[Leaplist] UPS advice needed

[patrick]

andrei raevsky wrote:
> Dear friends,
> 
> I have decided to purchase a UPS for my desktop and, since I never bought an
> UPS before, I want to ask for your advice.
> 
> All I need is something to provide enough power for my desktop to shutdown.
> Though not crucial, it would be nice if it could power down my computer
> (which runs Ubuntu "Gutsy Gibbon" 7.10) and it would be fantastic if it came
> with Linux compatible software.
> 
> I looked on amazon and found the following models:
> 
Because 350 VA actually is about 275 WATTS, and the modern computer and
monitor will probably need about 350 WATTS, you should avoid purchasing
the first one.  I have twelve units running, but, two have fried and
smoked in the past 6 months, that were the 350VA models.

> *APC BE350R Back-UPS 350VA for Home/Office Computers (39.98)


> **APC BE550R 550VA Back-UPS ES 8-Outlet Battery Backup System ($59.98)
This 550VA unit is actually about 375 WATTS and will do nicely.

> **Cyberpower CP685AVR UPS - 685VA/330W AVR 8-Outlet RJ11/RJ45 Compact Design
> EMI/RFI USB ($56.99) 
I am not familiar with this off brand, it's history, or it's design.


> **Belkin F6C550-AVR Battery Backup with Surge Protection (550VA) ($54.99)
This is comparable to the APC BE550 units.  If it claims to have surge
suppression, is there an insurance guarantee attached or in the box?

> 
> *The Cyberpower
> CP685AVR<http://amazon.com/gp/product/B00095W91O/ref=pd_cp_e_1/103-5206010-1607829>UPS
> gets very good reviews and though I don't know if it works with Linux,
> it does work with OSX even though there is no Mac software on the disk Mac
> has all the needed controls and recognizes the unit.  Any chance that Ubuntu
> do that also?
Yes.
> 
> Do you think this unit would be a good choice?  Or would you recommend
> another one?

Within reason, grab the biggest one you can afford, considering that the
Sealed Lead Acid battery (ies) will need to be replaced about every 4 to
5 years, and sometimes it is just cheaper to buy a whole new unit, with
new features!  There is the 1000VA (650 WATTs) Tripplite unit for $89 to
$99 at some stores and outlets.  It has built in graphs, LEDs... But, I
bought one, and it was DOA, so test it in the store (same thing happened
to me, with a brand new TV).

I do know that there is Linux software on the Sourceforge to manage the
APC UPS over RJ45X jack to Serial port, and probably over USB cable.
      http://sourceforge.net/projects/apcupsd/
and   there are APC UPS POWER CHUTE Linux programs, because, APC sold
tons of units for server racks, that run Linux.  I recall the drivers
being available since at least 1998... perhaps earlier.

Most have been updated to include the latest USB cable control and
monitoring, complete with record logs, graphs...