CyberPower - Hey Mark

[Axtremus]

Hey @mark, I have a CyberPower OR1500LCDRM2U (1500VA,900W) UPS that gave up the ghost this morning. That unit has served me well for close to eight years, so in theory I would feel comfortable buying another one just like it, though CyperPower no longer produce that exact same model (closest replacement seems to be OR1500LCDRT2U).

I figure it wouldn't hurt to check if you might have a different recommendation.

I sized it for 1500VA/900W in the past but I have since removed some equipment and replaced some others with versions that draw less power. I think I can get down to 1000VA/600W if I can get a more reliable product in that space.

In any case, please let me know if you think there are specific brands/models of UPS that I should look into (else I'll just go get another CyperPower unit close to the one I had and be done with it). Thanks in advance.

[89th]

FWIW, I also have a CyberPower 1000VA UPS and it's served me well.

[Axtremus]

Oh well, I just placed an order for two CyberPower BRG1500AVRLCD units.

Still 1500VA/900W, still seems to have all the electronic features of the OR1500LCDRT2U (if not more), but somehow at half the selling price with 2 extra years of manufacturer's warranty (including the batteries) than the OR1500LCDRT2U. The only tradeoff seems to be that the BRG1500AVRLCD cannot be placed horizontally or rack-mounted, which is fine for my setup in this case.

[mark]

Sorry I was late to this party. I still use and will continue to buy CyberPower products. That reminds me that I need one, for the new PC. The CyberPower BRG1500AVRLCD looks like just the ticket!

[Axtremus]

A bit of a post-mortem for the busted OR1500LCDRM2U:

• When the unit is plugged in, I could hear clicking noises every now and then, suggesting that some relays may be failing.
• When the unit is unplugged, the batteries kick in and the unit would supply power just fine.
• But when the unit is plugged in, power cannot flow from the main power grid to the unit's outlets.
• I opened up the box just to see if I can spot any failed components, and found two busted capacitors -- the two biggest capacitors in the box, as shown in the pictures below. Note the yellow caked puddles of stuff that look like electrolyte leaked from the capacitors.

[George K]

Interesting. Obviously, cheaper to replace than repair, but intriguing...

By the way, a while ago, I was asking whether I need a UPS or a surge suppressor would be good enough. I opted for a Cyberpower UPS and it's served well. We lost power about 2 weeks ago (bad storms), and it alerted me and I had time to shut down safely. It also has 2 USB ports on the front into which I've plugged a couple of Anker power bricks for iPhone/ipad battery recharging when we lose power.

[mark]

@George-K said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

Interesting. Obviously, cheaper to replace than repair, but intriguing...

lolwut? Those two capacitors might run a buck or two.

[George K]

@mark said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

@George-K said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

Interesting. Obviously, cheaper to replace than repair, but intriguing...

lolwut? Those two capacitors might run a buck two.

I know. How's your soldering skills on something like that? In my case, it's a "nope."

[mark]

@George-K said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

@mark said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

@George-K said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

Interesting. Obviously, cheaper to replace than repair, but intriguing...

lolwut? Those two capacitors might run a buck two.

I know. How's your soldering skills on something like that? In my case, it's a "nope."

I built my stereo preamp, amp and phono stage. I would say my soldering skills are above average.

A control board from the pre-amp:

The pre-amp with phono-pre on the left.

Every component on every board has to be soldered by hand.

[Axtremus]

I spotted two busted capacitors, but I have no idea whether there are other bad components. Even after I successfully replace those two capacitors and get the box to work again, I have no confidence that other 8 year old components will not fail in the near future -- who knows what other damages or extra wear those two busted capacitors might have inflicted on other components? The point of having UPS is to increase reliability, increase system up time, peace of mind. If I have to worry about other components failing in the near future, I might as well just get a new UPS. :man-shrugging:

[mark]

@Axtremus said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

I spotted two busted capacitors, but I have no idea whether there are other bad components. Even after I successfully replace those two capacitors and get the box to work again, I have no confidence that other 8 year old components will not fail in the near future -- who knows what other damages or extra wear those two busted capacitors might have inflicted on other components? The point of having UPS is to increase reliability, increase system up time, peace of mind. If I have to worry about other components failing in the near future, I might as well just get a new UPS. :man-shrugging:

Mostly agree. I was just saying, a couple of capacitors are worth trying to replace. Probably not much up-stream damage actually. I would attempt the repair. Would I use it after I repaired it? I would test it of course but, yeah, if it passes the tests and produces clean power, why not use it?

[jon-nyc]

@George-K said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

We lost power about 2 weeks ago (bad storms), and it alerted me and I had time to shut down safely.

One of the cool things about my setup (MacBook setup like a desktop) is that it’s impervious to power disruptions.

[George K]

@jon-nyc said in CyberPower - Hey Mark:

One of the cool things about my setup (MacBook setup like a desktop) is that it’s impervious to power disruptions.

How do you power the monitor?

[jon-nyc]

It’s plugged into the wall. But there’s no risk in a monitor suddenly losing power. And if I want to keep working I’d just take the laptop out of its holder and open it.

[George K]

Today (only) on w00t!

https://computers.woot.com/plus/cyberpower-battery-backup-systems-5?ref=w_ngh_dd_cp