Stepping UP and stepping out... transformer

Another good question came from a customer today...
He has a 120volt 3000va UPS, but needs to power a 208volt piece of equipment.

While step DOWN transformers and booster transformers are commonly made by UPS manufacturers... Oddly, a pure step UP unit is not made.  Theoretically, you could break up the transformer and rewire it, but that's pretty messy.
 
So, the real solution....
Use an electrical distribution type transformer.  This device would plug into your UPS unit and then output 208volt power. 

However, the BUTs...
Its very easy to overload a 120volt UPS + step up system... Remember if your 208v load uses 5amps (1040va) at 208v, that means your 120volt UPS will be using nearly 9amps.   In other words, adding that step Up transformer, nearly cuts in half of the capacity of your 120volt UPS.

Going Off the Rail

Most of our UPS units are being sold for 4 post rack systems.  So many people ask why I don't include them in my listings...
Your first thought might be that I am cheap and want to get you for more money.  While not completely wrong (at least I am honest), there are other reasons.  1) Most of my competitors don't  2) Most UPS units fit nicely on the floor of the server racks and 3) I really hate APC cheezy racks.

That APC SU032A adjustable rack set sucks.  Its flimsy, has poorly threaded screw holes, uses the cheapest screws and has about 10" of 1/2" lip for the UPS.  The other 20" has no lip for the UPS to rest on.  Some magical clip is supposed to hold it in place.
Look at it, its really junk.

So... what are you supposed to do?

1. Buy the cheapy APC rack set from me and pray  (~30$ set)
2. Find the Tripplite UPS rack set.  Better and stronger (250lb rated)   (~60$ set)
3. Find a rack shelf.  APC makes a decent one (~100$) 
4. Find APC's real rack rails  (now used for the Symmetra) (~200$)

I'm calling from Houston and need a UPS today

Believe it or not, I get this request a lot.  However, never from someone outside of Florida.

His wish was to have a) 208v 3U UPS and b) reasonable overnight or same day shipping to Texas.

Since 208volt UPS units cant exactly fit in a Fedex Envelope, this was going to be tough.  Could GreenlightUPS meet this challenge????


YES,
We sold them a 383b unit (SUA3000RMT2U) and offered to ship the item via Southwest Airlines Cargo.

Total cost: $449 for the unit, $50 for the rush delivery to the airport, $10 six pack working bonus, and then $134 for Air Cargo.

The unit left our shop at 11:20am, was at the airport by 11:50am, and was on the plane at 12:45pm and ready for pickup at Houston airport at 4:55pm.

Not a bad days work.... While I cant promise that delivery schedule every day, we will always try to meet your needs and budget.

Most popular UPS units

Someone on my website found that I listed most popular units from Dec/Jan 08....

Oops, sorry for the lack of update on that.  So since then, here is a relative guide since then.  The top 6 account for about 300 units.

Translated into models is:  APC 3000va 3U,  APC 3000va 3U XL,  APC 5000 SURT, APC 2200 3U, APC 3000va 5U XL, and the APC 1400 2U.

Cheapest UPS that has a IEC C19 port on it

A recent customer needed a UPS that had an IEC type C19/20 output on the unit.  He found several units, but none of them for 120volt.

Was this because its impossible or I don't carry them?

Surprisingly, I cant find any UPS new or used that has IEC ports on their 120volt applications.  And according to IEC 60309 rules, IEC ports like the C19 should accept 120/240volt power.

So, I ended up building him one.  I took an APC SmartUPS 2200va 5U 120volt UPS and changed its backplate to the one found on the APC 5000va International model.

Another New creation from GreenlightUPS... SU2200RMIXLNET.. aka 215I

Best UPS for a

Its been almost a year since I answered.. What is the Best UPS to bring to deserted island?

While not practical, many people have commented that my straightforward approach to highlighting certain UPS features has been a reason they have chosen GreenlightUPS.

So if thats what the people want... here are some more....

Best UPS for those that drive Hummers:  

The 8U Tripplite 5000va unit with 3U power supply, 3U battery pack and 2U transformer makes this unit an impressive item in the rack.  At over 250lbs, with 16 output ports, and dual rack rail configuration this is a beast.  As a comparison, APC makes a 3U version that outputs essentially the same.




