Blackout??? looks Like I should add a UPS to my system!

[deldest]

In the last two days (big storms in the east), the power has been surging (i'm thinking volt, not amp spikes, not enough to trip a surge protector), And before I even realized it, I've got TWO TV's DOWN. YIKES! MY old 60" rear projection in the living room, and the old 19inch tube in my sons room have both fallen victim on the same day! what's really weird is two totally different style sets are both showing the same results...verticle hold/tuner looks fried. The (three gun) rear projection has a straight horizontal line up top, and the tube set has a horizontal line in the center. WEIRD.

At least it didn't fry my new projector. Looks like the power being supplied to my new home is less than perfect. I could tell that power has gone out once or twice since I moved in, but now that I have a projector setup It seems like neglect not to have a UPS sysem to prevent burned bulbs, fried electronics, etc.

What does everyone use??? After this, I think I would need something like a voltage stabilizer (not just surge protection) as well as a good battery backup system. Here the catch, I'm a cheapo. Will a basic computer ups work? (I would think it would have enough juice to power down and run the cooling fan for a minute or two) are there any cheap ups systems that will regulate voltage???

Seriously, I think I need something reasonable, especially if I have to hookup 4 sets (locations are not that close). I know you guys spend to get the best of everything, but what is there that will do the basic job?

 

[majorloser]

Sorry for your losses I learned the hard way, too.

I have my entire house protected by a commercial grade surge protector at the panel. It protects L-L, L-N and N-G. I also use comercial grade surge protection for the telephone and satellite coax. I use UPS's for the components that not only provides back up power but also provides power conditioning.

When buying a surge suppressor make sure the UL 1449 rating for TVSS is no higher than 330V. That is the best rating UL gives.

Just consider it another insurance policy.

 

[deldest]

...... I use UPS's for the components that not only provides back up power but also provides power conditioning.....

Can I ask what you are using for your UPS's and the cost?? If there is some basic 'power conditioning' built into the UPS this might work well enough for my needs.

Quick searches and I see a couple different types. Most of the newer/smaller ones seem to have computer (shutdown) interfaces which I don't need, but offhand I was looking at two types

basic small unit
or
bigger but better?

is something like these what I should use?

 

[satish536]

ups

I have an optoma H57 projector and let me tell you there are bad power cuts here in my geographical location<India>, I have an APC ups handling my projector<will let u know which model later on ...too lazy to go all the way to the basement .....lol> and it works pretty good i get nice and easy time for the projector fan for it to cool off once i switch off the projector as the power goes off!!

 

[satish536]

Ups Model

Still dint go all the way to the basement ...thanking the internets quick and easy interface to find what u want!!!

Here It Is :-
http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=21


It cost me about 100 to 110 dollars ....somewhere in the middle, converted from rupees to dollars !!!

Hope this is helpful

 

[majorloser]

I have APC brand UPS's.

Smart-UPS 1,000VA would be a good choice. Check www.pricewatch.com for current pricing.

I wouldn't go any smaller than that if you are going to run tube TV's, amplifiers/receivers, projectors and other large power users. Projectors require a little more time to shut down due to the cool down cycle.

 

[rgriffin25]

I use a tripplite UPS for my tv and a Panamax surge for the other equipment. There are actually manufacturers that recommend using one with any projection set using a bulb. It allows the tv to cool off in case of a power loss.

 

[ht_addict]

For voltage regulation I use a Monster AVS2000. This summer due to the strain on the electric grid, I've watched the unit add back 15+volts to stabilize everything.

 

[MBauer]

Apc Ups

I use an APC Backup 725. It would not run the set long which is fine as I turn it off during bad storms to be safe I back that up with a generator which takes over after a minute of grid power loss. If it is a power outage I can still watch television, etc with the generator, also computers and the like are available.

I have several UPS's to be safe. all APC's I got a good price from SecureMart on three of them and free shipping which is nice as they are pricey to ship

 

[philh]

I have an old mini computer power stabilizer, that has an unfortunate hum. Is it worth it finding some way to deal with the hum to hopefully protect my equipment? I can put it in the crawl space and somehow run wires to it, but not sure that is a wise or even legal configuration.

 

[majorloser]

I have an old mini computer power stabilizer, that has an unfortunate hum. Is it worth it finding some way to deal with the hum to hopefully protect my equipment? I can put it in the crawl space and somehow run wires to it, but not sure that is a wise or even legal configuration.

Just be aware that UPS's can put out quite a bit of heat in an enclosed area. I have lost quite a few medium sized UPS's from heat inside control panels. We have since switched to industrial UPS's instead of regular commercial units.

Also, I don't think that's quite to code

 

[philh]

Just be aware that UPS's can put out quite a bit of heat in an enclosed area. I have lost quite a few medium sized UPS's from heat inside control panels. We have since switched to industrial UPS's instead of regular commercial units.

Also, I don't think that's quite to code

Well, I could put it in the basement and run 70ish foot long extension cord This thing is capable of up-volting during serious brownouts. I lost almost all my electronics about three years ago over a period of six months. I'd hate to go through that again But I can't have this thing buzzing in the living room!