, i thought that the electricity was't stable, then i noticed that i lost connection and the router was turned off along with the UPS. Then i tried to turn the UPS on, it gave a constant beep until i held the power button to shut it down, now it only gives power as long as it's connected to the power outlet or else it'll beep once and shut itself down.

It got two batteries not one, i am certain that they aren't the cause of the problem, changing the fuse didn't help too. Anyone had the same issue? it's a BEST TA-1200, i usually use it for the PS3 and router. In case i have to get a new one, any recommendations? any help would be appreciated.

jadz

I heard about this issue, however i dont understand much about electricity but it has something to do with the frequency of the electricity basicly the generator which is not stable

h-s

I don't have much knowledge in electricity too, but the issue is from the UPS itself, it's been working fine for more than two years and the problem occurred today so i can't use it anymore, so it's clearly not about the stability nor the frequency of the electric current.

Rubz

Badieh wroteI always wondered why don't they make such a UPS, didn't know it existed under the name "online", thanks :D

EDIT to ADD:

I checked the other UPS thread, but sadly doesn't help me much as my RIG most probably is bigger than the guy requesting help. The person who i bought the RIG from, recommended PCE 1700 VA UPS Vista Series. Which is way higher than all the recommendations in that thread (1000-1400). And the "Online" UPS are expensive when they go above 1000VA. Will I be okay with the 1700 recommended one?

could you please post your 'RIG' specs, how much backup time you require, and your budget for the UPS?

Rubz

H.S wroteI'll post on this thread since there is no reason to make a new one.

I am having a serious problem with my UPS shutting down when there is no power coming from the wall power outlet, so it's pretty much useless right now. It was working fine until it beeped once, i thought that the electricity was't stable, then i noticed that i lost connection and the router was turned off along with the UPS. Then i tried to turn the UPS on, it gave a constant beep until i held the power button to shut it down, now it only gives power as long as it's connected to the power outlet or else it'll beep once and shut itself down.

It got two batteries not one, i am certain that they aren't the cause of the problem, changing the fuse didn't help too. Anyone had the same issue? it's a BEST TA-1200, i usually use it for the PS3 and router. In case i have to get a new one, any recommendations? any help would be appreciated.

Well, I would think batteries, but if you are 100% sure that the batteries are ok, the either they are not getting charged, or the switch from mains to battery supply is malfunctioning. In all cases, let an electrician open it up and test- but if it was a budget one, that I used for a few years, I personaly would invest in a new budget one to make sure myself and my equipment are safe.

julien_saadeh

H.S wroteI'll post on this thread since there is no reason to make a new one.

I am having a serious problem with my UPS shutting down when there is no power coming from the wall power outlet, so it's pretty much useless right now. It was working fine until it beeped once, i thought that the electricity was't stable, then i noticed that i lost connection and the router was turned off along with the UPS. Then i tried to turn the UPS on, it gave a constant beep until i held the power button to shut it down, now it only gives power as long as it's connected to the power outlet or else it'll beep once and shut itself down.

It got two batteries not one, i am certain that they aren't the cause of the problem, changing the fuse didn't help too. Anyone had the same issue? it's a BEST TA-1200, i usually use it for the PS3 and router. In case i have to get a new one, any recommendations? any help would be appreciated.

PCE 650VA will do. If you need more backup time, get a dual-battery UPS (4 times more costly, double the backup time).

But before you buy, there is another fuse on the PCB of the UPS. Look at the red (positive) cable from the batteries where it goes, you will see a fuse just like those you see in your car. It is most likely soldered there.

Badieh

Rubz wrote
Badieh wroteI always wondered why don't they make such a UPS, didn't know it existed under the name "online", thanks :D

EDIT to ADD:

I checked the other UPS thread, but sadly doesn't help me much as my RIG most probably is bigger than the guy requesting help. The person who i bought the RIG from, recommended PCE 1700 VA UPS Vista Series. Which is way higher than all the recommendations in that thread (1000-1400). And the "Online" UPS are expensive when they go above 1000VA. Will I be okay with the 1700 recommended one?
could you please post your 'RIG' specs, how much backup time you require, and your budget for the UPS?

