The Reduced Runtime Model Series...

Normally, Reduced Runtime, would be something that would be undesirable in battery backups systems.  The whole point is to have runtime, so reducing it seems dumb.... but not in some cases...

Our Reduced Runtime series (designated xxR) is when we take the normal battery and replace it with a smaller one.  This smaller battery costs less and the overall unit is less expensive.

Our first product in the Reduced Runtime series is the APC SmartUPS 3000 Tower (310R).  In this case the four 12v 18ah batteries are replaced with four 12v 7ah batteries.   Why?

Many people with copiers need the 3000va capacity of the unit, but dont need the 30mins of runtime.  So the 310R can protect these items for $100 less.

Look for future Reduced Runtime models including

• Tripplite SmartOnline 10kva ... to1096R
• APC SmartUPS 1500va Desktop... 402bR

Random Part of the Month X - AP8641

I just recently started selling PDUs, and it has always amazed me how they can be so expensive.

Case in point, the APC Switched Rack 2G 0U 30amp PDU.

This glorified surge strip sells for $1450.00 from APC.

Sure, its has some neat user controls and a few too many ports... but why do blue LCD screens cost so much?  This unit's earlier version AP7941 can be found at our website for $259.

KnowUPS - Power Conditioning

Frequently, I get requests for the best UPS for power quality and conditioning.

To answer that, I can offer 2 different approaches.

TOPOLOGY
Topology is, loosely, the type of UPS mechanism.  I have written in depth about this.  Online and Line Interactive are the common ones.  Simply, Online type is where output power is always being made by the UPS and Line Interactive type online "makes" the power if something goes wrong.  So, if you want UPS to manufacturer the power output all the time,  Online is the best topology.  But that doesn't necessarily mean its the "best power."


OFFICIAL POWER QUALITY
Technically, power quality is the quality of the voltage; specifically, transient content and voltage magnitudes.   UPSes address both problems and offer redress.  No matter whether its an Online or Line Interactive type UPS,  they output a voltage plus or minus their operational tolerance.
A quick check of some common units, shows some differences in Output Voltage

• APC Line Interactive 5kva (585AB) = +/- 5%
• APC Online 5kva (593g4) = +/- 3%
• Tripplite Online 5kva (to595) = +/- 2%
• Eaton Line Interactive (p5593) = +/- 8%
• Eaton Online 5kva (p9593v) = +/- 2%

So if the goal is 208volt (or other selected voltage output), the best power quality unit is a Online UPS, but with low ranges such as the Eaton or Tripplite.

But, as I have said many times, most IT equipment runs off its own power supply, and the small differences of power quality in the specs isnt worth worry about.

Worry about the quality (or absence) of your Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor....  thats where real power quality should be addressed

My Inner UPS Child... recalls the SmartUPS 2200 208v XL 5U

This unit is famous for being one of the units that I would bring to a deserted island, first hurt my back on, and drove 150 miles out of the way on a vacation to pickup.

The reason is that its a great unit.  It take four large batteries for serious runtime, it has a XL port that can connect to the Super BigMomma battery pack, and has a couple 120volt outputs for non high voltage loads.

While we havent sold that many recently, its still a very good unit and $429 its a best buy

So buy one today, and relive 2003 with a SARS mask, your first Itunes purchase and with no fear of another East coast blackout

Most requested unit we dont have

I would love to be able fulfill every request that we get, but the nature of the refurbished marketplace means I dont have control of availability.  All it takes is for a major University, national chain or large IT reseller to put a bounty on certain items and the prices and availability get skewed.

This month's challenges...

• The Dell Branded SmartUPS 3U - DL3000RM3U (303b)   We have a standing purchase order for 40 that we cant fulfill.  The caused the price to jumped from $419 to $479 to adjust to the demand
• The 120v Online 3U APC - SURTA3000RMXL3U (313g4) is on permanent backorder.  As soon as I get one in it gets snapped up.  I sold the last one for $909, which is $200 more than the price earlier this year. 

RBCs and Battery Page Updated

After several requests, we have re-worked our Replacement Battery store page.  The new pages will help you replace batteries on many server grade units.

We offer the Complete Replacement Battery packs (RBC) and  Replacement Batteries Only (RBO) which require you to re-use the existing trays and leads.

If you need help finding your RB#, contact us or visit this page

Rumble in the Rack III: APC 3kva XL versus Tripplite 3kva XL

APC SmartUPS 3000va XL 3U  [313b]

vs.

Tripplite SmartPro 3000va XL 2U [tl312w]

APC Products outsell Tripplite at my store 20 to 1.  But its a shame, because on so many fronts, Tripplite is a better buy.  Take our best 3kva seller from APC versus the unloved Tripplite version

Both units

• Extended Run capatable at 48vdc
• 3000va - 120v
• Line Interactive Topology - Pure Sinewave

APC 3000va's Advantages

• More runtime  (3U frame v. 2U frame though)
• Black in color

Tripplite's Advantage

• $170 cheaper
• Native USB support
• Twistlock output receptacle for easy PDU connection
• Native 20amp T type receptacles
• Lighter... Can ship via Fedex  (APC must be freighted)

WINNER!  Tripplite

KnowUPS - Audible Noise

A quick check of 3000va Models across various manufacturers found that they all have same noise level.

A customer wanted the quietest 3kva UPS.  After checking APC's SUA3000, Eaton's Online PW9130, Liebert's PSI3, and Tripplite's SU3000 units, I found all of them had Audible Noise at 1 meter of 53-55db.

I then checked premium APC models, Rack versions, etc and couldnt find anything quieter.  Finally, I found the SMT3000 5th Gen APC unit that had only 45db rating.

I guess all makers use the same basic components and have no motivation to distinguish themselves on db level.

The UPS for Imaging equipment.. affordable 3kva unit

Many customers want to protect their laser imaging equipment with a UPS.  However, since laser printers tend to have a high amperage initial draw at startup, most UPSes cant handle the unit.  So while the load might only be 500va, it needs 2 or 3 times to start.

In the past, we have sold customers our 3kva units.  However, most tower frame UPSes are filled with large expensive batteries to sustain the 3kva load over 30mins.   We found our imaging customers only needed a few moments, so the expensive solutions are overkill.

GreenlightUPS is proud to announce a solution... the APC 3kva Tower with smaller batteries.

At $349, its $100-200 less that the standard 3kva unit.  If you are interested, make sure you check your specs and plugs and give us a call to order.

If anyone needs it, we can retrofit the standard 208volt model (390) into a reduced runtime unit as well

Your desires realized... at least your UPS desires

Introducing our Solution Series, where we try to package a power solution to meet a common need.

Our first is the I want a UPS to power a panel






The SOLUTION... use a ups with an isolation type transformer.   When you electrically power a subpanel, you feed the panel with 2 hots, a neutral and ground.  However, normal UPSes dont have a separate neutral, more of a floating neutral.  This prevents you from connecting these directly to a panel.
With the addition of a transformer, we can generate a fixed neutral and combine the 3wire output of the UPS with new fixed neutral.  This 4 wire system can connect to the panel

My pick is the APC Smart UPS Online 5kva unit (593g4) with 5kva Iso (xf5iso) Transformer...

SURTD5000RMXLT3U - 593g4 - $1399.00
SURT003 - xf5iso - $495.00

Store Price is $1894.00, but if you mention our blog, you can get it for 10% off ($1705)  by using the coupon 4178 at checkout