Anyone have a UPS device hooked up to their computer?

[floridafam]

We have frequent power outages where the power goes out and comes right back on.

Dh purchased a UPS device for the computer and our tv last week. We've had 2 power outages since then and the devices didn't work.

I can't get to the box for the product right now because we are having some work done on our house.

Any advice on what we could be doing wrong?

 

[sleepyone]

I have one. It's a nuissance.It will beep to warn me....it's supposed to give you time to turn it off. By the time I get downstairs, it runs out of juice. Then it screeches at me. It's just a stupid noise maker.

If there is a power surge and the lights blink, it will keep the computer from going off, though.

 

[floridafam]

I guess we are doing something wrong. Both the tv and the computer shut off and did not beep when the power went out.

 

[sleepyone]

I just think I my comuter is sucking too much juice. Maybe if I unplug the monitor or something?

Did you have to connect wires in yours? My directions are:

1. Turn the Back-UPS ES over and remove the battery compartment cover.
2. Slide the battery compartment cover completely off the BAck-UPS ES.
3. Lift the battery out of the compartment and connect the black wire to the battery terminal.
4. Replace the battery, battery compartment cover, and cover retaining screw.

Also, is it switched on? Mine is supposed to charge for 16 hours before using.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We have surge proctectors on our electronics but not UPSs. A UPS is used to let you gracefully shut a computer down so you don't lose any data. There is not need for a UPS on a TV. The turning back on is what is dangerous (power surge).

 

[TheRatPack]

I have a APC UPS and it works great. We've had some power outages since having it and it gives me 10-15 minutes to shut everything down. It's got a counter that pops up and tells me how much time the battery still has on it and when there are power surges it pops up and tells me that it has switched to battery back up and then when it switches back over to power.

This one was supposed to be a bit over 100.00 but the store had them on clearance, getting rid of a lot of this type of product and we got it for around 20.00.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We have them all over the house. The ones we get have to have the battery plugged in after we get it out of the box. It is probably for safety and shipping reasons. We haven't had any problems with them. We also replace the batteries after 3 years or so since that seems to be how long they will last.

 

[mtblujeans]

It has been awhile since i have set one up.....did you follow the printed instructions and open it up and plug the internal battery in and let it charge up fully before using it?

 

[foxfire]

I have a APC UPS and it works great. We've had some power outages since having it and it gives me 10-15 minutes to shut everything down. It's got a counter that pops up and tells me how much time the battery still has on it and when there are power surges it pops up and tells me that it has switched to battery back up and then when it switches back over to power.

This one was supposed to be a bit over 100.00 but the store had them on clearance, getting rid of a lot of this type of product and we got it for around 20.00.

I also have an APC UPS (with surge protector) and am very happy with it. I've had it a while so I don't recall what it cost but I bought it at Sam's. It's been very reliable and gives me plenty of time to shut down my computer if there is a power outage.

 

[Janet2k]

We have frequent power outages where the power goes out and comes right back on.

Dh purchased a UPS device for the computer and our tv last week. We've had 2 power outages since then and the devices didn't work.

I've been using a UPS for years and it's saved my butt many a time. Depending upon what is plugged into it, there is enough juice to run my electronic equipment for 5 - 20 minutes. When the power goes out, a "Warning" message is displayed on my computer (the UPS also begins beeping) telling me that I have "x" number of minutes to shut everything down. I don't really get motivated to do so until the clock is in the 2 - 3 minute range (that's also about the time that the beeping has driven me almost to the brink of madness).

On my UPS, there are switched plugs and unswitched plugs. Make sure that your computer & TV are plugged into the proper plugs. For my setup, I have my computer equipment plugged into the switched plugs. That means that the UPS needs to be powered on in order to run the computer. However, I have my TV plugged into one of the unswitched plugs. That means that the UPS does not need to be on in order to run the TV (I don't care if a power outage shuts off the TV).

If you've followed the directions properly, you probably have a faulty UPS. Return it to the store for an exchange.

 

[Brianne]

We also have an APC UPS & it's a good thing too because it gets used almost once a day. I can't believe how many power surges & outages we get out here, even when the weather is perfect!

 

[floridafam]

Thanks so much!

I'll have DH take a look at this thread when he gets home.

I don't think we should have almost daily power outages and surges but FPL seems to think it's an okay thing.

 

[sleepyone]

Heh heh...looking at your tag, maybe you should have gotten a FedEx device hooked up to your computer. Just picking.

 

[floridafam]

I really need to get a different tag now that we've moved. My FedEx person is now a woman and my UPS guy reminds me of my Dad.

I still haven't had a chance to show DH this thread.