Hi, I totally agree that solar is a very potential technology. Need enough batteries to get through the night though. :-)
And, did i mention my box is in a basement? But by all means, post that link here when you regoogle it. rgds, Reinier Battenberg Director Mountbatten Ltd. +256 782 801 749 www.mountbatten.net Be a professional website builder: www.easysites.ug On Thursday 24 September 2009 12:52:10 Dennis M S wrote: > Hi Renier, > I think it would help volumes if you tried a solar solution...a base > package which should be @ 500k Ush should be adequate to run ur > server, i did come across a unique DIY circuit where UPS's where > rigged upto a solar cell...i will mail u d link when i stumple upon it > again ASAP. > Dennis M S > Xcard consulting > > On 9/22/09, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: > > Send LUG mailing list submissions to > > [email protected] > > > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > > [email protected] > > > > You can reach the person managing the list at > > [email protected] > > > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > > than "Re: Contents of LUG digest..." > > > > > > Today's Topics: > > > > 1. UPS's (Reinier Battenberg) > > 2. Re: UPS's (Chris Wilson) > > 3. Re: UPS's (Reinier Battenberg) > > 4. Re: UPS's (Benoit Marquis) > > 5. Re: UPS's (Chris Wilson) > > 6. Re: UPS's (Reinier Battenberg) > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > Message: 1 > > Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:16:15 +0300 > > From: Reinier Battenberg <[email protected]> > > Subject: [LUG] UPS's > > To: Linux Users Group Uganda <[email protected]> > > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > > > Hi, > > > > I have a bit of a problem with power. I am in a sort of > > in-the-middle-of-a-real fix stage, so i know my solution isn't perfect. > > But within its not-perfectness, here are my issues: > > > > > > - My server pulls max 650W in an environment where power goes off for a > > few seconds-30 seconds regularly. Initially I had a Smart-UPS 750 that > > was able to deal with these intervals, with one exception. > > I have apcupsd running as a deamon and the system will in worst cases > > shutdown when there is X amount of time left in the batteries. The BIOS > > is configured to start up when power returns. > > Problem is: when power returns while the system is shutting down, the > > system seems to stay off. The BIOS never gets an event, so just shuts > > down the computer. Shutting down takes about 3 minutes, which is quite a > > lot. So, first question, how do you tell a shutting down machine that > > power is back, and it is not shutting down anymore, but rebooting? > > > > > > Secondly, we dont want these reboots. I can't buy an inverter with proper > > batteries, so I bought a second UPS ( RS 1500) , and placed it in series > > with > > the first one. Its a bit cheaper, so i placed it before the SmartUPS, and > > keep that one connected to the server over USB (and AC). > > > > This new UPS is not doing its job. If power goes off, it does switch to > > batteries, but the Smart UPS that it is feeding in to, immediatly > > switches to > > batteries, too. I ran a few tests: > > > > With a disconnected RS1500 (no AC in) > > - Connect the RS1500 to a moniter, and the monitor works. > > - Connect the RS1500 to the second power-unit of the server. The led > > light on > > the server goes on, but on the server-side the power cable makes a funny > > sizzling noise. > > - Connect the RS1500 to the Smart-UPS, the smart-UPS does not charge from > > the > > RS1500 batteries, and you do hear the sizzling sound on the Smart-UPS > > side. Also, the Smart-UPS indicates it has lost its power-source and it > > is running from batteries. > > - The orange LED is lit on the RS1500, which means, we are on battery > > now. There is no indication there is an overload. > > > > Plug the RS1500 in the grid > > - Light goes green, and the sizzling sound disappears. > > > > Question: is my RS1500 actually helping my Smart-UPS to feed the server > > with power? (and do i just need to add more batteries?) Or do i have a > > problem? > > > > > > > > > > The smart-UPS: > > http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA750I > > > > The not-so smart one: > > http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku= > >BR1500I&tab=compare > > > > > > > > rgds, > > > > Reinier Battenberg > > Director > > Mountbatten Ltd. > > +256 782 801 749 > > www.mountbatten.net > > > > Be a professional website builder: www.easysites.ug > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > Message: 2 > > Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:45:35 +0100 (BST) > > From: Chris Wilson <[email protected]> > > Subject: Re: [LUG] UPS's > > To: Linux Users Group Uganda <[email protected]> > > Message-ID: > > <alpine.deb.1.00.0909221240210.7...