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UPS Power Back up
I’ve had a Powerware 5125 UPS power back up for several years, but it’s time to replace it. What kind of UPS battery back ups are you folks using? I need to provide power back up to my Mac Pro, a Beta Deck, a 30″Cinema Display, and 4 External hard drives. Obviously quiet operation is important. Any suggestions?
This is for my home based FCP system. Thanks very much. -
3 Replies
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I’m using a APC Smart-UPS X 1500VA Rack/Tower LCD 120V. I have the exact setup you’re running except for the cinema display. I have my mac pro with an internal Raid 5 Both 2 samsung 22 inch an a 4 Terabyte cal digit firewire 800 drive and I’m only using about 36% of the entire battery. It has an LCD screen that keeps you aware of how much power you’re using and how charged the battery is. Great product very quiet will run you a bit over 1k after taxes and shipping.
Chad Tingle
Producer/Editor -
Hi Greg,
I’ve been using various models of APC brand battery backups for years now. They’ve always done well for me and I trust the brand.
I do have one suggestion about your setup regarding the Betacam Deck though. In my experience building and installing editing systems, there really isn’t a need to connect your Betacam Deck to the UPS. The UPS’ main purpose is to prevent power spikes from hurting your system and to give you enough time to shut down your computer and hard drives properly in the event of a power failure/outage. If your Beta Deck is connected to one of the actual battery backup outlets, it will draw power from the battery and reduce the time you have to properly save, shut down, and power off your really important components. The CPU, monitor, and any storage drives are the main components that need the battery protection.
If you still need a connection for the Beta Deck, many UPS systems have outlets that do NOT receive power during a power failure and you could use one of those. If not, then you can connect the Beta Deck to a surge suppressor to protect the deck. However, only the components essential to saving and shutting down your computer and drives should be on the actual battery backup since anything else will just reduce the time the backup is functional.
Andrew
Andrew S. Golden
Director of Marketing / Technology Specialist
Video Corporation of America
7 Veronica Avenue
Somerset, NJ 08875
http://www.vca.com -
I forgot to mention that on my earlier post ..I agree with andrew wholeheartedly. You really don’t need to hook up the beta deck at all
Chad Tingle
Producer/Editor
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