BX1500LCD Inquiries

[Anonymous user]

I recently installed a 115V AC unit. At first there were no problems, but when the cool air actually started up, the lights dimmed noticeably more than my last unit and the UPS on my computer (older APC) clicked. Normally this isn't a problem, the click is normal as it switches from battery and back, however when it is happening consistently every hour, it become an annoyance. There isn't much I can do to reduce power consumption in the room, so I decided to look into a new UPS.

I came across the BX1500LCD for $199 and it seemed like a good deal, not to mention it supports more than 800W whereas my current supports only about 350W (My computer PSU is 1000W, of course it doesn't use all of that, though I can imagine it uses between 600 and 800W.).

My question is, would this UPS also make the clicking noise or are the newer models more silent?

[Anonymous user]

I don't know where about your computer is setup at your location, but loads with heavy inrush current shouldn't share a circuit with computers.

Air conditioners and laser printers are the worst offenders. Turn off the circuit breaker that controls the outlet your computer is on. Walk around the room with a lamp and find an outlet that isn't turned off, then move the AC or the computer equipment to that outlet. I would put the computer together with the circuit the lights are on, then the AC on the other one, so you can avoid power quality issues to your computer and avoid annoying light flicker at the same time.

The kitchen outlets are the best if they're close enough to where the AC is. They have many separate circuits to support many appliances, so running an extension cord to the air conditioner should fix the problem even though it's probably not perfectly code compliant.

How old is your home?

[Anonymous user]

I recently installed a 115V AC unit. At first there were no problems, but when the cool air actually started up, the lights dimmed noticeably more than my last unit and the UPS on my computer (older APC) clicked. Normally this isn't a problem, the click is normal as it switches from battery and back, however when it is happening consistently every hour, it become an annoyance. There isn't much I can do to reduce power consumption in the room, so I decided to look into a new UPS.

I came across the BX1500LCD for $199 and it seemed like a good deal, not to mention it supports more than 800W whereas my current supports only about 350W (My computer PSU is 1000W, of course it doesn't use all of that, though I can imagine it uses between 600 and 800W.).

My question is, would this UPS also make the clicking noise or are the newer models more silent?

[Anonymous user]

I appreciate the help and suggestions. Sadly this room is all controlled by one fuse. The house is probably fairly old, considering there is a fusebox in a place that isn't legal, hence we are not allowed to do certain electric work until we get it replaced. The UPS takes care of the dimming from the AC. Sadly I get about 50 of them a day or so.

The closest outlet not controlled by this particular fuse is indeed the kitchen, which is a good 30' in a straight line down the center of my room. So extension cords would be too tacky...

[Anonymous user]

I looked in the BX1500LCD manual. It has 3 sensitivity settings. If you change the settings, you can get the UPS to look the other way and let the disturbance pass right through that your computer might or might not tolerate it. You'll just have to try it. Buy it from a store with generous return policy.

BX1500LCD manual:
http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z7VAU_R0_EN.pdf

Even if it doesn't transfer to battery, it's still likely the automatic voltage regulation would hunt between normal and boost mode. If the default setting causes clicking, try setting it to low. if you still get a AVR activation (clicking without switching over to battery) and this happens 100 times a day, not only would it be annoying, the automatic transfer switch might fail prematurely.

If this doesn't work out for your needs, you have to get a double conversion UPS ($$$$$) or you have to separate the A/C and PC from the same circuit.
Double conversion UPS: http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURTA1500XL

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

Were you able to find the model number of the UPS that you currently have? You can find it on the back or bottom of the UPS on a little white sticker. The number usually begins with BK, BF, or BE. If you could get me this number and the one below it, maybe there's something else you could try without buying a completely new unit.

[BillP]

You probably dont want a BX1500LCD because nobody makes replacement batteries for them. Not even APC. We have 4 of them sitting around the office with dead batteries and no battery replacement possibilities. If you buy one, it is a one shot deal. Most of ours died within a year or so after we bought them. Look for a unit that APC will support.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

APC does support these units. The reason there are no batteries available is that they are still within the expected battery life from their release date. Any UPS < 3 years old would be covered by warranty if something happens with the battery, and the entire unit would be replaced. This may sound silly, but it allows APC Engineering to determine the cause of the problem with the unit overall, battery included, to prevent a reoccurring problem in the future.

If they're laying around, and about a year old, they should all be covered by warranty.

[Anonymous user]

The Notorious K.M.P. wrote:
APC does support these units. The reason there are no batteries available is that they are still within the expected battery life from their release date. Any UPS *< 3 years old* would be covered by warranty if something happens with the battery, and the entire unit would be replaced. This may sound silly, but it allows APC Engineering to determine the cause of the problem with the unit overall, battery included, to prevent a reoccurring problem in the future.

If they're laying around, and about a year old, they should all be covered by warranty.

Would you check if this is still current? Smart-UPS is only 2 years
http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA1500&total_watts=50

I thought warranty was 3 years on Smart-UPS models as well until recently.
And replacement battery + warranty extension package seems to be no longer available.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc · Accepted solution]

That's correct, the CURK was done away with.

They're working on some type of home extended warranty and I'm not sure what the ETA on it is.

But Back-UPS are now 3 years
Smart-UPS are 2 years
and Smart-UPS through Dell are 3 years.