@fen-ndiyo2.fen.aptivate.org.fen.apti > >vate.org> > > > > Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII > > > > Hi Reinier, > > > > On Tue, 22 Sep 2009, Reinier Battenberg wrote: > >> I have apcupsd running as a deamon and the system will in worst cases > >> shutdown when there is X amount of time left in the batteries. The BIOS > >> is configured to start up when power returns. Problem is: when power > >> returns while the system is shutting down, the system seems to stay off. > >> The BIOS never gets an event, so just shuts down the computer. Shutting > >> down takes about 3 minutes, which is quite a lot. So, first question, > >> how do you tell a shutting down machine that power is back, and it is > >> not shutting down anymore, but rebooting? > > > > You need to use a UPS daemon that can tell the UPS to initiate a timed > > (delayed) shutdown, and that does this automatically when it initiates a > > software shutdown. This will cause the UPS to force a power cycle of the > > server, bringing it back online. NUT does this, for example. > > > >> Secondly, we dont want these reboots. I can't buy an inverter with > >> proper batteries, so I bought a second UPS ( RS 1500) , and placed it in > >> series with the first one. Its a bit cheaper, so i placed it before the > >> SmartUPS, and keep that one connected to the server over USB (and AC). > >> > >> This new UPS is not doing its job. If power goes off, it does switch to > >> batteries, but the Smart UPS that it is feeding in to, immediatly > >> switches to batteries, too. > > > > Chaining UPSes is generally considered a bad idea. APC recommends against > > it. Most likely, the power quality emitted by the first UPS is not enough > > to satisfy the second that the mains power is OK, so the second switches > > to battery too. > > > >> I ran a few tests: > >> > >> With a disconnected RS1500 (no AC in) > >> - Connect the RS1500 to a moniter, and the monitor works. > >> - Connect the RS1500 to the second power-unit of the server. The led > >> light on > >> the server goes on, but on the server-side the power cable makes a funny > >> sizzling noise. > > > > Nice :) Probably the server's PSU has little or no PFC and so its current > > draw is not proportional to voltage, causing a huge inductor in the UPS > > to vibrate violently (and eventually self-destruct or tear itself off the > > motherboard). > > > >> - Connect the RS1500 to the Smart-UPS, the smart-UPS does not charge > >> from the > >> RS1500 batteries, and you do hear the sizzling sound on the Smart-UPS > >> side. > >> Also, the Smart-UPS indicates it has lost its power-source and it is > >> running > >> from batteries. > >> - The orange LED is lit on the RS1500, which means, we are on battery > >> now. > >> > >> There is no indication there is an overload. > > > > That's because the Smart-UPS is not pulling any power from it. > > > >> Plug the RS1500 in the grid > >> - Light goes green, and the sizzling sound disappears. > >> > >> Question: is my RS1500 actually helping my Smart-UPS to feed the server > >> with > >> power? (and do i just need to add more batteries?) Or do i have a > >> problem? > > > > No and yes. > > > > My advice would be to rip the batteries out of the RS 1500 and chain them > > in parallel with the batteries of the Smart-UPS, by hanging wires out of > > the side of the UPS case. > > > > Cheers, Chris. > > -- > > Aptivate | http://www.aptivate.org | Phone: +44 1223 760887 > > The Humanitarian Centre, Fenner's, Gresham Road, Cambridge CB1 2ES > > > > Aptivate is a not-for-profit company registered in England and Wales > > with company number 04980791. > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > Message: 3 > > Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:48:06 +0300 > > From: Reinier Battenberg <[email protected]> > > Subject: Re: [LUG] UPS's > > To: Linux Users Group Uganda <[email protected]> > > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > > Hi Chris, > > > > Not sure that was what I wanted to hear. > > > > Second alternative I have is buying an APC batterypack for the RS1500. > > That would give me 15 more minute which is enough time for the gennie to > > kick in. > > > > Does anyone know a place in town where they would have something advanced > > as this battery pack? > > > > http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR24BP > > > > > > (looking at the instruction manuals for the 2 UPSs i have, i just dont > > see how > > I am going to fit the batteries together.) > > > > rgds, > > > > Reinier Battenberg > > Director > > Mountbatten Ltd. > > +256 782 801 749 > > www.mountbatten.net > > > > Be a professional website builder: www.easysites.ug > > > > On Tuesday 22 September 2009 14:45:35 Chris Wilson wrote: > >> Hi Reinier, > >> > >> On Tue, 22 Sep 2009, Reinier Battenberg wrote: > >> > I have apcupsd running as a deamon and the system will in worst cases > >> > shutdown when there is X amount of time left in the batteries. The > >> > BIOS is configured to start up when power returns. Problem is: when > >> > power returns while the system is shutting down, the system seems to > >> > stay off. The BIOS never gets an event, so just shuts down the > >> > computer. Shutting down takes about 3 minutes, which is quite a lot. > >> > So, first question, how do you tell a shutting down machine that power > >> > is back, and it is not shutting down anymore, but rebooting? > >> > >> You need to use a UPS daemon that can tell the UPS to initiate a timed > >> (delayed) shutdown, and that does this automatically when it initiates a > >> software shutdown. This will cause the UPS to force a power cycle of the > >> server, bringing it back online. NUT does this, for example. > >> > >> > Secondly, we dont want these reboots. I can't buy an inverter with > >> > proper batteries, so I bought a second UPS ( RS 1500) , and placed