Power backup for power cuts?

[The Gauge]

nyt said:

Would something like this be suitable: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09Q5DJV71

It should have plenty of power for your requirements.

Actually being very portable that might also help with another application, I go caravanning and occasionally I use sites with no electricity provision as I have a solar panel fitted, but having one of these could be useful at times. In such circumstances I wonder if I could even charge it whilst in the caravan to capture any surplus energy that the caravans solar panel produces? Then on days when my caravan battery is low I could use it?

[bunchofkeys]

eliot said:

bunchofkeys said:

Is there a max size for the standard single phase house?
Just looking around and the big UPS units of 5-10K are three phase only?

yes the bigger ones tend to be three phase, but i think i've seen APC ones around the 8000kva mark as i nearly bought one a few years ago.
Instead I've gone for Victron ESS system and 19kwh of batteries - which runs the whole house and i have a small 2000va just for my computer gear in addition.

edit; search youtube: "eliot victron" to see how it works.

Edited by eliot on Wednesday 26th July 11:14

Thank you!

[The Gauge]

Griffith4ever said:

Vodafone router = 4 watts max (it fluctuates between 3.5 and 4w)



I have :

APC Back-UPS 700 Watt / 1400 VA, 230V, AVR, IEC Sockets - BX1400UI

It runs my PC, ultrawide OLED, router, two drive raid nas (synology), USB hub, wifi router, and VDSL modem - and will run for an estimated 30 mins on a power cut. With just the router it would be hours and hours and hours. If not all day.

Edited by Griffith4ever on Wednesday 26th July 09:02

Thanks for finding that out for me, appreciated.

[Griffith4ever]

The Gauge said:

Griffith4ever said:

Vodafone router = 4 watts max (it fluctuates between 3.5 and 4w)



I have :

APC Back-UPS 700 Watt / 1400 VA, 230V, AVR, IEC Sockets - BX1400UI

It runs my PC, ultrawide OLED, router, two drive raid nas (synology), USB hub, wifi router, and VDSL modem - and will run for an estimated 30 mins on a power cut. With just the router it would be hours and hours and hours. If not all day.

Edited by Griffith4ever on Wednesday 26th July 09:02

Thanks for finding that out for me, appreciated.

NP - the only issue with the Anker, is they don't like being charged 24/7 AND used - so using one as a UPS will knacker the batteries fast. Some of them even block being used whilst they are charging. You could of course keep one on standby and switch over your router to it in the event of a power cut but that's a bit clumsy.

You can get a good small UPS for under £85

https://www.amazon.co.uk/APC-Easy-UPS-700VA-Uninte...

Its by far the simplest solution.

[troc]

Just remember to budget for a new ups battery every 2-5 years (depending on load, stability of your supply etc)

[camel_landy]

Alternatively, you could get a Tesla Powerwall.

M

[budgie smuggler]

Griffith4ever said:

Vodafone router = 4 watts max (it fluctuates between 3.5 and 4w)



I have :

APC Back-UPS 700 Watt / 1400 VA, 230V, AVR, IEC Sockets - BX1400UI

It runs my PC, ultrawide OLED, router, two drive raid nas (synology), USB hub, wifi router, and VDSL modem - and will run for an estimated 30 mins on a power cut. With just the router it would be hours and hours and hours. If not all day.

Edited by Griffith4ever on Wednesday 26th July 09:02

Have you tried it out of interest? I would be curious to see the real-world results.

For reference, your model is retired, the replacement is BX1600MI which is slightly larger:

https://www.apc.com/uk/en/product/BX1600MI/apc-bac...

APC list the absolute maximum it will run for as 4 hours.

[The Gauge]

Griffith4ever said:

NP - the only issue with the Anker, is they don't like being charged 24/7 AND used - so using one as a UPS will knacker the batteries fast. Some of them even block being used whilst they are charging. You could of course keep one on standby and switch over your router to it in the event of a power cut but that's a bit clumsy.

You can get a good small UPS for under £85

https://www.amazon.co.uk/APC-Easy-UPS-700VA-Uninte...

Its by far the simplest solution.

The issue with leaving my router permenantly plugged into a UPS is that if I get a power cut at night whilst asleep, by the time I wake up its battery may be flat. I'd probably rather just get it out and use as and when needed


Out of interest, the 6 x sockets on this one look like they are just for computers to plug in? I'd just need one or two 3 pin plug sockets but these are a different type...

[OldGermanHeaps]

I use an elmdene 12v 5a psu with 2x7ah batteries in it, it can power my router, bt ont and a switch, and zigbee gateway for at least 12 hours. It was 42 quid and about 30 for the yuasa batteries .

[eliot]

The Gauge said:

The issue with leaving my router permenantly plugged into a UPS is that if I get a power cut at night whilst asleep, by the time I wake up its battery may be flat. I'd probably rather just get it out and use as and when needed


Out of interest, the 6 x sockets on this one look like they are just for computers to plug in? I'd just need one or two 3 pin plug sockets but these are a different type...

Search ebay for “c14 to 13a socket”

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383076753378?mkcid=16&a...

