UPS/Power Conditioning for DVR/HT/Music

[jfalk]

Two questions:
(1) I was in BB on Sunday and they sell UPS devices for $70-$150 or so ranging from 475 va to 1300 va in the computer section and claim to have some power conditioning, or at least voltage support. Then you go over to the HT section and they sell, for a minimum of $300, and provide no UPS at all. Are these things substitutable for one another and how do you explain the price difference?
(2) My Directv DVR seems prone to voltage irregularities so I'm thinking of getting one of the UPS devices (replacing my current surge protector), unless somebody tells me why I need one of the fancy boxes over in the HT section. This will also be the hookup for my 42" LCD, my Yamaha soundbar and my Sony 2-channel amp, and my DVD player. How do I calculate how many va's I need?

 

[j_garcia]

If the problem is in the unit itself, then a line conditioner isn't going to make any difference. If the problem is that you have fluctuating A/C in your home or on that particular outlet, then a line conditioner might help, however you may need to look at your wiring and/or outlet to see if you can locate the actual problem if it is indeed a sag in your A/C. I have a similar issue at my place and the only way I knew it was because my Panamax showed me a major sag on a particular circuit, so I had to switch to another one with far fewer items chained into it, due to old wiring within this house.

You don't need an expensive one - www.powersystemsdirect.com has good prices and a good selection. I have bought from them a number of times. AFAIK, a UPS is not going to solve your issue either.

 

[Rickster71]

Two questions:
(1) I was in BB on Sunday and they sell UPS devices for $70-$150 or so ranging from 475 va to 1300 va in the computer section and claim to have some power conditioning, or at least voltage support. Then you go over to the HT section and they sell, for a minimum of $300, and provide no UPS at all. Are these things substitutable for one another and how do you explain the price difference?
(2) My Directv DVR seems prone to voltage irregularities so I'm thinking of getting one of the UPS devices (replacing my current surge protector), unless somebody tells me why I need one of the fancy boxes over in the HT section. This will also be the hookup for my 42" LCD, my Yamaha soundbar and my Sony 2-channel amp, and my DVD player. How do I calculate how many va's I need?

Hi jfalk,
The right the UPS could also a surge suppressor and line conditioner, filtering out spikes, surges, sages, and sometimes even line noise. Whether or not a particular UPS can do all these things depends on the differences between the three basic types: standby, on-line, and line-interactive.

Try going to APC's web site, it will explain the different types.


Here is a link to a UPS selector. http://www.apcc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm
Most UPS systems use a VA (Volt-Amperes) rating. The difference between watts and volt-amps (VA) is that Watts accounts for an inefficiency called the Power Factor (PF) and VA does not. The Watts rating is going to be more accurate, unfortunately, UPS companies like to advertise the VA rating because it makes their products look better, the VA number is always higher.

I'll give you a formula, but the PF varies between 0 and 1, so try the link to the selector above. Too many variables, as leaving room for expansion, power-on surge, length of BU time.

PF = Watts / Volts

Watts = VA * PF

 

[TLS Guy]

Two questions:
(1) I was in BB on Sunday and they sell UPS devices for $70-$150 or so ranging from 475 va to 1300 va in the computer section and claim to have some power conditioning, or at least voltage support. Then you go over to the HT section and they sell, for a minimum of $300, and provide no UPS at all. Are these things substitutable for one another and how do you explain the price difference?
(2) My Directv DVR seems prone to voltage irregularities so I'm thinking of getting one of the UPS devices (replacing my current surge protector), unless somebody tells me why I need one of the fancy boxes over in the HT section. This will also be the hookup for my 42" LCD, my Yamaha soundbar and my Sony 2-channel amp, and my DVD player. How do I calculate how many va's I need?

Basically those Direct TV are junk devices that redefine corner cutting low price points. I know, I have two. They are very sensitive to line voltage variation. It not only makes the units lock up, but blows them up also, including the phantom powered multiswitches and the devices in the LNB units.

They are just not built to be connected to the US grid. And from what I read that means wherever you live in the US.

In my view a fast acting UPS is MANDATORY WHENEVER THOSE UNITS ARE INSTALLED. You need a unit that will support at 109 volts and shave at 130 volts in about 1 msec, or those units are hopeless.

I have had discussions with senior techs and engineers at Direct TV and they agree. The problem is the blue suits won't fess up.

Since installing UPS devices to both of my units that meet that specification, I have had zero problems. Prior to that problems were constant.

 

[jfalk]

Thanks! That's what I thought. Any suggestions on a particular unit?

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks! That's what I thought. Any suggestions on a particular unit?

See it you can get an APC refurb.

 

[GlocksRock]

Check out the APC H15, you can get them for cheap on ebay. It doesn't have battery backup, but everything else about it is fantastic.

 

[JerryLove]

Two questions:
(1) I was in BB on Sunday and they sell UPS devices for $70-$150 or so ranging from 475 va to 1300 va in the computer section and claim to have some power conditioning, or at least voltage support. Then you go over to the HT section and they sell, for a minimum of $300, and provide no UPS at all. Are these things substitutable for one another and how do you explain the price difference?

A decent UPS is signifigantly superior to most HT line-conditioning equipment. A good UPS will ensure a consistant voltage and even sine-wave full time, dealing with dips, spikes, and essentially any irregularity that travels over a power line. A unit without a battery cannot accomplish all of these.

The price difference is because computer UPSs are commodities governed by price pressures, and monster power conditioners are exotics governed without such competitive pressures.

(2) My Directv DVR seems prone to voltage irregularities so I'm thinking of getting one of the UPS devices (replacing my current surge protector), unless somebody tells me why I need one of the fancy boxes over in the HT section. This will also be the hookup for my 42" LCD, my Yamaha soundbar and my Sony 2-channel amp, and my DVD player. How do I calculate how many va's I need?

Watts and VA are pretty close. Got to the recommended APC website. The equipment in question should have documented it's max draw... though if it does not, it can be calculated/guesstimated.

Thanks! That's what I thought. Any suggestions on a particular unit?

I use APC SmartUPS 1500VAs, which run at about half-load for my HT.

 

[TLS Guy]

Check out the APC H15, you can get them for cheap on ebay. It doesn't have battery backup, but everything else about it is fantastic.

For those Direct TV boxes, battery backup is MANDATORY. Otherwise it can not support prolonged low voltage.