Question Will this old UPS meet my needs?

[TantalizingMoon]

Hello all.

I've got an old UPS that's brand new, never opened. It's an Episode ep-400-ups-8htr-2200 . You can find a manual with its specs if you google the model.

I'm trying to determine how much run time I'll get off this UPS if I lose power, but I can't find any info online and my electrical knowledge is very surface level, so I'm not sure how to calculate it.

For now, I'll be hooking up a security system to it. This is a commercial property and the breaker box is located outside for whatever reason so it would be incredibly easy to cut the power. Therefore, I'm hoping to get at least 2hr run time out of my UPS. I'm hoping to use the one I already have of course, but I know its pretty ancient. Below are the components I'll be hooking up:

4x POE cameras @ IEEE 802.3af, 48V active (Website says 12W maximum for each camera)
1x NVR @ DC 48V~53V (20W max power per port and its got 8 ports) (Power consumption is <10W Without HDD&PoE)

If this UPS is beefy enough, I'd like to add a very small server to it later on. But no clue what its specs will be yet, so I can't give a power rating. Just thought I'd mention it.

Hope I gave enough info. If not, just let me know what else y'all need. Thank you.

 

[COLGeek]

When you say old, how old? I wonder if the batteries are in good shape and will take/hold a charge.

Also, did you see this notice:

Important Note - In order to handle 1600 watts and 2100 volts of current, this unit requires a NEMA 5-20P power receptacle and needs dedicated wiring by an electrician.

https://www.snapav.com/shop/en/snapav/episode-reg;-surge-rack-mount-ups---8-outlets

 

[TantalizingMoon]

When you say old, how old? I wonder if the batteries are in good shape and will take/hold a charge.

Also, did you see this notice:

Important Note - In order to handle 1600 watts and 2100 volts of current, this unit requires a NEMA 5-20P power receptacle and needs dedicated wiring by an electrician.

https://www.snapav.com/shop/en/snapav/episode-reg;-surge-rack-mount-ups---8-outlets

It's been stored pretty nicely, so I'd imagine its ok. I can't say for certain how old it is, but maybe close to 10 years now. Again, it's never even been opened so I'm hoping that helps.

I did notice that warning. I could be misinterpreting it, but I assumed since I won't be putting nearly that many Watts through it, that wouldn't be necessary. But if it is, I can have that wired up fairly easily.

 

[bill001g]

Look at the plug it is not your standard plug you commonly see. It needs a outlet rated at 20amps. Do not cheat and just swap the outlet it will blow the breaker. You almost need a dedicated circuit or at least one with not a lot of other stuff on the same breaker.

If it has been sitting for 10years the batteries are garbage. Most times you are lucky if the batteries last 5yrs and that assumes you do not use them often. It uses 4 very standard UPS batteries. You can likely use after market brand rather than the official batteries just be very sure you get the correct terminal type. There tends to be t1 or t2 type of terminals but I have not dug around to find the ones yours uses. It will still cost you at least $100 for 4 batteries, much more if you buy a official battery pack.

Although not real dangerous if you are careful, just be aware that the UPS will have power as soon as you connect the batteries so be careful what you are touching.

 

[TantalizingMoon]

Look at the plug it is not your standard plug you commonly see. It needs a outlet rated at 20amps. Do not cheat and just swap the outlet it will blow the breaker. You almost need a dedicated circuit or at least one with not a lot of other stuff on the same breaker.

If it has been sitting for 10years the batteries are garbage. Most times you are lucky if the batteries last 5yrs and that assumes you do not use them often. It uses 4 very standard UPS batteries. You can likely use after market brand rather than the official batteries just be very sure you get the correct terminal type. There tends to be t1 or t2 type of terminals but I have not dug around to find the ones yours uses. It will still cost you at least $100 for 4 batteries, much more if you buy a official battery pack.

Although not real dangerous if you are careful, just be aware that the UPS will have power as soon as you connect the batteries so be careful what you are touching.

Got it, thanks.
Any idea what run-time would be for the unit with new batteries and the components connected that I listed? Debating if I should just buy a new system.

 

[kanewolf]

Got it, thanks.
Any idea what run-time would be for the unit with new batteries and the components connected that I listed? Debating if I should just buy a new system.

You REALLY need to measure the power used by the devices. That is the only way you can get an accurate runtime. A 2200VA UPS should provide a half hour or more. But if you intend to use this UPS, I would buy new batteries for it.

 

[bill001g]

Although your UPS uses 9 amp hour batteries you look around you can find 10 amp hour batteries that are exactly the same physical size. It also makes the math a bit easier.

