Need Help Picking Out A UPS: Chronic Recurring Brownouts

Due to the age of my house, built in the 70's, and local utility company issues that are well beyond my control, my house suffers from brownouts multiple times each day. Every time an appliance comes on there is a 4-15 second brownout. With the summer here my A/C is turning on and off constantly throughout the day. I've personally suffered and read plenty on brownouts and computers and know I need to do something.

Even after plenty of research I still can't come to any clear conclusions on what UPS to buy. I don't know how many Watts/VA it needs to have, what brand to go with, if a UPS will be enough to protect me, etc... I have two high end PC's that need protection from this. I'm not looking for a UPS that can run my system for a half hour after a blackout. I merely want something that can protect my computer from the constant fluctuations produced by the numerous brownouts I experience in this house each and every day. Any help, advice, and/or suggestions on this subject would be most welcome.

Computer 1 Specs
Case: Antec 900 Gaming Case (Fans: 3x 120mm, 2x 120mm LED, 1x 200mm)
PSU: Thermaltake ToughPower 750W
MOBO: MSI P6N Platinum
CPU: Intel C2D E6300 @ 2.8GHz
CPU Cooler: Tuniq Tower (standard, not the blue LED version)
RAM: 3GB (3x1GB) 667MHz DDR2-800 (stock)
Sound: Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer
Vid: EVGA 8800GTX (stock)
HD: 1x 80GB SATA / 1x 320GB Sata
DVD-RW: Don't Remember Brand
Monitor: LG 19" LCD (L1933)
USB Device: Xbox 360 GamePad
Speakers: Logitech X-540

Computer 2 Specs (differences highlighted in red)
Case: Antec 900 Gaming Case (Fans: 3x 120mm, 2x 120mm LED, 1x 200mm)
PSU: Thermaltake ToughPower 750W
MOBO: MSI P6N Platinum
CPU: Intel C2D E4300 @ 2.8GHz
CPU Cooler: Tuniq Tower (standard, not the blue LED version)
RAM: 3GB (3x1GB) 667MHz DDR2-800 (stock)
Sound: Onboard
Vid: EVGA 8800GTS 640MB (stock)
HD: 1x 80GB SATA / 1x 60GB IDE
DVD-RW: Don't Remember Brand
Monitor: Dell 17" CRT
USB Device: None
Speakers: Logitech X-540

Additional Components
Router: Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router
Cable Modem: Ambit SpeedStream (U10C0180)

 

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=127761&highlight=lightning

 

You might get away with a 1500VA unit as pcs don't take their rated supply, but really you need something rated in excess of 2000VA.

http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/

 

I read the thread you linked to but it didn't really give me any information that I didn't already know. I understand the basics quite well. It is figuring out what would run both computers, both monitors, both speaker systems, router, and cable modem that I am having trouble with. I know that both our computer systems alone theoretically would require 750W maximum each. But I know that the chances of either system actually using the PSU to its full maximum are pretty rare. I figure it will probably be in the 450W range when gaming, which is what the PC's will be doing most of the time.

Trying to figure out stuff like sine-wave, noise filtering, avr, software, hot swappable batteries, etc... is what I'm having trouble with. I just don't know what is required of my situation. I know many UPS are designed for running a system for 10+ minutes after a blackout occurs or for just having a backup period. I don't care about blackouts at all. I just want to be able to protect against the constant electrical fluctuations caused by the chronic brownouts experienced every day.

I really don't want to pay more for features I'll never use or need but I don't want to buy a unit that cannot cover my needs either. I just spent $3,000 (saved it up for three years) on these two computers so I want to make sure they are protected. I just don't want to **** my budget in the process

EDIT
The APC UPS Calculator was pretty basic and I wouldn't trust it. After reading the article you linked too it would appear I am not alone. Not sure why you link something like that. There are tons of other calculators out there that can do the job better and allow for more options. The eXtreme Power Supply Calculator for instance has tons of options and is updated at least once a month.

 

A fact to remember is the number of protected outlets on your ups, you can't plug a surge strip into a ups with out damaging the ups, can't remember the link but its been discussed here before, so your only have have a few protected outlets to plug stuff into.

