[KLUG Members] RE: RE: RE: Old server spontaneously reboots-UPS was bad

[Bruce Smith]

> I am torn on this one. The VAResearch box was connected to a Tripp-Lite, but
> I have a small pile of old APC UPS's with dead batteries. Some of these
> older units don't have RJ45 suppression or some don't have serial or USB
> connections to help shutdown the computers connected to them. I have been
> trying to find uses for them on lab equipment, but as you mention sometimes
> the replacement batteries cost more than new units. Earlier today I found a
> replacement battery for an APC UPS 450 as a special order at Radio Shack for
> $22.

I've never owned or used a Tripp-Lite, so I can't compare them with APC.
You may be able to buy cheap replacement batteries for Tripp-Lite too.

> I would be interested in finding out the name of the store in Westnedge for
> some of the other units.

OK, according to my phone book, it's named "Battery Outlet".
And they even have a web site!  (imagine that! ;-)
http://www.batteryoutlet.org/

Don't forget to take into account shipping costs if you mail order,
batteries are HEAVY!

> It might be interesting to hear what other people think about this.

I'm not "other people", but IMO, _most_ power outages I've seen are very
short, only a flicker or a few seconds.  So, I believe that putting a
computer on a UPS without a USB/serial shutdown connection handles most
power interruptions, and is far better than no UPS at all.

If it were me, and I had a bunch of old UPS's with dead batteries, and I
was on a tight budget, then I'd revive them with new/cheap batteries and
use them on unprotected equipment.

OTOH, I've noticed that new UPS prices have dropped drastically lately,
so compare the price of a new unit with replacement battery costs.

 - BS