OT: Cheap Huge UPS

[mike1234]

Hey folks. I just bought a repacement battery for the UPS on my PC. I decided to buy the largest sealed gel cell battery they had in stock, which is 34 amp-hours. I'll use lamp cord to splice into the UPS wires and set the battery to the side.

Why did I do this? Because it's much cheaper than buying an UPS with this much back-up power. My PC could never draw enough current to justify buying a $500 UPS. However, I want it to continue running for hours if need be and this battery upgrade will do the trick. I paid $50 for the UPS and the larger battery cost me $80. So for $130 I have an ups that will power my PC for for 3 or 4 hours (maybe longer) if I only connect it to the PC (no monitor, etc.)... and this is a very decent graphics machine.

[mike1234]

[bear]

> Hey folks. I just bought a repacement
> battery for the UPS on my PC. I decided to
> buy the largest sealed gel cell battery they
> had in stock, which is 34 amp-hours. I'll
> use lamp cord to splice into the UPS wires
> and set the battery to the side.

> Why did I do this? Because it's much cheaper
> than buying an UPS with this much back-up
> power. My PC could never draw enough current
> to justify buying a $500 UPS. However, I
> want it to continue running for hours if
> need be and this battery upgrade will do the
> trick. I paid $50 for the UPS and the larger
> battery cost me $80. So for $130 I have an
> ups that will power my PC for for 3 or 4
> hours (maybe longer) if I only connect it to
> the PC (no monitor, etc.)... and this is a
> very decent graphics machine.

The now severely under spec charging circuit may begin to wimper and cry...

[mike1234]

Besides, I can always add a supplemental charger for less than ten bucks.

> The now severely under spec charging circuit
> may begin to wimper and cry...

[philiparcario]

> Besides, I can always add a supplemental
> charger for less than ten bucks.
I have done the same thing with good results. 5 months now with no problems. two 40 minute blackouts. all worked well.

[mike1234]

[jimlg]

I hope you plan to use 8 gauge lamp cord because at 12v it takes a ton of current to run your 120v computer. Wouldn't want any fires

[savantstrike]

Although on the plus side, burning plastic has a sickly sweet smell to it dont you think? Wait.. no it doesnt..

> I hope you plan to use 8 gauge lamp cord
> because at 12v it takes a ton of current to
> run your 120v computer. Wouldn't want any
> fires

[philiparcario]

Provided Link: amp link not lamp cord!


> Although on the plus side, burning plastic
> has a sickly sweet smell to it dont you
> think? Wait.. no it doesnt..
I used 2 pieces of 10 gauge cable per post which comes out to 7 gauge if you buy a kit like pe number 269-138 for 8.87 you should be good its fused.

[savantstrike]

Now that is definately NOT lamp cord...

> I used 2 pieces of 10 gauge cable per post
> which comes out to 7 gauge if you buy a kit
> like pe number 269-138 for 8.87 you should
> be good its fused.

[mike1234]

Okay... 8 guage it is. These leads will only be 12-16 inches long, BTW.

> I hope you plan to use 8 gauge lamp cord
> because at 12v it takes a ton of current to
> run your 120v computer. Wouldn't want any
> fires