Uninterruptible power supply

Guest

I'm contemplating Vonage and wondering about using a UPC uninterruptible power supply to power the cable modem and adapter during a power outage.

My cable modem draws 9 watts, but I haven't been able to find out how much power the adapter draws. I would guess about the same. A highly rated UPS is about $75.

Anyone tried using this solution for power? Even if good for 4 or 5 hours, that would be worth it.

Larry

Posts: 14 · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:42 pm Post subject:

I have 2 UPS's (APC 500VA), one for the cable modem, and computer and one for my Vonage and router. Only had to use them one during a power outage. I know it is kind of over kill, but every time they are on sale, I buy one. I can't tell you how long they last during a power outage, never timed it. According to the formula Amp X Volts = Watts, so my VT1005 would consume 1A X 12V = 12 Watts.

Guest

Thanks for the reply.

Your calculation of 12 watts seems about right.

I read something about doing that in MaximumPC a few issues ago. They seemed to say it would keep Voip up for several hours, but that would have to be without the computer. 15 minutes is normal to keep a computer going. Of course, it all depends on how robust a UPS is used.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 15, 2004 Posts: 5

cbarger wrote:

I have 2 UPS's (APC 500VA), one for the cable modem, and computer and one for my Vonage and router. Only had to use them one during a power outage. I know it is kind of over kill, but every time they are on sale, I buy one. I can't tell you how long they last during a power outage, never timed it. According to the formula Amp X Volts = Watts, so my VT1005 would consume 1A X 12V = 12 Watts.

Why wouldn't you put the cable modem, Vonage adapter and router on the same UPS? Your computer would draw down the capacity of the UPS much more quickly than the comm devices - and keep your phone service running for a longer period of time.

Posts: 14 · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2004 2:05 pm Post subject:

I split them up so that I could get more time out of it. With my computer off, the 2 UPS's will keep the Router, CM, ATA and phone up and running awhile.

Posts: 646 · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 4:37 pm Post subject:

I noticed that both my Cable Modem and RT31P2 operate off 12VDC, so I might just build a cable with big alligator clips on the end, to run them both directly off a car battery. I think that should provide at least a couple days of power, without the conversion losses of a UPS.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 30, 2004 Posts: 2

Check out www.Tripplite.com or www.Belkin.com for APC's.

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 2:09 pm Post subject:

Danno_CFR wrote:

Check out www.Tripplite.com or www.Belkin.com for APC's.

Um, no. APC is American Power Conversion, and their stuff is at www.apcc.com. Either way, I'm sure most people already know where to find a UPS.

Posts: 12 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 31, 2005 Posts: 12

I tried the upc and after about 10 or 15 min. it stopped. I wonder if it has a timer to shut off.

I agree with the wattage and it should of lasted much longer.

I bought a "Jump Start Device" (vector makes them) in the auto section of discount store for about $35.00. I already had a 12 V to 115 V convertor. I plugged it into the battery and plugged my router modem and adapter. After 4 hours it was still going strong.

I also was thinking about making a wire set that i could power the devices without going thought the 12 v to 115 v to 12 v. It would last even longer without the losses in the conversions of voltages.

Owen

Posts: 47 · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:17 pm Post subject: Re: Uninterruptible power supply

gridbias wrote:

I'm contemplating Vonage and wondering about using a UPC uninterruptible power supply to power the cable modem and adapter during a power outage.

My cable modem draws 9 watts, but I haven't been able to find out how much power the adapter draws. I would guess about the same. A highly rated UPS is about $75.

Anyone tried using this solution for power? Even if good for 4 or 5 hours, that would be worth it.

Larry

One thing to keep in mind. If your neighborhood's power grid goes down, most likely your cable will go down too. Cable systems are powered up every couple of miles or so from the same source you get your power from. Some cable systems have power supplies with battery backup, but they are rarely maintained, so they would only last a short while at best.

But, if you loose power to just your home - tree or branch falls, or a transformer blows the UPS is a good idea.