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Subject: Re: [AE] OT: Workstation UPS Recommendations
From: Chris Meyer <chris@crishdesign.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-4723781@media-motion.tv>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 16:05:34 -0600
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Message-Id: <79683B1C-6B5D-4F7B-8571-3700BD935C42@crishdesign.com>
References: <list-4723781@media-motion.tv>
To: "After Effects Mail List" <AE-List@media-motion.tv>

In my experience, the 1000s are too small for a modern workstation. I'd =
go at least 1400.

A had an APC go through exploding-battery syndrome recently. Not "boom!" =
explode, but batteries overheating and expanding (like the laptop issues =
that were in the news a few years ago). Came into the office one morning =
to the smell of wanting-to-melt/burn carpet; could barely touch the UPS. =
Moved it outside onto stone pavers away from the house; still =
uncomfortably hot 12 hours later. Never could get the batteries out of =
it, but was able to disconnect them.

Yes, you will be replacing batteries every couple of years. Budget for =
it; maybe have a spare set. When the startup test fails, you're way past =
gone (you usually haven't actually started up the computer yet when =
you're starting the UPS); better to be proactive about testing under =
load.

Hot tip: Look for "cold start" capability. Many units won't turn on if =
the mains are down. But sometimes, you need to get access to your =
computer even when power is out.

(Now if I could just find models that didn't beep when the mains were =
down - drives me mad being in a house full of beeping UPSs during power =
outages=85)

Although a good UPS will provide voltage regulation, they can kick out =
rather "dirty" power with only a crude approximation of a sine wave. For =
our audio/recording room, I just got a dual conversion continuous sine =
output system - not efficient, but aurally clean power.

Nice to know about RefurbUPS. I used to use UPSforLess, but recently =
went through a bad customer support episode with them. An individual =
made a save in the 11th hour, but it still left a bad taste.

 - Chris


On May 24, 2012, at 11:29 AM, James WIlson wrote:

> Well thanks guys for all the replies.
> I've in the past used APC, and currently have an APC Back-UPS 1000. I =
just want to be able to save and shut down safely to avoid any file / =
directory corruption. It seems to only overload when I'm rendering in =
C4D using GI. WIthout GI, no worries.
>=20
> Will be taking a hard look at this matter.
>=20
> Jim
>=20
>=20
>=20
> On May 24, 2012, at 11:44 AM, James WIlson wrote:
>=20
>> I just upgraded my workstation from a quad core to a 12 core recently =
and now my UPS keeps overloading during renders. The box is maxed out, =
plus I've got external drives and dual monitors running off of it.
>>=20
>> Does anyone have any recommendations for a reliable UPS that doesn't =
cost an arm and leg that can handle the draw that's being created during =
renders?
>> Or, if anyone has a resource where I could get some info that's not =
too technically deep =96 I don't want an excursion into becoming a UPS =
expert.
>>=20
>> Thanks,
>>=20
>> Jim
>> +---End of message---+
>> To unsubscribe send any message to <ae-list-off@media-motion.tv>
>=20
>=20
> +---End of message---+
> To unsubscribe send any message to <ae-list-off@media-motion.tv>