
RickS

May 26, 2009, 6:18 PM
Post #17 of 18
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As Bajagringo says it will depend on what load you plan to put on a backup unit as to what size (thus cost) you will need. And it also depends on whether one is just trying to 'protect' your stuff by riding out a momentary power outage or brown condition or whether one wants to 'keep all your stuff running through a rather extended power outage'. If you are 'just' putting a single PC, a modem, maybe a router and maybe a Vonage VoIP phone adapter on it, something like an APC 450VA unit will do just fine.... if you have a couple of computers and maybe a printer plus the other stuff, move up to the 550VA unit. Both will protect your equipment the same way but the 550 will give you more minutes of power while in a power outage. My experience with the APC brand is that the batteries in them last 3-5 years and they are replaceable (in the US for sure). If one lives in an area with a 'wildly' fluctuating power source, I would recommend putting a good voltage regulator in front of the UPS system too. That is commonly not required in the US, but in some regions of Mexico, well....... The 450VA sells for about $45 in the US and the 550VA about $60. I have seen them (purchased them actually) in Ajijic for around $60-75 at local dealers. I don't know what they might cost at, say, a Costco or Walmart.
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