Matrix 5000 Questions

[Anonymous user]

I have a Matrix 5000 UPS made in 1997. I use my Matrix 5000 with a large external 48V battery bank as an emergency backup at my home. Works great to run selected circuits in the house. Sometimes, it seems that it trips off (overload) even when the load shown on the LCD screen is not close to 100%. Might be a refrigerator kicking in or something that causes a short term surge that trips it off.

I know that it's rated for 3750 watts, but does anyone know if there is any surge rating on these units?

Wonder if there was a way to increase the surge ability (split second load carrying ability) of the Matrix 5000?

I know that the unit can not be run continuously in an overloaded state. That's not what I am trying to do. I just wish there was a way to adjust the overload alarm/shutdown to give and extra second or two to allow certain motor loads to kick on without shutting down UPS. I know that motors can draw 2-3X their normal running watts for a split second upon start up. I've got plenty of battery power. I've got 16 big Group 31 size (big truck battery size) AGM batteries, so I know that the issue is not an inadequate battery bank that lags in voltage under heavy loads.

Would a newer APC Matrix 5000 UPS (made in 2004) have a better surge capacity or way to adjust the overload shutdown to handle short surges better?

Thanks.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks clarkson for the reply. I know that there are inverters made with good surge ratings, but I am using this Matrix 5000 because I believe it is a bulletproof design and because I got it as computer surplus for a very low price. One of the cooling fans had failed, but that was an easy fix and the unit works great. If I could only figure out a way to allow the unit to handle small, very short duration overload surges then it would be even better. Works great with it's split phase 120/240V output. I'm impressed with the way APC made this UPS.