UPSs for every machine?

[Darth Paris]

I work part time at a small company that has about 25 employees doing random IT tasks, everything from doing updates to SBS 2003 to setting up new machines. Recently, we've had three UPS fail due to the battery giving out. Two of the machines are mainly used for accessing word documents and PDFs for printing for catalogs. Occasionally they are used for internet browsing or writing a letter, but even word has an auto save feature. I suggested to the guy who is transitioning out of the IT work into management that we not replace the UPS on those two machines and instead we use a standard surge protector, and he agreed. One of the owners noticed the change and when I explained he told me to just buy a couple of UPSs and install them. It's his company and his money, but it seems like a huge waste of funds. Do most small businesses have a UPS on every machine, or am I nuts?

[minidv2dvd]

even at home i have 3 separate UPSs for the 3 machines on the home network.

[Soopafresh]

It'll pay for itself after the first power outage. You'll kick yourself for trying to save a few $ . Especially since the owner okayed the purchase.

[edDV]

Weigh the cost of UPS vs. cost-frustration of loosing current work.

This gets factored by local power stability.

Auto-Save in apps also helps.

[Skith]

APC offers a trade-up program where you can get a discount when buying a new UPS from them. It doesn't matter what brand your current one is. Take a look at their website. I personally won't use any brand UPS other than APC. I have heard nightmares about some other brands. That isn't to say that APC's units are flawless.

[Darth Paris]

APC offers a trade-up program where you can get a discount when buying a new UPS from them. It doesn't matter what brand your current one is. Take a look at their website. I personally won't use any brand UPS other than APC. I have heard nightmares about some other brands. That isn't to say that APC's units are flawless.

We have APC, and i plan on doing the upgrade.

As far as lost work goes, there is almost zero chance of that. The machines are primarily used to retrieve documents and the only thing created on them are internal company memos, and that's once a week at most. Maybe I'm just a tight wad, and I have no intention of fighting him on it, but things money is getting tight around here (they even took away our wednesday morning doughnuts!). I wouldn't suggest doing it on any of the other machines, but it seems like a waste, but maybe its me.

[3Simon7]

Here is a website that I found a few years ago.....

http://pw1.netcom.com/~larry_l/battery_ups.htm

The battery back-up that they built is for their koi fish, but
should be adaptable for computers, etc.

I was going to build it. I have all of the parts, including
a huge deep-cycle battery from NAPA, but I never got around to it.

If anybody wants to build it, the schematic and photos are there.
Let us know if it works!

[gadgetguy]

As said before, if the owner said buy 'em, then buy 'em. But given the situation you've described, a full UPS does seem a waste. Surge protectors and/or line conditioners would be the more appropriate device. APC is a good brand, but if I had the money, I'd get Liebert.

[minidv2dvd]

the batteries in UPS devices are replaceable. i've done belkins and apcs, the work takes about 10 minutes. if you were of a mind you could replace the battery with any sealed lead/acid 12v, even car/motorcycle/marine would work. could get ugly looking though....

[gadgetguy]

Here is a website that I found a few years ago.....

http://pw1.netcom.com/~larry_l/battery_ups.htm

The battery back-up that they built is for their koi fish, but
should be adaptable for computers, etc.

I was going to build it. I have all of the parts, including
a huge deep-cycle battery from NAPA, but I never got around to it.

If anybody wants to build it, the schematic and photos are there.
Let us know if it works!

Looking over the schematic, I wouldn't use it for computers. In order for it to work safely, it must break the AC connection before connecting the Inverted DC. That's fine for a pump motor, but that switching time and the resulting surge, would most probably have a negative effect on the computer.