Best UPS if you server closet is a mess:  

The Powerware 9125 3000va 2U combines a a thin powerful UPS with 2 added features for tidyness.  First the unit has a 30amp dongle that sticks out of the UPS to connect to your PDU.  This frees up the back for regular outlets and keeps your critical PDU connection away from the backplate mess.  Second, at a mere 80 lbs, this unit is light enough that you can move or relocate the unit without help.  Since that "help" never seems to show up  or be available when its time to clean up the server room.


Best UPS for your home... and you don't need your dryer

The APC 5000va International edition can accept 240volt input.  Using your 30amp 240volt dryer plug this unit can provide all the power that ever would need for your home based server farm.  A remember, unlike that dryer, this UPS won't steal your sock.






Best UPS if you still use a ZipDrive

In this case you appreciate the retro look and the classic performance that comes with early computer manufacturing.  (you could do anything to those Zipdisks... whereas today's external harddrives seem to fail within a couple years).  Anyway, the Tripplite DataCenter 5000, called HAL by some, is UPS for you.  At over 200lbs without batteries, this solid iron core UPS will operate beyond the Infinite.

My take on the Sun Sparc versus IBM Power595 battle

You have seen the ads.. Sun is faster, less energy, cheaper...

What does this mean for UPSes?
The IBM Power 595 uses 9900va of power, where the Sun Sparc only uses 1400va

So, instead of having to get a APC Symmetra 16kva system for about $10,000 new or $4995 from me for the IBM

You can get a APC 2200va system for $879 new or $249 from me.

So, if the ad is true, you can get all that performance AND still save $9000 on the UPS.

What's the Frequency Kenneth.... or Bob?

Today we got a request for a UPS that can accept US power 240v/60hz and EU power 220v/50hz.
My first thought was the IBM 3000va UPS with switchable 208, 220, 230 and 240volt modes.

And as for frequency, just like in the REM song, I dont really have a response... it doesnt matter.  Nearly everything in the electronic world can take 50 or 60hz.

But his kicker, was that he didnt want to power a computer, but an exercise machine.

That point caused me to lose my religion against complacency on frequency.  All US motors (as in exercise machine treadmill drive) would actually slow down under the reduced 50hz frequency.  So, in this case, frequency does matter.  Unfortunately, UPSes input and output whatever frequency you give them.  To change frequency you need a Genset or something god-awfully expensive.

Bottomline, when our travelling exerciser goes abroad, she should leave the treadmill and hit the dance floors instead.  may I suggest DJ Ghostchild's Euro Pop version of Losing My Religion

When you don't need a step down transformer

We often forget, but most computer things work on high voltage.

A potential customer called looking for a 208volt system for some equipment, but also wanted some 120volt outlets for computers, cameras, and external hard drives.

Yet instead of selling him a 300$ step down transformer, I reminded him to check his equipment again.  Turns out nearly everything can handle high voltage.  This is because most electrical equipment immediately steps down the voltage internally at the plug.   Plus, most equipment needs to handle international power demands, which vary dramatically.

So, other than maybe your lava lamp and disco ball.... your server room can probably do without the step down transformers.

When a 3000 is not a 3000

One of the most common requests is for us to put a 20amp plug on a 3000va 120volt UPS.
By doing so, you essentially make the 3000 ups become a 2200 ups.

First, understand that 3000, 2200, 1400, 5000, etc are VA ratings for the ups.  VA is volt-amperes. Its the electrical capacity of the UPS.   It has nothing to do with runtime, size, etc.  VA is volts times amps.

So when your 3000va ups is using a 20amp plug, its limited to 'pulling' 20amps or 20 x 120 = 2400 volt amps.

Considering a 3000va UPS uses the same batteries and frame as the 2200va system, you might as well buy the 2200.  3000va systems are usually $100-150 more than the 2200v version.

If you are concerned about load ratios of the UPS, it is true that the 3000va is obviously built to handle the larger electrical demand.   In those cases, using a 3000va on a 20amp circuit does ensure a better load ratio than a 2200va system.  I dont think its worth the extra money though.

Final note. this only is applicable to 120volt systems