[SOLVED] Recommended Server Battery Backup Solution

[acavier]

I have a customer who has to shut off his main power for 20 minutes every Saturday. Is there a recommended battery backup that will keep one server up and operational for those 20 minutes each week without degrading?

 

[USAFRet]

I have a customer who has to shut off his main power for 20 minutes every Saturday. Is there a recommended battery backup that will keep one server up and operational for those 20 minutes each week without degrading?

The APC calculator is a good place to start:
https://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/tools/ups_selector/
https://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/pso/zones/

 

[kanewolf]

You REALLY need an accurate power usage number. If you can, get an actual reading of the power used. Something like a Kill-A-Watt -- https://www.powermeterstore.com/p4578/kill-a-watt_ez.php . Get actual load readings from the server. Then take those numbers to APCs website.
Then given your input voltage and ACTUAL usage, you can pick a UPS. For example, this UPS -- https://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/products/APC-Smart-UPS-1500VA-LCD-RM-2U-120V-TAA/P-SMT1500RMUS says that it will support 550W for 26min. Many APC models can have an extra battery pack added for additional runtime.

 

[acavier]

Thank you. That is very helpful.

Please answer my question about the degrading part. If I get any backup, is it going to degrade after being drained for 20 minutes every week?

 

[kanewolf]

Thank you. That is very helpful.

Please answer my question about the degrading part. If I get any backup, is it going to degrade after being drained for 20 minutes every week?

UPS batteries should be changed every 3 to 5 years. Putting a close-to-full discharge on them will probably speed up the replacement time. BUT, a quality UPS will test your batteries every week and tell you if they are starting to degrade. You can then proactively replace them. You want to purchase a UPS that has USB and ethernet interface, IMO. So that you can monitor the performance of the UPS and get alerts.

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you. That is very helpful.

Please answer my question about the degrading part. If I get any backup, is it going to degrade after being drained for 20 minutes every week?

All batteries "degrade" over time. Your best bet is one from a quality manufacturer.

APC, as noted above.
Eaton
http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Electrical/ProductsandServices/UPS/index.htm
Tripp Lite
https://www.tripplite.com/products/ups-battery-backup~11

 

[kanewolf]

You can mitigate the degradation over time, by oversizing the UPS. If you only put a 50% discharge on the batteries, they will last longer (with a higher up-front cost) than batteries that you almost exhaust.

 

[USAFRet]

You can mitigate the degradation over time, by oversizing the UPS. If you only put a 50% discharge on the batteries, they will last longer (with a higher up-front cost) than batteries that you almost exhaust.

Very true.

And as you noted above, the actual recorded power consumption must be known before spending any money.