SMT750 & PowerChute 9.2 shutdown question

[BillP]

Hi,

just bought SMT750I UPS. I experience often power cuts (less than a second), sometimes cuts of 10-40miin.

My goal is, to shutdown my desktop if power outage is longer than 60 seconds, but keep UPS on (there are Router and modem connected to the same UPS) till I reach minimum

battery remaining time.

I tried several options ie. start shutdown after 60 seconds when UPS is on battery - this does the job, it shuts down my PC and since I configured time to allow OS shutdown to ie 6000 seconds, UPS "countdown" starts - but if power resumes within this time, UPS is not automatically canceling shutdown process. It will still shutdown outlets after 6000 seconds, regardless utility power is back.

As mentioned above; how to properly configure Powerchute ? Or, is there a way to "auto cancel" UPS shutdown after utility power is back ?

Thanks in advance, Tomi.

[BillP]

Hi,

There is not a way to auto cancel however if you are with the unit you can cancel the shutdown through the LCD panel. Another option is to purchase a Network Management Card and then you can cancel the shutdown via the NMC web interface. 

[BillP]

Hi Bill,

many thanks for your prompt answer...

If I get NMC, is there an automatic way to cancel UPS shutdown process ?

I'd like to have things automated...

Tnx.

[BillP]

Hi,

Unfortunately no. However, you can configure the NMC to send you an e-mail when UPS is on battery and when AC has been restored so if AC is restored prior to the UPS and NMC powering down you would be allowed to login and cancel the shut down.

Keep in mind that the reason for AC being cut and then restored is that most computers BIOS will restart the OS automatically when AC is restored hence the need to have it cut. If AC is not cut the OS will have to be started manually. The SMT has settings that cause the AC to be restored in x time based on your needs. The default setting is AC restored after 8 seconds so even if AC has returned prior to a complete shut down the UPS will cut AC based on the OS shut down settings then wait 8 seconds and restore AC to allow the BIOS to restart to OS automatically. 

[voidstar_apc · Accepted solution]

With a Network Management Card in the "shutdown settings", you can can "Ignore PCNS shutdown commands". I believe you can also tell PCNS not to send a shutdown command. Without the NMC, a free third party product "APCUPSd" can also shut down the PC without shutting down the UPS.

Like Bill says, doing this will prevent your PC from turning back on if power returns after the PC shuts down but before the UPS runs out of battery power. If you don't mind manually starting your computer, this may be a good solution.

Higher wattage (ie SMT1000, SMT1500) UPSes have multiple outlet groups, so you can plug the PC into one outlet group and the router and modem into another. That allows PC shutdown to be truly independent of your router and modem.

And lastly, you could put the router and modem on a separate UPS.

[BillP]

Hi,

many thanks to both, Bill and voidstar...

Getting an OEM software is good option for me, as it will shutdown desktop without starting shutdown process for the UPS.

In this case I can keep my router and modem up&running much longer. Powering on the desktop is not a problem, even if UPS stays up&running (assuming power returns before UPS battery runs flat). I have WOL daemon running on my router, which will start the desktop.

I'll download "APCUPSd" and try it 😉

p.s.: re higher power UPS; well, my bad, I missed this when deciding between SMT750 and SMT1000...I only learned my lesson only after SMT750 installation.

Thanks again.