Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

[RV Vagabond]

Does anyone use a UPS, an uninterruptible power supply, for a computer or other electronic equipment to protect AC equipment from momentary power failure
I tried an ordinary computer UPS, but it often very annoyingly beeped as a low voltage warning so I had to trash it. I wonder if there is a UPS designed for RV's

[bokobird]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

Does anyone use a UPS, an uninterruptible power supply, for a computer or other electronic equipment to protect AC equipment from momentary power failure
I tried an ordinary computer UPS, but it often very annoyingly beeped as a low voltage warning so I had to trash it. I wonder if there is a UPS designed for RV's

I use an APC Smart UPS, I believe it's either 1000 or 1200, can't remember which. Haven't run into your issue but I do notice the light that says it's adjusting output voltage lights up once in a while while staying in FL. Mainly when the A/C would kick on.

[MSHappyCampers]

I don't think there would be any reason for any UPS not to work properly in an RV unless there is something wrong with your power, such as very low or very high. JMHO

[Mr_D]

If you try to run one off an inverter that's a modified sine wave unit you could have problems.

[curtsr]

The magnum pure sine wave inverted I have is basically a ups. You can loose power and everything stays on; Directv, computers, refrigerator etc.

[biggcrisp]

Originally Posted by curtsr

The magnum pure sine wave inverted I have is basically a ups. You can loose power and everything stays on; Directv, computers, refrigerator etc.

Best answer.

A battery bank and inverter basically is a ups.

Otherwise, while boondocked, you are using 12 volts through your inverter to make 120 to power the ups that's using a 12 volt battery or two, depending on model, to make 120 all over again.

Plus the beeper is annoying.

[RV Vagabond]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I don't think there would be any reason for any UPS not to work properly in an RV unless there is something wrong with your power, such as very low or very high. JMHO

The problem is that it is working properly but it is designed for home/office use where voltage normally does not fluctuate.

Voltage in my motorhome fluctuates as the battery charge level drops, and those UPS's are designed to beep when the voltage goes low, so it can beep several times a minute which is disturbing when you are trying to watch TV.

[vsheetz]

I have three small surge/UPS units in the coach. One on the equipment in the front entertainment cabinet, one in the rear entertainment cabinet, and one at the table/credenza where the computers are located and charged. Tripplite and APC units bought from Costco (easy 90 day return if for some reason they don't work out). I have a MSW inverter in the coach and a Progressive Industries EMS.

[RV Vagabond]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I have three small surge/UPS units in the coach. One on the equipment in the front entertainment cabinet, one in the rear entertainment cabinet, and one at the table/credenza where the computers are located and charged. Tripplite and APC units bought from Costco (easy 90 day return if for some reason they don't work out). I have a MSW inverter in the coach and a Progressive Industries EMS.

Are they designed especially for RV use or do they beep like crazy?

[simplecamper]

To run any sensitive electronic equipment you need very good clean power. Batteries certainly give you that and should only see voltage drop when batteries have low charge. Using a generator that is an inverter type is the only clean power to be used with electronics. Honda makes good and safe generators. Shore power should be good but have a surge and circuit protection adapter connected. all UPS should work fine and never see fluctuation in voltage in your RV unless running on battery and they have run low.

Unless I on scheduled vacation I can contacted 24/7 by my company and have to be online to troubleshoot so I also ensure I have power and I connect via my smartphone hotspot.

I also carry an extra deep cycle and inverter for my laptop.

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

Are they designed especially for RV use or do they beep like crazy?

Not designed specifically for RV use nor do they beep other than when they should.

[SpaceNorman]

Most of the small UPS units marketed for consumer computer use have two purposes ... first it provides conditioned power ... second, it provides a small battery backup intended to provide you with enough power to be able to perform an orderly shut down in the event of a loss of power.

I don't have anything in my coach that requires that level of protection. My computer is a laptop - which means that it runs off the battery 100% of the time - and uses AC power to recharge the battery. Lose the AC power and it continues to run off the battery. This covers the computer, external disk drives (which are USB connected), etc.

I don't believe it to be worth the expense.

[DrDaveMA]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

The problem is that it is working properly but it is designed for home/office use where voltage normally does not fluctuate.



Voltage in my motorhome fluctuates as the battery charge level drops, and those UPS's are designed to beep when the voltage goes low, so it can beep several times a minute which is disturbing when you are trying to watch TV.

You said you have Progressive Industries on the main power so you are protected from reversed neutral, bad ground and spikes. If the CG power drops below 104 volts the PI will disconnect you from shore power. If you are getting a low voltage indication from your UPS but the PI is not shutting you down you are getting something above 104 volts.

Most motorhomes are built with some, but not all outlets on the inverter. Plug your UPS into an outlet that is on the inverter, then you will get adequate power off the batteries no matter what the incoming power is and your beeping will stop. The inverter with the battery bank is a very large UPS!

[powerboatr]

Originally Posted by curtsr

The magnum pure sine wave inverted I have is basically a ups. You can loose power and everything stays on; Directv, computers, refrigerator etc.

yup thats what we do, inverter is in standby all the time, then if and when ac power is removed, the devices keep on going