APC Smart-UPS (Line Interactive) UPS's - Worth the premium price tag?

[Halcyon]

It's been many years since I've had to purchase a UPS and so far I've only ever bought brand new. I'm currently in the process of replacing some old gear from my home rack, including upgrading the UPS. I've only ever used APC UPSs and they have been fairly decent, albeit I've had one or two minor issues with entry-level "Back-UPS" models.

There are stacks of second-hand UPSs online which need new batteries for well under AUD$1000 (for multi-kVa models). So I am looking at going down that path, but I am still considering a new unit.

What has everyone's experience been with buying second-hand UPSs? Is there anything major I should look out for or are they fairly robust in terms of design and reliability?

[PTR_1275]

I’ve never had a issue with any of the second hand UPS I’ve bought (never been able to justify the cost of a new one to be honest)

Due care and testing them before putting them into operation. Plus I’ve always opened them up and given them a really good cleanout and visual check to make sure nothings burnt / on its way out.

What side of the country are you on?

I’ve had good experiences with several Eaton 9125 ups.

[beanflying]

I brought an APC Smart 700 with a full load (4 not the std 2) of new AGM batteries from these guys for about $200 early this year. Responsive to the couple of questions I had and seemed to know what they were selling.

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/Uninterruptible-Power-Supplies/99265/m.html?ssPageName=&_ssn=lanplus_australia

Was well packed and shipped quickly. Needed a bit of a de fluff when I got it but otherwise has been great.

[BradC]

The APC SmartUPS are by far my favourite small to mid sized units. Relatively simple. Clean output and can generally be repaired. Also able to drop the battery float voltage a bit to help battery life at the expense of a bit of runtime (I have two units with 600 & 900 minutes respectively, so runtime isn't an issue for me)

[Zucca]

To me when I can hack it, it gain some magical value...

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/cool-tutorial-converting-an-apc-ups-into-a-powerful-sinewave-inverter/

[MrW0lf]

Better look at online/double-conversion. Have Powerware 9120 running some gear >10y, only had to replace battery. BTW before getting any UPS I would hook SA/FFT to its output and ponder if possible horrors on the screen are acceptable or not. Before I used LI UPS for smaller stuff but not after looking at it's output

Look data below for: direct mains; online (Powerware 9120 1500VA); line interactive (APC/IBM eServer Smart UPS 750T 750VA). At least my online UPS would be very easy to filter if interfering with something.

[vtwin@cox.net]

What has everyone's experience been with buying second-hand UPSs? Is there anything major I should look out for or are they fairly robust in terms of design and reliability?

I bought a used Eaton 6kVa 240v UPS a few months ago for US$500 off eBay, local seller. 100% functional, no issues, battery life is still good (no idea about long-term prognosis). Was retired from a lab environment, so it included a separate low-pass filtering unit. I was even able to get technical support from Eaton on it, to reconfigure it from expected 208v input to 240v input, via email.

[Halcyon]

I ended up buying an APC Smart-X 3000 VA unit (exact model is SMX3000RMHV2U) from ebay for AUD$460. It came with a battery pack dated May 2014 however after running a calibration test today, it's still estimating a runtime of over 1 hour @ 340 watts (240VAC) load, which is still very acceptable. Eventually I'll replace the batteries once they wear out significantly.

Very happy with the purchase. Especially love the ability to configure the unit right from the front panel without resorting to crappy PowerChute software.

 

[Inverted18650]

I ended up buying an APC Smart-X 3000 VA unit (exact model is SMX3000RMHV2U) from ebay for AUD$460. It came with a battery pack dated May 2014 however after running a calibration test today, it's still estimating a runtime of over 1 hour @ 340 watts (240VAC) load, which is still very acceptable. Eventually I'll replace the batteries once they wear out significantly.

Very happy with the purchase. Especially love the ability to configure the unit right from the front panel without resorting to crappy PowerChute software.

 

I've had several of these units and get more whenever Id like for around $200USD. I flip them on ebay with or without the batteries. I love and swear by them. I built my own DIY 18650 battery bank and the setup menu allows me to create my own charging profile - its priceless for the lab. If you want one, PM me..drawback is they are all wired for US specs.

Heres the link for the auction site I get them: https://www.bidfta.com/

If you buy something and need to to pick it up, PM well before and we can work it out. I go up to Cinci, OH all the time. (live near Nashville, TN). Even the AUssie guys could bid and get one for $200 and Ill ship it over, PM me for details. I ue my Army connections as much as I can for shipping.

[beanflying]

Sux for us at the minute $200USD is $280AUD and $100-150+ in freight would be likely 

I reckon my Test gear buying costs are 40% freight. Not that I am dissuaded very much by that   

[Inverted18650]

Sux for us at the minute $200USD is $280AUD and $100-150+ in freight would be likely 

I reckon my Test gear buying costs are 40% freight. Not that I am dissuaded very much by that   

Damn, that is rather pour exchange. I saw the other day the fed raised rates again, which sent the market into a tumble, but its only temporary...itll bounce back so damn fast (so buy now, is the key). Anyway, if you guys find anything you like, let me know and I am sure we can work it out. I have friends in the UK, Germany, & Korea so I can send from base to base for free, which helps a lot. You'll just have to trust my friends and call them your own..

look at this: https://www.bidfta.com/itemDetails?idauctions=7522&idItems=663965&firstIdItem=663887&source=auctionItems&lastIdItem=664018