So with 4 batteries you have 12volts x 40ah or 480 watt hours. So you can run 480 watts for 1 hour.

Now this is a very best case number that ignores very important stuff like all the loss you get converting from 12 volt dc to 120 volt ac.

So use something like a kill-a-watt meter and actually measure your usage. Stuff does not actually take the maximum number they have on power labels. Take that number and compare it to the 480 watt number. That should let you calculate the theoretical maximum run time.

 

[bill001g]

I would not buy a new unit if you can get the proper power plug. It is a very good UPS and if you were to buy a unit with even the same number of batteries you likely are looking at around at least $300 if not more. The batteries make up a large percentage of the cost of a new UPS and it is a shame that you have to start to consider replacing them even at 3 yrs to be sure you get the full time.

 

[TantalizingMoon]

Although your UPS uses 9 amp hour batteries you look around you can find 10 amp hour batteries that are exactly the same physical size. It also makes the math a bit easier.

So with 4 batteries you have 12volts x 40ah or 480 watt hours. So you can run 480 watts for 1 hour.

Now this is a very best case number that ignores very important stuff like all the loss you get converting from 12 volt dc to 120 volt ac.

So use something like a kill-a-watt meter and actually measure your usage. Stuff does not actually take the maximum number they have on power labels. Take that number and compare it to the 480 watt number. That should let you calculate the theoretical maximum run time.

I’ll confirm this with a kill-a-watt meter like you suggested, but if what you’re saying is true, then 4 cameras @ 12 watts each = 48 + 10 watts for the nvr = 58 watts (call it 60) and I should get 8 hours of run-time. Which is way more than I needed, but longer is better.

Let me know if I’m way off on that. Like I said, I’ll confirm with the meter when the cameras come in.

 

[TantalizingMoon]

I would not buy a new unit if you can get the proper power plug. It is a very good UPS and if you were to buy a unit with even the same number of batteries you likely are looking at around at least $300 if not more. The batteries make up a large percentage of the cost of a new UPS and it is a shame that you have to start to consider replacing them even at 3 yrs to be sure you get the full time.

Any chance you’d link me some good replacement batteries? Would hate to buy the wrong thing.

 

[kanewolf]

Any chance you’d link me some good replacement batteries? Would hate to buy the wrong thing.

According to the user's manual the battery pack model number is RBP842S You can google "RBP842S replacement batteries" and get pages like this -- https://www.upsbatterycenter.com/episode-rbp842s-compatible-battery-set

 

[TantalizingMoon]

According to the user's manual the battery pack model number is RBP842S You can google "RBP842S replacement batteries" and get pages like this -- https://www.upsbatterycenter.com/episode-rbp842s-compatible-battery-set

I found that earlier. Was more-so referencing the 10AH batteries he mentioned, but thank you.

Last question for y'all:

I've got 2 of these episode UPSs. If I replace batteries in both, can I wire them in a series to double my AH?

 

[kanewolf]

I found that earlier. Was more-so referencing the 10AH batteries he mentioned, but thank you.

Last question for y'all:

I've got 2 of these episode UPSs. If I replace batteries in both, can I wire them in a series to double my AH?

You would not want to run a UPS off another UPS. You could split the load between two UPS units for increased time.

 

[bill001g]

This is where buying third party batteries gets messy. You need to find the exact dimensions of the batteries and verify they will actually fit. Not all batteries even when rated for the same number of AH are the same size. On some UPS even 1/4 inch difference is too much. On a UPS I have that is very old I actually measured the batteries rather than trusting some source. Amazon sells lots of options.
In theory the company that is selling batteries for the exact model of ups has checked those dimensions.

Be aware shipping costs are very high. Batteries are very heavy and have government restrictions on how they are shipped,no airplanes for example.

UPS are not really designed to run that long. The battery in theory might run that long but there is some overhead power the UPS uses for fans and for displays etc. Hard to say how long it might last. Most UPS are designed to run at very high power output for a short time...say 15 minutes. This is to allow you to shut machines down or in the case of larger installs get a generator started and up to operating temperature.

All you can do is try it you are not going to find a UPS that is bigger than the ones you have....well unless you pay big money.

If this is not going to be good enough I would look a small generator that you can start remotely.

There are also is a large amount of solar equipment sold that can be used as a UPS. Since your equipment runs on 48 volts it appears you might find a way to in effect built your own UPS with a big 48 volts battery charger and 4 huge batteries. Only your wallet will limit the batteries you can use when you are looking at the ones they use in solar.