Looking for a low power UPS

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Dec 12th, 2019 3:11 am

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Dec 10th, 2019 6:50 pm

krs [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Mar 28, 2005; 6113 posts; 1056 upvotes; Ontario / Quebec

Dec 10th, 2019 6:50 pm

Looking for a low power UPS

I'm looking for a low power UPS to basically just keep my desktop Mac Mini running during power glitches or very short outages ofa minute or two.

Used a Belkin 550VA unit until today - we had a power outage overnight and the Belkin unit won't turn back on.
Probably needs a new battery but I'm a bt hesitant spending the $50.- or so for that (which would include shipping) and then find out the electronics gave up.

For a starter - what make do people recommend nowadays?

Thanks for any advice and suggestions.

9 replies

Dec 10th, 2019 9:59 pm

EdT586: Penalty Box; Apr 25, 2013; 7398 posts; 1329 upvotes

Dec 10th, 2019 9:59 pm

APC 650VA going for $69.99 at Staples this week, normally it's $119.99.
An aftermarket battery is usually around $25.

+1

Dec 10th, 2019 10:32 pm

krs [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Mar 28, 2005; 6113 posts; 1056 upvotes; Ontario / Quebec

Dec 10th, 2019 10:32 pm

Thanks - that unit looks good.
But it still shows at $119.99 on Staples website - I'll call them tomorrow to see what the price in store is.

Dec 11th, 2019 12:40 am

EdT586: Penalty Box; Apr 25, 2013; 7398 posts; 1329 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 12:40 am

krs wrote: ↑ Thanks - that unit looks good.
But it still shows at $119.99 on Staples website - I'll call them tomorrow to see what the price in store is.

Just look out for them at Canada Computers, Best Buy, Costco as well and have it price matched. I got several of them for around $60 price matched.

Dec 11th, 2019 12:55 pm

krs [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Mar 28, 2005; 6113 posts; 1056 upvotes; Ontario / Quebec

Dec 11th, 2019 12:55 pm

Price matching is fine, but one has to find one at $69.99 first.
Best price I could find so far is $79.99 - I will keep looking.
It's not something I desperately need - it would just be easier to replace the old Belkin UPS now while my computer desk is ripped apart.

Dec 11th, 2019 1:40 pm

death_hawk: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2006; 27311 posts; 13002 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 1:40 pm

How old is your Belkin? UPS batteries do have a limited life so if it's more than like 4 or 5 years old the battery is probably shot.

Also I'm an APC SmartUPS snob, but that's not exactly in the realm of "small"

+1

Dec 11th, 2019 1:58 pm

krs [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Mar 28, 2005; 6113 posts; 1056 upvotes; Ontario / Quebec

Dec 11th, 2019 1:58 pm

I'm sure the Belkin is much more than 5 years old.
I replaced the battery once, but that was also at least 5 years ago - so yes - a new battery is definitely required.

I was powering am Mac Mini, a monitor and a cordless phone system until we had a power failure during the night.
After that the Belkin would not turn on again.
I have has d it plugged in for hours, expected at least the unit to power up (not provide any battery back up), but it's dead as a door nail.
So I don't want to spend the money for a battery and find out the electronics are toast.
Maybe I can just hook up a temporary 12 volt source to see if the electronics will at least power up.

Dec 11th, 2019 2:35 pm

tebore: Deal Guru; Feb 9, 2006; 12161 posts; 6702 upvotes; Brampton

Dec 11th, 2019 2:35 pm

death_hawk wrote: ↑ How old is your Belkin? UPS batteries do have a limited life so if it's more than like 4 or 5 years old the battery is probably shot.

Also I'm an APC SmartUPS snob, but that's not exactly in the realm of "small"

Me too but those guys get horrible inefficient at low power levels. Depending on the vintage they're happy around 50%-80%

I ditched a some of my SmartUPS because I had switch to lower power appliances and away from more power hungry server clusters.

UPS's do have lifespans too especially the cheaper ones. Heat eventually kills the varisitors / diodes. Cheaper models are under built versus Enterprise grades that if used right are never over stressed.

+1

Dec 11th, 2019 11:30 pm

EdT586: Penalty Box; Apr 25, 2013; 7398 posts; 1329 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 11:30 pm

krs wrote: ↑ Price matching is fine, but one has to find one at $69.99 first.
Best price I could find so far is $79.99 - I will keep looking.
It's not something I desperately need - it would just be easier to replace the old Belkin UPS now while my computer desk is ripped apart.

The last time I checked Costco were selling them at $68.99.

Dec 12th, 2019 3:11 am

Keigotw: Deal Expert; Mar 25, 2003; 15982 posts; 4503 upvotes; Markham

Dec 12th, 2019 3:11 am

costco sell this one https://www.costco.ca/apc-bn650m1-ca-ba ... 06912.html
i think is cheaper in store

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