Updated PDU and Surge Sections

I know I have been lazy on not keeping up the inventory reports on the Eaton Protector(R) Surge Suppressors... but that its been fixed.  The new pages has real photos, better condition notes and easy BuyItNow click buttons.

Also, the PDU section has expanded.  I have included some more metered and switched units as well as a 3phase type.  Enjoy.

  

Desperately seeking SYBT5s... APC global distribution out of stock

As a small business owner, its often fun to see the big guys fail miserably.  This week it was Schneider Electric's turn.  Their very popular Symmetra LX battery pack went out of stock last week.  No one had one.

Distributors, APC Reps, and service providers were scrambling.  Their supply of the most popular battery pack was stuck on a boat halfway from China.  Systems were failing and NO ONE could do anything.  APC made it even worse by the Chip protection that prevents most people from simply swapping the internal batteries in the pack. 

Of course this led to some robust sales for us last week.  While we dont normally sell Symmetra parts, some major companies asked us for help.   So we shipped several refurbished SYBT5s overnight to Universities and Fortune 500 companies.  

Almost as good as Chocolate and Peanut Butter... our Rack + UPS combos

Hey you got your chocolate in my peanut butter.   No you got your peanut butter in my chocolate...

Well maybe not as iconic as that combo, but UPS units with Network cabinets is just as a perfect fit.  We start off with 2 based on some recent requests from our customers. 

The first was built to clean up a customer' crazy server cabinet. They had a voice mail server and a phone system nestled on a old printer cart in a coat closet.  Now with the QUC1422 Combo they have a nice looking system they can proud of

The second was to handle a friend's DVR video surveillance system.  He needed an attractive package for his customer.  Presto the QUC1822 was born.  Combining the extended run Tripplite 2200va UPS with the lockable cabinet made for successful and clean installation.  Plus 8hrs backup time closed the deal.

View both and more future combinations here

Wesworth Venture Number XI: Solar-Gro

Frequent followers know Wesworth seems to do alot of different things.

We started with simple electric, added energy savings systems,  bucket truck services, motor control, UPSes, lighting fixtures, a California branch, B2B power quality, contract engineering, metal fabrication, and now Solar power systems.

And like many of other previous ventures (Infinergy, NightOwl, ITSpm, Neg-a-Watt, Greenlight, 415UPS, 2ndGrid, GreenlightLABS) this one has its on catchy name... Solar-Gro.

Solar-Gro is a partnership with our friends at the Urban Farmer in Pompano to sell a solar panel kit for a farming system called Verti-Gro.  We are just beginning production, but its an exciting niche to service as solar is becoming more attractive.

Learn more about our friends at the Urban Farmer at their site... and more about Solar-Gro project at www.YourSolar-Gro.com  (coming soon)

Export Shipping Options to Brasil and the world

We'll love to serve the world's needs for power protection, but often shipping these very heavy items is exorbitant.   

However, a growing number of people are buying our units to export to other countries.  While prohibitive for just 1 unit, reasonable less-than-container rates can be found since we are so close to the Miami Port.

So if you need a UPS in Brasil, Portugal, or Panama... dont be afraid to ask us.  We use Air Parcel Express for great rates.   Check them out here.  Dont forget to add about $50 for crating and your countries' duties and taxes.

End of Year 3000va Specials

Our most popular class of UPS is the 3000va 120volt Rackmount unit.... and now we have 2 great affordable options.

• Tripplite Smart Online 3000va for $529 and FREE shipping.
• Minuteman Enterprise 3200va for $377

The Tripplite model (to313c) is a full double conversion unit, retailing for $1700 new.  But since this is the older style, we got them on sale with free shipping.   Plus, unlike the $800 APC Online unit, these tripplites are ready for PDUs with the twistlock backplate.

The Minuteman Enterprise (mm313) is a true 3200va unit, offering a bit more power to those customers needing a few more watts.  Plus since we got these by the pallet, we can offer them for $377.  Its a great value, but even better since they have the twistlock backplate and shallow depth for all types of installations.

Whats in store for 2012

As we wrap up another record year at GreenlightUPS, we wanted to share with you some developments planned for 2012.