it > >> > in series with the first one. Its a bit cheaper, so i placed it before > >> > the SmartUPS, and keep that one connected to the server over USB (and > >> > AC). > >> > > >> > This new UPS is not doing its job. If power goes off, it does switch > >> > to batteries, but the Smart UPS that it is feeding in to, immediatly > >> > switches to batteries, too. > >> > >> Chaining UPSes is generally considered a bad idea. APC recommends > >> against it. Most likely, the power quality emitted by the first UPS is > >> not enough to satisfy the second that the mains power is OK, so the > >> second switches to battery too. > >> > >> > I ran a few tests: > >> > > >> > With a disconnected RS1500 (no AC in) > >> > - Connect the RS1500 to a moniter, and the monitor works. > >> > - Connect the RS1500 to the second power-unit of the server. The led > >> > light on the server goes on, but on the server-side the power cable > >> > makes > >> > a funny sizzling noise. > >> > >> Nice :) Probably the server's PSU has little or no PFC and so its > >> current draw is not proportional to voltage, causing a huge inductor in > >> the UPS to vibrate violently (and eventually self-destruct or tear > >> itself off the motherboard). > >> > >> > - Connect the RS1500 to the Smart-UPS, the smart-UPS does not charge > >> > from > >> > the RS1500 batteries, and you do hear the sizzling sound on the > >> > Smart-UPS > >> > side. Also, the Smart-UPS indicates it has lost its power-source and > >> > it is running from batteries. > >> > - The orange LED is lit on the RS1500, which means, we are on battery > >> > now. There is no indication there is an overload. > >> > >> That's because the Smart-UPS is not pulling any power from it. > >> > >> > Plug the RS1500 in the grid > >> > - Light goes green, and the sizzling sound disappears. > >> > > >> > Question: is my RS1500 actually helping my Smart-UPS to feed the > >> > server with power? (and do i just need to add more batteries?) Or do i > >> > have a problem? > >> > >> No and yes. > >> > >> My advice would be to rip the batteries out of the RS 1500 and chain > >> them in parallel with the batteries of the Smart-UPS, by hanging wires > >> out of the side of the UPS case. > >> > >> Cheers, Chris. > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > Message: 4 > > Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:41:13 +0200 > > From: Benoit Marquis <[email protected]> > > Subject: Re: [LUG] UPS's > > To: Linux Users Group Uganda <[email protected]> > > Message-ID: > > <[email protected]> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > > hum, > > maybe it is about sensitivity, I think your RS is not giving enough good > > quality power to your smart one ... > > you can try is to lower the sensitivity value, can't remember the name of > > the parameter > > sensitivity ? :-) > > there was some smthg like H,M,L value for it ... > > > > reinier : of course you try this at your own risk ! :-) > > > > > > 2009/9/22 Reinier Battenberg <[email protected]> > > > >> Hi, > >> > >> I have a bit of a problem with power. I am in a sort of > >> in-the-middle-of-a-real fix stage, so i know my solution isn't perfect. > >> But > >> within its not-perfectness, here are my issues: > >> > >> > >> - My server pulls max 650W in an environment where power goes off for a > >> few > >> seconds-30 seconds regularly. Initially I had a Smart-UPS 750 that was > >> able > >> to deal with these intervals, with one exception. > >> I have apcupsd running as a deamon and the system will in worst cases > >> shutdown when there is X amount of time left in the batteries. The BIOS > >> is configured to start up when power returns. > >> Problem is: when power returns while the system is shutting down, the > >> system > >> seems to stay off. The BIOS never gets an event, so just shuts down the > >> computer. Shutting down takes about 3 minutes, which is quite a lot. So, > >> first question, how do you tell a shutting down machine that power is > >> back, > >> and it is not shutting down anymore, but rebooting? > >> > >> > >> Secondly, we dont want these reboots. I can't buy an inverter with > >> proper batteries, so I bought a second UPS ( RS 1500) , and placed it in > >> series with > >> the first one. Its a bit cheaper, so i placed it before the SmartUPS, > >> and keep that one connected to the server over USB (and AC). > >> > >> This new UPS is not doing its job. If power goes off, it does switch to > >> batteries, but the Smart UPS that it is feeding in to, immediatly > >> switches to > >> batteries, too. I ran a few tests: > >> > >> With a disconnected RS1500 (no AC in) > >> - Connect the RS1500 to a moniter, and the monitor works. > >> - Connect the RS1500 to the second power-unit of the server. The led > >> light on > >> the server goes on, but on the server-side the power cable makes a funny > >> sizzling noise. > >> - Connect the RS1500 to the Smart-UPS, the smart-UPS does not charge > >> from the > >> RS1500 batteries, and you do hear the sizzling sound on the Smart-UPS > >> side. > >> Also, the Smart-UPS indicates it has lost its power-source and it is > >> running > >> from batteries. > >> - The orange LED is lit on the RS1500, which means, we are on battery > >> now. There is no indication there is an overload. > >> > >> Plug the RS1500 in the grid > >> - Light goes green, and the sizzling sound