Kudos for an immortal APC UPS

Model 200- (+ some suffix, D?) purchased in '92, when these were pure only-geeks-Know you Need One, days. (I'd wheedled the schematic, engr. docs from APC back then - also a good primer for the techno. As of '92 anyway.)

I commented here on its then 9-yo 2 x 6V Gel-Cells' recently demonstrated viability: in 2001. Over past 6 mos or so, that poor sucker finally reached point where it couldn't even handle the typ. few-second glitch of these parts: the warning piezo would let out an anemic burble, izzall. Then, die CPU POST.

Turned out it uses a pair of Power Sonic PS-640s / 4 AH; cute little buggers. Happiness is repair/reuse VS 'Upgrade' (I question the cost slashing effects on the electronics, MTBF in the now consumer-grade el cheapos.) List $28 each.. ummm - time to review Prime Directive just stated.

BUT! found them / same mfg. at [link|http://www.batterytown.com|http://www.batterytown.com] @ $9 a pop == nobrainer decision.

Decent grade glass PCB, fittings noted (again.) Plopped in new batts and verified that charge current was OK, and busily at work topping off the new cells: essential before any hi-current use, or you trash their capacity and life, later. 168 mA seemed about right for near-charged new cells, and tapering as it should: ergo, APC has proper 6.7 VDC PS (13.4 in series) V.nom for this chemistry. So the lectronics survived the recent futile attemps to make 120 V-AC from tapioca pudding.

Overnight battery topoff; just pulled plug: copacetic.

(Too lazy to scope that ugly peaked sq. wave which these switchers love to see, with their execrable power factor demands; will settle for - the machine thinks it's fine.)

Dunno if APC continues such decent engineering - but this one is starting on its second 13 years of faultless operation.

PS - if you want your cells to beat the market - minimize duration of that Quick! Save stuff! No Pb-acid cell really Likes deep discharge, etc. Also, there's a decent, brief exposition of the proper care/feeding of gel cells at [link|http://www.power-sonic.com|http://www.power-sonic.com]. Click PS-series, 6V for a .pdf of basics. Knowledge is power.

Love It when stuff just Works, silently - forever.

moi

Post #240,633 by Ashton 1/6/06 7:35:37 PM Reply	Kudos for an immortal APC UPS Model 200- (+ some suffix, D?) purchased in '92, when these were pure only-geeks-Know you Need One, days. (I'd wheedled the schematic, engr. docs from APC back then - also a good primer for the techno. As of '92 anyway.) I commented here on its then 9-yo 2 x 6V Gel-Cells' recently demonstrated viability: in 2001. Over past 6 mos or so, that poor sucker finally reached point where it couldn't even handle the typ. few-second glitch of these parts: the warning piezo would let out an anemic burble, izzall. Then, die CPU POST. Turned out it uses a pair of Power Sonic PS-640s / 4 AH; cute little buggers. Happiness is repair/reuse VS 'Upgrade' (I question the cost slashing effects on the electronics, MTBF in the now consumer-grade el cheapos.) List $28 each.. ummm - time to review Prime Directive just stated. BUT! found them / same mfg. at [link\|http://www.batterytown.com\|http://www.batterytown.com] @ $9 a pop == nobrainer decision. Decent grade glass PCB, fittings noted (again.) Plopped in new batts and verified that charge current was OK, and busily at work topping off the new cells: essential before any hi-current use, or you trash their capacity and life, later. 168 mA seemed about right for near-charged new cells, and tapering as it should: ergo, APC has proper 6.7 VDC PS (13.4 in series) V.nom for this chemistry. So the lectronics survived the recent futile attemps to make 120 V-AC from tapioca pudding. Overnight battery topoff; just pulled plug: copacetic. (Too lazy to scope that ugly peaked sq. wave which these switchers love to see, with their execrable power factor demands; will settle for - the machine thinks it's fine.) Dunno if APC continues such decent engineering - but this one is starting on its second 13 years of faultless operation. PS - if you want your cells to beat the market - minimize duration of that Quick! Save stuff! No Pb-acid cell really Likes deep discharge, etc. Also, there's a decent, brief exposition of the proper care/feeding of gel cells at [link\|http://www.power-sonic.com\|http://www.power-sonic.com]. Click PS-series, 6V for a .pdf of basics. Knowledge is power. Love It when stuff just Works, silently - forever. moi
Post #240,634 by Steve Lowe 1/6/06 8:22:37 PM Reply	I have 3 Each a different model, but have been very happy with their service. Never a problem, just one battery replacement in a ~5 year old unit. -- Steve [link\|http://www.ubuntulinux.org\|Ubuntu]
Post #240,678 by tjsinclair 1/7/06 11:12:30 AM Reply	Another satisfied customer Mine finally died after ten years of faithful service, but another APC went right into its place. Tom Sinclair Mal: Ah, he's not the first psycho to hire us, nor the last. You think that's a commentary on us? - "The Train Job", Firefly
Post #240,706 by CRConrad 1/7/06 5:55:43 PM Reply	Used to get a "Recommended" from Jerry back in the day, IIRC Jerry being he of Jerry-and-Larry fame, and the day being back when I last gave a fuck about his opinion on things computronic. [link\|mailto:MyUserId@MyISP.CountryCode\|Christian R. Conrad] (I live in Finland, and my e-mail in-box is at the Saunalahti company.) Yes Mr. Garrison, genetic engineering lets us correct God's horrible, horrible mistakes, like German people. - [link\|http://maxpages.com/southpark2k/Episode_105\|Mr. Hat]
Post #240,708 by broomberg 1/7/06 6:02:41 PM Reply	I played at being Jerry for a bit Wrote a column for my local PC club newsletter. I read Jerry in Byte in my CP/M days. Back before I found out he knew NOTHING! I enjoy his Sci-Fi though.
Post #240,709 by CRConrad 1/7/06 6:10:34 PM Reply	Oh, come to think of it, I'd still trust his judgment on... ...one thing: Strategy games. I'm fairly sure he knows what he's talking about there. (Yeah, Barry, you probably do see how I'm really agreeing with you -- right? :-) [link\|mailto:MyUserId@MyISP.CountryCode\|Christian R. Conrad] (I live in Finland, and my e-mail in-box is at the Saunalahti company.) Yes Mr. Garrison, genetic engineering lets us correct God's horrible, horrible mistakes, like German people. - [link\|http://maxpages.com/southpark2k/Episode_105\|Mr. Hat]
Post #240,712 by broomberg 1/7/06 6:47:58 PM Reply	Yup - was obvious At least to me. On the other hand, maybe he needs Larry when playing the games?

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