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Free standing, and the smaller the better. I don't have anything important enough that i need it to be powered for a long time, just long enough for the systems to be able to power themselves down appropriately.
I wish i had a dedicated Rack 
What battery backup do you use?
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 1:30pm
#53
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 1:42pm
#54
Do you know roughly how many watts you'll need?
I've got my servers and core network equipment on a rack mountable and then my primary HTPC is connected to a APC BR700G 700. I went with the APC BR700G 700 since 1- it was a little higher than the wattage; 2- has USB interface; 3- has some power-saving outlets for vampire devices
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 1:48pm
#55
estimating maybe around 200-300 watts necessary, for my HTPC (DG45ID) around 100 and around 100 for my EX487 WHS...and that's guessing high for both
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 2:11pm
#56
ok, so i bought this one, the APC ES 550, off ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200437540223&_trksid=...
Used for 6 months, but the price was too good to pass up even if i need to buy a new battery in 1.5-2 years (hopefully).
thoughts? i'm only planning on connecting my 2 systems
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 2:14pm
#57
As I work for APC, you can guess my answer. :) And, the cool thing about BackUPS is that it comes with PowerChute, which monitors the battery life left, and at a pre-determined threshold will begin a graceful shutdown of the PC. PM me if you want specifics.
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 2:43pm
#58
I've got an APC Smart-UPS XL 1000VA which all but my personal PC is hooked up to (server, client, STBs, HD-PVRs, receiver, & CD changer). I've had the power go out several times and have yet to miss a recording. In fact, I don't think the equipment has ever needed to power down due to an outage.
We also use APC where I work and they're quite good. The batteries last a really long time, assuming you don't need to use them regularly.
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 3:05pm
#59
Same here I use an older APC unit at home (cant think of the model #.) I have my WHS, DSL box and router plugged in to it. Gives me power for about 30 mins which is more than enough to shut everything down.
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 3:10pm
#60
shadymg wrote:
around 100 for my EX487 WHS
I'm pretty my server hard drives alone use more power than that :
The APC BACK-UPS ES 550 is a nice little unit and for that price hard to beat.
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 3:23pm
#61
I also have APC units. They've always been very reliable. I'd like to someday have a rack large enough that I could get a couple of those large rackable/av unit friendly APC power units.
[img width=500 height=210]http://www.apcmedia.com/resource/images/500/Front_Left/49CD030B-5056-9170-D344D76FF4E5DE16_pr.jpg[/img]
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 3:36pm
#62
I've got a APC SUA2200RM2U and SC450RM1U in my rack. Overkill but both were free hand me downs.
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 4:13pm
#63
yeah, someday i'll be able to afford a rack...well, i'll have the space for it, and then i'd imagine everything i own will be upgraded/modified to be rack-sexy
alas, in the meantime, hope this will do
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 5:22pm
#64
Naylia wrote:
I also have APC units. They've always been very reliable. I'd like to someday have a rack large enough that I could get a couple of those large rackable/av unit friendly APC power units.
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 5:26pm
#65
I had an APC battery backup, but it reached the end of its life and started beeping constantly. I guess the battery stops holding a charge at some point? So I got rid of it in favor of one of their surge protector strips with pretty high ratings. At least it's more portable. And luckily, my power stopped being as unstable as it was the first 2yrs I lived here. It hasn't gone out or spiked badly in ages now (knock on wood).
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 5:33pm
#66
yeah, the constant beeping means the battery is bad and needs to be replaced. Problem is the battery is about as expensive as a new UPS when they're that small. If you have reliable power (as you do now) a surge or power filter will work just as well, just no run time if the power goes out.
Tue, 02/09/2010 - 5:43pm
#67
the ridiculous part....i remember now that we had an APC in the office about 6 months ago that was thrown out because of the beeping. *BIG DOH!* 
Wed, 02/10/2010 - 12:04pm
#68
I keep my WHS on a APC backup. I've never had any luck with the powerchute software but I haven't tried it in a few years either. I was either ahead of the curve with the latest OS or had other issues.
I got my last one wehn Office Depot had a couple on a clearance rack dirt cheap. I should have bought them all.
Wed, 02/10/2010 - 12:16pm
#69
Meester.Rip wrote:
I've never had any luck with the powerchute software but I haven't tried it in a few years either.
You should give 2.2 a chance. Up until v2.0 I found Powerchute to be unreliable and instable. I've been running 2.2 for a while now and it is stable and has a low footprint. It is nice to see a report of how often having the UPS has potentially "saved" my system.
Wed, 02/10/2010 - 8:06pm
#70
Is 2.2 compatible with WHS?
Wed, 02/10/2010 - 9:35pm
#71
i have a APC XS 1300 on my WHS, HTPC, Projector, router, switch and modem.... I had a second hand triplite AV rackmout UPS but it died on me.....
love the APC XS's ability to work as a smart switch also.
I have my AVR in the master and then I have my amps in the switched and when the UPS senses power on of the AVR the amps turn on... works great!
APC is a safe bet. I've had very bad luck with CyberPower and Tripp Lite. They basically caused more down time than they prevented.
Are you looking for a rack mount or free standing?
Mikinho | Missing Remote | Windows Entertainment and Connected Home MVP