• Warranty Changes - our warranty policy will split into standard and gold levels.   In response to our competitors changes, we will offer a more limited standard warranty.  But will offer a gold level warranty for those looking for a hassle free full service warranty.  And the Good News... all existing customers, will get the Gold Warranty standard
• New eBay Portal - we have opened GreenlightUPS Outlet, for some crazy clearance and scratch and dent items.   
• New Payment Options on our website - We are leaving Paypal to a AuthorizeNET API to meet customer's needs.  Plus we are adding PO and Invoice options.
• Price Changes - We always want to keep our prices low, but an inevitable increase in lead for batteries may push our prices up... so buy in 2011 before the change.

ReMade versus Refurbished..... The newest option in UPS sales

To meet a growing need of our IT professionals to sell high quality & high value UPS units, we have formally opened our GreenlightLABS Remade UPS division.

Units from the LAB are fully restored with original accessories, new covers & bezels, original packaging, extended warranties and mint new batteries.  This feature allows customers to sell these unit at a greater markup.

We typically offer LAB service to any UPS still in production including the SUA, SMT, and SURT APC models.  Email or call for details and pricing

New Product - Affordable 3kva UPS units

Why we normally shy away from non-major brands, we got an opportunity that meet many people's needs at a great price.  Introducing the Minuteman Enterprise UPS 3200 series.

These units available in 120 and 200v are well spec'd UPSes, fully refurbished with new batts.... but at a fraction of the price of the APC and Eaton Models

Learn more here:  mm313 (120v)  |  mm392 (200v)

415UPS and 2ndGrid divisions close down

After several years, Wesworth has ended its relationship with 415UPS.com and folded the 2ndGrid division back into GreenlightUPS.

In official corporate speak, we would say the reason is "in order to refocus our energies and improve our branding", but the reality was that any efficiencies gained from these two ventures were offset by higher operating costs.

Not to worry, GreenlightUPS will continue to serve its California and IT consultants under the main store.   415UPS.com's ebay store will re-open as GreenlightUPS O-U-T-L-E-T in 2012

New Product - Network Management Card with Modem AP9618

APC Network cards turn your UPS into a very dynamic unit.  The AP9618 card incorporates all the basic network, environmental and relay control features, but adds a Out Of Band Management feature.

In other words, this card (qsc18p) allows you to monitor and manage the UPS by remote control regardless of whether the UPS is powered on.   Also called Lights Out Management, this adds a powerful feature to units.

The qsc18 is available in our store along with the basic (qsc17), relay (qsc19), environmental (qsc19p), and 2nd generation card (qsc30).   Since it still serves an important purpose, APC still makes it, even while they have discontinued its cousins.

New Product - the Ferro-resonant UPS.... FerrUPS

Ferro-resonant UPSes are a 3rd type (or topology) of UPS.  Unlike the line interactive or double conversion, ferro-resonant units use a transformer to hold energy long enough for the UPS to transfer to the batteries.

The most common is the FerrUPS.  Branded under Best Power, Powerware and still made by Eaton.  These type of units are very robust and highly sought.  Many times we have have tried to get customers to leave their FerrUPS to no avail.  So we have now started selling a few models.

FerrUPS are best used in industrial applications where the load may spike under certain condition.  Since it continuously 'saturates' the internal transformer these spikes are absorbed without incident.

Look for our Ferrups 10kva later this month.  Unlike some of the other UPSes, these units need quite a bit of work to be refurbished.  DONT BUY A USED ONE!!!   Buy from a trusted supplier like GreenlightUPS

New Product - A 3phase Unit that fits in your hand.

As an early proponent of APC's Symmetra PX's class of 3phase UPS units, its rare for us to recommend any other style, let alone brand.   But when we find a 3phase unit that meets such an obvious need AND offers so many great specs and features ... its deserves our attention.

The Gamatronic PowerPlus SA3, is a 10kva 120/208 3phase Unit that is just a bit bigger than a CPU tower.  While it doesnt fit in the palm of your hand, its much smaller than the 42U cabinets, that the APC Symmetra PX and VT units.

The Gamatronics unit offers many of the same power conditioning and online topology found in the other makers, but at a great price point and small footprint.

