From: "Ed Elliott" <eelliott@tritel.net>
To: "'After Effects Mail List'" <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
References: <list-4723954@media-motion.tv>
In-Reply-To: <list-4723954@media-motion.tv>
Subject: RE: [AE] OT: Workstation UPS Recommendations
Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 06:37:16 -0600
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I have been using APC UPS's since 2000 and have only experienced the
expanding battery problem with non-APC replacement batteries.  I tried
non-APC batteries on two occasions: both were RBC7 battery equivalents and
both lasted about two years, rather than the three years which the APC
RBC7's deliver (YMMV).  Now I only purchase APC-branded replacements
(currently $150-$165 for the RBC7).

For the non-APC RBC7 which expanded, I was able to remove the battery by
disassembling the UPS's case.  But Chris's experience was different than
mine -- I didn't experience the severe overheating problem -- so the battery
was bloated and pressing against the inside of the UPS case but nothing was
melted or damaged.

All of my APC's are still running:
      o BP1400    purchased 2000.03 (uses RBC7 battery)
      o SUA1500   purchased 2005.07 (uses RBC7 battery)
      o BR1500LCD purchased 2010.05

-----Original Message-----
From: After Effects Mail List [mailto:AE-List@media-motion.tv] On Behalf Of
Chris Meyer
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 4:06 PM
To: After Effects Mail List
Subject: Re: [AE] OT: Workstation UPS Recommendations

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.)

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.
> 
> Will be taking a hard look at this matter.
> 
> Jim
> 
> 
> 
> On May 24, 2012, at 11:44 AM, James WIlson wrote:
> 
>> 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.
>> 
>> 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 - I don't want an excursion into becoming a UPS expert.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Jim
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