UPS choice for router & generator in desert location

[Anonymous user]

I need to set up a network for a school in a remote desert area. The only electricity is a 240v generator which runs about 3 hours per day. It was suggested that I could hook up a UPS to the generator, then power the router directly from the UPS (standard Linksys 802.11n probably). So three questions:

1 - Which model UPS, if any, would be effective for a solution in this situation?
2 - How long will it take to charge the UPS?
3 - How long can I expect the UPS to power the router between charges?

Thanks,

-sd

Message was edited by: hofendisapc

[BillP]

The answers to 2 and 3 depend on the answer to 1, but there isn't enough information to answer that question. Is the router the only thing on the UPS? What does the router require for power (240, 208, 120)? And what plug type?

[Anonymous user]

Most of the routers that I've looked at are 12V 1.5A. But the power supplies are (or will be) 110-240V adapters. I would think that if we're trying to run this off of a UPS, we'd dedicate the UPS to only this router.

[voidstar_apc]

If I may interject, the UPS batteries are designed to be kept charged. Discharging those batteries every day may lead to premature battery failure. So, if you go that route, I'd make sure the batteries never completely discharge (they like that even less) and be prepared for the cost of replacing them.

[BillP]

The smallest model that's designed to take 240v input is the [SURTD3000XLT|http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURTD3000XLT]. By itself, it will output either 208 or 240v. Pretty expensive solution for just one router though...

[Anonymous user]

Thanks, but that's not accurate. There are a wide number of smaller APC models that take 240v, for instance the ES-325-GR. (Sorry, should have mentioned that the desert location is not in the US. APC makes lots of models for non-Northern America locations.)

So we've narrowed the question down a bit. What size UPS to run something offline that uses 12v 1.5A? And how long does the UPS take to get a full charge?

[BillP]

(double post)

[BillP]

That model is 230v in/out, which is international voltage, not 240v, which is US. So you want 230v then? Where is it located? What plug type does it need to connect to the wall? Are you going to custom-wire an outlet for this UPS that is powered by the generator so the plug type is irrelevant?

While the 325 model you mentioned would support the router in terms of capacity, that family doesn't play very well with generators. Depending on the size of the generator (typically you want them oversized a bit), you might be able to use a model in the Back-UPS RS family, though Smart-UPS models seem to handle generator power best. Others keep switching between on battery & online.

[upsguy_apc]

A better question is how many hours a day are you expecting the UPS to provide power to this router? Most UPS are designed to provide power for a short period of time 10-30 mins. If you need to get hours of runtime from a UPS you would probably have to buy a much larger UPS than you need and additional battery components.

However if you fully discharge the batteries each day I don't think 3 hours would be enough to recharge them each day. Also you are going to go through alot of batteries if you charge/discharge them each day. Plus I would guess there is no A/C in this room so you are going to have your batteries deplete even faster becasue of the high temp.

[Anonymous user]

present 2010model is better for UPS.what i am saying is usp gives back up to the computer, when i am playing the online gaming, ups plays key role in preventing power problems.
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[BillP · Accepted solution]

For so little current i recomend you try installing a solar/eolic solution with a propper filtered inverter and a battery bank sized according wind-solar energy in the zone.

You should use an online UPS genset compatible, for 240V you should use: SURT1000XLI. Small size gensets are poor in quality and stability and if chosen badly you will degrade the UPS prematurely.