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UPS Power Supply-Not Just For Computers (Emergency Lighting)

heyraz

heyraz

AK Subscriber
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This is so "Stupid Simple", I don't know why it took me so long to think of it.

I had an extra UPS Power Supply, nothing sophisticated...something like this:
upload_2023-1-15_16-48-59.png
Living in the Northeast along the Jersey Shore, it seems like power outages are becoming more frequent.
So I took one of these UPS power supply's and put in my dad's bedroom. Not for his computer...for his table lamps. I daisy chained a couple of extension cords around the room and plugged in only his table lamps. I replaced all table lamp bulbs with LED bulbs, each bulb drawing 9 Watts.
Three lamps, 18 watts total on a 450VA UPS....I believe that's 25 hours of light.

My Dad: "I don't need that, I have flashlights".
Me: "Oh yeah. Where's your flashlight right now?"
My Dad: "It's where it always is, in the kitchen next to the radio."
Me: "No Dad, it's on the dresser behind you."

Main Point of this story: Flashlights move, lamps do not.

It's dangerous to be groping around in the dark for a flashlight, especially for the elderly. And frustrating if the flashlight is dead.

While I was at it, I plugged other essentials into the UPS. Hearing Aid recharger, cell phone recharger, even a rechargeable flashlight.

So... If you have an elderly parent or parents and they don't have an automatic backup generator-think about putting a UPS into each room with a lamp or 2.


A month after I set him up, our town suffered a small power outage. I called my Dad to see how he was doing:
Me: "Dad, did your lights come back on yet?"
My Dad: "I didn't notice they went out."

Safety First.
 
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Those look exactly like the ones I have on clearance at the Home Depot store where I work. Just $60. I should probably pick one up before they sell out.
I have an APC unit for my computer but I also connected my clock radio to it in case the power went out so that I wouldn't be late for work.
Imagine my disappointment to find that the APC needs a minimum draw of 60 watts while on battery to stay working, and the clock radio quit when I needed it most. :rant:
 
@OvenMaster
Imagine my disappointment to find that the APC needs a minimum draw of 60 watts while on battery to stay working
Click to expand...

Where did you find that specification?

I'm not sure what brand or model I set my dad up with, but I tested it before I left his house.
I turned the lamps on and pulled the UPS's plug, it switched right over.

I have a larger Cyberpower unit just for an access point (which can't be drawing much) and it switched over without a hiccup when I tested it.
 
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Also 450VA != 450Wh. You need the Watt hour number to determine how long the lamps will last solely on battery power.
I'd venture it should still last at least 3+ hours at 18 watts, however.

I had a 1KVA UPS working years ago. It would keep my server up for 50 minutes or so, my server ate about 100W.
 
audiodummy said:
Also 450VA != 450Wh. You need the Watt hour number to determine how long the lamps will last solely on battery power.
I'd venture it should still last at least 3+ hours at 18 watts, however.

I had a 1KVA UPS working years ago. It would keep my server up for 50 minutes or so, my server ate about 100W.
Click to expand...
You're right. I realized that as after my initial post.
Thanks
 
I see these backups usually have a pretty small battery inside and the rating gets pretty small with a serious current draw. Wonder if the little internal SLA battery could be replaced with a much larger battery to get a serious time extension?
 
As long as you don't run them at full load, you usually can. However batteries are expensive, so when buying new, maybe a larger UPS is a better deal than a small UPS and getting another battery.

Notes:
1. Running at full load will reduce effective capacity of SLA batteries, sometimes half or less of typical 20h capacity rating.
2. Using cheaper car/motorcycle starter batteries will limit the number of cycles your battery will last before you need to replace them. However if you don't get that many power outages and don't need to run down the whole pack, you may be okay for several years.
3. Using lithium ion phosphate batteries may get you more life and not deal with effective capacity at load. However the "running at full load" clause still applies as some of these UPS are simply meant to last 15 minutes before they shut down due to battery depletion, and thus allowed to cool down.

Sometimes Tesla power walls might make sense if you're very power outage paranoid.
 
I had a big UPS on my pellet stove to deal with power outages. Lose the power, the draft fan quits and the fire goes out but not before it starts leaking some smoke back into the house. The batteries are done in it though so I need to buy a set. Its been years since I was in it, but I think its got 4 12v SLA batteries, probably 15 or 20 A/H each.

Good idea to stick a lamp on it though.
 
I recently had similar thoughts.
I've got a loved one who is on a dialysis machine all night every night. A power outage would mess that all up. Hes also unfortunately attached to the wall while he's on it whereas if he had a UPS on the cart he could at least unplug and answer the door.
Yesterday I stood outside in the rain for an hour and a half because he started late and couldn't get to the door to let me in.
The tea I brought him was cold by the time he got to drink it.
I think an uninteruptable supply is something he could really use, and I think I have one stashed somewhere around here...
 
heyraz said:
@OvenMaster


Where did you find that specification?

I'm not sure what brand or model I set my dad up with, but I tested it before I left his house.
I turned the lamps on and pulled the UPS's plug, it switched right over.

I have a larger Cyberpower unit just for an access point (which can't be drawing much) and it switched over without a hiccup when I tested it.
Click to expand...
APC forums had people complaining that my model (BR1000MS) was shutting off with small loads. APC staff admitted that it needs a load of 60w or more to keep running.
Acceptable load range of 60-600w is shown here:
https://www.apc.com/us/en/product/B...ype-a-+-c-ports-lcd-user-replaceable-battery/]
If you put in value below 60w it says that 60w is the minimum load.
 
Keep in mind other options however, there are battery operated automatic power failure lights available. The lamps run straight off of battery voltage and you won't have conversion inefficiencies to deal with, plus you know when the power goes out ...

Also I think APC UPSes are quite reliable, unlike the number of people I've heard of trying to repair their cyberpower units. This is all hearsay however.
I do have one cyberpower unit and it's one of those high frequency inverters making it real lightweight... and apparently less reliable.
 
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