Get an Uninterruptible Power Supply - Comments Page 2

A few clarifications: IF you have a generator, you MUST still use it in conjunction w/a UPS, unless you have an "inverter-generator" (the small Honda units, as an example). Generator power, unless it is a "whole-house/standby" unit, is not the same quality as "optimal" utility power. Generators should be sized at least TWO TIMES the UPS rating to minimize "drops" in power.

I install home standby generators. It has been my experience that not all plug in UPS units will work when connected to a generator back up system. Is there a way to determine which units will work and which will not?

I have a UPS on my Mac Mini but in another room is my laptop on a surge protector only. Do I need a UPS on the laptop? It seems that it already has its own battery to use if the power goes out.

EDITOR'S NOTE: That's correct, no need to plug a laptop into a UPS.

Could you point me to a UPS that will correct a less than true sine wave supply? I will be using a Honda generator on my liveaboard boat and need the use of my desktop PC while away from the mooring.

For a liveaboard, the "right" set up is a battery bank with an inverter/charger unit and a generator that mainly serves to charge the batteries via the inverter/charger. Thus no need to run small things like computers directly off the generator. All motorhomes are set up this way too. I have what I think is a case of a modified sine wave inverter killing an Antec PC power supply, but I'm not sure yet. Anyway, the best solution is a pure sine wave inverter, which produces very close to utility-quality power, but they cost. I just replaced the inverter anyway (with a Trace SW series unit--the ultimate), so now I wish I had not even tried to use the desktop PC with the old inverter! At least I'm hoping it killed the PS, no the mobo!