 

Buy the biggest you can afford. Truth is, their aren't that many options, but the bigger the unit the more capacity, so to get a unit that can handle everything at once you will get long duration whether you want it or not.

Don't try to expand the outlets with a surge suppressor. This was said before in this thread, but it bears repeating.

You might think about several smaller units, judging from what you've said before. Try to balance the loads between them.

Just be aware they're only good for several years before the batteries need replacing. In this they're not like most appliences.

 

After doing much research I feel that if I get a UPS that it must be Online (not offline or line-interactive), the waveform must be true sinewave, and offer a minimum of 900W - 1000W (1500VA+). I just can't find anything that does this though. Even the expensive APC SmartUPS series is Line-Interactive. Any suggestions people? I can't believe how expensive this is getting

 

Would something like this work?

Tripp Lite Line Conditioner 1200 Watt 87-140 Volt

 

I couldn't figure out how to edit the post below but this goes along with it.

Would the item linked in the post below work? Technically the only thing I am worried about is that the fluctuating voltage that happens during a brownout will damage my computer parts. From what I can tell a voltage regulator/line conditioner, like the one linked below, may be all I need to protect my PC from brownouts. Anybody else agree or disagree with this?

 

The power supplies within pcs typically have a 'holdover time' of 10 milliseconds. They can keep going for this time during a low or disconnection.

If you have fluctuating AC mains a power line conditioner is definitely useful and much cheaper than a full UPS.

These devices contain a transformer with multiple taps or multiple transformers and some switching circuitry so that the protected devices are switched to a step up/down transformer as appropriate during fluctuations. They are inherently sine wave in output.

 

So do you think the unit I linked to would be able to power both systems? I know both PC systems have a maximum utilization of 750W but I also know they shouldn't push the PSU to its maximum, at least it should be a rare occasion. This being the case...

1) Would one 1200W Tripp Lite be able to handle both of the systems mentioned in my initial post?

2) Since the Tripp Lite only has four outlets and I need eight, would it be alright to use a power strip to make more outlets available or would using a PS somehow corrupt/dilute the electricity coming from the Tripp Lite unit?

External/Non-PC Items
1x Logitech X-540 (70W)
1x Logitech X-540 (70W)
1x Dell E773c CRT 17" Monitor (71W)
1x LG 1933 LCD 19" Monitor (33W)
Linksys WRT54G Wireless Router (6W?/12V)
1x Ambit SpeedStream Cable Modem (4W?/12V)

Total Non-PC Wattage: 253W

 

No I think it is slightly underpowered 1500VA would be better.

Do Tripp Lite still exist? Their website doesn't link.

You should measure or ask the power company for voltage records showing the ups and downs of your voltage. Then check that theis is within the range of the proposed PLC.

Also you can measure the power drawn by the pc etc. Devices are only $10 - $20 these days.
You mentioned gaming. This activity usually stresses the pc power unit the most.

 

Many Thanks For Your Help

Tripp Lite does indeed still exist (http://www.tripplite.com/). I will go ahead and pick up two of the units then.

One thing to note though, we are not the only people in the area who suffer from regular brownouts. I read (What Causes Brown-outs?), during my research on why UPS are necessary and how they work, that in certain spots of the city such electric behavior is sadly a way of life. It can be the power company who is partially to blame or the houses placement on the city grid. Since the entire neighborhood, literally house lights (front yard landscaping lights, porch lights, flood lights, etc...) and street lamps dim multiple times during the night for no apparent reason, experiences regular brownout issues I'm sure the house wiring is only part of the problem.

I would definitely put more time into fixing the wiring in this house and possibly contacting the utility company for information or to lodge a complaint but the simple fact is that I rent this house and my lease is up in three months. I only need a temporary solution for the time being. If it were my house or I planned on being here for a longer period of time I would definitely invest some money and time into fixing the core issues behind the brownouts.

Many thanks for you help and advice :cool

 

As stated a few times above, no you can't use a surge protector plugged into the ups, because it will damage the ups.

 

hey, Cole, Old Chap

A power bar, with or without surge protection is permissible with a Power Line Conditioner, such at the Tripp Lite. These are totally different animals from UPS and more appropriate in this case.

The discussion has moved on from UPS see post #9 et seq

 

Be aware that there are settings in windows for UPS operation.