My RIG is this

- Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-V LK
- Cpu: Intel Core i5-2500K
- Memory: 8GB Kingston (2 x 4GB)
- Chassis: CM – Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1
- PSU: XFX 650W
- HDD: WD-500GB
- Odd: DVDrw Pioneer
- Gpu: 1* EVGA GTX480

I don't care about the backup time, even if it lasted for only 5 min, because I have an ABS running in the background and eventually a generator. So this is one scenario, first from normal electricity to ABS, after 5 min or so the generator will be turned on, and the electricity will go from ABS to the generator. In case generator will go off for any reason, it will go back to ABS, otherwise to main electricity if it is on. So there will be a lot of switching going on. As for the budget, I don't want to put more than 200-250$ for a UPS. I can go a bit higher in case a very good offer is there.

Rubz

Badieh wrote
Rubz wrote
Badieh wroteI always wondered why don't they make such a UPS, didn't know it existed under the name "online", thanks :D

EDIT to ADD:

I checked the other UPS thread, but sadly doesn't help me much as my RIG most probably is bigger than the guy requesting help. The person who i bought the RIG from, recommended PCE 1700 VA UPS Vista Series. Which is way higher than all the recommendations in that thread (1000-1400). And the "Online" UPS are expensive when they go above 1000VA. Will I be okay with the 1700 recommended one?
could you please post your 'RIG' specs, how much backup time you require, and your budget for the UPS?
My RIG is this

- Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-V LK
- Cpu: Intel Core i5-2500K
- Memory: 8GB Kingston (2 x 4GB)
- Chassis: CM – Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1
- PSU: XFX 650W
- HDD: WD-500GB
- Odd: DVDrw Pioneer
- Gpu: 1* EVGA GTX480

I don't care about the backup time, even if it lasted for only 5 min, because I have an ABS running in the background and eventually a generator. So this is one scenario, first from normal electricity to ABS, after 5 min or so the generator will be turned on, and the electricity will go from ABS to the generator. In case generator will go off for any reason, it will go back to ABS, otherwise to main electricity if it is on. So there will be a lot of switching going on. As for the budget, I don't want to put more than 200-250$ for a UPS. I can go a bit higher in case a very good offer is there.

I have a slightly higher power consumption on my rig, in addition to a 24' LCD - and I use a 1kva Online UPS I purchased from 'Katranji' for 300$ (batteries sold separetly) a few months back. It shows a load of 20% at Idle, and 40% while gaming. The backup time i get is around 10-15 mins.
Mind you it is not a branded ups, it is chinese made, but a better quality chinese product. A branded online would be atleast double the price. My budget was also around 250-300$ also, and I was aiming for online, and that product seemed to fit my needs, and I have been quite satisfied ever since.

EDIT: Im not sure why my sig is not showing in my posts, but here are my rig specs for reference

Asus P8P67 B3 / Intel I5-2500 3.3Gz / 8 gb Patriot Gamer Division2 1600MHz
Gigabyte GTX 570 SOC / 64GB Kingston V+ SSD & 750GB Seagate 7200 SATA
Thermaltake ToughPower XT 775W PSU / Creative SB X-Fi Gamer Fatal1ty series
Razer DeathAdder & Lycosa / Win 7 Home Premium - 64bit

Badieh

Rubz, and how much did you pay for the battery?

Rubz

Badieh wroteRubz, and how much did you pay for the battery?

It was 2 batteries, but i do not recall exactly, it wasnt much though.

Contact details if you would like to inquire

EKT Electronics

#1 fl., Grand Hills Bldg., Said Khansa st., Jnah (BHV), Beirut, Lebanon

Tel: +961-1-820020 (4 Lines)

Fax: +961-1-821021

Badieh

Thanks for the info!

h-s

Rubz wroteWell, I would think batteries, but if you are 100% sure that the batteries are ok, the either they are not getting charged, or the switch from mains to battery supply is malfunctioning. In all cases, let an electrician open it up and test- but if it was a budget one, that I used for a few years, I personaly would invest in a new budget one to make sure myself and my equipment are safe.

