New SmartCards coming to GreenlightUPS

As you all know, i really hate the built in communication features of the UPSes.  To me they just dont work right.

Thankfully, the first generation of SMTP cards from APC (AP9617, AP9619) have been upgraded.  Now the 2nd generation cards are out  (AP9630 and AP9631) and are much easier to program and use.

So GreenlightUPS will now start offering the 2nd gen. cards from APC, along with the older ones.   Check out our expanded Accessory category in our store to find the new 2nd Gen qsc30 card and cards for Tripplite and Powerware.

Random APC Part of the month

Even though APC is best known for its UPS units, they also sell some crazy stuff.  So in a first in a series, we review some of those APC parts you might not ever need...

This month its the APC ProtectNET standalone RS232 Surge Suppressor.... PS9-DCE

This sort of worthless item provides surge suppression for a RS232 port.   So if you are trying to hyper terminal into your UPS through a serial port cable, you should buy this for maximum protection.

It may come as a disappointment, that GreenlightUPS does NOT sell this item,  sorry....

A bountiful ONLINE harvest

For whatever reason we have acquired alot of APC SmartUPS Online units recently.  Sadly no 10kva units, but we have SURT7500XLTs, 5000s, 3000s, tons of XL battery packs and tons of transformers.

So effective immediately, all APC Online series units will include rack rails (a $30 value) and on UPS units, a AP9619 smartcard ($175) if they are requested.  Store and eBay listings will reflect this change later in the summer

D means Disco PART 1

A curious thing occurred a few years ago with APC's Smart Online UPS series.  They added a letter to the part number and virtually kept every major spec the same.  For years, I made no distinction in my part #


The SURT5000XLT (593g3) and the SURTD5000XLT  are incredibly similar.   Two obvious things changed.  The first is the newer "D" model replaced the serial port with a RJ45 type communication jack.  Apparently, this has changed all sorts of comm protocols  (which causes my eyes to glaze over).  The second thing is that the unit is no longer a rack/tower combination.   APC now makes the rack version a different part # (SURTD5000RMXLT3U) and $150 more.

However, 2 specs have changed.  The first is Online Thermal Dissipation, which has increased from 1040 BTU/hr to 1150.  (To be honest, I really dont what that exactly is).   The second is the runtime.    Though they both use the RBC44, one has a half load runtime of 15mins and the newer18mins.


So does that mean the new unit is more efficient and uses nano-piezelloic power to increase runtime  OR did APC change the specs for the RBC44? It sounds like something we can test.... anyone want to bet on the nano-piezelloic power?


Since more people are asking for the D version, I guess I am going to make another part #.   Look for the 593g4 to indicate the SURTD5000XLT.

Quick review of load lights

I often recommend people to keep their UPS's loaded no more than 50%.  However, a quick check of the left hand side LED bank can be confusing in determining your load.

Instead of being logical and making each light 20%, APC has a special formula.  This tends to distort their actual load.

So a quick review...
1 bar is 17-32%
2 bars is 33-50%
3 bars is 51-66%
4 bars is 67-84%
5 bars is 85-100%
All flashing is overloaded

Inventory that Ebbs and Flows

Because of you, GreenlightUPS is having a record year.

This good news does have some drawbacks though.  One is the frantic attempt to balance what you want with what is available to us.  This has caused us to rebalance some of our prices to reflect these strange demand trends.

One example is the 3000va 120volt XL units.
We cant keep enough of our 313B units (SU3000RMXL3U) in stock.  The result is that the price has risen from 449 last year to 569 now.   While the 5U version, 315 (SU3000RMNET) has fallen from $499 to $439.

Both units have the same battery and power capacity, yet because of preferences the prices differ by $130.  I personally like the 315's better because they use fewer higher capacity batteries, which is more desirable in UPS units.

So the bottomline, if you are looking for a particular UPS model #, you might want to call me or search around to find the best value for your dollar.

Most power per pound

We recently have been getting many requests from overseas and other far flung places like.. Tacoma, WA.  Invariably, everyone needs their UPSes quickly.  However, filled with iron core transformers and lead batteries, these units arent light or cheap to ship.  A recent inquiry asked for the most KVA for the smallest and lightest format.

So that got me thinking, what are the best buys per pound... The winners are:

1. APC 6000va 208v - 693G3 - 120lbs - 50va/lb
2. APC 10,000va 208v - 1096g3 - 244lbs - 41va/lb
3. Powerware 3000va 120v - pw312 - 81lb - 37va/lb
4. APC backUPS 800va 120v - br800 - 22lbs - 36va/lb

Great ideas for Overseas Shipping

Here at GreenlightUPS we have seen an uptick in interest from people throughout the world looking to buy UPS units.  While normally, the heavy nature of UPS units makes it impossible to ship outside the country, being close to the port of Miami and Miami International Airport, allows some affordable options.

Our recommendation:
1) Buy Double Conversion/Online type UPS units, like the Powerware 2500va (at 36kg/74lbs) to keep the weight at a minimum
2) Buy at least 4 units to help defray the cost of shipping.
3) Get the unit to your country as cheap as possible and then use your local carrier to get it to your address.


Some examples:
Recently, a IT company in Bahrain needed some UPSes.  IQgloballogistics quoted 4 units from our Miami port to Bahrain for under $300.  Granted it took 44 days at sea, but it was very affordable.

A company in France needed two 10kva units. We first delivered the units to Miami Airport.  From there they flew Air France cargo to Paris for $218.    Then the customer arranged pickup from the airport to their address.   A rough cost of International Air cargo rates can be found here:    

A customer in Puerto Rico needed a 3000va unit.  In this case we took advantage of the heavily subsidized USPS service and shipped the unit is pieces.  150 total pounds for about $70.

Summer Sabbatical for the Bob in WeBob

I will be back at my Alma Mater, The University of The South, aka Sewanee for about a  month., starting next week.

Don't worry, I will still be answering calls, helping with orders and managing the operations... but will be doing it from the comfort of canoe in nice a cool pond in the mountains of Tennessee.

GreenlightUPS... official UPS sponsor of the FIFA World Cup?

We'll not exactly...  But when a major satellite company needed 20kva worth of UPS systems to provide backup to their equipment... they turned to us.  
They had 16 hours to evaluate, order and ship multiple UPS units from FL to their Air Cargo dock in CA, in time to fly over to South Africa.
None of the big guys could ship the units that quickly, let alone call them back.  We advised them on UPS approaches and selections, sold them on our International units, tested them, repacked them to meet FedEx delivery requirements and had them arrive in CA 10 hours later.
They told us of that some of their fellow satellite feed companies were still hoping to get their units from the big guys in time.  But with the World Cup starting next week....

What they needed
1) Needed International units
2) Needed Double Conversion Online UPS units (since all power is provided by Generators)
3) Needed 4 rack mount systems to split loads
4) Needed them under 100lbs

What they bought
a) 8000kva (896IG3)  - and yes its under 100lbs without batts
b) 5000kva (593IG3)
c) 3000kva (393IB) - not technically double conversion but good enough for backup