Using Backup UPS as Power Invertor?

[Art]

Is it feasible to use a Backup UPS device as a power inverter? Not for
continual use but for occasional, s.a. 60 min at a time to run a laptop,
battery charger for electric drill, etc. ??

 

[the Wiz]

"Art" <plotsligt@comcast.net> wrote:

Is it feasible to use a Backup UPS device as a power inverter? Not for
continual use but for occasional, s.a. 60 min at a time to run a laptop,
battery charger for electric drill, etc. ??

Maybe, assuming that the UPS is capable of sustaining the load for that long.

Many of the "entry level" UPS units list their output as 350VA, but only for 5
minutes (long enough to shut down a PC). Some of these use very small batteries
and the internal components may only be rated for short, intermittent use. Read
the label VERY carefully before buying the least expensive UPS that seems to
fit. I have one of these on the VCR (so it doesn't lose programming and my wife
gets to tape her soaps), but the VCR is a *very* small load compared to the
rating of the UPS

My network UPS is an APC rated at 180VA (or so) which runs from a sealed
lead-acid (SLA) battery. It will keep the network (DSL modem, router, 8-port
switch) running for over an hour - not quite as long as the laptop battery
lasts...


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[Tim Auton]

"Art" <plotsligt@comcast.net> wrote:

Is it feasible to use a Backup UPS device as a power inverter? Not for
continual use but for occasional, s.a. 60 min at a time to run a laptop,
battery charger for electric drill, etc. ??

You should check what the waveform that comes out of the UPS is like;
they aren't all the lovely smooth sine wave you get from the mains, so
make sure the kit you want to use is OK with the waveform the UPS
inverter produces.

Running a computer for an hour shouldn't be a problem, that's what
most UPSs are designed for. I doubt a battery charger would be a
problem either.


Tim
--
Cook my sock.

 

[CWatters]

"Art" <plotsligt@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:S-ydncSIc_3wtqvcRVn-uw@comcast.com...

Is it feasible to use a Backup UPS device as a power inverter? Not for
continual use but for occasional, s.a. 60 min at a time to run a laptop,

60 min might as well be "continual" as far as loading is concerned.

 

[R Pradeep Chandran]

On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 22:13:57 GMT, in sci.electronics.misc, the Wiz
wrote:
<snip>
:My network UPS is an APC rated at 180VA (or so) which runs from a sealed
^^^^^
:lead-acid (SLA) battery. It will keep the network (DSL modem, router, 8-port
:switch) running for over an hour - not quite as long as the laptop battery
:lasts...

180VA?? Really?

Have a nice day,
Pradeep
--
R Pradeep Chandran pradeep DOT chandran AT sisl.co.in
All opinions are mine and do not represent those of my employer.

 

[Art]

Thanks for the info gents, gona give it a run-up and see what happens.
Installing a inline fuse to the 12Volt source from the vehicle.
The waveform is actually more like a square wave with a whole lot of
harmonics to make it more fully approach "sine wave" porportions. I will be
using the appropiate manufacturer power convertor for the Laptop and don't
expect any adverse problems via that operation.
I have been using this particular Backup UPS with my computer system for a
couple of years and it has servce very reliably. Having updated to a higher
capacity unit allows me the opportunity to try this. I will monitor the
temperature rise of the device while under initial application tests and
handle appropiately.
Thanks again, I'll post any negative results, hopefully not!! LOL
"CWatters" <colin.watters@pandoraBOX.be> wrote in message
news:d_yZc.233828$lO.12193905@phobos.telenet-ops.be...

"Art" <plotsligt@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:S-ydncSIc_3wtqvcRVn-uw@comcast.com...
Is it feasible to use a Backup UPS device as a power inverter? Not for
continual use but for occasional, s.a. 60 min at a time to run a laptop,

60 min might as well be "continual" as far as loading is concerned.