[The Gauge]

eliot said:

The Gauge said:

The issue with leaving my router permenantly plugged into a UPS is that if I get a power cut at night whilst asleep, by the time I wake up its battery may be flat. I'd probably rather just get it out and use as and when needed


Out of interest, the 6 x sockets on this one look like they are just for computers to plug in? I'd just need one or two 3 pin plug sockets but these are a different type...

Search ebay for “c14 to 13a socket”

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383076753378?mkcid=16&a...

Never knew they existed, thanks.

[Mars]

UPS specifically for a router

https://1va.co.uk/ipower-12vdc-ups-p-78.html

Don't know if it'll last for 6 hours. Mine has lasted for over 3 hours during one power cut but it was irrelevant that day because the power cut took out the internet service too.

I do have regular brown-outs though (2 or 3 a month). They typically last from a few seconds to 10 mins.

[clockworks]

I wanted something for similar situation - frequent power cuts and very poor mobile signal.

A proper dedicated UPS would keep the router and WiFi working for a few hours, but seemed like overkill having it running (wasting power and wearing out the batteries) 24/7.

I went for a much more flexible portable power bank, which I can plug in when and where it's needed. Plug in the router, or use it to charge other devices.
There were some cheap options on Amazon, but the lack of CE certification put me off. Toss up between the Anker model posted earlier, and a Jackery 240. Found the Jackery on eBay at a good price (£170), so bought one.

I've not had to use it for an actual power cut yet, but testing suggests it'll keep the WiFi running for at least 10 hours.

[Griffith4ever]

budgie smuggler said:

Griffith4ever said:

Vodafone router = 4 watts max (it fluctuates between 3.5 and 4w)



I have :

APC Back-UPS 700 Watt / 1400 VA, 230V, AVR, IEC Sockets - BX1400UI

It runs my PC, ultrawide OLED, router, two drive raid nas (synology), USB hub, wifi router, and VDSL modem - and will run for an estimated 30 mins on a power cut. With just the router it would be hours and hours and hours. If not all day.

Edited by Griffith4ever on Wednesday 26th July 09:02

Have you tried it out of interest? I would be curious to see the real-world results.

For reference, your model is retired, the replacement is BX1600MI which is slightly larger:

https://www.apc.com/uk/en/product/BX1600MI/apc-bac...

APC list the absolute maximum it will run for as 4 hours.

yeah, last time I got around 20 mins ish, certainly no panic. Depends on how you load the pc of course.

[Griffith4ever]

The Gauge said:

The issue with leaving my router permenantly plugged into a UPS is that if I get a power cut at night whilst asleep, by the time I wake up its battery may be flat. I'd probably rather just get it out and use as and when needed


Out of interest, the 6 x sockets on this one look like they are just for computers to plug in? I'd just need one or two 3 pin plug sockets but these are a different type...

sounds like a power bank would be better for you if you are happy to switch over when needed, and yes you could charge if from solar.

The ups wold run for more than a day at a guess with a 4w load btw, but the Anker does sound more suited to you.

IEC plugs answered above.

[eliot]

I run servers and cctv - so in the event of a powercut, i want everything the continue working - so a ups is most appropriate for me. The portable power packs may also suit you - just depends on your needs and if you require continuous availability

[The Gauge]

Mars said:

UPS specifically for a router

https://1va.co.uk/ipower-12vdc-ups-p-78.html

That's certainly the neatest solution for a router, thanks.

Though having read this thread I do think a power bank would suit me better than a UPS. By the time I've realised I've had a power cut then the UPS battery might have died. Grabbing a power bank and plugging in the router when needed might be better for me. Plus the portability might be useful when away in the caravan on an off grid site.

The 200w Jackery is £181 on Amazon and has the following battery time figures..

Edited by The Gauge on Thursday 27th July 09:29

[Mars]

One thing to consider if you need a mains outlet is the quality of the sign-wave. I have 2 "pure" signwave" UPSes (as well as that little router-specific one) because I've some older hardware that is intolerant of the "digital" sinewave outputs you get from most UPSes. In fairness, it's not usually a problem but worth considering if you have any old kit.

Not a problem for anything working directly off DC.

[nyt]

The Gauge said:

Actually being very portable that might also help with another application, I go caravanning and occasionally I use sites with no electricity provision as I have a solar panel fitted, but having one of these could be useful at times. In such circumstances I wonder if I could even charge it whilst in the caravan to capture any surplus energy that the caravans solar panel produces? Then on days when my caravan battery is low I could use it?

More expensive models can handle direct solar panel input.

[The Gauge]

nyt said:

The Gauge said:

Actually being very portable that might also help with another application, I go caravanning and occasionally I use sites with no electricity provision as I have a solar panel fitted, but having one of these could be useful at times. In such circumstances I wonder if I could even charge it whilst in the caravan to capture any surplus energy that the caravans solar panel produces? Then on days when my caravan battery is low I could use it?

More expensive models can handle direct solar panel input.

Not sure I'd need it but it looks like the Anker 625 solar panel will fit their 521, 535 & 757 models..