We got our first SA3 from a distributor liquidating some old stock.  It was never used, but couldnt be sold as new anymore.

So take a peek at the GAS10....

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This Blog is getting bloated

Here are some of our popular blog series links

• Random Part of the Month  --- the best and worst from APC's product catalogue
• Know UPS  --- briefings about UPS technical features
• Rumble in the Rack  -- head to head comparisons between UPS units
• UPS University  --- talks about UPS design, terms, data center applications, and operation
• U People aSked it   --- sort of actual questions and answers about the UPS world

ReBlog... APC's Currents Magazine

APC's quasi monthly Newsletter, Currents,  is out and had some interesting tidbits to talk about

• TV Protection
• Realistic Small Server Room Cooling Techniques

TV Protection.

While not a focus for GreenlightUPS, many of customers have requested protection for their high end TVs and Audio systems.  We still recommend a Panel Mount surge suppression system as a first line of defense.  APC has launched its J Type Power Conditioners to protect, backup, and filter this type of equipment.  While the J-Type is indeed a good looking unit, there is nothing wrong with using  less expensive Smart UPS 1000va unit (100b) for your digital AV equipment.

As mentioned in Electronic House Magazine, UPSes work best for Media Servers, Streaming Boxes,  DVRs, Satellite & Cable Boxes, DLP Screens, and Projectors.  Dont use them on Amps as the demands for peak audio wattage could be viewed as a surge and clamped.

Small Server Room Cooling Approaches

All the major makers of UPS units, have large Cooling divisions in their companies.  I tend to find the whole Cool and Hot row religion a bit idealistic to implement in a growing business, but many people eat that shit up.  APC however, reminds us that the first priority is not Cooling, but heat removal.   

Simply put, put a fan at the top of the closet that draws heat out.  Then put a grille lower, to let the cool air in.

G3 versus G4

I really hate APC Part Numbers... probably because my job requires me to listen to people reading their part numbers out over the phone.  If I get 1 digit of the typical 12 alphanumeric part number wrong, it can be entirely different unit....

So, I have simple 3-6 digit part numbers located on every picture.  The APC SURTD5000RMXLT3U-1TF3 is simply 593g4k.

On the APC SmartUPS Online RT Series, I added "G3" at the end of the normal part number to originally designate it as the 3rd generation.  While I later learned this was incorrect, the G3 designation stuck.    So when APC tweaked the series,  I just changed the G3 to G4.

So what was the tweek?....   The only noticeable change is that they replaced the serial RS232 com type port with a Cat5 type RS232 type port.

Also, there are some minor changes such as thermal profile and different certifications, but all in all they are functionally the same.

But for me, its a big difference (sometimes over $250) because the

• The G3 is older (before 2009)
• The G4 is newer and comes with rails ($30), the AP9619 card ($159)

Financing Options

I sometimes joke to people that we offer Net negative 10 days... meaning your payment is past due before we ship it.

But, as businesses are struggling to grow and upgrade in this new normal economy, we have been getting many more requests for financing and terms.

To be honest, I swore never to get back into offering "Terms."  When we were mostly electricians and electrical contractors, this proved disastrous.  The one advantage of a online retail business is we get paid first.

But, we have been very successful recently and haven't got stuck with any bad debts, so maybe we will consider opening up the terms and financing arms...

The first rule of Terms Club is you dont talk about Terms Club.  The second rule of Terms Club is you DO NOT talk about Terms Club

But I am violating the Rules, because I want people to know that we will consider it.  Here are the real rules

1. We will give Net n,  where n is 30days minus your D&B Paydex score.  If D&B says you pay in 30 days, you get 30days.  If you pay in 35 days, its net 25, etc.
2. We need the email address and phone number for the AP person that writes the checks.  They must answer calls and respond to messages timely.
3. Net means payment must be received by that date.  1 day over and you will NEVER get terms again.
4. There is NO warranty on units until they have been paid.

New Hire...we grow to serve you

Good news... GreenlightUPS is growing enough to bring an additional tech on board.

Joining the Team is Stephen Kingston.  He will help with warehouse, assembly and delivery.  This will allow the rest of the team to focus more on serving your needs in the most cost effective and efficient manner.

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