Battery UPS

[Hi Ho]

I am going to purchase a UPS for my system in the near future. Now that I have a projector, I don't want the bulb dying because of improper cooling due to a power failure. Also, all I have right now is a cheap power strip with a circuit breaker.

I can get both APC and Panamax products at a discount through my job. I am having trouble deciding which to get. I was sold on the APC S10 but then I discovered the Panamax MAX 1500. The Panamax has IR learning capability and can automatically send a power off command to something like a projector.

The specs seem to be similar but recently I have been rather put off by APC after using their surge protectors. They appear to be very cheaply made and I do not like them at all. Now, I haven't actually been able to get my hands on an APC UPS and I know that they are completely different but the poor quality of their surge protectors still leaves a bad taste in my mouth, even if it is completely unfounded.

I have been nothing short of impressed with all of the Panamax products I have used. Again, however, I have not had the chance to actually use the Panamax UPS.

Which one would you recommend? I'm not looking to watch a feature film on battery power so I don't think I'd benefit from the APC's ability to expand it's battery life through external battery packs.

Thanks.

 

[Briant73]

They both sound like very nice units and both claim to output pure sinewave instead of simulated which a lot of people argue is essential for Home Theater applications.

When looking for a HT ups I checked the cost of replacement batteries for the respective units because they recommend 3-5 year lifespan for them. I remember the APC S series battery being pretty expensive compared to the Apc smart-ups I got.

 

[Livin]

Gruber Power has great deals on batteries... I just bought a set from them. They are also on eBay.

<no affiliation>

 

[Hi Ho]

Well, at work today I had quite the experience with an APC surge protector. It literally blew up. OK, it didn't explode, but it did go BANG and create a spectacular light show of sparks from the switch. I switched it out for a Panamax model and did the same for two later jobs. That's not the first defective APC unit I've seen but it's the first to go boom. The fact that at least five have been defective to the point that two or more outlets didn't work makes me worry. I've never seen a defective Panamax unit.

Again, I still think APC UPS units are in a different league but I'm sure you can guess why I'm getting leary. The Panamax unit is looking better all the time.

 

[Ryan8886]

I have an APC H series....it's not a UPS, strictly power conditioning. It's still new, however, I've had no problems with it. I went with it over the Belkin PF60 based on the advice of my "IT geek" friends. They all said APC was top tier. I looked at Panamax as well; they also seem to have excellent products.

 

[Hi Ho]

Well I just found out that I can get the APC for an insanely low price (half dealer cost) so I will be going with the S15.

 

[mike c]

is it true that UPS's shouldnt be plugged into surge protectors?

 

[MDS]

is it true that UPS's shouldnt be plugged into surge protectors?

Yes, a UPS should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. It is ok to plug surge suppressors into the UPS though.

I think the APC site has a technical article explaining why, but the short version is that if a surge occurs the surge suppressor will at least partially act on it and the UPS may not recognize it as a surge and act quickly enough to knock it down to a safe level.

 

[mike c]

Yes, a UPS should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. It is ok to plug surge suppressors into the UPS though.

I think the APC site has a technical article explaining why, but the short version is that if a surge occurs the surge suppressor will at least partially act on it and the UPS may not recognize it as a surge and act quickly enough to knock it down to a safe level.

thanks MDS, I got the idea from the APC manual here
(but was doubting it because it was made in the Philippines)