Smart 1000 UPS. Can I do this?

[phetphet]

Hopefully someone with more electrical knowledge than I have can help me with this. I have acquired an APC Smart 1000UPS. I was hoping to use it at home for my D-Link router and to maybe keep charging my emergency light power packs when there is a power outage. Maybe to even charge my laptop.

The only thing is, it has what I think are called C13 sockets. See picture below:

I have had an adapter made up (photo below), so that I can plug my router into the UPS, but before I do, I wanted to make sure it is safe to do so. It says on the back, Output 1000VA 670W 4.5A MAX.

If OK, I will have another adapter lead made for my emergency light pack. should I be able to safely plug in such things as the router etc?

[Don Mega]

Your adaptor has a female c13 plug, you need a c13 male on it.

[thequietman]

Any idea, how long it will power your router for?

Thanks.

[RichCor]

So, putting the images together...

If you are wiring your own adapters Crossy would probably recommend you wire them like this for use with Thai equipment.

[innerspace]

Consider getting a thai multi universal adapter with one of the male plugs pictured on the far end.

If you have a desktop pc then power that, more important than a router. If laptop less important, ups could protect the power adapter a bit.

Your router is safe to plug in. Lights should be fine but get low energy bulbs.

A full computer setup could last 5 to 20 mins, depending on battery age. A router alone would last much longer.

The batteries on ups dont last forever so if you acquired it, could be on last legs. Fortunately apc is a good brand so should have replacable batteries when it does die.

[rakman]

Your UPS has C14 sockets, needing C14 plugs.

C13 is the opposite type of plug. C13 sockets are on the PC and the C13 plug goes into it.

The C14 plug does accept the C13 plug, if you need an extension. You can get most any adapter, or make your own. Just be sure to put the right wires in the right places. The center wire of the C13, C14 plugs is the ground,

There are various web sites that break down the wiring of the plugs.

[Crossy]

Wonpro make a handy-dandy adaptor, get it at HomePro and other stockists.

Note that this adaptor puts live on the right, it won't be an issue for 99% of kit but be aware.

[phetphet]

Your adaptor has a female c13 plug, you need a c13 male on it.

You are right. Well spotted.

[BKKdreaming]

can you use any battery to replace a dead one ? like a motorcycle or car battery ?

[innerspace]

can you use any battery to replace a dead one ? like a motorcycle or car battery ?

Unlikely - they are specific size and voltage per device and the charging/inverting/monitoring electronics are optimised for the battery in the unit.

You can build a UPS using car batteries (believe it was crossy and naam on a previous thread, could be wrong), but I wouldn't try it with an existing unit (unless crossy says its ok, he is the local electrical expert!)

[Crossy]

Nothing to stop you using an external battery on your UPS, obviously ensure it's the correct voltage and the correct way round.

That said, if the external is more than about 3 times the capacity of the internal one it's replacing you will have excessive re-charge time after a power failure as the internal charger won't be able to supply enough current (it may never charge a car battery).

You'll need to arrange an external charger.

[Chao Lao Beach]

By the way, a new battery is about 400b in Thailand and very easy to replace, I have some 5yo units now on their 3rd battery. Have about 10 in the house for TV's etc and fridges with brown outs.

Crossy, do you have links to your whizz bang house size UPS ? Threads or info.

[astral]

Whilst you can use a larger battery and an external charger

it must be done with care

The charging has to be monitored to avoid overcharging.

I am not sure that two chargers will do this correctly

Over charging creates heat, damaging the battery and shortening its life with a possible fire risk

[BKKdreaming]

can I hook up an old UPS to my truck so I have power to run some small power tools ?

things like a hand drill, jig saw etc , yes I know it has to have enough wattage ,

you can get a used UPS in the USA with an old near dead battery for almost nothing and I would think they have to be built better than the 12v - 110v or 220v converters you plug into the car dash.

[RichCor]

can I hook up an old UPS to my truck so I have power to run some small power tools ?

things like a hand drill, jig saw etc , yes I know it has to have enough wattage ,

you can get a used UPS in the USA with an old near dead battery for almost nothing and I would think they have to be built better than the 12v - 110v or 220v converters you plug into the car dash.

While a UPS has similar components to a vehicle power inverter, many UPS system designs won't start up off battery but require mains voltage be present before the fail-over inverter circuit can be energized.

[astral]

can I hook up an old UPS to my truck so I have power to run some small power tools

Worth a try

My home UPS does not require mains to get started, just as long as the battery has juice in it.

Just watch the power ratings, but it should be fused or protected with a circuit breaker.

[BKKdreaming]

can I hook up an old UPS to my truck so I have power to run some small power tools

Worth a try

My home UPS does not require mains to get started, just as long as the battery has juice in it.

Just watch the power ratings, but it should be fused or protected with a circuit breaker.

Thanks for your thoughts

there is a guy at my local Flea Market that brings a charged UPS in his cart to check stuff before he buys it , that way he has an idea if it works

I will grab the next one I see and hook it up to see what it will power

Do they normally have a Sine wave or the cheaper to build square wave ?

thanks again , its nice to have a "sparky" in house

[Crossy]

All varieties of waveform are available, depending upon $$$

Square wave - $

Modified sine - $$

Pure sine - $$$$

We have a stack of simple cheapies (square wave) keeping all and sundry running whilst the genset gets around to starting, of course my PC gets a more expensive modified sine UPS because it deserves it (and it's the source of much of my income).

[BKKdreaming]

All varieties of waveform are available, depending upon $$$

Square wave - $

Modified sine - $$

Pure sine - $$$$

We have a stack of simple cheapies (square wave) keeping all and sundry running whilst the genset gets around to starting, of course my PC gets a more expensive modified sine UPS because it deserves it (and it's the source of much of my income).

just looking at the ID tag on a UPS can you tell which "wave" it is ?

[Crossy]

All varieties of waveform are available, depending upon $$$

Square wave - $

Modified sine - $$

Pure sine - $$$$

We have a stack of simple cheapies (square wave) keeping all and sundry running whilst the genset gets around to starting, of course my PC gets a more expensive modified sine UPS because it deserves it (and it's the source of much of my income).

just looking at the ID tag on a UPS can you tell which "wave" it is ?

Sometimes, it's mostly pure-sine (expensive) units that like to advertise the fact, otherwise you need to dig out the manufacturer's documentation.