completelycharged
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- Mar 7, 2018
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Thought this might be useful for those using or selecting a UPS instead of a specific grid/off grid inverter. Lots of posts in the past covering UP units and thought it might be useful to have a single post with the main list of bullet points and benefits / drawbacks and some UPS models that other people are using.
This is an APC UPS unit model number : 2200RMI2U - the 2U signifying 2 rack slot units in height. 2200VA rated and 1980 Watts, so good active (1980W) power capability compared to the reactive/apparent (2200VA) rating.
The APC units seem to have 3 or 4 generations with this 2nd or 3rd as the newer 3000VA units have a battery pack with 72V (compared to the older 3000VA with 48V) and the older 3000/2200VA units have a different front display unit and no USB interface.
Main benefit of these units is the heavy duty transformers, which allow for higher loading and the two cooling fans that will pull airflow through and over the switching FET's and the transfomers. Some of the smaller desktop / tower case units either lack fans or the cooling flow is not as directed over the "hot" components.
The units tend to have charge current of around 1 to 2A (typically around 100W) so do not rely on them to charge your battery unless the battery is less than 2kWh and you have a lot of time to charge.
When using them, leave them plugged into the mains and switch the mains off at the wall, the reason is that this then the easiest way to earth the unit (older units can leak current as I found out with a 120V live case). Switch the unit on and you then pull power from the grid and put a small charge into the battery. Switch off again to back to battery (or put on a time switch...).
This is an APC UPS unit model number : 2200RMI2U - the 2U signifying 2 rack slot units in height. 2200VA rated and 1980 Watts, so good active (1980W) power capability compared to the reactive/apparent (2200VA) rating.
The APC units seem to have 3 or 4 generations with this 2nd or 3rd as the newer 3000VA units have a battery pack with 72V (compared to the older 3000VA with 48V) and the older 3000/2200VA units have a different front display unit and no USB interface.
Main benefit of these units is the heavy duty transformers, which allow for higher loading and the two cooling fans that will pull airflow through and over the switching FET's and the transfomers. Some of the smaller desktop / tower case units either lack fans or the cooling flow is not as directed over the "hot" components.
The units tend to have charge current of around 1 to 2A (typically around 100W) so do not rely on them to charge your battery unless the battery is less than 2kWh and you have a lot of time to charge.
When using them, leave them plugged into the mains and switch the mains off at the wall, the reason is that this then the easiest way to earth the unit (older units can leak current as I found out with a 120V live case). Switch the unit on and you then pull power from the grid and put a small charge into the battery. Switch off again to back to battery (or put on a time switch...).