UPS for DirecTivos

[kturcotte]

I found a UPS on sale at Walmart for $20. I know, I probably should have investigated a little before purchasing, but for $20, I figured I would be all right. This here: https://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BE350R is the UPS. Is this suitable to run 3 SD DirecTivos and 1 HD DirecTivo?
Also, the instructions say I shouldn't connect the UPS to a surge suppressor. I currently have my DirecTivos connected to 4 daisy chained surge suppressors. The UPS is rated for 375 joules. Is this enough for the 4 receivers?
About how much backup time should I get for all 4 receivers?

[JimSpence]

That UPS will last about 10 minutes with 4 TiVos connected. When I had a 350VA unit I got about 45 minutes with just one TiVo. Which is fine for it to continue recording. However, the main reason for the UPS isn't just to continue recording but to isolate them from the power fluctuations when power returns. This is something a surge protector can't do. So if you want them to record longer, then get a UPS for each TiVo or a larger one. I now have a 1200VA unit for my T60 and HR10 and 900VA unti for my DSR6000 and multiswitch (important if you want to continue recording).

[kturcotte]

I would like them to run a little longer, but 10 mins should take care of most outages.
I don't see it listed anywhere, but does this unit have AVR? Is that really useful?
Also, is it all right to connect it to the daisy chained surge suppressors?

[stevel]

No AVR on the BE350, nor do you need it. While APC would tell you that the UPS should be plugged into a wall outlet, it's ok if you plug it into surge suppressors as long as they are of good construction. Do NOT plug a surge suppressor into a battery-backed-up outlet on the UPS - it can damage the UPS circuitry.

[extension 721]

I found a UPS on sale at Walmart for $20. I know, I probably should have investigated a little before purchasing, but for $20, I figured I would be all right. This here: https://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BE350R is the UPS. Is this suitable to run 3 SD DirecTivos and 1 HD DirecTivo?
Also, the instructions say I shouldn't connect the UPS to a surge suppressor. I currently have my DirecTivos connected to 4 daisy chained surge suppressors. The UPS is rated for 375 joules. Is this enough for the 4 receivers?
About how much backup time should I get for all 4 receivers?

daisy-chained surge supressors?

extra safety, or are you running THAT many devices off the3 same outlet (insanity!)

[kturcotte]

Probably overdoing it lol PC with 300 watt power supply, cordless phone, computer speakers and subwoofer, 24" CRT TV, 15" LCD monitor, Playstation 2, 4 DirecTivo receivers.

[newsposter]

daisy-chained surge supressors?

extra safety, or are you running THAT many devices off the3 same outlet (insanity!)


are you really supposed to have those surge protectors plugged into each other ...was my first thought.

Then you got me thinking about my own setup and if it's safe

I have an older version of this:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=76&pcount=&Product_Id=171958

because i wanted to even be able to run the big CRT a few minutes if I had to (or run tivo for days lol) . it does say 660 watts but to be honest, i never did add them up for my devices. I assumed it would shut down on overload. (and of course some of these things dont even get used on a regular basis)

57 inch crt
2 hdtivos
1 t60
dvd burner
receiver
cassette deck
cd changer
vcr
2 modulators

belkin used to have a 12345 half price code but not anymore. You can never overby on a UPS :)

Oh and make sure you never plug a printer into the battery part of a UPS :)

[newsposter]

If you believe yale university..never daisy chain....spend the few bucks for a good setup!!! I hate to put it this way...but it's obvious you spent some money on your toys, why trust a 20 dollar thing to protect them all? Think about the logic.

http://its.med.yale.edu/hardware/surgeprotect.html

Do not plug a surge protector or power strip into an existing surge protector or power strip. This practice is called "daisy chaining" or "piggy backing" and can lead to serious problems.

[phox_mulder]

I had a Dishnetwork 501 DVR and a TiVo plugged into a 350VA UPS for years.
Then after I switched, I had the R10 and the TiVo plugged into it.
Easily 20 minutes backup power for the two of them.

Once I got the HR10, I figured that might be too much, so I shelled out 30 bucks for a new one.

I'd say 4 things plugged into a 350VA UPS is too much, relatively cheap insurance, get a couple of them.

It's probably time for me to replace that old one as well,
although it still works as well and as long as the day I bought it.


phox

[Dkerr24]

CompUSA is also running that APC 350va unit for $19.99 ($34.99 + $15 mail in rebate). I have a separate 350va unit for each DTivo. For 4 devices as you list, I'd say you need at least a 650va unit to handle that large of a load.

[Sparky]

I got a 1250va with dead batteries. Replaced the batteries and now I have Tivo, TV and a few other things for 1:20 -- not bad...

[spiffy]

Who makes UPS that has built-in dual cable surge-supression? I've been wanting to use a UPS with my DTivo/TV; but most UPS don't even have cable surge supression built in... The closest thing I've found is Tripp-Lite (sic?) that has one cable connector -- but that won't do for DTivo.

[stevel]

Monster makes one, but it is expensive.

[HomieG]

Monster makes one, but it is expensive.

Quite redundant :D :D

[newsposter]

Monster makes one, but it is expensive.

so 2 regular ones would be cheaper i guess :)

[stevel]

I'm unconvinced of the usefulness of a surge suppressor on a satellite feed, since the only powered connection to the feed is the receiver (or maybe a multiswitch.) If you're worried about lightning, then a proper grounding block is better. You can get individual RF connection surge suppressors - RadioShack sells them and some home theater surge suppressors have multiple sets of these. Certainly cheaper than the Monster solution.

[Raj]

Surge suppression for a satellite dish doesn't do squat. A professional installation will already have lightning arrestors and proper grounding.