TBH i don't trust electricians much, especially if i have to leave it with him, i usually try to fix things myself, i even fixed my PS3 along with my friend's. So after some disassembling, like you said, there is a strong chance that the batteries aren't getting charged for some reason that i still don't know, they are not dead, but they are completely empty. The status LED charge indicator is not lighting up at all which means that they are not getting charged, even if they are dead, two 12V7Ah batteries will cost me around $37, so i prefer to get a new one.

julien_saadeh wrotePCE 650VA will do. If you need more backup time, get a dual-battery UPS (4 times more costly, double the backup time).

But before you buy, there is another fuse on the PCB of the UPS. Look at the red (positive) cable from the batteries where it goes, you will see a fuse just like those you see in your car. It is most likely soldered there.

I checked the PCB but didn't find a fuse similar to the one used for cars. If the PCE 650VA can last for 5 to 10 minutes, then i prefer it over the dual-battery one. I'll invest in a budget UPS for now in case i didn't solve the problem and get an online UPS later.

julien_saadeh

H.S wroteI checked the PCB but didn't find a fuse similar to the one used for cars. If the PCE 650VA can last for 5 to 10 minutes, then i prefer it over the dual-battery one. I'll invest in a budget UPS for now in case i didn't solve the problem and get an online UPS later.

It will definitely give you more than 10 minutes in your setup (PS3 and router). Expect about 30 minutes if your PS3 consumes only 110W. If you are using only the router, expect 3 hours.

Just make sure you do this when you power-on the UPS: Hold down the power button until you hear 2 beeps following the first long beep. This way the UPS will not turn off when there is negligible load on it.

h-s

I see, appreciate your help julien, i think that i'll get it pretty soon and keep the old one for parts like the batteries and other stuff.

MohammedSF

Dear badieh..

It's dangerous and risky to try fixing a UPS or a PSU but if you have some experience and wanna try it for yourself.. do the following:

1. disconnect the UPS from mains
2. disconnect the battery
3. follow battery's negative "black" wire, you'll fine it go through an onboard fuse that looks like the ones used in cars, if blown, replace with a similar rated fuse..

if it's not the fuse then it's the power transistors "the most common cause of your problem":

1. look for the big heatsinks
2. there are power mosfet transistors cooled by those heatsinks
3. get a multimeter and switch it on the buzzer
4. check each transistor for a shortened one "each one has 3 legs, check each leg to the other using multimeter's mains, if you hear a buzz then it's a shortened transistor !
5. check all those transistors and replace shortened ones with identical one..
6. if you can't find the identical one you can use higher rated ones but you must replace all mosfets to the new ones not only the shortened one !! ask Kotranji for an advise of a similar ones..

Based on my experience, here are some signs of a blown or shortened power transistor:

- UPS doesn't switch on at all
- UPS switch on but shuts down immediately
- UPS runs fine on AC but doesn't switch to battery and shuts down immediately
- While the UPS is off, relays doesn't click and switch on to charge the battery if AC power is connected + UPS doesn't switch to the battery if AC power cut..

To completely get rid of blown and shortened transistors, get some good thermal compound used for CPU's and use it on your new replaced transistors, then put a small 12v dc fan to cool the sinks... you'll never get problems from a UPS again

Badieh

Thanks for the reply MohammedSF, but my PSU is fine, and I'm only trying to find a good UPS to replace my very old one. By very old i mean since 2003 lol. However, after trying to figure out things, this is what I came up with. My PSU has anti-surge protection, however my UPS doesn't have one. So sometimes when the electricity switches from one source to another, electricity gets pushed out in bulks causing a surge. It passes through my UPS and into my PSU which in turn shuts my computer down. These are just speculations sadly, can't be sure until i get a UPS with surge protection.