older UPS, replace battery or entire device?
May 23, 2006 | 7:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Raleigh,NC,USA
Posts: 227
older UPS, replace battery or entire device?
So my three home desktop PC's have older APC Brand uninterruptible power supplies (UPS's). "Older" means two of them have failed batteries, and none of them have USB links to shut down the PC's automatically. Some might call my power distribution situation good: I live close enough to a nuclear power plant that I have signed permission slips for the schools to flood my kids' thyroids with iodide; power outages are nearly nonexistant; surges are almost as rare.
Do you advise that I:
replace the batteries locally, such as Batteries Plus?
replace the batteries through APC?
replace the entire devices with APC?
replace the entire devices with something else?
or now, for something completely different, you advise?
Do you advise that I:
replace the batteries locally, such as Batteries Plus?
replace the batteries through APC?
replace the entire devices with APC?
replace the entire devices with something else?
or now, for something completely different, you advise?
May 23, 2006 | 7:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: 99654
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,450
Originally Posted by suthurn
So my three home desktop PC's have older APC Brand uninterruptible power supplies (UPS's). "Older" means two of them have failed batteries, and none of them have USB links to shut down the PC's automatically. Some might call my power distribution situation good: I live close enough to a nuclear power plant that I have signed permission slips for the schools to flood my kids' thyroids with iodide; power outages are nearly nonexistant; surges are almost as rare.
Do you advise that I:
replace the batteries locally, such as Batteries Plus?
replace the batteries through APC?
replace the entire devices with APC?
replace the entire devices with something else?
or now, for something completely different, you advise?
Do you advise that I:
replace the batteries locally, such as Batteries Plus?
replace the batteries through APC?
replace the entire devices with APC?
replace the entire devices with something else?
or now, for something completely different, you advise?
future need for the power for your computing devices.
replacing batteries is lot more econimical, and usually its a good idea.
I've used UPSes from 1997/1998 with batteries replaced a few times.
On the internet and some retail stores, you may find rebates and deal
for the UPSes which would make them much cheaper.
(keep an eye on http://thedailydeals.com)
If you think you can wait.. look around for the best deals.
Personally I use multiple UPSes. I use decicated UPSes for
routers and switches so that can stay up for hours before the
batteries run out. my VoIP phone depends on that.
(yes my cordless phones are also on UPS)
May 23, 2006 | 8:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: BNE, Australia...not too far from the nearest Qantas Pub err Club
Posts: 3,636
Originally Posted by ajalan
I would probably go with something newer. As was mentioned, you can sometimes get a whole new unit for less than the batteries sometimes. Plus then you can get some of those additional features.
AJ
AJ
May 24, 2006 | 1:37 pm
#6
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,726
Does APC still have the program where you can trade in your used (any brand) UPS and upgrade to one of their newer models? That seems to be a good deal.
The non-APC battery I got from the battery store didn't perform too well and I had a heck of a time getting it out when it got swollen.
The non-APC battery I got from the battery store didn't perform too well and I had a heck of a time getting it out when it got swollen.
May 24, 2006 | 5:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: 99654
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,450
Originally Posted by FlyinHawaiian
Does APC still have the program where you can trade in your used (any brand) UPS and upgrade to one of their newer models? That seems to be a good deal.
The non-APC battery I got from the battery store didn't perform too well and I had a heck of a time getting it out when it got swollen.
The non-APC battery I got from the battery store didn't perform too well and I had a heck of a time getting it out when it got swollen.
deals in a while.
I've seen them do the deals for some large scale models, but nothing for home
that I can recall.
But the low end UPSes go for almost nothing these days...
May 24, 2006 | 5:50 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,931
May 24, 2006 | 6:23 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: 99654
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,450
Originally Posted by Doppy
Thanks! but I would think for the small purchases, this would not be
very useful. Plus you would have a better deal from a retailer
(online or in-store) with their discounts and deals.
But it will certainly make a difference for large purchases.
May 24, 2006 | 9:41 pm
#10
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
First, how old are they? If they are as old as some of the ones I have around here the batteries are not user replaceable (or they say they are not).
Replacing batteries in an older unit can cost more then just getting a new unit, with all the bells and whistles, shutdown, all that stuff.
I get any old battery on sale from the electronics dealers, they are awful compared to the APC batteries, but I also know I'm getting what I pay for. Truth be told, I'm using them mostly now for clock radios and cordless phones, so I really don't care.
Price all the options out, I bet buying new units works out best, and you get the new warantee, usb, all that stuff.
Replacing batteries in an older unit can cost more then just getting a new unit, with all the bells and whistles, shutdown, all that stuff.
I get any old battery on sale from the electronics dealers, they are awful compared to the APC batteries, but I also know I'm getting what I pay for. Truth be told, I'm using them mostly now for clock radios and cordless phones, so I really don't care.
Price all the options out, I bet buying new units works out best, and you get the new warantee, usb, all that stuff.
May 25, 2006 | 1:22 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: DSM
Programs: "I COME FROM Des Moines. Somebody had to." -- Bill Bryson
Posts: 1,135
Just keep watching the local ads (Sunday paper). I just picked up 2 APC 500 ES units for $30 each at Best Buy. They seem to come on sale at BB, Office Max, Office Depot, every other month.
May 26, 2006 | 7:33 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Raleigh,NC,USA
Posts: 227
Thanks everyone. I'll buy two new units at Best Buy or Office Depot, and will remove the old batteries to properly dispose of them separately from the rest of the units. APC's Trade-UPS option has the poorest economics for my situation.