disappears. > >> > >> Question: is my RS1500 actually helping my Smart-UPS to feed the server > >> with > >> power? (and do i just need to add more batteries?) Or do i have a > >> problem? > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> The smart-UPS: > >> http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA750I > >> > >> The not-so smart one: > >> > >> http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku > >>=BR1500I&tab=compare > >> > >> > >> > >> rgds, > >> > >> Reinier Battenberg > >> Director > >> Mountbatten Ltd. > >> +256 782 801 749 > >> www.mountbatten.net > >> > >> Be a professional website builder: www.easysites.ug > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> LUG mailing list > >> [email protected] > >> http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug > >> %LUG is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > >> > >> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including > >> attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any > >> way. > >> --------------------------------------- > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > > URL: > > http://orion.kym.net/pipermail/lug/attachments/20090922/6a7a9441/attachme > >nt.html > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > Message: 5 > > Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:59:18 +0100 (BST) > > From: Chris Wilson <[email protected]> > > Subject: Re: [LUG] UPS's > > To: Linux Users Group Uganda <[email protected]> > > Message-ID: > > <alpine.deb.1.00.0909221453570.7...@fen-ndiyo2.fen.aptivate.org.fen.apti > >vate.org> > > > > Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII > > > > On Tue, 22 Sep 2009, Reinier Battenberg wrote: > >> Not sure that was what I wanted to hear. > >> > >> Second alternative I have is buying an APC batterypack for the RS1500. > >> That would give me 15 more minute which is enough time for the gennie to > >> kick in. > >> > >> Does anyone know a place in town where they would have something > >> advanced as this battery pack? > >> > >> http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR24BP > >> > >> > >> (looking at the instruction manuals for the 2 UPSs i have, i just dont > >> see how I am going to fit the batteries together.) > > > > I assume that neither the RS 1500 nor your Smart-UPS is expandable. In > > that case you would need to do some soldering to add more batteries to > > them. It won't be in the manuals, they don't want you to do this, they'd > > rather that you buy a big, shiny, expandable UPS. But if you're careful > > about battery voltages and polarities, and the UPS can handle the load of > > the attached machines you can add more batteries to it fairly easily. > > > > Cheers, Chris. > > -- > > Aptivate | http://www.aptivate.org | Phone: +44 1223 760887 > > The Humanitarian Centre, Fenner's, Gresham Road, Cambridge CB1 2ES > > > > Aptivate is a not-for-profit company registered in England and Wales > > with company number 04980791. > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > Message: 6 > > Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:05:18 +0300 > > From: Reinier Battenberg <[email protected]> > > Subject: Re: [LUG] UPS's > > To: Linux Users Group Uganda <[email protected]> > > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > > Hi, > > > > the BR24BP is indeed an expansion of the RS. Not for just 5 minutes, but > > for 20. That is quite neat. It comes with a socket & plug system, rather > > than a wires-hanging-out-soldering system. > > > > Last time I soldered was in secondary. > > > > rgds, > > > > Reinier Battenberg > > Director > > Mountbatten Ltd. > > +256 782 801 749 > > www.mountbatten.net > > > > Be a professional website builder: www.easysites.ug > > > > On Tuesday 22 September 2009 16:59:18 Chris Wilson wrote: > >> On Tue, 22 Sep 2009, Reinier Battenberg wrote: > >> > Not sure that was what I wanted to hear. > >> > > >> > Second alternative I have is buying an APC batterypack for the RS1500. > >> > That would give me 15 more minute which is enough time for the gennie > >> > to kick in. > >> > > >> > Does anyone know a place in town where they would have something > >> > advanced as this battery pack? > >> > > >> > http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR24BP > >> > > >> > > >> > (looking at the instruction manuals for the 2 UPSs i have, i just dont > >> > see how I am going to fit the batteries together.) > >> > >> I assume that neither the RS 1500 nor your Smart-UPS is expandable. In > >> that case you would need to do some soldering to add more batteries to > >> them. It won't be in the manuals, they don't want you to do this, > >> they'd rather that you buy a big, shiny, expandable UPS. But if you're > >> careful about battery voltages and polarities, and the UPS can handle > >> the load of the attached machines you can add more batteries to it > >> fairly easily. > >> > >> Cheers, Chris. > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > LUG mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug > > > > > > End of LUG Digest, Vol 61, Issue 46 > > *********************************** _______________________________________________ LUG mailing list [email protected] http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug %LUG is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. ---------------------------------------
