Just bought the BX1500G, but need some questions answered.

[Anonymous user]

I just purchased the new BX1500G from my local Best Buy, but after doing some reading, I am quite confused about a couple things. My biggest concern is that I can't find out if this model has both Boost and Trim or just Boost. On the APC website it lists Boost and Trim, but in the manual, it only refers to Boost. After reading Several comments on Amazon regarding the BR1500LCD, I am even more confused. Many people have said that the BX models only have Boost, not Trim. Others say that the BX models have both, just like the BR models. Could somebody please help clear up the confusion? I'm not sure what to believe at this point, and I want to make sure that my UPS has both. I would really appreciate it if anybody can confirm which is correct. I have also read conflicting stories about the surge protection for ethernet. I've read some comments that this model protects modem/phone only, yet others have said this model has protection for ethernet also. Why is there so much confusion regarding the features on these models?

Also, I am wondering about the low Joules rating. From what I have read, Joules isn't as important as the Surge protector companies want you to believe, and that Let-through is more important. Still, it does seem that the Joules rating is pretty low compared to dedicated surge protectors. Since this will be acting as my surge protector as well as my Battery backup, I would like to feel comfortable that my system has decent surge protection. Is the surge protection on this model considered good?

I am also wondering if the watt-meter is accurate? It reads my system hovers around 250w in idle. Of course that depends on a ton of factors, but in general, is the meter considered accurate? I have been wondering what my power draw is from my new system, and I'd like to know if the meter can be trusted.

One other question. I am having a problem fitting my over-sized and strangely-shaped plugs for my modem and my external drive into the back. The only way they will fit results in blocking other precious outlets. Is it safe to plug some sort of simple adapter into a couple of the provided outlets so that these ridiculous power packs will fit better, or is that not recommended?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for any information provided.

Message was edited by: gwent

Message was edited by: gwent

[Anonymous user]

Well, I just got off the phone with APC, and asked them about boost and trim with this model, and he told me that it does indeed have both boost AND trim. He said the older model, BR1500LCD, does not have trim, but this new model does. I also asked if this model has ethernet protection, and he said it does. So it appears that this retail model is an improvement over other retail models in the past.

[BillP]

i am pretty sure that BR and BX LCD models both had boost and trim while the BR (non LCD models) had boost and trim along with Ethernet protection and the BX (non LCD models) had boost only as well as RJ11 phone line protection only.

i am going off of this

LCD models i thought were the same except for BX being retail only and having coax protection.

hate to make things more confusing!

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for the reply. Well, I just sent a email to APC, and I'll see what their email response says. I don't know why this has to be so confusing. It's almost like they don't even know themselves for sure which models have what. Quite ridiculous actually. I appreciate the link, it sure does make me wonder now. They told me this morning that it definitely does have both boost and trim, as well as ethernet protection. Does anybody else have any input?

[Anonymous user]

GRR! I just got off the phone again with APC, and they confirmed that this model DOES NOT have trim mode, only boost! It seems the information on the product page is incorrect, and they said they would fix that. The person I spoke to said that was confirmed, and that the unit was so new that there has been some confusion over the features. I was also told that the unit does have ethernet protection, but now I wonder if that is true or not.

I really hate to pack this back up and return it, since I like the unit. But now I'm very frustrated. I'm new to this stuff, as this is my first UPS. From everything I can gather, I would certainly want the trim feature included, don't I? My power seems to be rather unstable in my apartment, which is why I got it. I lost power this morning for 5 seconds, and that happens all the time. And my lights dim briefly for a few seconds regularly. Just how bad is it that this model doesn't have trim? Why do so many of their models not have this feature?

[BillP]

let me try and help.

I have confirmed BX1500G has the following features/items:

-RJ11/RJ45 telephone/ethernet data line protection
-Boost mode for AVR - for low input voltage - stated in the manual:
AVR: The Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) feature will compensate for excessively low input voltages, without using battery power.When the AVR symbol is illuminated on the LCD, the unit is in Boost mode, using the AVR feature.

the reason why some units have this and some dont is just because of requirements and applications. if the voltage were to go to high (where trim would kick in), a UPS without trim will go to battery instead. thus, if you have a lot of need for trim and have a UPS without it, your battery may get used a bit more rather than the internal AVR transformer. so you may notice the battery needed to be replaced a hair sooner than if you have an AVR transformer.

a UPS would never let unsafe voltage get to your equipment and would either use AVR or go on to battery if you have unstable power. AVR just is nice because it will compensate for the high or low voltage with the transformer rather than using up the battery and maybe turning off cause it ran out of battery power.

also - when you have these outages, is the AVR light coming on or is it going to battery?

i hope this helps.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for the info. Well, I've only had 1 power outage since I got it over the weekend, and that was early this morning while I was sleeping; it said the outage lasted for 5 seconds. I do appreciate the clarification. I wish they were a lot clearer about this up front. My big concern was would the trim mode help protect my computer any better. From what I gather by your explanation, my computer is protected just as good either way, except for the battery kicking in more often if necessary rather than being controlled by the AVR circuit. Is that correct? If so, I may just hang onto this model, as I hate to get rid of it if I don't have to. As an alternative, I was looking at the BR15000LCD on Newegg, which (I think) does have both trim and boost (or is that incorrect?). I like that model also, and it's the same price either way. The layout of the outlets are different, however. Any opinion on which unit would serve better?

[BillP]

i think you will be fine with either unit. i would keep the unit you have now rather than spending more time and money switching it up.

you were right with both of your questions about the AVR and BR1500LCD having both boost and trim.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks again for your help. Much appreciated.