UPS battery backup, worth it?

[OldPhart]

I happen to have an extended run 2400 VA APC unit that just needs new batteries installed. My question is, is it worth the $140 bucks worth of batteries to give my 600w grow box about 15 minutes worth of run time. I figure that would cover *most* power glitches, and outages. More importantly, this would also filter the power for over/under voltage, noise, spikes, and flickers. I'm thinking that this could go a long way in protecting and extending the life of digital ballast/bulbs. So if it were you, would you get new batteries for it, and put it to use?

OP

 

[Dr. Purpur]

15 minutes isn't much time.

 

[troutman]

^^^^ I agree.

If your power supply can't give you a few hours of lighting at least it's probably not worth it.

You would be better to get a gas generator and set it outside with an extension cord feeding your lights if that's possible.

 

[Easy7]

Natural gas generator can handle a small load. I have seen power out for a week. Makes an outdoor crop all the more reliable. What we need are timers with battery that keep schedule when power out.

 

[OldPhart]

I under stand that it isn't a "backup", I just want the properties of the protection it affords. When power flickers, goes out, or comes back on, it is normally not in a *controlled* fashion. My background comes from the computer world, and I know first hand how many PSUs fry due to power spikes, surges, and over/under voltage issues. Well the switching PSU in a computer, has a lot of similarities with a digital ballast.

Would you pay the 140 bucks for that type of protection, knowing that if the power really goes out, it isn't going to keep the lights on, but rather shut them down and start them up gently; or am I just being paranoid?

OP

 

[Dr. Purpur]

I use giant UB8D batteries for my back up. They cost alot but will run things for quite some time. I have them powered by solar array, and backed up by 2 generators if needed

 

[Andyo]

ideal

ideal

I happen to have an extended run 2400 VA APC unit that just needs new batteries installed. My question is, is it worth the $140 bucks worth of batteries to give my 600w grow box about 15 minutes worth of run time. I figure that would cover *most* power glitches, and outages. More importantly, this would also filter the power for over/under voltage, noise, spikes, and flickers. I'm thinking that this could go a long way in protecting and extending the life of digital ballast/bulbs. So if it were you, would you get new batteries for it, and put it to use?

OP

im in asia itd be ideal for me most power cuts are 1 to 5 mins up to 3 on/offs in that period

i bought smart start ballast for that reason.A

 

[SMS65]

I happen to have an extended run 2400 VA APC unit that just needs new batteries installed. My question is, is it worth the $140 bucks worth of batteries to give my 600w grow box about 15 minutes worth of run time. I figure that would cover *most* power glitches, and outages. More importantly, this would also filter the power for over/under voltage, noise, spikes, and flickers. I'm thinking that this could go a long way in protecting and extending the life of digital ballast/bulbs. So if it were you, would you get new batteries for it, and put it to use?

OP

You are better off buying a 3K generator for $200.
Champions are good.

 

[SMS65]

I under stand that it isn't a "backup", I just want the properties of the protection it affords. When power flickers, goes out, or comes back on, it is normally not in a *controlled* fashion. My background comes from the computer world, and I know first hand how many PSUs fry due to power spikes, surges, and over/under voltage issues. Well the switching PSU in a computer, has a lot of similarities with a digital ballast.

Would you pay the 140 bucks for that type of protection, knowing that if the power really goes out, it isn't going to keep the lights on, but rather shut them down and start them up gently; or am I just being paranoid?

OP

How is it going to shut them off gently?

 

[OldPhart]

How is it going to shut them off gently?

It will just turn them off, but the outputs are filtered and isolated from the input when that happens. Having something plugged into the wall during a power outage is a very harsh thing for electronic devices; because there will often be large spikes and abnormal surges from other devices in the house/on the street when the power goes out/comes back on.

I don't guess too many people are having issues with ballast blowing up, so I don't think I'm going to worry about it too much for the time being. Although before I drop a bunch of cash on new lights, I probably will set up the UPS unit just for the hell of it.

OP

 

[RB56]

If you have regular, short power outages, why not? I get an hour or so outage every few years, so it wouldn't make sense for me. If you have frequent longer outages, 15 minutes probably won't matter but it would be nice to keep timers and other light draw electronics running.

 

[OldPhart]

If you have regular, short power outages, why not? I get an hour or so outage every few years, so it wouldn't make sense for me. If you have frequent longer outages, 15 minutes probably won't matter but it would be nice to keep timers and other light draw electronics running.

I live in a house that has pretty shady wiring, and the neighborhood wiring isn't the greatest either. I have another unit connected in my office to run all my computer gear. I regularly hear it engage, often times I don't even see the lights flicker, but it senses the input is starting to go wonky, so it transfers to the battery for a few seconds until it decides it is safe to connect back to mains power. I checked the logs the other day, and it had 19 events in the last week. I don't know how disruptive those 'events' would be to a grow light though. But I don't guess it is a problem for most people. All I know is that I wouldn't ever plug my computer gear straight into the wall, but they are worth a lot more than an old grow light. But If I go drop 7-8 hundred on a new pair of grow lights, they are getting their own APC unit .

OP

 

[RB56]

I used to live in a house like that. Probably beating the hell out of all of your appliances