Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
I have a half dozen or so fair size commercial UPS backups, and recently had the power out overnight, and began to wondering how helpful the UPS might be for just such a case. I'm fairly certain one could power a light and a radio, but not certain how long. Possibly might even power a TV for awhile.
Anybody ever thought about, or tried this?
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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Are they 12V DC output?
They won't take a load for long.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
The ones I'm referring to have 110V socket banks and 2-4 lead acid batteriesOriginally Posted by Re-cycler
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
I found one thread where Phantoms001 was telling about using them as inverters, http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/day-l...recyclers.html or making them in to a solar unit of some sort, guess I'll be checking into that some too.
I was basically wondering how they'd serve as a standby power for some lights and maybe TV during a power out.
Also wondering once they're charged, if they can be unplugged and stored without losing the charge ?
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I saved a few that I got recently to play around with. I read that post from Phantom too liked what he did.
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Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
haha, post details, and 8x10 glossy black an white photographs ; ) The ones I got were removed from service, to the best I can figure, for no other reason than that the warranty had expired. Although I haven't started testing, that power out got me thinking of doing it shortly. They're UPC Smart-UPS 900s, 1300s, and a 1500
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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I had some that were telephone switching system backups, there were four pairs of car sized lead acid batteries but they were all dead.
Look at how long a car battery lasts when you leave a dome light on.
Last edited by Re-cycler; 05-17-2013 at 08:09 PM.
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I think you would be surprised how long they might last....30 minutes or 2 hours depending on what you are drawing off of them. You might do a test and plug in a lamp with a 60w bulb. Let the unit charge for 24 hours or more then unplug it. I might do the same as I think I have about 4-5 of these sitting in my garage. Like you said, might be good way to get some temp power to charge a radio or light in a storm. Let us know how it works for you.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
Will do Shen, also going to look into that solar charging angle
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Change your light over to a CFL or a LED, it'll last a lot longer.
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Well now, that would be handy during the next power outtage thanks to our yearly Hurricanes. An a lot cheaper then a generator..lol.
Then again, thats why I hide out at the wife's hotel. Safe, dry and power.
Sirscrapalot - You can't keep me in the dark! I'm not a mushroom!
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The wife bought a set of these and with 4 AA batteries they put out the light of a 40 watt reg. bulb. You can stick the back to a surface and slide the bulb out of it. They are supposed to last 8 to 10 hours of steady use, about like a flashlight. Has a string on/off. Would have been happier if it was a LED light.
https://www.instabulb.com/?gclid=CJi...FZFFMgodf3oA-w
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I remember reading over the specs of a power supply I had once. It had a chart showing the amount of time it would operate on battery according to the wattage of the power supply. Maybe yours has something like this to reference.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
That would be a good thing to find Ryan, along with how to convert it to an inverter, and also how to plug a solar panel to keep it charged
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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Some use them as backup for sump pumps. I've got one plugged into my pellet stove. When the power flickers, it goes to light up mode and draws alot so with this the ups it is un-interrupted.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
I wonder how much power they draw when they're plugged in but not actually being used.
Also wonder how long they'll hold a charge if they're left fully charged but unplugged, and just stored away
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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How long they will hold a charge not plugged in is totally dependent on the batteries. Some batteries have a better shelf life. It's just like any electrical item that runs off batteries, if they are not recharged, over time the battery will die. This is a common reason that a ups is thrown away. I've never seen one that was actually broken. People let them sit and after a few years the batter goes bad. I use a small solar panel to keep them charged but after a few years, the batteries just wear out. Ironically, the more you use and charge the batteries the longer they last.
There are a few basic things that you will need to ask:
1. How big is the ups? A 1500w ups will put out 1500 watts in AC sine wave.
2. What are you going to plug into the ups. You can plug in as much as you want to as long as you don't exceed the ups' capabilities (ie. 1500 watts)
3. What is the draw off of the batteries. The specs of the UPS will tell you what the amp draw is.
4. How long do you want to run things off of the UPS? This will be used in the battery decision. If the ups is drawing 10 amps for 1500 watts a 12ah (amp hour) batter will last you 1 hour (a 12ah battery will put out 1 amp for 12 hours, 2 amps for 6 hours, 6 amps for 2 hours, ect...). If you are using less than 1500w the battery will last longer.
Once you figure these things out you can mathematically figure out what you want to do. The small batteries that come with a UPS will not allow the UPS to run for a very long time. You can very easily purchase larger batteries that will last longer cheap off ebay.
The easiest way to get started is to begin reading solar power websites. They will have all the formulas you need to figure this out as well as how things should be hooked up. I personally run my off of 2 6v batteries rather than a single 12 v. There is NOTHING different between what you have and what people use to hook solar power up to a home or an inverter system to a boat. You have a UPS which is an inverter, built in charger, and batteries.
I would just play around with a few of them then when you find a deal on ebay add a solar panel.
Last edited by Phantoms001; 05-18-2013 at 07:23 PM.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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This may be helpful in understand inverters.
http://www.batteryweb.com/pdf/invert...sizing_faq.pdf
Google you UPS, find a spec sheet to see the amp draw on your batteries, and you should be well on your way.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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I found two spotless (like new) 1000 watt UPS units a few weeks ago, they are less than 3 years old & have a real nice Blue LCD screen up frount showing the voltage etc.
And the batterys are completly dead flat. Like the things only 3 years old! I have never had a rechargable battery go dead in that short of amount of time.
Hey, but I got two pure sine wave 240V silent generators for nothing. And they put out 40% more power than my stinking roaring teeth shredding premix 2 stroke gas guzzling electric circuit busting generic chinese generator.
Now I can take my whole home stereo system with me when we go camping.
And still hear it.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
If you have a regular battery charger sometimes flat batteries will hold a charge
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